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Imp Club regalia deadlines for Christmas orders:![]()
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Embroidered items![]()
1st Class 8th December![]()
2nd Class 4th December![]()
DPD 13th December![]()
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Non embroidered![]()
1st Class 14th December![]()
2nd Class 10th December![]()
DPD 19th December![]()
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Please allow an extra 7 days for delivery for overseas postage.![]()
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New knitwear items added to the shop.![]()
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logothatpolo.co.uk/store/the-imp-club-regalia-store/
Imps are not just Summer cars to take to car shows. Club member, Joe, recently sent us photos of one of his immaculate Imps that he was out and about enjoying the lovely Scottish weather. Have you been out and about in your Imp? Send us a message and some photos.
Show over, owners taking their cars home, and the team dismantle the stand. Thanks to everyone who came and visited. Big thanks to the owners of the cars for allowing them to be displayed, and of course, thank you to the stand organisers and those who helped out over the weekend. These stands take a lot of preparation and organisation. Photo Credit Dom Smith.
Also on display at the NEC, his handsome looking Imp powered Bond, displayed on the Bond stand, and a nippy Rally Implocated between Halls 4 and 8.
Last day of the show at the NEC today. Do come over and say hello to Dale & Richard. We've got a great range of vehicles for you to see. Stand 340 in Hall 5.![]()
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If you've not managed to see the stand yet, Dale Bishop has done a short video for you.
Another Imp spotted at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2023. Looks to be in an outside area. Did anyone else spot it and have photos they can share with us, or enlighten us to who the owner is or what was going on?
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
If you like your Rootes Group cars, be sure to pop over to the Rootes Archive Centre Trust to check out this pair of Sunbeam Venezia's! Only 2 stands away from The Imp Club stand. If you can spare some money for a donation, we know they will appreciate it for this very worthy archive centre.
Sunbeam Sport, owned by Gary Mathews. This car was first registered April 1971 and as you can see, has been restored to pristine standards with no expense spared. Gary has made a few modifications, such as the alloys and an engine rebuild and rebore to increase capacity to 1020cc, so this little Imp doesn't hang around.![]()
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Due to problems with the standard Imp in early production, it meant buyers were delayed three and a half years before they could get their hads on something a little bit sporty. In October 1966, their wishes came true as the Sunbea Imp Sport was launched. The early 998cc was proving unreliable so the Sunbeam Imp Sport had to make do with the 875 engine. However, the aim was to increase the standard 39 bhp to 56bhp. This equated to 64bhp ber litre, a remarkably high figure for 1966! To achieve this, larger inlet valves were fitted, a new camshaft with increased lift, and the ports were enlarged and reshaped to name just a few changes. Twin stromberg carburettors replaced the Solex and a better flowing exhaust system ensured this Imp came with a real punch. The original aim of 56bhp was almost achieved, with final output being 52bhp. A vacuum servo was fitted to help stop this now very sporty and quick car.![]()
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The walnut veneer was pinched from the Singer but door cappings were black vinyl. Other Singer features were also borrowed and the speedometer was recalibrate so it could show upto 100mph. The seats in the Sport were considered to be the best fitted in any Imp and featured fully reclining and some side support. ![]()
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Price wise, it was marketed at £665 which compared really well with its main competition, the Mini Cooper. The Imp was gaining success in competition so Rootes were keen to get this car out on the road to maximise sales. ![]()
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Like all Imps, the Imp Sport never achieved the sales it deserved. Perhaps the initial Imp issues and late to market meant the Imp would always be dragging its heals behind the Mini.![]()
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In October 1970, the Sport was resurrected and some changes made. The four headlamp front was adopted, mock walnut trimming with the new round dial dash and the name was changed to Sunbeam Sport, dropping the Imp name. Despite new competition in the small sports car market, the Sunbeam Sport remained a very competitive car.![]()
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Today, the Sport model, along with the coupe Stiletto, remain the 'sought after' models amongst the Imp range. Many have been modified tastfully, like Gary's and they are a true collectors car and favourably looked upon, finally getting the recognition they should have deserved.![]()
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Photo Credit Dale Bishop, Graham and John Crompton, and Simon Lees.
Berni Benton's Hillman Husky. This example was first registered April 1968 and has been lovingly restored to an IMPeccable standard by bernie's partner's son, Graham Crompton, bringing a new dimention to the phrase 'family car'. The special pink paint with blue and purple that shines through really makes this eye turning car stand out from the crowd, and perfectly reflects Bernie's personality as anyone who knows her would confirm. ![]()
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Launched in April 1967, the Hillman Husky borrowed its name from the 1950s car, and in the same way as was done back then, the Imp version used the same body design as the Commer Imp van. The large van side panels gave way to glass windows and benefitted over the standard Imp with opening sliding windows. The rear seat once again folded down to increase luggage capacity to 50 cubic feet. Whilst the van received a low compression version of the 875cc engine, the Husky retained the standard Imp engine. Access to the rear engine was via a large hatch in the boot floor, and once the rear grille and transom had been removed, the engine could easily be pulled out in the same way as a standard Imp. Motoring press were positive over the design and complemented its spacious interior, but couldn't avoid the van like appearance. Despite being the cheapest estate car on the market, only 2000 examples were sold in the first year, making it a slow burner and Rootes Group could not get the sales to pick up. Its no wonder that the Husky is fast becoming a highly desirable model to own within the Imp community nowadays, as prospective owners are seeking out unusual and rare vehicles. Photo Credit John and Graham Crompton, and Dale Bishop.
