I've had to come to terms with my current situation. Mainly when it comes to cars, I have to realize that I'm going to live where I am for quite sometime.. and the garage is tiny. So how about a smaller car.. like an Imp? They can be made to go: http://www.heartracing.fi/uutiset/?page_id=28 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtkPXxvrLX4 Any thoughts? I should mention that body parts seem plentiful/cheap considering.. not sure what to do about an engine (lots of choices).. but I need to find a car first and get a cage in it before I get too worried about that (as long as there are realistic options). https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17452#msg-17452 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:07:57 -0500 Phorum 5.2.15a https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17881#msg-17881 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17881#msg-17881
This particular Imp is basically good to go.. The biggest issue is that, for some reason the clutch isn't disengaging..

The paint is beautiful, the suspension is all done, has mini lite knock offs, basically rust free (and there's no carpet in it, so that's the truth), has a front rad conversion yadda yadda..

Basically it's exactly what I'm looking for.. something that doesn't need any body work, WILL FIT NICE IN MY GARAGE!, just tinker this and tinker that, and hopefully will reintroduce some fun back into things.

I'm going to have to figure out this whole positive ground thing (those brits)?!

I can't wait to mount up 4 massive Marchal lights and go have some fun.

I was seriously thinking about a rear engined Simca, slightly longer wheelbase, like the looks as well.. but the Imp won out on the virtue that most people into them speak English and there was a pretty cherry one just down the road.

Pics to follow!

Cheers

]]> hudson Rally Chat Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:16:17 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17659#msg-17659 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17659#msg-17659
Fortunately/Unfortunately.. I'm years and years away from mounting any serious racing effort of any kind.. my last Mortgage statement said I have 22 years left before it's paid off :)

Cheers]]> hudson Rally Chat Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:20:36 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17658#msg-17658 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17658#msg-17658 -------------------------------------------------------
> Well, that is a matter of taste. I have always
> liked them. My current one is my fourth. My
> 15-year-old daughter (who gets her drivers license
> in four months) likes it as well.
>
> On the other hand, Jeremy Clarkson declared it one
> of the ugliest cars ever to come out of the UK.
> And I am constantly reminded of Giugiaro's
> critical line about BL put the styling line on
> both sides.
>
> alan

Alan,

I don't thin the TR7 is inherently ugly.. it just often is. Most of the ones I see have grey plastic that should be black and are generally "running". Not well loved examples with owners personal input of "current ideals of taste".

To be honest, most of the cars I like I think look like shit in stock trim.

Cheers
]]> hudson Rally Chat Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:18:40 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17657#msg-17657 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17657#msg-17657 -------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, I knew that.
>
> If you're planning on getting rid of that PV,
> lemme know.
> Mine's got some rust problems that're fixable, but
> it'll
> be some work. If you've already started one and
> aren't
> interested in finishing it, I wouldn't be averse
> to taking
> over the project and relegating mine to being a
> parts car.
>
> Not sure if it's worth it considering import duty
> and shipping
> fees, but if there's some cheap way...

My PV needs a space frame.. or someone with more time than brains. The front spars are solid, but the rest is smoked. I plan on keeping the shell and making a space frame with independant front and rear double A arms and putting the PV shell on top.. I'll widen the track at the same time. I also plan on putting a diesel in it although that might change ;)

In other words, you don't want my PV.]]> hudson Rally Chat Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:16:03 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17569#msg-17569 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17569#msg-17569 -------------------------------------------------------
> tipo158 Wrote:
> -------------------------------------------------------
> > I have specs for the works TR7 as well as the
> > homologation paperwork, so I have an idea of where
> > to start on parts and set-up. Tens of thousands
> > were made, so parts and shells are available.
>
> > Most Triumph enthusiasts hate them, so parts can
> > be found cheap.
>
> They are absurdly ugly stock (like many other
> cars).. it's amazing how a car can benefit from
> just a little this and a little that!

Well, that is a matter of taste. I have always liked them. My current one is my fourth. My 15-year-old daughter (who gets her drivers license in four months) likes it as well.

On the other hand, Jeremy Clarkson declared it one of the ugliest cars ever to come out of the UK. And I am constantly reminded of Giugiaro's critical line about BL put the styling line on both sides.

alan
]]> tipo158 Rally Chat Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:27:31 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17564#msg-17564 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17564#msg-17564 -------------------------------------------------------
> I have specs for the works TR7 as well as the
> homologation paperwork, so I have an idea of where
> to start on parts and set-up. Tens of thousands
> were made, so parts and shells are available.
> Most Triumph enthusiasts hate them, so parts can
> be found cheap.

