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Hillman Imps / Our other cars

pmcgsmurf said:
Made it safely to Langres via Bar sur Aube & Chaumont where we had to check out some more landmarks for answers on the Route Card for extra marks.
This has been an ongoing thing where you answer a simple question such as the name of a cafe or number of bins at a bus stop but if you look on google maps they have changed. ;)

Not many places open for dinner which seems to have been a theme for us.
One of the guys ordered a "cowboy pizza" which said it came "with" chips.
These were actually all over the top of the pizza along with spare ribs etc. 👎
View attachment 153055


Cars ready for next leg which is Langres - Gray - Dole - St Jean en Royans - Gap.

View attachment 153056
Click to expand...
That's a fabulously atmospheric photo of the Imps.
As for the chips, Mrs Spiky's Scots grandmother always reckoned there was " aye room for mair tatties" and she probably wasn't wrong.
Really enjoying your updates. Thanks for taking time out to post.
 
pmcgsmurf said:
One of the guys ordered a "cowboy pizza" which said it came "with" chips.
Click to expand...
Just as a tip: In France, just about any food "Americain" - e.g. "Hamburger Americain" - means the chips are in or on it, not with it.

Looks like you're having a great trip. Please keep up the photos 👍
 
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Safely into Gap in time for dinner but sadly restuarant "fully booked" and all the local places were closed.
Quick bite of fast food at a McDonalds that was due to close by 11pm, we thought we were late at around 20:00 but cars continued to arrive until well into the early hours of the morning.

Managed to join some Mini friends we had met on the trip at their dinner table for a quick drink and chat.

Some essential car maintenance required after the work up and down the hills.

IMG-20240206-WA0001.jpg


One of the main things we have done is keep the cars Imp powered with standard brakes etc. for that original thing.
Some folks did this run a few years back with BMW engines and modded disc brakes etc.

Final leg is Gap - La Turbie - Monte Carlo which gets us in mid afternoon, enough time for Parc Ferme then getting changed for dinner.
 
pmcgsmurf said:
Safely into Gap in time for dinner but sadly restuarant "fully booked" and all the local places were closed.
Quick bite of fast food at a McDonalds that was due to close by 11pm, we thought we were late at around 20:00 but cars continued to arrive until well into the early hours of the morning.

Managed to join some Mini friends we had met on the trip at their dinner table for a quick drink and chat.

Some essential car maintenance required after the work up and down the hills.

View attachment 153139


One of the main things we have done is keep the cars Imp powered with standard brakes etc. for that original thing.
Some folks did this run a few years back with BMW engines and modded disc brakes etc.

Final leg is Gap - La Turbie - Monte Carlo which gets us in mid afternoon, enough time for Parc Ferme then getting changed for dinner.
Click to expand...
La Turbie to Monte Carlo? I hope your brake fluid is in good shape. PS Hold on tight!
 
pmcgsmurf said:
Epic......... All the better with the lack of power assisted brakes, more to follow but let's just say cars Parc......
Click to expand...
And the engine at the rear....
 
Last fuel stop before Monte Carlo where we had a chat with the police about the cars.

20240203_130558a.jpg

Stop off up the hill to admire the view before twisting down the hill into Monte Carlo.

20240203_145614a.jpg


Over the finish line.

20240203_153407a.jpg

20240203_153432a.jpg

Into Parc Ferme

20240203_153637a.jpg


Next update we will be looking a lot smarter. ;)
 
pmcgsmurf said:
Last fuel stop before Monte Carlo where we had a chat with the police about the cars.

View attachment 153184

Stop off up the hill to admire the view before twisting down the hill into Monte Carlo.

View attachment 153185


Over the finish line.

View attachment 153186

View attachment 153187

Into Parc Ferme

View attachment 153188


Next update we will be looking a lot smarter. ;)
Click to expand...
Congratulations, that’s the sort of adventure that sticks in the memory for years to come. I’d love to do that 👍🏻

Whilst there, you might want to call in to Tip Top, a wonderful Italian restaurant popular with drivers for decades.
 
Just read the thread and was transported back in time to my ownership of my Imp then a Super Imp and finally a Stiletto. Far more practical than a Mini and far better constructed. Build quality was iffy, particularly the Super that blew head gaskets for fun until I had the block and head skimmed.
I felt real envy reading about the Monte adventure, well done for completing it!
 
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ChrisHGTV said:
These threads are inspiring and dangerous in equal measure. I started looking for Imps! :oops:
Click to expand...
Steady on. Start by cleaning your socket set and axle stands. Then check the dates on your trolley jack.

Which reminds me: why did the Mini outsell the Imp ten to one? Was it just engine size? It was certainly a cleverer design.

Or was it just stupid management accountants at Longbridge selling the Mini at a loss?
 
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