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A revisit of an an old rivalry between two small sporty Brits: the iconic Mini Cooper and the lessser-spotted Imp-based Sunbeam Stiletto. Which is the better option as a classic today?
Words: Nigel Clark Images: Matt Woods
"In the early 1960s, if a well-heeled youngster wanted a new set of wheels that was a bit flash without being too expensive, the answer usually came in the shape of a small sports car, probably a Sprite or Midget. Then BMC teamed up with F1 racer John Cooper and changed everything.
When Cooper worked his magic by tweaking Issigonis’ cleverly packaged front wheel drive runabout, a whole new class of performance car was created overnight. The launch of the Mini Cooper in 1961 gave the world a car that matched a sports car’s straight line performance but, inheriting the exceptional handling of the basic Mini, could easily beat the sports cars through the bends. The fact that the Cooper also offered four seats was another benefit, though maybe not uppermost in the minds of young buyers. Arguably the Mini Cooper’s success created the market for the hot hatchbacks that emerged in the following decades.
The Rootes Group wasn’t about to sit back and miss out on a slice of this new-found action. Having launched the Hillman Imp as a Mini rival in 1963, three years later an Imp Sport hit the market followed by the Stiletto, badge engineered under Rootes performance brand of Sunbeam.
So by the mid-1960s the aspiring buyer in search of a sporty saloon had a choice between BMC and Rootes products. Contemporary sales figures suggest the Mini won the contest hands down but is that really a fair representation of the Imp’s capability? Today we’re comparing a Mini Cooper Mk1 and a Series 1 Sunbeam Stiletto. Let’s find out how these rivals fare some five decades later."
More here:-
https://classicsworld.co.uk/cars/mini-c ... -stiletto/

Nice well balanced article. My friend Chris 'the muffer' Mulley (don't ask.....) had a super example of a Stilleto when we both lived in Newbury. ALMOST a match for a 998 Cooper but not quite. The article explains it all and does praise the tough little Coopers torquey engine.

Thanks for putting that up Martin

One of my customers has a pristine metallic purple Stiletto. It's a beautiful looking thing. I really like the styling. Must try and get some pictures next time he drops by in it.

The Stiletto is a really handsome car

I have never driven an Imp, nor a Beetle, though a pal has owned both, and I like the 'unconventional' design approach of both as well as their looks. I am also a fan of Ginettas and Davrians (not so much the Clan) - again, friends have owned examples of all 3.

I think it would be really interesting as a Mini owner to try them. Our own little boxes were radical departures from the norm, but not the only ones and it must make for a really interesting comparison to see the choice available at the time, if you were to be tempted away from the inline 4 at the front, RWD offerings from Morris, Austin, Ford and all the rest.

Al

Had an old Imp rally car. Great fun, and it sounded great with the rear mounted XJ6 silencer (sounded like a nice straight-6...)
I've also owned 3 Davrians (the first was the 1st Mk7 with a Mini engine), and one with a J Knight straight-cut 5-speed dog-box (that was quite noisy..) Had a Clan Crusader. It had a Carter full-race engine, on twin Webers. Used to rev it about an inch past 8000rpm... (the rev counter only went to 8..)

Always wanted a Stiletto Imp...

Back in the day the early IMP road drive was improved by adding two Concrete Blocks under the Bonnet.

There have been some successful hybrid Imp engined Mini racers over the years, built to to challenge the dominant Imps in the up to 1000cc Special Saloon class....but I don't think anyone ever put a Mini engine/gearbox in the back (or front) of an Imp!
http://mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?p=314128#p314128


John Homewood's Imp leads Ginger Marshall's Imp powered Mini Clubman Estate


Ginger Marshall's Imp engine on a Mini gearbox.


Monty Guildford's Imp engine on a Mini gearbox (1973). The exhaust exited out of the nearside A panel.
http://mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?p=314419#p314419


The engine was built and tuned by George Bevan but the gearbox was designed by Monty and built by Peter Wise of Goodland Engineering of Tonbridge Kent. The crankshaft was a one off.

Polarsilver wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 11:52 am Back in the day the early IMP road drive was improved by adding two Concrete Blocks under the Bonnet.

