HAF 699N GREETHAM IMP

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:44 pm

greetham.jpg

Hi All

Hopefully this works and there is a picture attached, if so then I am away and will finally start a thread on the restoration of my Greetham Imp

I am hoping that this is the year we see some real progress/

Cheers

Darren

ChrisBenoy · Post by **ChrisBenoy** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:59 pm

I have always loved this car, never seen it in the flesh (Metal?) but lots of photos of it in old impressions. Will be great to see it restored. When it was last for sale it seemed to be a little bit unhealthy?

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:15 pm

HI

To be fair to the car.it would have still made a very good Imp but we got carried away once we started and so far it has had the following new old stock panels.

All four wings
both doors
Front panel
Bonnet
Sport Bootlid

Sills and floors were perfect and didn't need any work.

I finally got hold of a new steel outer skin for the back panel a few weeks ago and this being modified to fit.

It has been acid dipped a couple of years back and hopefully this year it will be yellow again/

Underneath there will be some fairly trick modifications along with an engine to match.

I will dig some in progress pictures out and add them soon

Cheers

Darren

impman1965 · Post by **impman1965** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:31 pm

I have this pic of it

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:58 pm

Hi

This is what it shares the garage with;

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Cheers

Darren

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:57 pm

Ooh yes! Always liked the Manta GT/E and that's the best body shape too.

graham_h_miller · Post by **graham_h_miller** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:59 pm

Lovely pictures of lovely cars!

I have to ask, how come the username of Capriman and yet the Manta GTE in the garage? I was given to understand that Manta vs Capri was akin to Imp vs Mini...

Graham

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:32 pm

Hi

Capri versus Manta. I have had one or the other since I was 17. I sold my Capri 2.0S a few years ago and was intending to buy a Brooklands Capri but we found the Manta first. It is stunning including being painted underneath. Tucked away in another garage though there is a 1964 Consul Capri which has been in the garage since I was born in 1975.

As for Imp versus Mini my younger brother is well into minis with a pick up project and a part built car. He spent thousands on his last mini, It had the best of everything but with 13" wheels could never trouble the Imp in the corners

I will look to add some pictures tomorrow of my other toys an Agrati Capri Scooter and a Commer Imp van.

Cheers

Darren

Greetham · Post by **Greetham** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 6:41 pm

Now get off the net and get in the man shed and let's see some imp building mate hahaha

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:50 pm

Paul,

If only I ever had time to get in the garage

I am currently sketching what I think will be the rear tubular trailing arms with one inch wider track. radial mount calipers. coilovers and tubular drive shafts.

I think if I could get in the garage more I would be thinking less and it would be a lot cheaper to build

Now get out and get those wings trimmed.

Greetham · Post by **Greetham** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:36 pm

Hahaha

I feel your pain pal

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:31 pm

Hello All,

Finally things are moving on the car again.

Dashboard is being changed this week to allow Stiletto dash to be fitted and various other steelwork changes to accept the suspension modifications, seat mounts and various other little trick parts.

I am hoping it may even be painted this year now as well.

The Imp van is still going well and will be at the National this year

Cheers

Daz

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 7:28 pm

Hello All,

It has been a while but work is finally progressing again on the car. Despite it looking good in all the old pictures the dipping has shown up a lot of areas that were poorly repaired previously which are now being worked through.

Given that it is going to be painted and polished underneath it has got to be right. I am hopeful it will be in paint by my birthday in May.

Just need to pull my finger out now and get on with finishing the designs for the suspension and getting those made.

I will look to post some pictures when I am not at work.

Cheers

Darren

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 1:30 pm

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Still a long way to go but a lot closer now!

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 2:07 pm

Lemon Sorbet? :p

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 9:56 pm

Lovely work, Darren!

IM

875 imp · Post by **875 imp** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 1:28 am

Very nice Darren , good to see it yellow again,

If this car is ever for sale I want first dibs ,

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Fri May 01, 2015 2:55 pm

Hi

The lemon is the base colour to seal the primer before it is wet sanded and painted Vauxhall flaming yellow.

The underside is nearly done and has been coated in thinned down raptor stone chip paint before painting and lacquering. The underside should then be as good as the top.

It has been a long time coming but seeing it in colour again is a major step forward.

