Results of the Works Imps

1964, January

First major outing for the Imp. Works entered 8 Imps and 7 of these arrived safely back in Monte Carlo after the 3,000 (or is it 2,000) mile drive from the start. 3 of those were driven by Danes: Sylve Rahm / Knud Jensen; Erik Whitmore / John Romer; Jorgen & Steffen Nielsen.
M. Frostick in 4525 KV with no. 32 and Andrew Cowan / Keith Ballisat in 4526 KV with no. 90. Results unknown.
These Imps were mostly unmodified Group I entries. Of the eight Imps that were entered, seven drove the 3,000 miles from the Oslo start and arrived safely in Monte Carlo.
Maus Gatsonides finished 72 in his Hillman Imp.

The award for best performance was taken by another Imp which was a private British entry.

1965, January

Day- and night endurance; 2,600 miles, followed by 380 miles circuit; deep in snow, often with black ice. 35 cars out of 227 arrived, only 22 survived in the mountains.

The Death March of 1965 when only a few battered hulks made it to Monte Carlo. And that was before the start of the last stages which saw even more of the battered machinery give up the ghost before returning back to Monte Carlo and the distribution of the shiny tin cups to the various class winners.

See also the advert 'Rootes successes in 1965 Monte Carlo rally' on Russell's site.

Grand Touring cars up to 1,000cc; 4 out of 20 participants finished

2nd: David Pollard / Barry Hughes
4th: Rosemary Smith / Margaret MacKenzie

overall

15th: David Pollard in 4525 KV with no. 95
22nd: Rosemary Smith in 7674 VC with comp.no. 113

Ladies' award (Coupe des Dames)

2nd: Rosemary Smith (runner-up to Pat Moss-Carlsson)

'Tiny' Lewis with no. 124 retired with engine problems.

1966, January

The 35th running of the Monte Carlo Rally, the first major event to be affected by the revision to Appendix J in the FIA 'Yellow Book'. Rather than the survival treks from the various starting points as in the past, the journey from the nine starting Lisbon, London, Monte Carlo, Bad Homberg, Reims, Oslo, Warsaw, Minsk, and Athenspoints () this time was more of an exercise more akin to a local TSD (Time-Speed-Distance) rally than the head-thumper the Monte usually is reckoned to be. So, lots of folks converged on the Principality for the 24-hour Monaco-Chambery-Monaco loop and then the 500km dash through the Maritime Alps and back to Monaco through Nice, all of which was designed to be a sort of triage sort out the walking wounded from the barely breathing.
All Involved and more a few teams were left in a lurch as to what was and was not kosher. The problem was not made any easier by the fact that the final draft for Appendix J was not released until mid-November. A small problem for BMC (British Motor Corporation) was that although it had produced over 5,000 of the 1,275cc Mini Cooper S rocketships, the production was evenly divided between those carrying Austin badges and those carrying Morris badges.
The number of starters was down from last year, to only 192 entries that actually departed the nine starting points. The Rootes team manager eyed the situation and decided to put the Sunbeam Imp entries in Group 1, since the Renault-Gordini was in Group 2 (more arched eyebrows), and the Sunbeam Tiger in Group 3. The Rootes team manager, Marcus Chambers, asked to run the Barracuda in Group 3, but Chrysler declined to support him on that little gambit – 'why go look for trouble?' was their reaction.
The London starters also hit some serious snow, but few of the Serious entries were affected by it. Lots of folks – 157 of the entries finally made it.

Up to 1000cc unmodified production touring cars

1st: Patrick Lier / Henri Vuarraz

Up to 1000cc modified production touring cars

1st: 'Tiny' Lewis / Timothy Bosence in FRW 307C with no. 146
2nd: Phillippe Simonnetta / Bernard Dirren

Rosemary Smith and her navigator Valerie Domleo in FRW 306C with no. 107 performed well, too, but got disqualified ? Another Imp got supposedly disqualified: MTB 217C, with no. 35.
Both Smith and Lier drove standard Imps that you can buy at the local dealer, according to their claim in advertisements.

