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Chrysler Imp
Engine: Imp 998cc
Configuration: rear engine, rear-wheel drive
Driver: Jeff Ward
Class: Special Saloons up to 1000cc
Date taken: April 1976 at Start Line, Croft
Championships: 1976 Hitachi 1000cc Saloon Car Championship with 10 winners from 14 races.
Imps won many awards from the mid 60's onwards. Their secret was their ultra-lightweight, aluminium engine. (it could be easily carried by one person). If the picture of the Sunbeam Stiletto is compared with this car it is evident that the body is a lot lower; this is due to its construction, which has removed the floor from the sills down and replaced it with a lightweight aluminium monocoque chassis.
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Chrysler Imp (Greetham)
Engine: Imp 998cc
Configuration: rear engine, rear-wheel drive
Driver: James McGaughay
Class: Special Saloons up to 1000cc
Date taken: August 1978 Main Straight, Croft
Another lightweight sports racer type car. The door gives away its origins, being high up on the replica, plastic body. This was the car's second outing, coming second in class, in atrocious conditions, to Keith Hardy in his 998cc Imp.
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Chrysler Super Imp
Engine: 1981cc, 270bhp, Swindon FVD
Configuration:mid-engine
Driver: Jonathan Buncombe
Class: Tricentrol Super saloon
Date taken: June 1976 in paddock, Silverstone
Affectionately know as the ‘Chimp’ because of its Chevron B19 GT monocoque chassis and Imp body; this car beat the might combination of Baby Berth and Gerry Marshall in its first outing. The problem with the car was the Imp body was place directly on the Chevron chassis which had a much longer wheelbase. Even by the somewhat elastic rules of Super saloons this was a step too far and the car legality was challenged by Nick whiting at the next race. The stewards upheld his complaint and banned the car. More attempts were made to race the car but it became clear its days were number and the chassis turned back into a GT racer by Paul Howarth and raced by him in historic events during the 1977 season. The following year (1978) in went to Vin Malkie who raced it in its GT form for many years afterwards.
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