Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22783 Location: UK

Hi all,

Ellis' recent post about Imps got me thinking. I've never owned an Imp, or in fact anything with its engine hung out the back.

Who here is, or has been, a fan of the rear-engined layout?

RJ
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kevin2306 · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:06 pm Post subject:

I've had an early beetle which was great but had to go as I was using it as a daily and Mrs woman didn't like the control pedal operation.
It was a hoot to drive and great in the snow.

Kev

Ellis · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:11 pm Post subject:

There are rear engined cars and there are VW Beetles!

I recall that I wrote in the Imp topic that I had driven three Imps including a Commer Imp van. The Chamois I drove only locally but had use of the Stilleto for over a week and I was aware that you were in a rear engined car.
The steering felt very different and took a little time to get used to. It was certainly light and more direct than a front wheel drive car.
The Commer Imp van was an abused shed and drove like one.

What other rear engined cars were there in the 70/80s?
Skoda , NSU Prinz, Fiat 500/600, Porsches, De Loreans and certain Simcas. And before then? Certain Renaults and Peugeots.

I did not ever drive any one of those but had a try in a Fiat 126 and rather liked it.

So that is two types only, Imp and Fiat 126 and , yes, quite nice.

But we now come to Volkswagen Beetles. A 1960 1200, a 1967 1500 and a 1972 highly modified 1302. I disliked each and every one.
I try and post positively on here and look for the plus points of most vehicles but try as I can, I cannot find any in any rear engined Beetle.
Whether it is the driving position, the pedals,the noise, the vibration, the diving front suspension or the vague steering. And what is worse than driving a Beetle? Answer, being a rear passenger in one.

Beetles and their derivatives have massive following so I must be one of a very small minority of non admirers.
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Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby

I was brought up to associate the VW Beetle with Heir Hitler.

I always thought the early ones with the split rear window looked nice and from an early age would call them "shiney cars"

At 60, I'm still a rear engined virgin. Embarassed

Wouldn't mind trying a Porche 911 though....I don't think my late Father would be very impressed Crying or Very sad

Penguin45 · Joined: 28 Jul 2014 Posts: 384 Location: Padiham

The only vehicle I have ever spun was a Fiat 126.

'Nuff said.

P45.
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peppiB · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:40 pm Post subject:

I owned an NSU 1000C bought new by me on 1st August 1971 and written off by a woman driving into it on Dec 2nd 1972, putting me in hospital for 2 weeks.
It was one of the worst cars I ever owned. I could only get it to drive with any form of stability by putting a very large bag of sand in the front.

The only good thing? Every panel on the car was damaged - a total wreck, but miraculously I escaped with my life (although badly injured)

Brother bought a new Prinz on the same day. A far less adventurous driver, he had 5 years trouble free use

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1468 Location: Netherlands

As you know I am positive about the Imp... But that was proper engineered, all other sixties designed rear engined cars seem to have that as a means to build a cheap car.
Had some experiences in other rear engined cars over the years but none got me interested. Beetle too slow and noisy, Skoda just a horrible car, R8 had scary road manners, Smart was interesting but the wheel base is too small making it too jumpy.
A month ago I arranged a test drive in the new small Renault which has the engine in the back, to see why. Nothing wrong with the car but I do not see the point. Less luggage room and no room under the front end.
Interestingly the VW Up! was designed to have the engine in the back but they chickened out.
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colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

norustplease · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 825 Location: Lancashire

We had a Beetle in the family for several years, everyone loved it.
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peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7214 Location: Edinburgh

The first cars that I drove back in the 1960s were on crossply tyres but then I discovered Michelin Xs and just couldn't believe the increase in cornering speeds in my Sunbeam Rapier. After the Rapier I bought an Alpine and I did spin that on Pirelli Cinturatos but I didn't have any problems when I ran it on Avons or Uniroyals.

Anyway, the Alpine was fine on radials (except the Pirelli slippers) but then in the 1970s I replaced it with a Ginetta G15 that cornered on skinny crossplies a lot faster than the Alpine on radials.

Last time I checked that G15 was still in service. A really great little rear engined car with Imp sport mechanicals. (photo from the current owner)

Peter

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mikeC · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 9:44 am Post subject:

Three of the best-handling cars I have driven have been rear engined: Fiat 850 coupe, Hillman Imp, and Porsche 356. But then I was brought up on oversteering Austin Sevens and Triumph Heralds & Vitesses - just love 'em!
Yes, I've spun in them all, but only in ice or snow when I have been trying to; I have suffered major offs with front-wheel drive cars when I have not been trying...
I still cannot come to terms with front-wheel drive, and would certainly never choose fwd for a hobby car.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby

I have been driving for 44 years and never spun a car.

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

I had a 1303 Beetle which, like most of my cars, was modified for power, handling, comfort It had (from memory) a 1876cc engine, Huntmaster seats, Koni suspension with 13" front and 15" rear wheels and was metallic back.

I spent many happy years in it as a daily driver and going to VW Action and other VW events. A great car, one of only two of my previous cars I'd happily have back; the other being my Mk2 GTI 16V.
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Ashley · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4236 Location: South Cheshire

I have had a couple of 911's a modern one and a 1982 SC.

With the earlier car clutches were the Achilles heel, they would only last about 50,000 miles. I wish I'd kept the 82 SC, it was like a big go kart Smile

, could be maintained on a diy basis. The scary thing was not loosing the rear end, that was very predictable, it was braking in the wet; the front being light could lock up quite easily Shocked

....later cars has all the abs gizmos that made it less exciting , sorry I mean safer Wink

Dave