Terry Sharman, 1965/66
Terry Sharman, 1965/66 |
mechanic
I started work at Rootes Coventry in 1955, aged 15, in the 85 engine shop at Stoke Aldermoor, assembling Minx and Rapier engines. I don't know why it was called the 85 Shop; all the Minx and Rapier engines were built & tested there. At that time six members of my family also worked there in different departments.
About 1965 I applied for a transfer to the competitions department to build the new Rally Imp, and managed to get the job. I was very keen in those days, having worked on the Sunbeam Rapier rally car of Harry Skelton (a local Haulier) in my spare time. He happend to be in the competition department when I went for my interview, talking to Jim Ashworth. I think that helped.
Jim Ashworth hired me to help build the 998 rally Imp for the public to buy. It was a new project.
Another fitter mechanic on this project was Peter Burgess.
The man in charge of the engine mods was Bob Lamb, gear boxes: John Winters.
We also had apprentices with us from time to time. Those I remember were Dick Guy, David Brown and others I can't remember.
From the front of the building the works rally cars were on the left and the private rally Imps were on the right. Jim Ashworth was in charge of my department and Marcus Chambers in charge of the works rally cars, later being replaced by Des O'Dell.
General mechanics do everything, apart from engines, gearboxes, axles, electrics, body & trim. But most could turn their hand to anything. I had a flair for engines, having learned every aspect in the 85 shop.
My job was to strip down a standard Imp and modify it to rally spec:
There were quite a lot of other mods, but I can't remember at the moment.
Works Imps and Tigers used Minilite alloy wheels with larger tyres.
Imp suspension was standard links, with welded seams and added brackets, with plated and strenghtend mounting points.
We didn't get involved with delivery, but I remember a Mr. Sutton bought a new Rally Imp every year, just to compete in the RAC Rally.
Harry Skelton rallied (Rapiers, Imps and Hunters) as a privateer with help from the comp department. I also worked on his lorries sometimes, when not at work.
We sometimes had private entrants back in for modifications but not servicing.
We helped out on the works rally cars if they were behind and I also ran them in, in the evenings in my spare time. Before a rally we would burn in brake pads and shoes, to be used on the rally. Sometimes returning with the wheels on fire.
We were also called on to cover some of the rallies. I did 2 Alpines, several Welsh, RACs, Gulfs, etc.
We wore red overalls and black & yellow Dunlop jackets.
There were 3 service cars: 2 super Minx estates with Rapier engines and overdrive in every gear and a Commer van. I covered one Alpine rally in a brand new Super Snipe Estate.
There are so many things that happen on rallies, it would take an age to recall them all.
I have no photos of those days, didn't have a camera.
I also built a special rally Imp to be driven by Patrick Lier in the Geneva Rally in 1966. I flew to Ostend, drove to Geneva, covered it on the rally and brought it back after. We got 2nd in class, 8th overall.
I can't remember any other Imps in the Geneva rally. I do remember a Triumph Vitesse, but we beat that.
 Express & Star Rally, 6th May 1967 - Hillman Californian - Colin Malkin & Terry Sharman - 5th overall |
In my spare time I also built a Californian rally Imp for Colin Malkin at his garage in Kenilworth, to do the 1967 Express & Star Rally. I navigated for him we obtained 5th overall. I can't remember who won.
Andy Cowan was also running in a works Imp.
Also Harry Skelton & Mike Lindsay-Jones - Imp sport
W R Girvan & M J Heap - Imp
John Wilkinson & J L Birkett - Imp Sport
Chris Hall & David Porter Chamois - Imp
R W Stewart & A Forryan - 998 Imp
J Halliwell & P Terry 998 Imp
I can't remember who won our class in the Express & Star
I also built two Imp Hot Rods for people to race. The engines on those I built to full race spec. The machining was done by Andy Chesman. Large valves, R20 cam & twin Webers, both producing 120 BHP. I drove one at Boston speedway. Awesome little car. I obtained a 1st & 2nd first time out.
I never got involved with the Rally Cross scene.
People I remember in the competition department
The works Imps and Tigers were both prepared in the same shop by the same mechanics.
I can't remember any more at present.
The main problems with the competition Imps were:
At the end of one of the rallies, to keep the car in, they drilled through the hub into the shaft with an 1/8" drill, then snapped it off and peaned it over. It finished ok. I think it was Rosemary Smith's Imp.
Imps didn't seem to have many more regular problems.
I could tell you about some mods we did to get around those problems some time.
I left the competition department when Chrysler took over and closed it down. They didn't want the Tiger with a Ford V8 lump in a rally. It was about 1967/8. I then transferred to the Experimental department as a road test engineer, still testing Imps, Hunters, etc. And later the new Avenger, when that came into production.
There were no new prototypes in the pipe line, there was talk of Peugeot taking over and moving to France. They started asking for voluntary redundancies, so I left a wonderful old Coventry firm.
I spent the next twenty years as a service manager at a local garage.
Well that about sums it up.
I am now enjoying my retirement. The wife says I still drive too fast!
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008
From: terry sharman
Hi Franka
[...]
I had a lot of imp parts a few years ago but virtually gave them all away, that was before E-Bay. I only have my old workshop manual left and a few special spanners.
Take care
Regards Terry
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008
From: terry sharman
Subj.: Re: building rally Imps @ Rootes comp dept
Hi Franka
In reply to your questions
[...]
You are welcome to use any of my information and photos on your Imp site.
I have owned 2 Imps, 1 Humber Sceptre & 1 Sunbeam Rapier fast back in the past.
Please send a larger photo of competition department to identify personnel.
Regards Terry
From: Terry Sharman
Date: April 28, 2008
Hi Franka
I will try and answer some of your questions, but the old memory isn't what it used to be.
[...]
Hope this helps with your research
Regards Terry Sharman
Guestbook of The Imp Site (Feedback / site evaluation)
Terry A Sharman
25 April 2008
I built rally Imps in the Rootes competitions department in the 1960s, your site brings back many fond memories.
Guestbook of the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Club (STOC)
Terry Sharman
Coventry, England
14 March 2005
I worked in the Rootes competition dept, when the Tigers & Imps were ralling, as a works mechanic, what a wonderfull car, your site has brought back many memories.
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