1967, January

G.T. cars up to 1300cc

1st: Patrick Lier/ Silvio Vaglio in a private Rallye Imp.
2nd: Peter Harper/ Robin Turvey

Production cars up to 1000cc

1st: Andrew Cowan/ Brian Coyle

Rosemary Smith in JDU 48E with comp.no.9 had an accident and didn't finish.
P. Lier and crew made the first succesful use of radio equipment to keep a rally car in touch with its service vehicle. Guinness Book of Rallying / John Davenport

A reprint of the 1964 publication, includes Works modification schedules for competitions, specifications of all Rootes Group models, advice on food, sleep and car comfort, team briefing and servicing arrangements.

1968, January

851cc to 1150cc class Production Touring Cars

1st: Andrew Cowan & Brian Coyle, driving a Sunbeam Imp Sport 875cc, modified

Coupe des Dames

2nd: Rosemary Smith/ Margaret Lowrey, driving a 998cc Sunbeam Imp, comp.no. 169

Overall

22nd: Andrew Cowan in JHP 100E with comp.no 45

RAC Rally (the international rally of Great Britain)

3670km, finish at London airport

1964

Production Touring Cars, up to 1150cc (Group 2)

1st: Andrew Cowan / Brian Coyle (Sunbeam Imp Sport 875cc modified)

Overall

14th: Rosemary Smith in 4525 KV with no. 20

Coupe des Dames

2nd: Rosemary Smith / Margaret Lowrey (Sunbeam Imp 998cc)

David Pollard in 4526 KV with no. 67

1965; 14th RAC Rally

By 1965/1966 the works Imps were becoming increasingly modified. An example was the Imp driven in this rally by Rosemary Smith. EDU 710C was road-tested by Autocar soon after the event.

This RAC was particularly tough. Rootes and only one other factory team out of nine starters finished intact. All three works Imps survived, and Rootes received the manufacturers' Team prize. Due to snow, ice, fog and pouring rain, only 62 out of 162 participants finished.
The three Works Imps in this rally: 4525 KV (Andrew Cowan / Brian Coyle); EDU 710C (Rosemary Smith / Susan Reeves); 4526 KV ('Tiny' Lewis / Robin Turvey).

Ladies' Award

2nd: Rosemary Smith

1966

Overall

14th: Rosemary Smith and Susan Reeves in EDU 710C with no. 9
2nd in the Coupe des Dames
Rootes won the Team Prize
Autocar, 28 January 1966

Both 'Tiny' Lewis and Andrew Cowan had to retire due to transaxle problems.

1967

Rosemary Smith, JDU 46E, 1967 RAC, TV stage Photo for sale at photohistoric.com

1969, November

Greenwood / Rhodes in a Sunbeam Sport Imp (JWF 211E) with #130 - did finish, no points.

Scottish Rally

scottishrally.co.uk: Previous Winners

1965 June

This rally is the main subject of the Rootes video "Highland Imp 1965". Only a few weeks after the Tulip. The Works team had three Imps, driving with the engine lid agap: the third one being David Pollard in 4525 KV with comp.no. 11 - he wasn't shown to finish. The event lasted 5 days. It consisted of 1166 miles, mostly rough and muddy roads through forest area, and 52 special sections. Paddy Hopkirk (Mini-driver) declared it the roughest rally he'd ever been in. Of the 105 cars that started only 42 finished (according to the video). But the Imps were much in evidence.

From: Don Barrow - Rally Navigation Equipment Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 Hi, One of the RED private Hillman Imps was Harry Skelton (Father of Nick Skelton, the horse rider) co-driven by a Swiss guy called Henri ???? (Ian Hall will remember his name) and I think it was a ???? KV Reg number. Don Barrow Rally Navigation Equipment Specialist www.donbarrow.co.uk From: Don Barrow - Rally Navigation Equipment Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2008 Hi, To help you complete a bit of your history, I previously mentioned for 1965 Alpine a private entry driving an Imp. It was Henri Ziegler / Harry Skelton in Henri's car, this was part of an exchange where they swapped rolls for the 1965 Scottish, as Harry Skelton / Henri Ziegler in Harry's Imp. Kind Regards, Don Barrow Rally Navigation Equipment Specialist www.pacenotes.com ; www.donbarrow.co.uk