My brother had an early Imp in the 1970's, I remember he made or bought some metal plates which could be fitted to reduce the excessive positive camber on the front suspension arms of the early Imp. It also had an unreliable automatic choke and pneumatic throttle. Apparently these were included because of the lengthy run from the driver controls to the carburetor. The pneumatic throttle was dropped within two years and so was the automatic choke but you could buy a kit to upgrade your early Imp...I think the manual choke control conversion on my brothers Imp was in the middle of a bracket under the rear seat, not sure if later production Imps had the choke knob there? After several blown head gaskets, which were a weak spot of the early Imps and some rust problems he replaced it with a Mini van.
I quite enjoyed driving some of the later improved Imps, during a car delivery summer job I had as a student...but I think the early Imp problems gave it a reputation for being unreliable which it never fully recovered from.

I think the mini's competition career would have been very different had there been a factory 1300cc imp

I had Minis and Imps in the eighties.

The original Rootes Imps were VERY well built. Everything fits properly and the Mini is frankly rubbish by comparison. They are a big 'proper' car scaled down and they feel like it too. Decent seats, wind up windows, quarter lights, thick soundproofing etc. Chrysler era ones were not as good and the late Imps had appalling finish - just like Mark 3 Minis were cheap and tinny compared to previous cars.

They aren't quite a sharp or darty as a Mini but compared to A40,s, Minors etc they're very good - the ride is much better and it only needs a set of decent dampers and the front springs shortening/replacing to equal the Mini on cornering. A sorted one is very good.

The engine is a marvellous thing but you cannot neglect it like you can an A Series. Overheating is caused by a build up of leaves and general shite in the radiator protection grille. Once they've been cooked, they're done.

Were they unreliable? Early ones were - but not quite the disaster 59-61 Minis were....let's not overlook just how crap they were. Given the choice I'd still have a Mark 1 or 2 Mini but Imps are cracking wee things. A white Sunbeam Stiletto with those stainless finned wheel trims and black vinyl roof please.

I ran a standard Imp in the 70's when I couldn't fit a carrycot in the back of the Mini. Spacious for its size and quite a nice driver despite it running on three and a half cylinders for most of the time I had it. The wife didn't like it as she kept leaving the choke on with it being hidden between the seats.

A few nice ones at Gaydon at the weekend for the HRCR do.

I ran a dark green 1966 Imp Super around 1986. It was bodily perfect but had been cooked. I fitted a 998 from a rotten Imp Rallye, Cosmic wheels and a set of Konis - it was a nice thing.

mab01uk wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 12:10 pm .but I don't think anyone ever put a Mini engine/gearbox in the back (or front) of an Imp!
http://mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?p=314128#p314128

I remember having that chat when my pal had his G15 - that the best way to fix it was to put a Mini drivetrain in the back behind the seats - you would have a fantastic car, and a really low cost alternative to a Unipower.

I remember sketching it out and it wasn't THAT impossible a job.

I still think that is one of my better ideas.

Al

Pandora wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 9:54 pm

mab01uk wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 12:10 pm .but I don't think anyone ever put a Mini engine/gearbox in the back (or front) of an Imp!
http://mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?p=314128#p314128

I remember having that chat when my pal had his G15 - that the best way to fix it was to put a Mini drivetrain in the back behind the seats - you would have a fantastic car, and a really low cost alternative to a Unipower.

I remember sketching it out and it wasn't THAT impossible a job.

I still think that is one of my better ideas.

Al

That set up seemed to work quite well in the GTM!

Minis Vs. Imps HSCC Historic Touring Cars Cadwell 2013.
On-board footage from Tim Harber, Mini 71, in the under 1300cc race at the HSCC Wolds Trophy Meeting at Cadwell Park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TLNixL5ln4

Bill McGovern and the Bevan Imp:-
http://www.imps4ever.info/racing/races/bevan.html

That is nice. Watching some YT videos of Imps and Minis racing is instructive.

Having been in the motortrade for 40years now
I often remember speaking to guys in the trade back when i started out and many of them were of the opinion that if the Imp came first things may have been very different.

But it was late of the block and had it's own teething problems but as mentioned above the mini was not without it's own set of problems.

Its blend of nimble handling and classic charm makes it an easy choice for many enthusiasts. That said, the Sunbeam Stiletto has its own unique appeal with the Imp-based design offering something less mainstream, which is a huge plus if you want a classic car that stands out at events or on the road.

I think a big part of the decision comes down to how you plan to use the car. The Mini has a slightly more practical edge for regular outings, but if you’re drawn to rare gems and enjoy talking about the backstory of your vehicle, the Stiletto could be a fantastic option.

If either car needs to be shipped internationally, though, keep in mind that classic car shipping can take time and careful planning, especially for rare models. More details on https://www.a1autotransport.com/which-country-has-the-best-classic-cars/.