ALJ117K

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 6:17 pm

Time to get the finger out, so its off to get the bodywork repairs done and painted up by an expert.

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 6:25 pm

Nice tow vehicle

, look forward to seeing photo's on its return

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 10:26 am

In which colour will she be painted? The blue colour around portions of the rear of the car looks rather fetching.

I'm looking forward to following your build.

IM

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 4:29 pm

Its actually Aquarius metallic. Posting it up on here means i'm putting myself under pressure to get it finished!

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 8:45 pm

Hurry up then !

Andy G.

ps Not that there is any bias, but Aquarious Metallic is a fabulous colour. Or how about Trophy Blue from MG ?

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 2:10 am

It just occurred to me to google trophy blue. Its a really nice colour, but just too close to the colour of my californian.
Apparently there is (was?) a Landrover Discovery colour very close to Aquarius which is available.

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 7:05 am

The original Rootes/Chrysler colour should be available.

Bobbycham · Post by **Bobbycham** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 5:46 pm

Trophy Blue is the colour l've chosen for bottom half and roof of our "Petula".

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 6:58 pm

Chris Mabbutt's old Sport was MG/Rover Trophy Blue IIRC

http://www.imps.me.uk/Imps_in_pictures/ ... 0Sport.htm

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 8:06 pm

This is a Chrysler colour, as found on Dodge Vipers,apparently

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 12:33 am

Thanks, but this was all a previous owners work. Its been off the road for a while now.It still looks nice though.
After replacing H brackets and rebuilding rear spring seats, I went off the boil, so it still needs the floors doing.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 4:12 am

will jack wrote:This is a Chrysler colour, as found on Dodge Vipers,apparently

Nice, but it looks like a Dodge Viper colour as found on IMPs, bit like the Electric Blue of the 70's

impmann · Post by **impmann** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:59 am

Aquarius metallic is a top colour... but then, I may be biased...

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 4:37 pm

Nice! Aquarius it is then.

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:49 pm

Bias or not, Tim, it is a fab colour

when I was looking for my Imp I really wanted a twin headlight something or other. But when I saw the colour of Stan, I couldn't resist

Andy G.

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 11:22 pm

.....And it's back, looking amazing. Couldn't help myself - had to stick a couple of wheels on it . I know a lot of folk don't like minilite replicas, but I just think they look right.

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 7:35 am

looks fab and the wheels really suit it

Don't forget to paint over the overspray on the front suspension

, lets hope you now get your mojo back

bornagain-imp · Post by **bornagain-imp** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 6:03 pm

Very Nice

Love the colour

Looks good on those wheels

Rod

Grahame59 · Post by **Grahame59** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 6:39 pm

Looks great. Small point but you have fitted the front panel trims upside down!

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 6:48 pm

Thanks. The suspension is all coming off again to attend to rustproofing the mountings, so the overspray will all be sorted then. When I fitted those trims , this looked right. I noticed it was wrong after looking at other sunbeam pictures. If you look at where the trims sit in relation to the headlamp bezels, I like this better and probably won't bother changing them round. Call it a conversation piece

.

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 5:31 pm

That looks lovely!

Please be sure to keep the updates coming.

I too really like Minilites and their clones. My own car will have Superlites fitted.

IM

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:35 pm

Got the back end jacked up, removed the rear suspension and crossmember. The crossmember is in really good condition and will get blasted and possibly galvanised later. But for now a spare powder coated one has been fitted. It is a late one with only ten bolts, but I've drilled it and the vertical mounting panel to take the extra two bolts that the earlier cars had.
The mounting panels, rear wheel arches and most of the floor panels have been undersealed. The enclosed boxes have been sprayed with cavity wax.
New brake pipes and braided flexis have been fitted. The trailing arms (not the originals) were overhauled some time back and have been refitted. The originals were totally rotted out when I got the car.
The radiator shroud is going to have mounting flanges fitted along the bottom edges, for fitting stainless mesh.
The engine and box are ready to go back in. The original engine is good, but I'm putting in a 930 engine with an L4 head modded to better than sport by Reg Patten. Its got a 28/36 rather than Strombergs. Once its been run in, the sport cam is being replaced with an R17.

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 10:19 am

That all sounds rather good. I like the sound of your engine specification.

That should be a lovely setup for a road car.

IM

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Sat Dec 27, 2014 9:16 pm

Just thought I would post a few more pictures. The front and rear wheel arches are as found when the old underseal was scraped off. The cone is original on this side, but had to be replaced on the drivers side.
The modified rear panel was a cheap ebay purchase, repaired and modified. The original for the car has also been repaired (not modded), painted and safely put away!

