Sunbeam Stiletto Special c/w 1600 CVH engine

[HerbertD]

Thought that you might be interested in the Stiletto Special that I had for 4.1/2 years, but sold it to a guy in Southern Ireland who was going to strip it and use for historic rallying (Don't know if he ever did?!) I bought it from a retired automotive engineer who had converted it himself - using a 1600 CVH engine, beetle transaxle, Spax adjustables, front rad, alpina alloys(!) It was quick off the line, but somewhat under-geared, and the handling was on the interesting side of scary. Still I had alot of fun in it and had a memorable trip down to Le Mans, where the Hawaiian Tropic girls even posed on the bonnet, though I've lost the photos to prove it!!

[LotusOmega375D]

The engine looks kind of odd sat bolt-upright for us (former) Imp owners, used to the little light alloy slant 4. It seems to protrude deep into the rear cabin. The high centre of gravity, extra weight and much higher power output would presumably explain the interesting handling.

NB: are they braided hoses/oil lines passing by the gear-stick?

[dartissimus]

Like the braided hoses running inside the cabin

[HerbertD]

The Braided pipes are the coolant pipes!! (en route to the front rad) The cabin certainly never got cold in the winter. I should have re-routed them through the sills, but unfortunately didn't get round to it.

[V8 FOU]

Can't think of a much worse engine to use! Now a Duratec or similar would be lighter/better/smoother etc.
Still, a great car for the brave....

[onomatopoeia]

HerbertD said:

converted it himself - using a 1600 CVH engine

Nice car, but very strange choice of engine! The Imp suspension is designed to work with the weight distribution based on 70kg of Imp engine, so no wonder the handling was "interesting" .

[dartissimus]

Many years ago, I had a little drive in an XR3 body transplanted onto a shortened XR4x4 chassis & mechanicals, very very quick & surefooted.
It all matched up very well, very little to give it away other than the rear suspension arms

[Simes205]

Nice car, a fireblade engine would be a nice swap.

[quiraing]

Interesting mix of parts, hope it works out bud Someone suggested Fireblade engine and trans . . . just a thought.

Edited by quiraing on Friday 8th March 19:37