Spaceframe Imps

steve g · Post by **steve g** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 12:31 pm

Are the two cars above the same car ? This blue paint is under the White. Also the edwards car has alley cat split rims with Avon slicks!

Any help appreciated

mikedao · Post by **mikedao** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 6:12 pm

steve if you look at the roll cage in both pics i would say they are the same allso the blue one has a timing strut post on uphill racers to see if they know of the car mike

ibbo · Post by **ibbo** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:25 pm

the above car is the one owned twice by dave Llewellyn hope ive spelt that right

steve g · Post by **steve g** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:36 pm

Cheers mike. It would be good to know a little more about it. I was told it was enderbys mason stiletto when I bought it but I never take these things for granted. At the moment it's in its component parts in my garage.

steve g · Post by **steve g** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:39 pm

Thanks mark I have spoken to Dave about this car a few years ago.

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 11:06 pm

That is on my list of favourite Imps.
Be nice to see the progress of it as a thread on its own.
Col.

mikedao · Post by **mikedao** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 11:31 pm

steve would love to see it back on the hills what blue is that like a wedgewood or baby blue? mike

steve g · Post by **steve g** » Sat Mar 26, 2016 8:04 am

Mike , It's a slightly darker shade of baby blue.
Col I've only been messing around with it, I'm supposed to be finishing my sunbeam before I can invest any time or money on the edwards car! Nearly there now so I'm hoping to make a start on it this year.

les998 · Post by **les998** » Sun Mar 27, 2016 1:23 pm

Hi Steve,
I took the picture of the light blue Stiletto at Doune Hillclimb, I think it was about 1987 and I'm pretty sure the Driver was a Brian Innes from Skene, it was a Mason Stiletto with a 998 in it at that time.
Hope this might be of some help to you

Les

mapman · Post by **mapman** » Sun Mar 27, 2016 4:14 pm

I can confirm the picture is of Brian Innes Mason Stiletto and was taken in 1985 or maybe 1986. I was there at the same time competing in my own spaceframe Stiletto, which was the car Brian owned before buying the Mason Stiletto. My spaceframe was a Maguire copy built in the North East of Scotland by Brian Fletcher who raced it at Ingliston in the early '80's. John Whyte also competed in a red Mason Stiletto at the same time before buying the Dave Whitehead BDA Stiletto a couple of years later. Harry Simpson inhe Sportstune Maguire Stiletto was also a regular competitor at this time.

les998 · Post by **les998** » Sun Mar 27, 2016 10:59 pm

Hi Mapman,
Thanks for that, I had the wrong date in my post, I have changed it now, it was the April 1987 Doune that I took that picture, as I still have the program, and just had a look at it. Paul Batey Stiletto 998, John Whyte Stiletto 1294, Brian Innes Mason Stiletto 998 and Harry Simpson Imp 998, there was a bigger turn out at the next meeting in September 1987 with James McDonald Mason Stiletto 998, Mark Kershaw Mason Stiletto 998, Neil Hancox Maguire Stiletto 1240, Ian Fidde Maguire Stiletto 1240, John Whyte Stiletto 1294 and Harry Simpson Imp 998.
Les

mapman · Post by **mapman** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 1:21 pm

Yes, that's me - Paul Batey Stiletto 998. Here's one from the archive, a lot younger and lighter then!

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 11:15 pm

It is a superb-looking space frame Imp.

What plans have you for the car, Steve? I'm going to read back a little way to see if you have already said.

IM

steve g · Post by **steve g** » Fri Apr 01, 2016 9:02 pm

It needs to be raced. I have a fresh chessman engine with an r21 twin 40s to go in it and I think a quaife box, but....the car needs a hell of a lot of work. The trouble I have is I'm a bit of a perfectionist and this is a race car that was built to go quick and look good at 10 feet...I want it to go quick and look good when you stand next to it!

And then I'll crash it...

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 12:45 pm

steve g wrote:The trouble I have is I'm a bit of a perfectionist and this is a race car that was built to go quick and look good at 10 feet...I want it to go quick and look good when you stand next to it!

And then I'll crash it...

I'm a bit of perfectionist too. And yep. That's what I did.

I am still re-rebuilding the car.