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:50 pm

Another old picture from before the car was painted. I'm pretty sure the wheel and tacho were fitted when the car was new. The padded dash top cleans up well and there are no splits present. The carpet was a goner and has to be replaced. The original seats are in good nick but are also turquoise, so I've got Rover 100 seats to go in.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 10:20 am

Grahame59 wrote:Looks great. Small point but you have fitted the front panel trims upside down!

I suppose the reason they fitted them the way they did at the factory was so they matched the side trims which had the wide section uppermost. If you reverse them at the front, as you say they look as though they ought to be that way as they follow the 4 headlamp aperture line.
The side mouldings were designed for the Super IMP initially before the 4 headlight version came out so which way up they went had already been set I suppose.
To be right then the side mouldings need turning upside down so they match the front now, that would then be a double conversation piece?

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:08 am

The heater installation looks effective.

Isn't the electrical flex somewhat limiting on driving range, though?

It sounds as though the car is coming along well.

IM

Macrootes · Post by **Macrootes** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:50 pm

Happy New Year Willie,

Looking good.

Will you be around for the Paisley Monte Carlo thing on Wednesday 28th Jaunary? I have put an entry in but not heard anything as yet. Might do it with Fraser. Then we would be Jack and Victor !!!!!!

Alex

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:57 pm

Hi. Happy new year.
The Nun-The side trims are being left off, so the holes are all filled. I should probably say that I'm not making any irreversible modifications, and all trims , turquoise interior, etc are being stored.
IM-Given the usual heater performance...I think I can feel a cunning plan forming.Might be indigestion, though.
Alex- Plan A - I should be leaving here on the 25th and home 26th. However the P*TR*BR*S effect will probably come into play so I'll probably be on Plan F by then.

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:38 am

Tried to get the proper part a couple of times, with no luck, so I am going to try this.
Its machined up to take a turn of 4mm PTFE valve gland packing. Any guesses?

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:01 am

Bit difficult not having anything to judge its size by in the photo, assume it must be something 3/4 inch bore ish?
Wiper wheel box spindle outer body seal?

(Oh just checked club spares have those for a quid each, so can't be),

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 10:41 pm

Its for the rear hatch button. Its about twice as thick as the proper part, but it should work ok.

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Sun Mar 01, 2015 9:17 pm

The engine and box are back in place now. It previously had been fitted with an alternator and pre-engaged starter motor. The altered wiring was a total mess, so the loom has been unwrapped to get it sorted out.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sun Mar 01, 2015 9:30 pm

will jack wrote:Its for the rear hatch button. Its about twice as thick as the proper part, but it should work ok.

You can get those from club spares too if you want an original.

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 8:33 am

Checked with Bob Allan and there are none available.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:52 pm

will jack wrote:Checked with Bob Allan and there are none available.

Oki his list must be out of date then.
7204151 chrome escutcheon rear hatch lock 2off £3.00

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:08 am

A few more pictures. The original radiator stone guard was rusted out, so this stainless mesh was pressed into service.
Don't like bumper mounted number plate lights.

Grahame59 · Post by **Grahame59** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:26 am

Looking good. What did you use for the soundproofing on the engine lid? I'm looking for something which is both neat and effective.

will jack · Post by **will jack** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:55 am

I'm not certain, but i think its industrial fire blanket for welding operations. Clark Dawson fitted it for me when he was doing the bodywork.

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 8:25 am

Might just be the photo but that rad mesh looks a little dense to me. Hope it doesn't restrict airflow too much.?
Car's looking great, going to be a stunner.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 11:07 am

Grahame59 wrote:What did you use for the soundproofing on the engine lid? I'm looking for something which is both neat and effective.

I always use this on my engine lids
http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/p-1545-al ... rrier.aspx

Grahame59 · Post by **Grahame59** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 11:22 am

The Nun wrote:
Grahame59 wrote:What did you use for the soundproofing on the engine lid? I'm looking for something which is both neat and effective.

I always use this on my engine lids
http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/p-1545-al ... rrier.aspx

That certainly looks superb but how good is it as regards soundproofing? Although I only have a Sport exhaust, having at long last got round to installing a decent wireless I would like it to be a bit quieter at around 65/70mph if poss. I have all the normal Imp Super soundproofing in place but the engine lid underside is bare — Chamois were unique in having extra engine bay soundproofing in the form of a wire frame on the lid which retained a sort of sewn up bag of soundproofing mat. I imagine that would absorb quite a lot of sound.

For those who say it's a waste of time soundproofing an Imp I would disagree. I remember many years ago when I replaced the heater hoses in my Stiletto. The job of course necessitated removing all the soundproofing in the rear wings – bags full of paper pulp and also 2 big L-shaped 'pillows'. Before replacing all this I took the car for a short drive to get the cooling system up to temperature and to check for leaks. I was AMAZED how noisy the car was simply without this soundproofing.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 2:39 pm

Grahame59 wrote:
The Nun wrote:
Grahame59 wrote:What did you use for the soundproofing on the engine lid? I'm looking for something which is both neat and effective.