As for selling it I am open to offers over £60k

Cheers

Daz

tiker · Post by **tiker** » Fri May 01, 2015 3:45 pm

Hi great looking imp is it the same colour are does the spray booth add a ting of green ? nice either way

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Fri May 01, 2015 4:02 pm

Hi,

I think its the booth, it will most definitely be bright when it is done

I will add a few more pics over the weekend

Cheers

Darren

tiker · Post by **tiker** » Fri May 01, 2015 4:08 pm

I like bright I think the imp suits bright colours I am thinking of light metallic green for mine I think the black vinyl roof will set it off but nice choice I think you got it right 1st time

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Fri May 01, 2015 8:43 pm

tiker wrote:I like bright I think the imp suits bright colours I am thinking of light metallic green for mine I think the black vinyl roof will set it off but nice choice I think you got it right 1st time

If you want green and bright for the Stiletto then its got to be Limelight, an original but now quite rare Stiletto colour

oli · Post by **oli** » Sat May 02, 2015 9:57 am

Looks like Jaguar Primrose Yellow in the photo. Nice colour, but maybe a little too subtle for an Imp?

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Sat May 02, 2015 10:05 am

capriman wrote:The lemon is the base colour to seal the primer before it is wet sanded and painted Vauxhall flaming yellow.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sat May 02, 2015 10:13 am

I know its not original but the colour of the primer coat looks quite good for a 70's IMP I thought?
Subtly different whilst still in keeping with the yellow theme

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Sun May 03, 2015 4:10 pm

Hi

Originally I was going to go for Ferrari yellow but then changed my mind as think the Vauxhall flaming yellow looked just that little bit more subtle.

That is where subtle stops on this car though as the blacked out windows, straight cut gearbox and full race engine will be anything but subtle.

Things are moving really quickly now but it has taken a good few years to get to this point

Cheers

Darren

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Sat May 16, 2015 10:20 am

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After years I was beginning to think this day would never come, but now its here it is full steam ahead

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Sat May 16, 2015 10:21 am

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capriman · Post by **capriman** » Sat May 16, 2015 10:22 am

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capriman · Post by **capriman** » Sat May 16, 2015 10:23 am

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cov_climax · Post by **cov_climax** » Sat May 16, 2015 8:17 pm

Very nice Darren, what's the extra metalwork around the rear seat pan for?

Also just spotted the blended out heater duct hose through the front bulkhead. I'm sure there's loads of other subtle touches, bet you can't wait to start fitting it up.

Brian

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Sun May 17, 2015 6:03 pm

Love the colour!

As Brian asked, what is the extra metalwork for?

Will the car be ready for national weekend? Not long now!

IM

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sun May 17, 2015 6:28 pm

ImpManiac wrote:Love the colour! As Brian asked, what is the extra metalwork for?

Will the car be ready for national weekend? Not long now!

IM

Looks like some sort of strut brace kind of thing?

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Sun May 17, 2015 6:42 pm

I meant the metalwork in the rear seat pan area.

IM

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sun May 17, 2015 7:14 pm

ImpManiac wrote:I meant the metalwork in the rear seat pan area.

IM

Yes so did I

Greetham Imps had twin rear springs so no doubt the rear end takes a lot of hammer hence the need to beef it up around that area?

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Sun May 17, 2015 10:14 pm

The Nun wrote:Greetham Imps had twin rear springs so no doubt the rear end takes a lot of hammer hence the need to beef it up around that area?

Ah! Didn't know that!

Mind you, I know precious little about the Greetham Imps. Thanks, Peter.

IM

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon May 18, 2015 4:45 am

ImpManiac wrote:Love the colour! As Brian asked, what is the extra metalwork for? IM

Taken from the dreaded FB

there's a better photo on there showing the extra metalwork Paul

A few people asking me about the custom metalwork inside and what it's all for...

The rear seat area will have a hinged aluminium cover which hides the electric water pump, battery and fuel system.
There is then a cross bar which has threaded bosses welded in to take the harness eye bolts but also tied into the shock absorber mounting area as this will be running coil overs and one-off tubular arms. The final cross bar at the back adds more strength, forms the rear support for the aluminium panelling that hides it all and also has a threaded boss on the back (flush against the bulkhead) which a custom tubular engine cradle ties into (so it's no longer supported by the back panel).
There are mounts along the sills and tunnel which the seat mount cross bars bolt to. Lots of positions so seats are adjustable without the need for wobbly sliders.
Tunnel along passenger side of floor will house coolant pipes to front mount rad as well as fuel and brake lines. The lid to this has an integral divider to seperate hot pipes from fuel and brake lines.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Mon May 18, 2015 5:43 am

Ha ah FB again, appears youre missing out if youre not FBer these days

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Mon May 18, 2015 7:32 am

A shame the FB'ers don't take a moment to copy and paste stuff to the Club forum.........

