Sunbeam Imp Sport History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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The Hillman Imp was launched by Rootes in 1963 as a rear-engined compact with an all-aluminium 875 cc engine derived from a Coventry Climax racing unit. Sunbeam's Imp Sport arrived in 1966 as a warmed-up version, fitted with twin side-draught Stromberg carburettors, a higher-lift camshaft, bigger valves, and a standard-fit oil cooler — raising output from the stock 42 bhp to approximately 55 bhp and enabling a top speed approaching 90 mph.
In 1970, when Chrysler discontinued the Singer marque, the best features of the Singer Chamois Sport and Sunbeam Imp Sport were combined into a single model called simply the Sunbeam Sport. The entire Imp family was discontinued in 1976; approximately 10,000 Imp Sport and Sport models were built in total across the run.
Body styles
- Saloon
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