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Dec 16, 2004 13:14:59 GMT
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That mini sprint is the donkeys n0b as they say.
Imagine the work to chop an inch out of the structure of the car!!! Yeeeoooowwww!
I'm sure for a while there was a fibreglass replica bodyshell made of that. anyone know for sure?
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT!
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Dec 16, 2004 13:25:09 GMT
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i know of the mini minus but i'm not sure if it had a chop top.i keep looking at the imp sprint and my hacksaw hand keeps itching
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Dec 16, 2004 13:27:22 GMT
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ACE
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT!
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Dec 16, 2004 14:31:16 GMT
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Dec 16, 2004 15:05:24 GMT
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mmmmm straight cut gearbox whine,.... yum
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Dec 16, 2004 15:34:05 GMT
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I still think that you can have too much of a certain car. All I've been involved in for 10 years is Mini's, and to honest I can't stand the bloody site of them anymore. You go to a show and you can spot at least 20 Mini's that have all been modified in the same way. I picked up a copy of Mini World the other day, and it just bored me to tears - all the featured Mini's were just like cars I'd seen at shows 5 years ago. I find exactly the same with the last three mini's posted above (no offense met btw). I can't really bare the site of mine anymore - I just look at it and think "My god, it looks just like anyother Mini..........." Given the choice right now over an Imp and a Mini - I'd choose an Imp..........!
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I like long walks, especially when they're taken by people I don't like.
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Dec 16, 2004 15:39:18 GMT
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I kind of know what you mean In the past ive sold a mini for that reason, I had a rwa Midget for a time and an Alfa Spider but I always go back to Minis mainly because of the fun of driving them. I think that could be the reason I like my GT so much, its different to most other minis
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Dec 16, 2004 16:03:06 GMT
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;D that guy on the right ... wasnt he in the X-factor? ;D Mr I-Robot :- do u feel that way because of your involvement with the mini scene and the people, or the actual car itself?
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Dec 16, 2004 16:13:31 GMT
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When I first became an Imp nut back in the mid 90s I was very defensive about them. Now I admit its problems and don't jump too its defence as quickly. Ive also started to like Minis aswell but cant see me getting one.
I like to be different as you can tell by my Nymph. Its amazing how many comments I get when I'm out with an Imp. The usual "havent seen one of then for a while" and "I had one of them, it broke down" ;D
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BS Nymph Singer Chamois Coupe Series 3 Landy
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Dec 16, 2004 16:23:26 GMT
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One of my favorite Imps.
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BS Nymph Singer Chamois Coupe Series 3 Landy
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Dec 16, 2004 16:27:21 GMT
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A very patriotic Imp engine bay.
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BS Nymph Singer Chamois Coupe Series 3 Landy
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Dec 16, 2004 18:06:18 GMT
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you will find that most imp owners are defensive about their cars to some degree,as we get tired of people at car shows telling us that our cars are unreliable and overheat etc.i asked one of them once did he own an imp,had he owned an imp or even driven one,his answer was no to all.he had been told 'down the pub' need i say more.put yourselves in our shoes and think how you would feel in that situation.i was at bromley pageant a long time ago and a young lad came up and started asking me about my car so i was just explaining to him and his dad came over and told him not to bother with this heap of sh1t as all imps were curse word.i had just finished restoring it and spent £2500 on parts alone not including the respray !! see profile pic ,luckily the classic press has now cottoned on that the imp is a viable classic car and we seem to be faring better now(ta tim)but we will always suffer the fools who think they are clever.its nice to be on a list where people have a balanced view of things and don't just condemn it because its an imp.
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impmann
Posted a lot
Overcoming stupidity is the greatest challenge left to mankind
Posts: 1,089
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Dec 16, 2004 18:39:30 GMT
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Andy, I can't take any credit mate... Thing is, there will always be car bores down the pub who know everything there is to know about everything. No-one is ever going to shut them up! I really don't like the whole Imp vs Mini thing anyway - I've had a Cooper 1071S and it was brilliant for short journeys. But it overheated and the waterpump went. As for water leaks into the cabin - jeez! These of course are the main criticisms of the Imp but in truth most cars from that period suffer from similar woes, if neglected (I was 19, waddya expect? ). The Imp is just different to the Mini - and not everyone likes driving them (either of 'em). In fact, I'd go further and say that the thing that makes my blood boil is when ANYONE has a pop at another bloke's/non-bloke's car. How dare anyone describe another enthusiast's car as a "piece of sh!t"? I've had it said about me/my cars on a few occasions - usually with fairly expletive filled replies. Lets be honest, no-one is going to buy an Imp or a classic Mini who isn't an enthusiast - you aren't going to chose one over a modern Escort unless you are keen on the car for what it is. So to make such a comment is repugnant in the extreme. Snobbery is something that has no justification. Minis are cool. Imps are cool. Vive la difference. ;D Cheers Tim
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1964 Hillman Imp 1976 Hillman Imp 1967 Hillman Imp (And a few projects dotted around the country)
Just cos something is good for you doesn't mean its good for everyone - for example Marmite does not make good Dog Food.
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Dec 16, 2004 19:03:48 GMT
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What is the limit of engine size for the imp?
it is based on the coventry climax engine and that was available in a number of sizes including a v8.
I think the imp would be much more admired if it had been blessed with an F1 team name like the Mini Cooper and Lotus Cortina
Imp BRM or Brabham stilleto anyone?