There were many privately entered Imps, at least six:

comp.no.	colour	reg.no.	finish ?
39 40	both green Singer Chamois with large, sturdy antennas	DGD 89C ?	Probably not Maybe
56	red Hillman Imp (Greenward ? Greenwood ?)	CJ5 165C	Probably
72	white Hillman Imp	1LKJ	Probably not
83	red Hillman Imp	?	Yes
93	white Hillman Imp	CWF 663C	Probably

Grand Touring cars up to 1300cc

1st: Ian 'Tiny' Lewis, Robin Turvey
2nd: Rosemary Smith, Sheila Taylor

Overall

1st: Roger Clark/ Jim Porter, Ford Cortina
2nd: 'Tiny' Lewis / Robin Turvey, Hillman Imp 4526 KV with comp.no. 9
5th: Rosemary Smith, Sheila Taylor, Hillman Imp EDU 710C with comp.no. 16

Ladies' Cup (G.T.)

1st: Rosemary Smith, Sheila Taylor

And Lewis received the Scottish Daily Record trophy for driving the highest placed Scottish car.
Only 40 of the 102 participants made it to the finish.

Andrew Cowan with co-driver Don Barrow drove a works Imp. They had the dreaded transaxle trouble and retired on Special Stage 13

1966

in class: up-to-1300cc Grand Touring cars

1st: Rosemary Smith
2nd: imp
3rd: imp

Overall

3rd: Rosemary Smith in 4525 KV with comp.nr. 5

Coupe des Dames

1st: Rosemary Smith and Valerie Domleo

According to another source N. Greenwood won class 1 of the 1966 scotish rally in his Hillman Imp EAK 608D.

1967

in class (1300cc GT)

1st: Rosemary Smith & Susan Seigle-Morris
2nd: B. Williams & T. Thompson
3rd: G.J. Tripp & R. Turvey

Overall

4th: Rosemary Smith & Susan Seigle-Morris

Andrew Cowan drove JRW 700E with unknown results.
All Imps also Team awards Best Performance Three car team " " Ecurie Team

1968

Special Touring cars up to 1300cc

1st: Imp

Production Touring cars up to 1300cc

1st: Imp

Overall

3rd: C. Malkin in Sunbeam Rallye Imp JVC 123E with comp.no.13
5th: Imp JRW 701E (?)

Ladies Trophy

Rosemary Smith (4th year running)

Three great little Imps beat some great big mountains (and great big opposition) to romp home in the Scottish rally. Cowan in LWK 700F had an accident and retired.
The Impers collected all three team prizes.
For the 1968/1969 regulations and class structure suited a more modified works Imp. On this Rally there were many modifications, including Weber carburettors, front radiators, Minilite magnesium wheels and air ducts mounted on the rear wing to feed the engine bay. The Imps were not powerful enough to compete with the new works Escorts and the Cooper 'S' on this and other events.

1969

Overall

2nd: Andrew Cowan / Brian Coyle in JDU 48E with comp.no. 3

Coupe des Dames

Miss Rosemary Smith / Mrs. Alice Watson

The works Imp's last international event.
Cowan suffered transaxle problems and replaced the unit with one from his own road Imp, kept on his nearby farm, and continued to finish second overall to Roger Clark.
JDU 48E was later owned and rallied by Steve Brew.

Shell 4000-miles across Canada Rally

1st week of May, 6 days. Vancouver to Quebec City. An important victory in North America. More than 60 starters (big American cars and powerful competition from Europe. Only 30% of the route over main highways, 70% over paved, gravel or dirt surfaces. 8 closed test sections.

1966

Sixty drivers have ploughed through a 4,100 miles course coast-to-coast across Canada (the longest car rally in the world!) doing all their own own repairs and maintenance throughout a six-day marathon over roads that are largely gravel or dirt-surfaced.

in class: up to 1,150cc

1st: Rosemary Smith with Mrs. Anne Coombe (Toronto)
To conform with the Rally regulations R. Smith an A. Coombe performed all the service and maintenance work necessary on their Imp.

Overall

8th: Rosemary Smith

Coupe des Dames

1st: Rosemary Smith

Southern Cross Rally (Australia) 2,200 miles

1966

Up to 1000cc

2nd in class: Driver: Don Gibb; Navigator: Steve Purdy

Tanzanian Rally

1965

Overall

1st: imp

TAP Rally of Portugal

1969, October

Eyre-Maunsell / Henderson finished 7 overall in a Hillman Imp.