They are absurdly ugly stock (like many other cars).. it's amazing how a car can benefit from just a little this and a little that!

> > I'm looking for something fun more than
> anything
> > at the moment. And if I do get an Imp having
> a
> > cage in it for driving on the freeway is
> probably
> > not a bad idea
>
> I guess as long as you wear a helmet ...

You have no idea how hard my head is (I am Irish)!.. but good point. ]]> hudson Rally Chat Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:49:51 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17557#msg-17557 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17557#msg-17557 -------------------------------------------------------
> tipo158 Wrote:
> -------------------------------------------------------
> > Here are a couple of video clips of Buffum back in
> > the day on youtube:
>
> I've seen those before. That was a nice car

I have specs for the works TR7 as well as the homologation paperwork, so I have an idea of where to start on parts and set-up. Tens of thousands were made, so parts and shells are available. Most Triumph enthusiasts hate them, so parts can be found cheap.

> I'm looking for something fun more than anything
> at the moment. And if I do get an Imp having a
> cage in it for driving on the freeway is probably
> not a bad idea

I guess as long as you wear a helmet ...

alan

]]> tipo158 Rally Chat Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:35:04 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17556#msg-17556 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17556#msg-17556 -------------------------------------------------------
> Here are a couple of video clips of Buffum back in
> the day on youtube:
>
>
>
>
> alan
>

I've seen those before. That was a nice car :)

I'm looking for something fun more than anything at the moment. And if I do get an Imp having a cage in it for driving on the freeway is probably not a bad idea :)

]]> hudson Rally Chat Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:59:04 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17555#msg-17555 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17555#msg-17555 -------------------------------------------------------

> What's wrong with this picture? Someone in
> California asking someone in Ontario for a
> rust-free car?

Yeah :) Mines rusty rusty rusty.. if/when I save it I'm going to spaceframe it.]]> hudson Rally Chat Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:54:39 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17554#msg-17554 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17554#msg-17554 -------------------------------------------------------
> it's just a bit too big for my garage.
> > Most of my spare time happens in the
> winter.. so
> > the door has to be closed yadda yadda.. I'm a
> big
> > whiner..
> >
>
>
>
>

I'll pass on that, thanks! :)]]> hudson Rally Chat Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:53:57 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17549#msg-17549 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17549#msg-17549 -------------------------------------------------------
> hudson Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > I think you should do a PV544...
> >
> >
> > That's what I have in my garage.. not sure if
> you
> > knew that..
>
>
> Yes, I knew that.
>
>> Mine's got some rust problems that're fixable, but
> it'll
> be some work. If you've already started one and
> aren't
> interested in finishing it, I wouldn't be averse
> to taking
> over the project and relegating mine to being a
> parts car.
>
>
> Edited 1 times. Last edit at Jul 18, 2008 by
> hoche.

What's wrong with this picture? Someone in California asking someone in Ontario for a rust-free car?
]]> Bruce Beauvais Rally Chat Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:50:29 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17538#msg-17538 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17538#msg-17538 > I wrote:
> > John Buffum won three SCCA championships in a 85"
> > wheelbase TR7/8. Short wheelbase is not a
> > problem; you just need to have some extra ability
> > at car control.
>
> It would definitely want to be twitchy at speed..
> how twitchy though?
>
> How much could be helped by good setup and not
> being a spaz with the wheel?

Here are a couple of video clips of Buffum back in the day on youtube:








alan
]]> tipo158 Rally Chat Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:35:07 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17535#msg-17535 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17535#msg-17535 > Most of my spare time happens in the winter.. so
> the door has to be closed yadda yadda.. I'm a big
> whiner..
>



]]> randyzimmer Rally Chat Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:58:01 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17477#msg-17477 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17477#msg-17477 -------------------------------------------------------
> Go for the Imp.
>
> Can't be any worse than the '63 two-stroke SAAB 96
> that my co-driver is building.
>
> Jason McDaniel

If your friend builds the 96 correctly and drives it half decently, it can be competitive.

Big if though.


]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:02:04 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17472#msg-17472 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17472#msg-17472
Can't be any worse than the '63 two-stroke SAAB 96 that my co-driver is building.]]> modernbeat Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:25:42 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17471#msg-17471 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17471#msg-17471 -------------------------------------------------------
> > I think you should do a PV544...
>
>
> That's what I have in my garage.. not sure if you
> knew that..


Yes, I knew that. :)

If you're planning on getting rid of that PV, lemme know.
Mine's got some rust problems that're fixable, but it'll
be some work. If you've already started one and aren't
interested in finishing it, I wouldn't be averse to taking
over the project and relegating mine to being a parts car.

Not sure if it's worth it considering import duty and shipping
fees, but if there's some cheap way...

