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| Hillman Imp Rallye |
Reijo Halonen from Espoo (near Helsinki) has sent the following material:
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Background of the Rallye modelThe history for this model started in March –65 as the “serial production” started for Hillman Imp Super 998 ( marketing name Rallye Imp ) model. Originally all cars were normal Imps from production line which were driven to a hall in factory neighbourhood for modifications. This was because of taxation. Together with so called Rallye-pack all cars got an suffix T after their chassis serial number. The required quantity for homologation was reached in September –65. The major changes compared to normal Imp were different dash board, reinforcements in suspension, gearbox ratios and 998cc block. Also twin Stromberg 150 carburettors and special exhaust manifold were fitted. The performance was increased considerably and factory informed 65hp/6200rpm. Original Rallye Imps exists only few examples in Europe and their prices are sky high. Rallye Imps were produced after homologation up till –68 only for customer orders. Majority of competition Imps were modified by tuners from normal road going cars to correspond Rallye specifications and did not carry “T” suffix in their chassis number. Reijo's ExampleAlso this example was a normal Hillman Imp Basic model and after travelling in Turku area Finland during sixties and seventies it ended up till a scrap yard . Luckily one enthusiastic saw the car and after realising it’s good condition rescued it. After standing in a barn over 15 years it ended up to it’s current owner Mr. Reijo Halonen. After a full strip a down it was painted and rebuilt as a Historic F period racing car to correspond Rallye specifications ( FIA recognition no. 526 ). Season '96During the first season –96 car was according to factory specs. without any tuning. Only safety equipment was included and passenger seats and carpets were removed. As results from the season were 3 rd place in HRF circuit cup in class 1 and Mr. Petteri Sappinens two third places in Historic rallies. Season '97For season –97 two new engines were built. One for Mr. Halonen for circuit racing and the other for Mr. Sappinen for rallying. Both engines performed some 80 hp which were enough to bring Championship to both drivers. The car was really a winner in circuits and rallies at the same season as in “the good old times”. Season '98For season –98 the car was modified to suit even better to circuit racing as Mr. Sappinen has built a similar car for himself only for rallying. The suspension was stiffened and cam shaft (R-20) was changed. The new cam shaft brought more power at top but the torque was reduced at lower rpms. For fast tracks it was good but at hairy Ahvenisto track the car was almost impossible to drive. As results third place in HRF circuit cup and one Rally Sprint class win.Plans for the Season'99For season –99 there will be no major changes. The cam shaft will be changed to R22 or a custom made profile and front anti roll bar will be fitted. A set of new Dunlop Racings, normal service plus a good wash and the car is ready for season –99. Technical data:HILLMAN IMP RALLYE "replica" 1965
Coming to the track ...
Reijo's next project is still an Imp, this time a previous stage rally car with a genuine competition history for period G. In the picture left the car is at full speed in Forssa-rally in 1971. More of it can be found from its own infopage. More fast Imps can be found on Franka's Competitive Impers -page |
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