Tulip Rally

3040km

1965 April

In very bad weather (even blizzards); of 157 starters only 47 finished.

850 - 1150cc class, Grand Touring

1st:
2nd:

Grand Touring class

1st: Rosemary Smith / Valerie Domleo
2nd:

General placement

2nd: Rosemary Smith

Overall

1st: Rosemary Smith / Valerie Domleo in Hillman Imp 8305 KV with no. 35
2nd: 'Tiny' Lewis / David Pollard in 7742 KV with no. 36
Both were on standard SP41 tyres (a bit deflated) and took the snow drifts in stride.

Coupe des Dames

1st: Rosemary Smith

The event was won on handicap with a complicated scoring system to make cars of different performance more comparable. Overall performance was judged by a driver's advantage or disadvantage compared to those in their class and classes above and below them. In unusually snowy conditions the Imps combined excellent traction and handling with class-leading performance to claim outright victory.

8305 KV was subsequently driven by Nick Rowe (a works supported driver) who, after competing in the Monte Carlo Rally, sold it to Dennis Greenslade (Cornwall). He used the car in the late '60s in various motorsport events, including international rallies, speed hillclimbs and classic reliability trials.

7742 KV was preserved and seen in good state at the ARCC Millenium Rally. There's a lovely photo of it at the ARCC site.

1966

1,750 miles through Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and France. 23 timed tests on racing circuits and mountain climbs. 117 starters.

in class: up to 1,150cc , G.T.

1st: 'Tiny' Lewis (Bristol) and Tim Bosence
2nd: Nicolas Rowe and Stuart Turner
3rd: Simon Heijndijk and Nol Martini

1967, 24th-27th April

Welsh Rally

1964

1st in class: 'Tiny' Lewis

1969

C. Malkin driving JVC 123E retired; comp.no. may have been 9.

FRW 303C the most reliable Rally car ever ?
Robin Eyre-Maunsell from Belfast, the only driver to have tackled all the Uniroyal/RAC rally championship events up to date of printing (July 1977) reckons that his Rallye Imp FRW 303C stands well in the running for this title. It has been used at least thirty times, and he has only retired three times, one through accident and twice through mechanical breakdown, and of these events, six were full blooded Internationals.
Robin's firm, A.S. Baird Ltd, have a stable of three such cars, two Group 6 cars - FRW and LWK 700F, and a Group 2 car WYH 934H. LWK met its Waterloo at Lock Eck-side on this year's Scottish, thus providing Austin Frazer (sic) with yet another exciting chapter in his Rallying book, and is currently being rebuilt. The Group 2 car is ex-factory, like all the others, but a little unwanted, as so many events stipulate Group 2 classes all the way up to 1600cc.
So far as the history of FRW is concerned, it started life as Rosemary Smith's Group 3 car in 1965, and only sold to the Baird empire in 1967. It was converted to Group 6 when the formulae changed in 1969, and has been used by Adrian Boyd, Robin and George Baird.

ALN 650H, used as a prop to show of Rally jackets by CCC Sue Granger CCC 1970 Feb.

ALN 650H is held to be the last Works Imp by many.
Some of the parts on this car were non-standard -

• The engine was perhaps an ex-Peter Harper unit: 1140cc; 45 DCOE carbs; power somewhere between 120-130bhp.
  The cylinder head was taller than standard - the inlet tracts were more downdraught. Apparently this head was made by Coventry Climax for the Rootes Competitions Department. The increase in power was supposedly caused by the different inlet tract angle.
• The transaxle was a Hewland Mk8.
  It is longer than the standard item. For the output shafts to line up with the wheels, it caused two problems:
  1. There was not enough room for the engine to fit at the back
     This was solved by taking a piece out of the back panel and grafting a new back panel and crossmember onto the existing one.
  2. The gearbox needed to intrude through the bulkhead by several inches
     Tank cutters were used on the bulkhead and new transaxle mountings were made.
  The extra length is nearly undetectable.
• The driveshafts, also ex-Peter Harper, were much more robust.