I always use this on my engine lids
http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/p-1545-al ... rrier.aspx
That certainly looks superb but how good is it as regards soundproofing? Although I only have a Sport exhaust, having at long last got round to installing a decent wireless I would like it to be a bit quieter at around 65/70mph if poss. I have all the normal Imp Super soundproofing in place but the engine lid underside is bare — Chamois were unique in having extra engine bay soundproofing in the form of a wire frame on the lid which retained a sort of sewn up bag of soundproofing mat. I imagine that would absorb quite a lot of sound.

For those who say it's a waste of time soundproofing an Imp I would disagree. I remember many years ago when I replaced the heater hoses in my Stiletto. The job of course necessitated removing all the soundproofing in the rear wings – bags full of paper pulp and also 2 big L-shaped 'pillows'. Before replacing all this I took the car for a short drive to get the cooling system up to temperature and to check for leaks. I was AMAZED how noisy the car was simply without this soundproofing.

I doubt the aluminium fireproof insulation does much for sound proofing but it must deaden a bare panel slightly I should think, take the drumming effect out say, it can only help, and as you say the original on mine is a black duvet held in place by a wires, but that does collect the muck somewhat, and is difficult to clean off, unless your local laundrette does them, under the we do do duvets bit?, the aluminium does keep relatively clean, its easier to clean, looks smart, keeps the heat from the engine off the paintwork above.

Wireless,

not heard that word for years, a transistor radio, my MINI has what you call a wireless accelerator pedal, but these days wireless means exactly that, fly by wire.

You only have to drive a totally unmodified original Super or Chamois to realise just how quiet they can be inside.

Grahame59 · Post by **Grahame59** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 2:50 pm

The Nun wrote:My MINI has what you call a wireless accelerator pedal…

The first Imps had a wireless accelerator pedal, way ahead of its time. For a while.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:01 pm

Grahame59 wrote:
The Nun wrote:My MINI has what you call a wireless accelerator pedal…
The first Imps had a wireless accelerator pedal, way ahead of its time. For a while.

Ah yes the pneumatic one, it must have seemed like a breath of fresh air when that was launched? Then they went back to the pull by wire version

When it comes to it you cant really beat the nuts and bolts version of anything, its so simple theres hardly anything to go wrong.
In fact your wireless is probably the nearest thing the IMP gets to being what one would call computerised?

Grahame59 · Post by **Grahame59** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:25 pm

The Nun wrote:
Grahame59 wrote:
The Nun wrote:My MINI has what you call a wireless accelerator pedal…
The first Imps had a wireless accelerator pedal, way ahead of its time. For a while.
Ah yes the pneumatic one, it must have seemed like a breath of fresh air when that was launched?

I gather they had a propensity to leak which entailed a visit to the dealer to get a can of genuine Rootes topping up air. Refilling it was a breeze.

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Tue Mar 10, 2015 6:38 pm

I replaced my canvas cover with some black fire proof canvas i managed to source from Germany , i remade the grill which had rotted through with 3mm copper wire brazed together

Original Chammy soundproofing was a fire resistant inner covered in a fire proof black canvas like so

Grahame59 · Post by **Grahame59** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:16 pm

That looks good Dave. And I like the semi-original look too. Bearing in mind your normal thoroughness have you done any tests with and without the soundproofing, with a dB sound meter (there's a good iPhone app*)? If not, how does it stack up subjectively?

*I took a reading with this app as a passenger in Nick Webb's Imp Van. Zero soundproofing, no headlining, rubber floor mats with no underfelt and an empty load-bay which acts like a huge drum. I can't remember what the actual figure was (it was a few years ago, I must do the test again) but it was unbelievably high. Holding a conversation in an Imp Van genuinely leads to a sore throat due to having to shout.

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:33 pm

It definitely takes away any droning and its probably a bit quieter however my Janspeed silencer doesnt silence anymore and just directs the gasses out the back , im thinking motorbike can next
Im sorry to say this to those who have it fitted but the silver modern soundproofing just looks terrible on an old car
My personal opinion

Grahame59 · Post by **Grahame59** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:41 pm

Noddy wrote:It definitely takes away any droning and its probably a bit quieter…

Thanks Dave. Tbh, I like the 'original' look so am hoping to find a grid like yours from a Chamois (don't suppose you still have your old one? Could pick up at National if you want to part with it). I have some fireproof black fabric I can sew up a 'bag' from and some 1/2" thick underfloor felt to insert in it which should do the trick.