Rootes garages had never had a small-car tradition, and were completely new to the idea of selling cheap little cars to marginal motorists. As one respected ex-Rootes executive puts it: "They were a rather stuffy lot, actually, especially the Singer dealers, and they were appalled at having to sell an advanced, tricky-to-maintain little car." The stodgy middle-class tradition which embraced stately Humbers and not-very-sporting Sunbeams would take a lot of wearing down.
From: Always too good to last / Graham Robson. - Motor 1974, March 9. - p. 14-15
![]() 23 February 1966, Silverstone Peter Brown getting out of the Fraser Imp; the driver looks like Ray Calcutt? Official Rootes PR photo R56340, H.R. Clayton Ltd. - supplied by Peter Brown |
A sporty, but nearly frozen dozen dealers on a cold day at Silverstone ...
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![]() 23 February 1966, Silverstone Hartwell Imp. RU 3 Official Rootes PR photo R56456, H.R. Clayton Ltd. - supplied by Peter Brown |
![]() 23 February 1966, Silverstone; Hillman FHP 909C Works Rally driver Peter Harper frightening a dealer. FHP 909C Official Rootes PR photo R56403, H.R. Clayton Ltd. - supplied by Peter Brown |
The Imp Site
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© Franka |
Not Imp-related:
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On ebay the other day [see image]:
This handbook gives a list of all the dealers, Garages that were involved with the Rootes Motors Group in March 1967. The booklet covers saloons, estate cars and vans upto 1961.
Hull Museums Collections holds a 1965 booklet by the Rootes Group. One copy of a booklet listing dealers for Humber, Hillman, Sunbeam Cars, and Commer and Karrier vans and trucks 2nd edition.