Picture Gallery

Imps

This 1970 Imp belongs to Tom Slider. The buggy was built upon a 1966 floorpan and features a 1192cc 40hp engine. The rollcage was built with the original roll bar loop and one of the previous owners added on the front loop and twin connecting tubes. Tom's future plans for his Imp consists of a strict diet of street driving and drag racing (no dirt or sand), a Gene Berg 5-speed transaxle, a scary Type 4 engine, and a set of EMPI Sprint Star wheels (4" wide in the front and 8" wide for the rear). The 5" Autometer Monster tachometer looks great on top of the steering column. The standard yellow is the original gelcoat color.

Frank Ansaloni sent in this great shot of his EMPI Imp. Frank is from Italy and says that his Imp is a 1969 model year, serial # 1088. The engine is a 1500cc from a '67 Beetle. The wheels are original EMPI Sprint Stars, except these are the painted ones. The interior appears to have the original EMPI seats and upholstery, in fact, the whole looks to be a nicely preserved example of how the Imps were built back then. I'm hoping that Frank gets my email and will share more information about this fine Imp.

This Imp belongs to Eliot Hewitt of Tehachapi, California. It appears that Eliot's kids think Dad's 4 wheeled, fiberglass sleigh is very cool. Eliot believes his Imp is a 1970, but isn't 100% sure. He traded for it in Riverside in 1989. It had a rusted out 1964 pan at that time. He didn't fix it up until 1993 or so, at which time he sold it as a project to be finished. He bought it back several years later and started working on it. He hand built a 2x3 steel frame with steel floor and rewired it. He also takes responsibility for notching the dash to make room for a roll cage, moving the outside corners in 3" and trimming the front license plate area somewhat. He says "Had I known what I had and how rare these things are I never would have done that." His to-do list includes building a rollcage. It has the original '64 trans and suspension and a 1971 Type 1 1600cc dual port with an alternator and a 2bbl. Zenith carb. He uses it to run around town locally and to go to the desert, which is quite a bit. He can regularly be spotted at Pismo, Glamis, and Dumont dunes.

This is from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada and is Rick Carter's second Imp. He always regretted selling the first one, as it was a lot of fun. A friend's buggy motivated Rick to find another Imp. This Imp was all original, in very good condition with only a few too many small holes it from the previous owners soft top, etc. He now had the body, so he started picking up parts here and there. It is now totally rebuilt from bumper to bumper. Engine is '74 Beetle with 1835 barrels and exhaust header system. The pan (sand blasted and epoxy coated) is from a '72 convertible IRS with front torsion bar adjusters. The body has chip guard on the bottom and clear urethane on the exposed parts to prevent sun fade. Mag wheels are "ET" for the nostalgic look of the 70's. Windshield is owner made of stainless steel and had it polished. The top will go on the same time. He says it handles great and is loads of fun. He gets a lot of looks and comments. It'll probably never be done because we all can always think of more things to change/add.

Wesley Gibbs bought his Imp in Memphis TN in 1993. For years it was camouflaged, he recently finished restoringit. It's built on a 1967 floor pan. This Imp is powered by 1600cc dual port Type 1 engine. The engine doesn't have any special engine work but it will light up the tires in 1st and 2nd. Wesley says "At 70 mph the car starts to act like it will fly so mostly i just drive in the city and just enjoy." Enjoying the drive is what the Imp is all about.

This Imp belongs to Joe Wall. It was first licensed in 69, but he bought it about six months ago after it had about thirty years of weeds growing over it. When Joe bought it, it had a stock 1200. He restored it to what it looks like here. Now it has a mild 1835 dual port with dual 40 webers, Tri-Mil exhaust and PRP seats. The front wheels are original American mags but he's not sure what the rear wheels are, but they are similar and are eight inches wide. Just about every thing is new in it. The car won a first place in the Manx Club `Show n Shine' at Pauma Valley for Manx Style Custom. Joe works for K & N Engineering and this is a picture taken by K & N at their employee car show.

This EMPI Imp belongs to Dave Grummett. He states in his email that he has the original assembly manual the original lights and mirrors, and a 2.0L Type IV, complete with hydraulic lifters and a two barrel progressive carb. He has enclosed the back seats to accomodate subwoofers and altered the dash to house a CD player. He states that his Imp is the most fun he has ever had driving, and building it was a great learning experience.

Steven King's 1968 Imp (serial # 689) is built on a 1961 floorpan and is currently running a dual port 1600 engine. This weekend driver was found in barn with no miles put on it since 1979. It has some paint and top damage, thanks to the sun, and was originally a green gelcoat. A previous owner painted it a metalflake blue. It features many original EMPI accessories, including Sprint Star wheels. GTV steering wheel, front turn siginals, and dash guages. He paid $1600 for the car a year ago and is confident that he got a gem. I'll second that motion!!

Mike Nolte has enjoyed 12 years with his 1970 Imp. It is built on a 1966 floorpan with a lowered front beam, EMPI short trigger shifter, and transaxle straps to keep the engine and transaxle in place. Mike currently has two different 1641cc engines for it. The first one features a Crane Fireball cam and EMPI gear, Holley Bugspray 2-barrel carb, chrome mega dual exhaust, chrome engine tin, external oil filter, deep sump, power pulley, Mallory ignition distributor, and original EMPI 1.4 ratio rockers. The second engine, also a 1641cc, features the following: Engle 110 camshaft, dual Kadron carbs, Chrome Baja exhaust with muffler, black engine tin, high flow oil pump, stock crankshaft pully, and 009 igntion distributor. He says that the lights and mirrors are the originals for this car. Mike's still working on the car (aren't we all?) and is currently looking for the logos and the rear seat. Feel free to email him if you can help him or just want to talk Imps. He's from Central Ontario in Canada.

Sportsters

Logan Casida is the owner of this Sportster two seater. Logan says it's built on a '64 pan and it has a 1200cc engine. The engine is not stock: the camshaft, valves, pistons, and heads have all been modified. He takes it off road and on the street. He initially paid $300 for it and after another $1700, it's running perfectly, tearing up the dunes and the streets of Southern California. It's good to see a Sportster seeing use and I really like the duct tape top!

This unique two seat Sportster is the creation of J. Frank Webster. It features rectangular chrome headlights, '66 Mustang tail lights, and diamond plate running boards. The engine has dual "baby" Weber carbs, dual split exhaust system, see-through red distributor cap, all the chrome necessary, custom color coordinated wiring, etc. to make it shine. All of the fasteners are black anodized Allen head bolts, etc. Sitting in this Sportster, you'll notice the Riviera tilt steering wheel, Rambler AM Radio, and "T" shifter. Future plans call for a stock late-model locking Bug steering column with trick 13" leather steering wheel, new stereo system, fiberglass bucket seats, and a modular electrical system (like the hot rodders use) . Mr. Webster states that since these photos were taken, new tires, battery and a few other items have been added. Mechanically, future improvements include Tutone silver metallic and black paint job, red powder coat and billet motor stainless steel firewall, chrome and powder-coated front suspension, polished aluminum front beam, dropped spindles, disc brakes and polished Centerline wheels. This Sportster definitely turns heads. Watch out San Diego!