Be sure to start a Readers' Cars thread. It would be amazing to follow another spaceframe Imp build.

IM

MATTinSURREY · Post by **MATTinSURREY** » Sun May 22, 2016 6:25 am

Does anyone know of a spaceframe Imp that's for sale? Keen to get back on to the circuits/hills, anything considered.

colin rooney · Post by **colin rooney** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 9:09 am

If you cant find a car for sale get in touch i can build you a chassis

col

big J · Post by **big J** » Thu Jun 16, 2016 12:41 pm

Nice to see this still going

Nice one lads.
Col Rooney, you might like these-

colin rooney · Post by **colin rooney** » Thu Jun 16, 2016 1:10 pm

big J wrote:Nice to see this still going
Nice one lads.
Col Rooney, you might like these-

Ah big john ur still on here hope ur ok , yes seen all them videos some good racing

col

mikedao · Post by **mikedao** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 1:40 pm

need michael law email to send some pics and info on ray imp i have bought thanks

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 12:28 pm

Flyingscot61 wrote:...I can post some pictures if anyone is interested...

Yes, please!

I am no racer and am not old enough to remember the old days of Modsports in their heyday. However, I have followed this thread with interest and the spaceframe cars interest me.

Thank you for your post!

IM

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 7:06 pm

Keep it coming, Mike. I used to watch the occasional Wendy Wools race at Brands back in the day, so photos would be nostalgically fab

Andy G

stuartbrownsey · Post by **stuartbrownsey** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 8:34 pm

Mike

I'm fairly sure Gary Prebble still owns the car, I've got a customer who saw it in his barn recently
It's still as it was after the crash and would need a major amount of work to sort it out. I think it
was converted to run a 1300cc talbot engine built by Ray Payne.

Stuart

mikedao · Post by **mikedao** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 11:03 pm

mike thank you for all your help and info please feel free to post the pics i sent you i am crap at puting pics up might get some more info i bought the car off endaf owins and he bought it off robert knocks waitying to here frome robert who he bought it off
if enybody knows who ian forrest sold his car to feel free to chip in.
michael chapple

alan c ramsay · Post by **alan c ramsay** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 11:12 pm

mikedao wrote:mike thank you for all your help and info please feel free to post the pics i sent you i am crap at puting pics up might get some more info i bought the car off endaf owins and he bought it off robert knocks waitying to here frome robert who he bought it off
if enybody knows who ian forrest sold his car to feel free to chip in.
michael chapple

Until a couple months ago, you could have contacted Ian Forrest at Knockhill Racing Circuit, but he has left now.... Harry SImpson, who is on this Forum, is a pal of Ian, and might be able to put you in touch with him.

oneofapair · Post by **oneofapair** » Thu Aug 11, 2016 7:23 am

If This car is the car that Rob Knox had,it was driven by Wil Arif at times in late 80's Brands Hatch "Winter Warmer" end of season races. The cars owner at that time was I think named Graham!!?? Rob may well have some more info. The car certainly had Brabham corners . I do bump into Wil at times ,will try and get more info next time I see him. Am sure Rob will reply soon too.

Teddie2003 · Post by **Teddie2003** » Thu Aug 11, 2016 11:37 am

stuartbrownsey wrote:Mike

I'm fairly sure Gary Prebble still owns the car, I've got a customer who saw it in his barn recently
It's still as it was after the crash and would need a major amount of work to sort it out. I think it
was converted to run a 1300cc talbot engine built by Ray Payne.

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

yes that's the case, I've checked with who saw it about 18 months ago and it's in a (very)crashed state.

I'd originally seen it at the workshops at Hartwells when it had the Peugeot engine fitted. From what I remember Ray telling me, even with the bigger engine fitted it was not as quick as when it was Imp powered.

Are you going to Thruxton on Saturday?

Steve

Macrootes · Post by **Macrootes** » Thu Aug 11, 2016 1:07 pm

colin rooney wrote:Then there is this spaceframe it was on ebay around 2 years ago anyone know where it went

Alan Ramsey has this car now.

knocker · Post by **knocker** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 8:15 am

oneofapair wrote:If This car is the car that Rob Knox had,it was driven by Wil Arif at times in late 80's Brands Hatch "Winter Warmer" end of season races. The cars owner at that time was I think named Graham!!?? Rob may well have some more info. The car certainly had Brabham corners . I do bump into Wil at times ,will try and get more info next time I see him. Am sure Rob will reply soon too.

