Hillman Imp Super, JRM 998B

1964 Fraser Imp Replica   -   JRM 998B

Alan Fraser's racing team was already racing Rapiers when the Imp came along in 1963. Alan was interested in the race potential of the new czr, as the Rapiers were beginning to struggle against the new Lotus Cortina.

After developing the car through 1964 and entering a few races at the end of the year, Fraser's team committed themselves to developing a 998cc race Imp for 1965. Two cars were built, each finished in blue over white with the Cross of St. Andrews on the roof. In order to distinguish the two cars the front panel on one car was white and the other blue.

The 1965 season was a great success for the team; drivers Ray Calcutt and Bernard Unett won 31 awards, inclusing 9 first, from 27 events. Power increased from 72bhp at the start of the season to nearly 100bhp by the end. Their success didn't go unnoticed by Rootes, which agreed to sponsor the Alan Fraser team for the 1966 season and beyond. In return, Alan Fraser claimed it would take him just three years to win the British Saloon Car Championship (BSCC) for Rootes.

The sponsorshop allowd Fraser to recruit more drivers, such as Nick Brittan and Jaqui Smith. More cars were built to compete in both club and international events, in 850cc and 1000cc classes. In 1966 the team won the Spring Grove and Westover championships, and came second in class in the BSCC. All in all, they achieved 30 firsts, 19 seconds and 13 third places.

Rootes' support continued for 1967, the two main drivers being Bernard Unett and Tony Lanfranchi. By now the engine was producing 115 bhp at 9000rpm. During racing the revs rarely dropped below 7000 and with a Jack Knight 5-speed gearbox fitted, that meant speeds in excess of 120mph. Unett finished second overall in the BSCC with three class wins, thre seconds, and a thrid and a fourth, while Lanfranchi finished third overall with four seconds, a third and a fourth.

Just when it looked as if Fraser was about to deliver his promise, Chrysler pulled their sponsorship off the team ten days before the first race of the 1968 season. It was a bitter disappointment for the team, but they entered the first two races of the season and the last; they won all of them. For 1969, the team moved on to Formula 3 and then Formula 5000.

This car is owned by Jim McKenzie and is a newly build replica of Ray Calcutt's 1966 car, identifiable by the blue panel between the headlights. It has been built with the involvement and approval of Alan Fraser himself. Jim will be using the car to compete in the 2009 HSCC/HRSR ByBox Historic Racing Saloon Car Championship, a championship that has been won by Imps five times in the last seven seasons.

(photos supplied by Jim McKenzie, Richard Sozanski)

Hillman Fraser replica

of Tony Lanfranchi and Ray Calcutt
in the 1964-1966 seasons

• This car is the result of a 4 year build 2005-2009
• Chassis - body preparation by Impspeed Skelnersdale
• Engine and Gearbox by Transimp Hemel Hempstead
• Platform adjustable suspension with front race and rear monti springs
• Front rad (Smart car II)
• Lifeline fire system and OMP seat, Sabelt harness
• Additional gauges and stack rev counter / timer
• Minilite replica wheels with Yokohama tyres for road use with Dunlop race tyres for racing

This is as far as I understand the only authorised 'Fraser Imp' replica by Alan Fraser himself.

• 998cc full race engine running twin 40's
• Jack Knight 4 speed gearbox

Car built to HSCC spec for running in the 2010 season !

Built to have the looks of the 60's cars but with the safety equipment that is available now !

This is the 1st trip to a National event with this car !