1967 Sunbeam Imp

Sunbeam Stiletto

The Sunbeam Stiletto is a 2+2 seater coupe produced from 1967 to 1972.

Today the Stiletto is regarded as one of the most desirable members of the Hillman Imp family. In essence, it is a 2-door rear engine coupe with a light alloy power plant, all-round independent suspension - via swinging arms at the front and trailing arms at the rear - and servo assisted drum brakes.

The Rootes Group's use of badge engineering can be highly confusion but the Stiletto, launched in the autumn of 1967, was the flagship of the Imp-based coupe range, which also consisted of the less powerful Hillman-badged Californian and Singer Chamois. The Sunbeam had the same engine as in the Imp Sport with twin Stromberg 125CD carbs, a higher cam, a brake servo and a self-adjusting clutch. Inside there were reclining front seats, split folding backrests for the rear bench and a more elaborate dashboard, including a rev counter. The body - as befitting any self-respecting 1967 coupe - featured a vinyl roof and quad headlamps.

Motor Sport found that the Sunbeam 'corners exceedingly well. It goes around fast bends in a beautifully balanced fashion and at an initial cost of £715 the Stiletto offered a top speed was 90 mph, 0-60 could be accomplished in 17.5 seconds - even if its aerodynamics were inferior to the saloon. 'Reassure your wife with a new Sunbeam Stiletto' recommended the advertisements, as this was apparently the ideal vehicle for 'men whose wives thinks they have given up on sports cars'.

In 1969 the Stiletto gained modified seats and improved door locks. A steering column lock was fitted from 1971 onwards and production ceased in the summer of 1972.

The Sunbeam's engine is a light alloy 875cc S4 OHC unit married to an all-synchromesh 4-speed gearbox.

The Stiletto offers most of the virtues and vices of the Imp Sport although it's rear window does not open and the back seat is really suitable only for (uncomplaining) children or serving as a luggage platform.

As with all members of the Imp range, maintaining the right level of anti-freeze in the light alloy engine is essential and trim for both cabin and body can be hard to obtain. The vinyl roof is known to trap moisture, which can result in the A-pillars corroding.

If a Porsche 911 is slightly beyond your budget you could do much worse than this truly delightful rear-engine coupe - a well-maintained example is a gem of British motoring history.

The main rivals to the Stiletto were the Mini Cooper Mk.2 and 1275GT, the Fiat 850 Coupé, the NSU TTS, the Renault 8S and the Simca 1200S Coupe.