The car was maintained by Reg Patten he might be able to help you out, I had the Hewland Mk9 box rebuilt.
The car was bought with a view to running 2 Imps in a series that was started by SEMSEC at Lydden but my father's love for pigeon racing took over car racing. My love for the Maguire took over so the car was sold.
The guy was called Graham 0208 647 6952 or 07770 773039 that number is 14 years old, but he was doing a house restoration and if its anything like a car restoration he may well still be doing it...
It was ran a few times at Lydden when John Woods could fit in the seat that is!!!

Nice to see you now have 2 of my cars!! Do you want a third?

rje · Post by **rje** » Wed Sep 14, 2016 9:43 am

Given to understand yesterday that there is a Maguire Imp tucked away in a garage in Northern Ireland, owner was at Kirkistown sprint 2 weeks ago but not interested in selling. Anyone know who that is?

colin rooney · Post by **colin rooney** » Wed Sep 14, 2016 4:46 pm

yes i believe there is and i know of 1 in the south

driftwood · Post by **driftwood** » Thu Oct 06, 2016 12:28 am

The stiletto Graham you refer to that Will Arif drove is probably Graham Smith
he ran car at Lydden 98 99 2000 ish lived west of Croydon but Im sure he had ford motor in it

oneofapair · Post by **oneofapair** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 10:15 pm

Definately upright Imp motor on hewland box, car had brabham cornere I believe. Looks like engine and box now for sale on Hillclimb site.

mikedao · Post by **mikedao** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 10:44 pm

yes the engine and box is for sale but the box is on hold if you want to see the pics go to facebook type in michael john chapple this is me or send me your email cant get the hang of posting pics on here must be a old man thing mike

mikedao · Post by **mikedao** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 5:24 pm

the imp in ireland is in belfast somewhere in n ards came up in con last year on the phone mike

HARRY · Post by **HARRY** » Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:51 pm

any one have photos of phoenix PARK 1983 HARRY SIMPSON DRIVING A DAVRIAN

colin rooney · Post by **colin rooney** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 8:46 am

HARRY wrote:any one have photos of phoenix PARK 1983 HARRY SIMPSON DRIVING A DAVRIAN

What colour was the car Harry , it may be worth contacting Loe Nulty as he seems to have lots of old pictures from back then

col

HARRY · Post by **HARRY** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 10:20 am

Hi, the MK8 davrian was red sponsored by Edinburgh aluminium products

HARRY · Post by **HARRY** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 10:41 am

ian forrest was olso at phoenix park at the same time 1983 in a black MK8.

colin rooney · Post by **colin rooney** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 2:11 pm

i will ask leo

ScaryWayne · Post by **ScaryWayne** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 6:56 pm

Great thread folks. I am in the process of planning a partial spaceframe racer here in France. I will be doing all of the work myself and am slowly gathering the bits I need. Firstly I should explain the spec that I have to compy to for the Autocross genre of racing.
The car must retain the driver compartment in original form. From the bulkhead forward it will be spaceframe with double wishbone suspension and coilovers. Seat must stay in position, ie can't be central. From the main hoop, directly behind the drivers seat it will again be spaceframe with coiled rear suspension, either double wishbone or swing arm. The engine must be no bigger than 2.0ltr with max 16v and an original power output of max 180bhp. No turbo or supercharger but can be tuned to a higher than original power output. No difflock.
My plan is to use a Ford Focus ST-170 motor though a VW passat or Porsche transaxle. This will be mounted in the position of the rear seat and will be inline.
Bodywise the driver area must remain steel but I'm planning on using fibreglass panels for the rest. Ideally a full flip front and flip up rear from the B-Post back including the roof and rear wings and engine cover. I guess I'll have to make moulds myself to produce the panels as all the pre made panelso I've seen for sale are so expensive. I did miss a complete fibreglass body a year or so ago for 250 quid that needed repair but I could have probably made it work. Unfortunately living in south of France it's difficult to fetch parts unless people will store them for me untill I can get up to fetch them.
If anyone has any ideas or pointers I would love to take on board your thoughts. Also if any of you know of potential usefull parts or desing ideas that would be good to.
Forgot to say I'm doing this on a very limited budget, hence doing it all myself but I really want to take an Imp and kick some french car butt.
I have a shell and will start to post pictures once I get started. Just don't expect a quick build.
Cheers

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 3:16 pm

Most intriguing!

