|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
11 Nov 2021, 16:42 (Ref:4082802) | #5276 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18,330
|
The Imps certainly were a sign of their time, pity they died out. Certainly they seemed to be better on the inside than the outside. Where did it all go wrong for Hillman? Were they just not able to compete with the other, more popular car makes or something?
|
|
__________________
He who dares wins! He who hesitates is lost! |
11 Nov 2021, 18:34 (Ref:4082840) | #5277 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006
|
Quote:
For the Imp - numerous reasons: Rootes were late in the game so the Mini already had a good foothold. The Government prevailed upon Rootes to "level-up" by building the Imp in a new factory in Linwood near Glasgow, with an untrained and fairly rebellious workforce. The launch was rushed a bit so that the cars were launched before all the niggles were sorted - and probably more importantly, before the dealerships were fully trained in how to deal with the "exotic" materials used such as aluminium, which required maintenance using torque wrenches rather than brute force and lump hammers. By the time the Mk 2 was produced, which addrssed a number of the early issues, with modified front suspension camber, bigger clutch, improvements to the water pump, a more conventional throttle linkage, rather than the pneumatic one it was launched with, and a number of other small mods, it was effectively too late, as everyone "knew" they were flawed. You still hear the old chestnuts - "always blow headgaskets", "you have to have a paving slab / bag of cement" etc mentioned whenever anyone sees one. I bought a 5-year-old one as my first "own" car in 69, and it was fine - until I wrote it off due to youthful exuberance (!). Had a few others after that over the years, and even brought one back from New York in 92 when I was theoretically over there buying an Alfa spider....though I did buy two of them, as well. Pictured is my last one..... Also co-drove in several Imps rallying on the stages with a fair bit of success..... |
|||
__________________
Richard Murtha: You don't stop racing because you are too old, you get old when you stop racing! But its looking increasingly likely that I've stopped.....have to go back to rallying ;) |
12 Nov 2021, 15:48 (Ref:4083040) | #5278 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
It's Friday, so;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
12 Nov 2021, 15:51 (Ref:4083041) | #5279 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
Saturday tomorrow;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
12 Nov 2021, 16:00 (Ref:4083044) | #5280 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
Saturday tomorrow;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
13 Nov 2021, 19:34 (Ref:4083286) | #5281 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
Hello all;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
13 Nov 2021, 19:36 (Ref:4083288) | #5282 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
Another random selection;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
13 Nov 2021, 19:38 (Ref:4083289) | #5283 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
It's pain, I know, but they are in he folder, and everything must go;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
13 Nov 2021, 19:44 (Ref:4083290) | #5284 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
An extra set to compensate;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
13 Nov 2021, 19:50 (Ref:4083291) | #5285 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
Oops! A couple of repeats in the last lot, so a few Alfas as an apology;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
14 Nov 2021, 17:29 (Ref:4083410) | #5286 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006
|
I was thinking, that delightful as I find the Imp pix, there was a certain repetition creeping in.......but happy to forget that to see some Alfas, particularly the last Alfetta shot which I don't recollect seeing before
|
||
__________________
Richard Murtha: You don't stop racing because you are too old, you get old when you stop racing! But its looking increasingly likely that I've stopped.....have to go back to rallying ;) |
14 Nov 2021, 18:27 (Ref:4083436) | #5287 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
I would hope you have not seen any of my photos before.
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
14 Nov 2021, 18:41 (Ref:4083445) | #5288 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
Alfa Challenge, supporting Britcar 6(?) hour race 2007;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
15 Nov 2021, 15:17 (Ref:4083618) | #5289 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
More assorted images;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
15 Nov 2021, 15:21 (Ref:4083619) | #5290 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
No theme;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
15 Nov 2021, 15:43 (Ref:4083622) | #5291 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
A little different;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
15 Nov 2021, 19:11 (Ref:4083658) | #5292 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006
|
I meant I hadn't seen the car before (to my recollection). The others I have seen in the metal or in other photos, I think. Several of the cars in your last selection are still in active use - I saw the 116 series Giulietta at Oulton the other week, although he had issues in qualy and didn't make the race..... |
||
__________________
Richard Murtha: You don't stop racing because you are too old, you get old when you stop racing! But its looking increasingly likely that I've stopped.....have to go back to rallying ;) |
15 Nov 2021, 20:04 (Ref:4083665) | #5293 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
Quote:
Did you notice the drivers name on the rear window? ???? anyone we know. |
|||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
15 Nov 2021, 20:23 (Ref:4083670) | #5294 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006
|
I suppose the Alfetta should have been Vauxhall engines with a driver named that...
The Giulietta is conducted by Andy Page, these days.... |
||
__________________
Richard Murtha: You don't stop racing because you are too old, you get old when you stop racing! But its looking increasingly likely that I've stopped.....have to go back to rallying ;) |
16 Nov 2021, 02:53 (Ref:4083701) | #5295 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,034
|
In #5291 I see a couple of Aussies creeping in (pics 3&6).... Troy Bayliss and Troy Corser.
The Bayliss name has been back in the news over here and Troy's son Oli is making quite a name for himself in Aussie Superbikes. In#5289, I love the (what I imagine to be) the Lister Jag GT Prototype(?) .. |
||
|
16 Nov 2021, 10:38 (Ref:4083737) | #5296 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,095
|
Correct Chris, The Lister jaguar Coupe is regularly seen in the hands of Fred Wakeman & Patrick Blakeney Edwards in historic meetings over here.
|
||
__________________
If you die in debt you made a profit. |
16 Nov 2021, 11:02 (Ref:4083742) | #5297 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
The latest wreck has fooled some, but GCC got it right.
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
16 Nov 2021, 13:32 (Ref:4083760) | #5298 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
Today's offerings;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
16 Nov 2021, 13:34 (Ref:4083762) | #5299 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
Not my favourite cars at all;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
16 Nov 2021, 13:37 (Ref:4083763) | #5300 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,600
|
But these are;
|
||
__________________
When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
[LM24] Picture from a picture in the Le Mans Museum | NelisB | 24 Heures du Mans | 6 | 24 Jan 2012 17:47 |
Drivers Parade | Les | Touring Car Racing | 3 | 16 Apr 2001 19:32 |