]]> hoche Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:14:54 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17470#msg-17470 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17470#msg-17470 -------------------------------------------------------
> Why of course. He's young but he's sharp and he
> listens.
> He's been hired by his customer to run what was
> Seattle's oldest independant Volvo place
> "Oddvar's", (a cantanerous grouchy old Norwegian
> guy who was an alleged superman") and we've been
> talking about what sort of exciting things we
> could do in cooperation.
> And of the idea of having a part of the business
> as "the Orphanage" cause old cars are needing
> lots of love, and oddly enough, some of us know
> old performance cars.

He seems like a good guy. I'd love to have an orphanage :) well I've got 3 old cars.. but need a farm with a barn damnit!

> Still seems like a project only good for pure
> giggles and no competitiveness really. Have a hard
> time with building something with no chance of
> decent results, nort when entries cost what they
> do now.

For what reasons are you writing it off? The wheelbase, the mill or both?

Would it still be loony if you could get some torque and hp to the wheels?.. what about a mid mounted engine?]]> hudson Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:42:39 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17469#msg-17469 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17469#msg-17469 -------------------------------------------------------
> john vanlandingham Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Well Andrew, I just happen to be supplying
> some
> > critical parts to the PNWs premier Imp-perv.
> > He was hired by one of his Imp-customers to
> build
> > a Amazon for some of those loonie open road
> flat
> > out Mexican events so he comes to me for some
> of
> > my truly Sooooper Bitchinâ„¢ 160mm c-c Volvo
> rods
> > and light CP Pistons, and when he gets the
> parts
> > he says "Man I wish I could get some like
> this for
> > these Imp motors I'm building for guys for
> > roadrace."
> > I says "52 minimum", and 2 days later he says
> lets
> > do it.
> >
> > So looks like we'll be doing little 105mm
> c-c
> > little buggers and setting them up to use
> the
> > commonly available BMC A series rod bearing
> and
> > may even do some stroker cranks.
> >
> > Can you say "10,500 rpm"?
> >
> > John Vanlandingham
> > Sleezattle, WA, USA
> >
> > Vive le Prole-le-ralliat
> >
> > www.jvab.f4.ca
>
> That wouldn't be a mister Petersen would it?

Why of course. He's young but he's sharp and he listens.
He's been hired by his customer to run what was Seattle's oldest independant Volvo place "Oddvar's", (a cantanerous grouchy old Norwegian guy who was an alleged superman") and we've been talking about what sort of exciting things we could do in cooperation.
And of the idea of having a part of the business as "the Orphanage" cause old cars are needing lots of love, and oddly enough, some of us know old performance cars.
>
> If one stuck with the mill that came with the
> car.. you would need either crazy RPM or forced
> induction..
>
> I'm fairly stoked about the idea in general.. just
> the thought of having a car that fits in my garage
> so that I can comfortably walk around it AND work
> on it, is a massive plus!
>
> The whole half decent suspension and rear engine
> are pluses

Still seems like a project only good for pure giggles and no competitiveness really. Have a hard time with building something with no chance of decent results, nort when entries cost what they do now.
>
>
>
> Andrew McNally
> Hamilton ON
> 28


]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:38:25 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17468#msg-17468 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17468#msg-17468 -------------------------------------------------------
> I think you should do a PV544...


That's what I have in my garage.. not sure if you knew that.. it's just a bit too big for my garage. Most of my spare time happens in the winter.. so the door has to be closed yadda yadda.. I'm a big whiner.. ]]> hudson Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:38:25 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17467#msg-17467 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17467#msg-17467 -------------------------------------------------------
> Rich Smith Wrote:
> > Wheelbase may be the biggest problem.
> Wikipedia
> > says the Hillman Imp is only 82". Probably
> way too
> > short to be competitive in North America
> where
> > 100" is considered optimum for handling and
> higher
> > speed STABILITY.
>
> Them are fighting words!
>
> I have been thinking about getting canning my
> latest attempt at a TR7 rally car (after one
> rusted fastener too many), but this kind of "you
> have to do it this way" talk winds me up enough to
> keep it going.
>
> John Buffum won three SCCA championships in a 85"
> wheelbase TR7/8. Short wheelbase is not a
> problem; you just need to have some extra ability
> at car control.
>
> alan

It would definitely want to be twitchy at speed.. how twitchy though?

How much could be helped by good setup and not being a spaz with the wheel?

