The Imp engine was a mass-productionised Coventry Climax FWM (feather weight
marine). As it's name suggests the FWM was meant for use in boats. It could
be turned on its side for use as an outboard motor. It was part of a family
of CC engines descended from the same basic design. Other variations were
used in fire pumps, race cars and the original Lotus Elite.
One of the main differences between the Imp and CC engines was that Coventry
Climax used die casting and Rootes used sand casting (hope I've got that the
right way around) making the Imp engine lighter. If you put a CC engine into
an Imp it would handle like a pig.
The Imp is pretty amazing to drive. Mine feels just like driving a go-kart
on the road. I find it extremely difficult to drive sedately because it just
begs to be driven hard - at least in Sport trim which I don't think made it
across the Atlantic.
Personally I like the looks and the car gets a lot of attention. Someone
once told I'd be more inconspicuous in a Ferrari.
The only Mini I ever had the chance to go up against was a full race Cooper
S so that was no contest. I entered it in a motorkhana once (could be what
you call autocross in the US, but I'm not sure) and after my run all three
of the Minis entered withdrew! Seriously. An Imp won the British Touring Car
Championship three times in succession and I believe they were more than
competitive with equivalent Minis in racing. Unfortunately Rootes and
Chrysler never had the money to build an Imp to match the Cooper S.
Russ Maddock
----- Original Message -----
From: Ian Spencer <SpenceIC(at)Healthall.com>
To: <alpines(at)autox.team.net>; <Jay_Laifman(at)countrywide.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2000 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: IMP
> I believe those have a Coventry Climax engine, don't they?
>
> Ian Spencer
> Client Services
> IS&T, Health Alliance
> 513/585-7123
> spenceic(at)healthall.com
>
> >>> "Jay Laifman" <Jay_Laifman(at)countrywide.com> 02/18 4:14 PM >>>
>
>
>
> There is a 1964 advertisement for Imps on eBay right now. I found the
text
> very interesting to read, so I retyped it here. Overhead cam,
"racing-type
> aluminum rear engine with 4-wheel independant suspension" Wow, maybe I
> should have gotten one of those. Is the engine block aluminum too? Were
> these really Mini killers that just didn't click in the US? Admittedly,
> I'm not one for their looks. And what good is a sportscar without looks?
> Then again, I'm not too wild about Minis either.
>
> READ WHY WE SPENT 80 MILLION DOLLARS AND 5 YEARS BUILDING A CAR THAT WILL
> SELL FOR JUST $1495 EQUIPPED!
> Some time ago, we took a long hard look at the calibre of economy cars.
> Our own field was sports cars ... high performance, race winning Sunbeams.
> Couldn't we build an economy car with sports car performance and 100,000
> mile durability as well? Yea!
>
> That was the start of a revolutionary economy car ... THE IMP.
>
> 80 million dollars, 5 years and 2 1/2 million miles of endurance testing
> went into it. The end result: a car so ahead of its time that it became
> the most publicized ... the most sought after in today's European market.
>
> The incredible new Sunbeam Sportsedan is unlike any car you've ever
driven.
> It beats its competition to the punch with an overhead camshaft engine
> (unique in its field). Cruises at over 70 mph. It's "aerodynamic" design
> is low and handsome. Incredible economy (up to 40 mpg) and no greasing
> points (service every 5000 miles only).
>
> Specifications: racing-type aluminum rear engine, independent 4-wheel
> suspension for racing-car control, unitary steel construction. And 16
> exclusive features including a title up rear window and fold down rear
> seat. Zip -- it's a perfect station wagon!
>
> Drive it. This Imp is a solid fun car. "The best car Rootes ever made .
.
> . a mechanical miracle..." says the 1963 November issue of Car and Driver.
> The price, complete with heater and defroster, just $1495. Ask your
> Sunbeam dealer about our money saving oversees delivery plan.
>
> THE SUNBEAM SPORTSEDAN FROM THE RACING FAMILY OF SUNBEAM ALPINES BY
ROOTES.
>
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Sep 05 2000 - 08:49:55 CDT