Hartwell Imp - Restoration
Discussion
Not a huge amount to report or show you guys but car is now stripped and off to Metalwork man and then either cage or paint.
going to start stripping front and rear subframes next week and then send everything to the powder coat shop, get shocks checked / refurbed etc.
Going to buy some shiny bits for inspiration to look at like seats and stuff.
couple of pictures below .....
going to start stripping front and rear subframes next week and then send everything to the powder coat shop, get shocks checked / refurbed etc.
Going to buy some shiny bits for inspiration to look at like seats and stuff.
couple of pictures below .....
Small update - car is currently with Colin Rooney Fabrications for any metal repairs, we have found that the car has unsurprisingly for a race car had a light knock on the 2 front corners and been repaired not very nicely with filler, so Colin has grafted on 2 new front wing sections.
The rust seen on the roof and rear wing has been ground back to bare metal and thankfully only superficial.
Huge pile of bits gone off to be blasted and powder coated.
Shocks about to be overhauled .......
Cheers
The rust seen on the roof and rear wing has been ground back to bare metal and thankfully only superficial.
Huge pile of bits gone off to be blasted and powder coated.
Shocks about to be overhauled .......
Cheers
Its great to see these Imps being restored.
I had the pleasure of meeting George Bevan back in the early 90's when I was preparing my own Imp. He proved enormously helpful and very generous with his time - even though I had to get used to the rather unorthodox method of communication via his wife, who would then "translate".
He assisted me with bits and pieces from his shed and encouraged me to keep going even when the build was starting to defeat me. in spite of his age and infirmity he was an inspiration.
Really enjoying this thread.
I had the pleasure of meeting George Bevan back in the early 90's when I was preparing my own Imp. He proved enormously helpful and very generous with his time - even though I had to get used to the rather unorthodox method of communication via his wife, who would then "translate".
He assisted me with bits and pieces from his shed and encouraged me to keep going even when the build was starting to defeat me. in spite of his age and infirmity he was an inspiration.
Really enjoying this thread.
uk66fastback said:
Wow. How do people find these things after so long? Can't you just polish up a bit on the outside and change what needs to be changed mechanically and run as is if no rot?
Edit: too late for that I see ... I should read the whole thread before commenting!
It was an idea of mine to maybe do what I think the kids nowadays call the Rat look, whereby the car looks externally exactly as mine but under the bonnet arches and interior are like new, I was then going to get my friends at Supercar Paint Protection to wrap in clear film.Edit: too late for that I see ... I should read the whole thread before commenting!
The problem is that I think a huge amount of the value in these historic race cars is to rebuild like new albeit the cage and other safety related parts have to be to a modern standard and whilst the above idea tickled me a little bit I think a lot of people ....... i.e. the Goodwood Revival crowd prefer them to be new, you also have the element of some parts need repairing etc etc and it becomes a bit half half so to speak.
Little bit more for you historians as to the provenance of the car.
It was built in 1972 as below for A German guy called Detlef Hendricks
Raced in the 1972 September Tourist Trophy at Silverstone by Detlev Hendricks and Ray Payne
Car was then taken to Germany and registered with a Wagonpass in 1973 and competed in various European Grp 2 rounds in 1973 and 1974.
Car was then sold to the second owner Wolfgang Rische in 1975 and again competed in various Grp 2 rounds in 1975
It then appears to have sat in a garage until I purchased in September 2017
few photos below from phone
It was built in 1972 as below for A German guy called Detlef Hendricks
Raced in the 1972 September Tourist Trophy at Silverstone by Detlev Hendricks and Ray Payne
Car was then taken to Germany and registered with a Wagonpass in 1973 and competed in various European Grp 2 rounds in 1973 and 1974.
Car was then sold to the second owner Wolfgang Rische in 1975 and again competed in various Grp 2 rounds in 1975
It then appears to have sat in a garage until I purchased in September 2017
few photos below from phone
Info from my little historian mate from the VIN plate ......... Thanks Matt
Serial No.:
Your car is a 1972 Sunbeam Sport, produced in the Linwood plant.
L = Linwood
3 = July 1972
593 = Sunbeam Sport
817716 = the serial number suggests it was Imp no. 81,716 built (since July 1970).
The BSAE service code stands for:
B = Imp, 875cc High Compression.
S = standard manual transmission (as per all later imps built post 1970.
A = no other options (expected given it was just used as a shell to make the race car).
E = export model, RHD.
Engine:
The same serial number will be stamped on the engine that came with the car
Registration:
Depending on when it was registered, it would have been given a K plate for July 72 or an L Plate for August 72 to July 73.
Paint:
156 paint code = Wardance Orange paint. looks like they painted the car In that first, then added the white (probably Polar White 108) on the top half and the satin black on the interior floor and up to/behind the dash panel and roll cage.
CONCLUSION:
So... looks like you need to change your piston heads topic to 1972 Hartwell Imp... as raced in the September 1972 RAC TT (BSCC and ETCC race... and shared with the famous Ray Payne of Team Hartwell).
Serial No.:
Your car is a 1972 Sunbeam Sport, produced in the Linwood plant.
L = Linwood
3 = July 1972
593 = Sunbeam Sport
817716 = the serial number suggests it was Imp no. 81,716 built (since July 1970).
The BSAE service code stands for:
B = Imp, 875cc High Compression.
S = standard manual transmission (as per all later imps built post 1970.
A = no other options (expected given it was just used as a shell to make the race car).
E = export model, RHD.
Engine:
The same serial number will be stamped on the engine that came with the car
Registration:
Depending on when it was registered, it would have been given a K plate for July 72 or an L Plate for August 72 to July 73.
Paint:
156 paint code = Wardance Orange paint. looks like they painted the car In that first, then added the white (probably Polar White 108) on the top half and the satin black on the interior floor and up to/behind the dash panel and roll cage.
CONCLUSION:
So... looks like you need to change your piston heads topic to 1972 Hartwell Imp... as raced in the September 1972 RAC TT (BSCC and ETCC race... and shared with the famous Ray Payne of Team Hartwell).
rallycross said:
Love this story, please keep the updates going, amazing history and original condition.
What BHP will it have based on original spec? and was original racing weight 660 kg?
Yes motor has to be what was allowed in the period, think they put out circa 110-120 bhpWhat BHP will it have based on original spec? and was original racing weight 660 kg?
The Wagonpass states 623kg but not sure what thats based on, I would assume thats dry weight as well, things like modern safety cage will add weight but I'm guessing somewhere in the 650-675 kg - Mr Bevan can probably answer will message him.
Not a lot to report over the xmas period guys ...
Chassis / Bodywork is virtually completed now, all underseal and sticky mess removed from inside and out ready to paint.
Roll cage (Fabricage) should be ready for collection tomorrow and fitted weekend or early next week, then off to paint shop.
Brake Callipers (Girling ) currently being refurbed by BG Developments.
Shocks with Koni service centre (Racine Suspension Technologies).
Cheers
Chassis / Bodywork is virtually completed now, all underseal and sticky mess removed from inside and out ready to paint.
Roll cage (Fabricage) should be ready for collection tomorrow and fitted weekend or early next week, then off to paint shop.
Brake Callipers (Girling ) currently being refurbed by BG Developments.
Shocks with Koni service centre (Racine Suspension Technologies).
Cheers
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