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Dec 16, 2004 19:05:18 GMT
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I started this thread as Imps N Minis not Imps Vs Minis.
Lets keep it that way ;D
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BS Nymph Singer Chamois Coupe Series 3 Landy
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racer86
Posted a lot
'72 BMW 2002 / '72 Alpine A110 Gordini
Posts: 2,184
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Dec 16, 2004 19:08:27 GMT
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i had a mini minus shell i was going to bike engine. the minus is all fibergaless, deseamed with a 4 inch body chop not a roof chop like a sprint. i think minus' look loads better as you cant tell until they are parked next to a normal mini. i would like to have an imp one day but you cant beat minis. on paper i don't think you could design a worse car; 5 port cast engine, runner dohnut suspension, subframes the weight of a small village in the peak district but they look superb and drive brilliantly. check out my 2nd mini on readers rides it was awsome retrorides.proboards29.com/index.cgi?board=general&thread=1078737582&action=display&start=405
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impmann
Posted a lot
Overcoming stupidity is the greatest challenge left to mankind
Posts: 1,089
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Dec 16, 2004 19:12:15 GMT
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And here's a few from my past/present (haven't got room for all of 'em ) My first Stiletto - this has been in storage about 10 years, one day I might get around to doing something with it again! 'Scoobs' my current Stiletto. I've owned this old crate twice in the last 10 years - currently awaiting some new metal to go into his floor pan! He'll be out and about next year, probably with my Chesman 998cc engine in him. 'Dr Evil' - sold to a mate who's going to have this crazy old car out on the road this year. Yee haawww 'Emily' - otherwise known as LFX 10G. I have no idea where she ended up. A great little car. From the left: 'Sally' was owned by my best mate, and now Chairman of the Imp Club Steve Potz-Rayner. It spent more time at my place than his in the end and ended up being sold to a fella from Essex. In the middle is 'Archie', the only car I've ever owned on three different occasions. A great fun car, now belonging to another great friend who intends to restore him at some point in the future. On the right 'Harty'. Harty was a genuine Hartwell-built 998cc Stiletto. An amazing car and one that truly regret selling. Especially as I had just spent £4k having the bodywork restored Oh the joys of Barclaycard bills, eh? I haven't got pics of all the 120+ Imps I've had, sadly (or fortunately depending on your point of view). But I'll gladly up more if anyone wants to see... Cheers Tim
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1964 Hillman Imp 1976 Hillman Imp 1967 Hillman Imp (And a few projects dotted around the country)
Just cos something is good for you doesn't mean its good for everyone - for example Marmite does not make good Dog Food.
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Dec 16, 2004 20:12:59 GMT
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What is the limit of engine size for the imp? it is based on the coventry climax engine and that was available in a number of sizes including a v8. I think the imp would be much more admired if it had been blessed with an F1 team name like the Mini Cooper and Lotus Cortina Imp BRM or Brabham stilleto anyone? The largest I've ever heard of working successfully must be around 1120cc, but you really don't need any more, I'm told that anything more than a 998 is not a great deal more powerful, but is less road-friendly and a bit unreliable, so I'm inclined to say don't go too far over 998cc on an Imp. We did have some big names racing Imps, just that there was never a Fraser Imp road car on sale at the dealers, or a Hartwell edition or whatever. I'm not sure if that would make a difference to sales though, not that many Imp sold were ever Stilettos or sports, the vast majority were bread and butter basic Imp saloons/Super Imps. I have nothing against Minis or their owners and fans, sorry if I put that image accross, I only really get 'defensive' with people who come up actively looking to take the mick out of my Imp, and start mentioning head gaskets and the like and telling me that I should get (as they often put it) a "real car" or "proper classic". The average Mini owner, or many other non aggressive classic owners for that matter, don't get petty about such things, besides, there isn't a car out there that is absolutely perfect for everyone, and has no faults or room for improvement at all, if there was we'd all be after one, but the fact is, no car, let alone classic, is perfect, from the Isetta to the Silver Cloud, so no classic owner has the right to say that his car is "better" than another's, besides it's all a matter of taste, not everyone likes the same cars as I do, and vice versa, so there isn't a car that's suited to everyone. Besides, I'm not as narrow minded as I might seem to be, if I see a nice Mini, or Cortina, or Minor, or whatever, and I happen to think it's nice, or even if it's not my thing but I can appreciate the time and effort it takes to get a car looking great and going great, I'll spend time looking at it and appreciating it, and probably complement the owner on a job well done, even if the car doesn't happen to be the sort of car I'd want to take home with me!
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"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
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impmann
Posted a lot
Overcoming stupidity is the greatest challenge left to mankind
Posts: 1,089
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Dec 16, 2004 21:22:25 GMT
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just that there was never a Fraser Imp road car on sale at the dealers, or a Hartwell edition or whateverThere was a Hartwell Imp you could buy - in fact there were several editions over the years. You just had to buy them from Hartwells or a Hartwell authorised dealer. Sadly the bosses at Rootes/Chrysler were not as forward thinking as those at BMC and never marketed them as 'official' sports editions. Shame, the Hartwell Clubman was fantastic - my old Stiletto, Harty, was such a car (although she was not sold new as such, she was converted a few months later). I do have a Hartwell car squirrelled away but its pretty ropey now... One day, maybe Cheers Tim
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1964 Hillman Imp 1976 Hillman Imp 1967 Hillman Imp (And a few projects dotted around the country)
Just cos something is good for you doesn't mean its good for everyone - for example Marmite does not make good Dog Food.
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