]]> hudson Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:36:22 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17466#msg-17466 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17466#msg-17466 -------------------------------------------------------
> Well Andrew, I just happen to be supplying some
> critical parts to the PNWs premier Imp-perv.
> He was hired by one of his Imp-customers to build
> a Amazon for some of those loonie open road flat
> out Mexican events so he comes to me for some of
> my truly Sooooper Bitchinâ„¢ 160mm c-c Volvo rods
> and light CP Pistons, and when he gets the parts
> he says "Man I wish I could get some like this for
> these Imp motors I'm building for guys for
> roadrace."
> I says "52 minimum", and 2 days later he says lets
> do it.
>
> So looks like we'll be doing little 105mm c-c
> little buggers and setting them up to use the
> commonly available BMC A series rod bearing and
> may even do some stroker cranks.
>
> Can you say "10,500 rpm"?
>
> John Vanlandingham
> Sleezattle, WA, USA
>
> Vive le Prole-le-ralliat
>
> www.jvab.f4.ca

That wouldn't be a mister Petersen would it?

If one stuck with the mill that came with the car.. you would need either crazy RPM or forced induction..

I'm fairly stoked about the idea in general.. just the thought of having a car that fits in my garage so that I can comfortably walk around it AND work on it, is a massive plus!

The whole half decent suspension and rear engine are pluses :)

]]> hudson Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:31:53 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17465#msg-17465 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17465#msg-17465 -------------------------------------------------------
> A rally-prepped Hillman Imp Californian or Sunbeam
> Stiletto is still my dream rally car. It wouldn't
> be competitive, but boy would it be fun.

Christian.. yes anything close to stock wouldn't be competitive for sure..

But you can put all kinds of motors in there.



]]> hudson Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:28:28 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17463#msg-17463 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17463#msg-17463 He was hired by one of his Imp-customers to build a Amazon for some of those loonie open road flat out Mexican events so he comes to me for some of my truly Sooooper Bitchinâ„¢ 160mm c-c Volvo rods and light CP Pistons, and when he gets the parts he says "Man I wish I could get some like this for these Imp motors I'm building for guys for roadrace."
I says "52 minimum", and 2 days later he says lets do it.

So looks like we'll be doing little 105mm c-c little buggers and setting them up to use the commonly available BMC A series rod bearing and may even do some stroker cranks.

Can you say "10,500 rpm"?]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:35:07 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17462#msg-17462 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17462#msg-17462 -------------------------------------------------------
> Or maybe...
>
>

that begs for this:




]]> fiasco Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:28:42 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17461#msg-17461 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17461#msg-17461 -------------------------------------------------------

> Them are fighting words!


Alan,

Ha! Yeah, I mostly agree with you. But far be it from me to eschew conventional wisdom (grin).

I particularly enjoy pointing out that the beloved 2wd Ford Escorts only had 94.5"(2400 mm). And I find it curious that nobody ever complains much about cars with wheelbase OVER the fabled 100". On the other hand I wouldn't drive my old 93.5" Colt on the fast roads of Pomeroy. That would just be asking for it.

In the final analysis I give thumbs-up to 100" for competitiveness; and thumbs-up to anything for fun factor!

Rich Smith



]]> Rich Smith Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:21:27 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17460#msg-17460 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17460#msg-17460
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110270592761]]> hoche Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:05:47 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17458#msg-17458 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17458#msg-17458 > Wheelbase may be the biggest problem. Wikipedia
> says the Hillman Imp is only 82". Probably way too
> short to be competitive in North America where
> 100" is considered optimum for handling and higher
> speed STABILITY.

Them are fighting words!

I have been thinking about getting canning my latest attempt at a TR7 rally car (after one rusted fastener too many), but this kind of "you have to do it this way" talk winds me up enough to keep it going.

John Buffum won three SCCA championships in a 85" wheelbase TR7/8. Short wheelbase is not a problem; you just need to have some extra ability at car control.

alan



]]> tipo158 Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:52:01 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17457#msg-17457 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17457#msg-17457 bjorn240 Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:41:03 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17456#msg-17456 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17456#msg-17456

Well, yeah, you've lost it. But haven't we all?

Wheelbase may be the biggest problem. Wikipedia says the Hillman Imp is only 82". Probably way too short to be competitive in North America where 100" is considered optimum for handling and higher speed STABILITY.

There was a Rally-Lite regional class in the Northwest for under 1500cc. But it died for lack of participation. And there were other less successful attempts to get a small car class off the ground with Justy's and then Metro/Swifts. Not much interest there either. Even the Historic Class (My favorite) doesn't get much participation.

But do it if you want too. You may not be competive with bigger/newer cars, but sure would be a lot of fun. And the crouds would love it.

Rich Smith ]]> Rich Smith Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:36:57 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17454#msg-17454 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,17452,17454#msg-17454 hoche Rally Chat Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:05:01 -0500