The Imp is some 50 years old this year, the actual launch date being May 3rd 1963, there will be lots going on in Coventry around May 3rd this year, Linwood, the actual home of the Hillman Imp in Scotland has all but gone, so Coventry to the south and Britains motor city, will suit the event.
A Mk1 Imp throttle control, my first Imp had one of these, the lever actuates a pump, that compresses air which controls a second pump at the Solex carburetor end.
This is the Solex auto choke carburetor and the pneumatic actuator that controls the throttle setting.
My first Imp had this set up, it worked 100% in the time I had that car, this included driving all over Britain and a trip to Germany on holiday. Its said the the makers, Lucas later changed an internal stainless washer to save money, the new washer caused failures and the system was taken out of service.
The Rootes Car Company,Scotland, made the Imp with some extras as standard right from day one, wind down windows, self parking wiper blades, a screen wash, rear opening self supporting rear window, door stowage pockets,deep pile carpets, plus the 875cc all alloy overhead camshaft engine with its Solex auto choke and pneumatic throttle, out of the box it was quite a package!
2nd February 2013.
Regards,
Brian.
Brian is a fellow Imp Club member and in New Zealand, he had seen my published request for the foot control in the last Impressions magazine.
The first time I ever saw one of these I was seventeen, that was on my first car a 1963 Hillman Imp.
The two copper pipes enter a closed brass tube loop which enters and then exits the cast iorn exhaust manifold, as the air in the tubes is sucked to a chamber in the Solex carb, then passes the bi metal choke springs, the hot air then adjusts the choke to the correct setting!
This one will be part of a static Imp engine display and will control the Solex pneumatically controlled carburetor on a 1963 Imp engine I have just built up.
In this picture the engine is actually running, click on the picture and check the clutch cover on the flywheel. The engine and its carburetor are now fifty (50) years old but in fine condition. When Brians two copper heating tubes arrive I will install them to complete the package.
Roy
A Mk1 Imp throttle control, my first Imp had one of these, the lever actuates a pump, that compresses air which controls a second pump at the Solex carburetor end.
My first Imp had this set up, it worked 100% in the time I had that car, this included driving all over Britain and a trip to Germany on holiday. Its said the the makers, Lucas later changed an internal stainless washer to save money, the new washer caused failures and the system was taken out of service.
The Rootes Car Company,Scotland, made the Imp with some extras as standard right from day one, wind down windows, self parking wiper blades, a screen wash, rear opening self supporting rear window, door stowage pockets,deep pile carpets, plus the 875cc all alloy overhead camshaft engine with its Solex auto choke and pneumatic throttle, out of the box it was quite a package!
2nd February 2013.
Roy,
Attached are a few photos of the pneumatic pedal and carburettor hot air pipes that you can have. Will get them off to you asap.
Regards,
Brian is a fellow Imp Club member and in New Zealand, he had seen my published request for the foot control in the last Impressions magazine.
The first time I ever saw one of these I was seventeen, that was on my first car a 1963 Hillman Imp.
The Solex carb with the pneumatic throttle control, the black plastic cover hides the bi metal springs which heat up with air from the exhaust manifold.
The two copper pipes are in New Zealand right now, they will be fitted to the rebuilt engine on arrival.
The two copper pipes enter a closed brass tube loop which enters and then exits the cast iorn exhaust manifold, as the air in the tubes is sucked to a chamber in the Solex carb, then passes the bi metal choke springs, the hot air then adjusts the choke to the correct setting!
In this picture the engine is actually running, click on the picture and check the clutch cover on the flywheel. The engine and its carburetor are now fifty (50) years old but in fine condition. When Brians two copper heating tubes arrive I will install them to complete the package.
Roy