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Mon May 18, 2015 9:49 am

bazzateer wrote:A shame the FB'ers don't take a moment to copy and paste stuff to the Club forum.........

Some of 'em do, though, eh Baz?

Thank you, Martin.

IM

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Mon May 18, 2015 3:16 pm

I meant to say

bazzateer wrote:A shame some of the FB'ers don't take a moment to copy and paste their own stuff to the Club forum.........

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Mon May 18, 2015 5:33 pm

bazzateer wrote:I meant to say
bazzateer wrote:A shame some of the FB'ers don't take a moment to copy and paste their own stuff to the Club forum.........

Guilty as charged m-lord

, its easier to post on there and replies and comments ( good or bad ) come back almost instantly , i like the " like " button for some reason , probably coz i know someone at least has read my waffle .
Havent updated my news lately probably for these very reasons

. I still pop in on here daily though

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Tue May 19, 2015 1:10 pm

Hi All,

Thanks for the comments, I will say that while my car is on face book i''m not

Brian, Its been a long time getting to this point but I am more than happy with the results now. The back end is modified to take coilovers rather than the separate shocks and springs. Wishbones are going to be tubular, rose jointed and fully adjustable and if it works we are looking at widening the track on the back by an inch as well. There are quite a few subtle changes all over the body. The front bulkhead came out really well with all the recesses removed for the heater controls etc

It will be having some seriously modified parts on it but will retain the imp engine though

I don't think it will make this years national but maybe next year

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Wed May 20, 2015 5:31 pm

capriman wrote:I don't think it will make this years national but maybe next year

Same as me then!

I look forward to seeing this car up close.

IM

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Thu May 21, 2015 8:12 am

Hi,

I did have a deadline for the car but that passed a few years ago

I have started to clear a few of my other cars and parts now so I can focus on this a lot more but I need to make some improvements on the van ready for the national.

How is yours coming along?

Cheers

Darren

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Thu May 21, 2015 10:25 am

capriman wrote: It will be having some seriously modified parts on it but will retain the imp engine though

Nice to hear someone still has a bit of trust in them.

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Thu May 21, 2015 3:09 pm

Your plans sound interesting and ambitious.

I shan't be the only one following your thread with great interest. Since I am one of the non-FB fraternity, it would be great to see your thread over here kept updated too. Hint!

capriman wrote:How is yours coming along?

It isn't coming along! Mrs. IM and I are looking to buy a garage at the moment, preferably with a small house attached.

Until then, my car projects have been scattered to the four winds and all my tools and car bits are in storage.

The Nun wrote:Nice to hear someone still has a bit of trust in them.

I too am a huge fan of the Imp engine.

It is the Imp's engine that got me into the Imps in the first place. I find the Imp's power unit to be endlessly fascinating and I have no plans to swap mine out for a non-Imp engine any time soon. Against a backdrop of spiralling costs of building a tuned Imp unit, though, I think some of the conversions are wonderful, especially the BMW motorcycle unit.

But I'll be one of those staying with Imp power for the foreseeable future.

Having a reasonable stash of Imp engine tuning parts helps me to keep costs more realistic, though. (Would now be a good time to admit that mine is a Talbot (so not really Imp) 930 cc-based unit...?

)

IM

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Thu May 21, 2015 4:38 pm

Me too with the IMP engine, Ive resisted taking much interest in the alternatives, however if an alternative could be fitted in a jiffy swop one for the other in an hour say without any cutting or body mods then the BMW sounds something worthwhile.
You can always tell an IMP from the sound it makes before you see it, I dont know if you lose that effect with the BMW, does it sound bike still I wonder?

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Thu May 21, 2015 8:51 pm

The Nun wrote:Me too with the IMP engine, Ive resisted taking much interest in the alternatives, however if an alternative could be fitted in a jiffy swop one for the other in an hour say without any cutting or body mods then the BMW sounds something worthwhile.
You can always tell an IMP from the sound it makes before you see it, I dont know if you lose that effect with the BMW, does it sound bike still I wonder?

When fitted with an Imp exhaust it sounds very much like an Imp. When fitted with a bike exhaust it sounds like a bike.

capriman · Post by **capriman** » Fri May 22, 2015 1:33 pm

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