Why not go transverse and just use the Ford transmission, clutch, release mechanism and so on?

It would be much more straightforward than marrying up the Ford engine to a different transmission.

You could go further and graft the whole Ford front end into the Imp's rear. The top MacPherson strut mountings, inner wings for reinforcement, front subframe, suspension arms, driveshafts, brakes, etc. from the Ford could then be used. It would save you a packet on buying after-market stuff and is of decent quality and well-engineered.

Similar has been done previously. Look at Cliff Pountney's thread under Readers' Cars. Also look at pat_imp_man's thread. Both are using Rover K-Series power. Pat's is supercharged.

For a body, you could either stick with steel panels, which are tricky to repair and potentially expensive if replacement is needed, or go with glassfibre reinforced plastic. Chris Farren at Fibreclass is one of the best for such panels for an Imp. There is just an outside chance, if you ask him, that he might have for example some panels for sale cheaply that did not meet his high quality standards. If not, then he may know of someone selling a load of GRP panels secondhand. If you don't ask, you will never know!

It must be tough, living in the south of France...

IM

ScaryWayne · Post by **ScaryWayne** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 5:21 pm

I considered going tansverse, as indeed most of the french racers have. They tend to use the renault clio or megane or the citroen engine and transmission. I just really like the idea of being different and sticking to the original drive train layout of the Imp. A bit more work but hopefully being different will be the difference between winning or not. I have been racing since I was 11 years old and have had some of my best success by trying something different from the rest.
I will try Fibreclass and see what they can do. As you say, don't ask, don't get.
I have a bid on a Focus as we speak which is currently looking good but we'll have to wait and see. I should know this evening whether they accept my offer.
Hopefully that will be another piece in the parts cupboard.
ScaryWayne

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 5:34 pm

Excellent!

Consider starting a Readers' Cars thread and keep us apprised.

IM

ScaryWayne · Post by **ScaryWayne** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 7:08 pm

I think I will start a readers car thread when I get started. Not sure how many people will be intereseted though.

I've been searching the interweb for an email or website for Chris Farren at Fibreclass but have drawn a blank. Anyone got any details?

Teddie2003 · Post by **Teddie2003** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:02 pm

ScaryWayne wrote:I think I will start a readers car thread when I get started. Not sure how many people will be intereseted though.

I've been searching the interweb for an email or website for Chris Farren at Fibreclass but have drawn a blank. Anyone got any details?

This was the last one I had

fiberclass@hotmail.co.uk

SBS · Post by **SBS** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:09 pm

........last known mobile number - 07747 367067

big J · Post by **big J** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 3:47 pm

Hi lads, Ive fixed my pictures do they should be visible again?
For Google chrome this should work-
Go to Chrome webstore, find and install the photobucket fix app
Sorry dont know how to do a link
edit-
this might work?
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/deta ... aieidknhlf

steve g · Post by **steve g** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 10:16 pm

Does anyone have any pics of the ccc stiletto driven by Enderby? I cant find any online
Also does anyone know Stephen Brett ?...
I’ve just been reading up on Enderby and his mason stiletto, I’m hoping to drag it out of the shed soon and make a start on it.

hillman1070 · Post by **hillman1070** » Sun Dec 03, 2017 10:25 pm

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum in fact any forum!
ive seen previous post from Graham De Looze regarding the blue /white spaceframe saloon. He says at one time it was Andy Ciakovs? That car has been mine now since 1997 , bought it as a rolling shell from a guy in Stoke on Trent and after much work I started hillclimbing it in 2000. Its morphed quite a bit over the years..long story short...I made a mess of it at landow early this year. Ive heaps of work to sort it out and have been looking for a one piece grp roof and pillars among other bits. I have bought other saloon roof mould and rear screen mould but they have been cut short and are not complete. Will consider stiletto top now that I have to rebuild it. Grateful for any help.
KC