Nige's newest nonsense

[nigel bickle]

 

 

 

 

6 volt silliness- hopefully. Needs recommissioning after a 16 year layup -but that shouldnt be too difficult. Might even be ready for 18th November.

 

A truly rare Renault next.....

[Cavcraft]

Bloody hell, that looks magic especially if it's been off the road for 16 years! Take it you didn't import this one yourself Nigel?

[nigel bickle]

No-its been hiding in East Sussex for several years- part of a fairly large transaction.

 

Delivered to the door for me -too!

[Guest]

Looks cracking Nigel, but what is it?

[trigger]

It looks like a larger version of a Renault Dauphine?

[dollywobbler]

Looks like a Renault Fregate but must be a bloomin' early one! Looks like a Dauphine because apparently it was meant to be rear-engined, but they got scared and went conventional.

[nigel bickle]

Soz. I thought you all knew.

 

Tis indeed a Fregate, parked beside its later cousin. Its a 1954 6 volt version -base level. Funnily enough, its a Fregate Caravelle, with just a Caravelle badge to baffle peeps.

 

Known faults are iffy brakes (natch) & a solid clutch -which will hopefully free off when the engines been run a while. Fuelliong issues -mucky carb & pump, coupled with the total lack of a 6volt battery means its not going anywhere right now.

 

Most laughable? The Number plate light -notice the hole in the middle of the plate? Currently missing -but I've found one & its en route now. Cant imagine how that'll look; and the Ignition switch -which is precisely that. Ignition key? Nope -just a silly little thing for the drivers door.

[barrett]

Silly indeed, I love it! Always reckoned these to be amongst the dumpiest, worst looking cars of the decade (no offence!) which just sort of adds to the charm.

 

If this thing doesn't qualify as a 'truly rare Renault' in your book, I can't wait to see what's coming next! Also, any updates on the Bellel situation?

[hairnet]

**puts a tour of the bickle area on the bucket list **

 

we're not worthy

[dollywobbler]

There seems to be a few Fregates floating around. There was a black and red one at La Vie en Bleu. I say a few, that makes three that I know of!

[nigel bickle]

And I have 2!

 

Bellel is sitting in Brest -the boat has ''engine issues''. Its been there a little while, but am led to beleive that they are moving the cars off onto other boats as space permits. Guess I'm close to the bottom of the ladder.

 

leastways -its across the Atlantic Ok. In this weather, thats a blessing.

[wuvvum]

That looks kwalz. They really are an oddly-proportioned car, aren't they? 6 volt Renault electrics are always fun - had experience of then on a 1967 R4, not anxious to try it again in a hurry. The Novaquatre had been converted to 12V, thankfully. I forget what year your other Frégate is - does that have 12V and the bigger engine?

[michiel]

I frigging love Frégates, that is a thing of beauty (to me). I still can't believe how many 'I hope to own one of those one day'-cars you own. Can't wait for the other Renault!

[rml2345]

I'd never seen one of those at all before today... Looks like fun, in a dumpy 50s iffy electrics sort of way.

Top work Nigel.

[nigel bickle]

T'other is a late 12 v Wuzz -registered 61 but manufactured 1960...

 

The Renault Prairie was 6volt -and, frankly, awful. Converting to 12 volt was a nightmare -the weird single mount huge dynamo cost a fortune to rewind, but I was adamant I didnt want an alternator in there. Its just so much better now -but I'm loathe to go through all that pain again, frankly.

 

So -I'm going for the most powerful battery I can find (arent the 6v ones damn expensive!) overhauling all the earths etc - 6v led bulbs so they are at least visible, and will do my utmost ot make a go of it.

 

Part of the ''charm'' -isnt it?

[lovejoy]

Well done, again , Nigel ! Congrats from deepest Penzance on another Ffrench nightmare - where I am right now...

 

regards the "expensive" 6volt battery situ, just get an old -style 12 v. battery that has the exposed connectors across the top,

 

and whang in a self-tapper into the lead post halfway up from the positive terminal (assuming you are positive earth on this)

 

Voila ! 3 x 2 volts = SIX VOLTS. it works, done it myself many times.

 

Or, failing the ability for you to locate a battery with exposed cell connectors, just drop a steel rod into the 3rd cell thru the top up

 

filler cap. Sounds like a bodge, I know, but you can make a nice job of it with the right "connecting bolt" !

 

I leave it to your imagination. see you later, after "hurricane season" has finished....

[nigel bickle]

Chris that sounds scary -but I am baulking at the daft of cost a decent 6 volter.

 

I'll let you know (-or my Executors will)

[fotorabia]

Mr Bickle..truly awesum...a dainty wee beast it is...so heres a scrapper re-post from way back...

[michiel]

 

Renault Frégate (RK-00-01) & Ford Taunus by Michiel V, on Flickr

[nigel bickle]

Well - now my back is beginning to function a bit (thanks to that great God Morphine & Co Dydramol) I'm running around collecting all those promised/paid for. Thanks to Andy ( Hardcore,from the other forum) for all his help.

 

So, here's the latest:-

 

 

 

Its another Peugeot, a 1990 505 Gti estate, the 7 seater. Off road since the early 90's, on an old V5, bought from a lovely eccentric older gent who has several large barn full of the most amazing old 30s tat; (details limited because we're about to start negotiations -but I know a few here have been there before me!)

 

Anyway, this is intended to be the next Bickle tow truck -when the Legnum dies (no faith in the durability of modern jap stuff). Paints trashed ,nasty dent on n/s, but its an honest truck that we had running/driving within 10 mins of unloading, and the dead brakes came back through a bit of pedal pump! It needs gentle recommissioning, the paint needs sorting - but its a nice thing, at no money.

 

Expect to see it tat hauling later this year.

 

(And no -this isnt the ''rare' one!)

[Rocket88]

All 505s have the most comfy seats known to man.......and the GTI has one of the nicest drivetrains..top bombing, young sir!

[michiel]

Nice one!

[hhhugues]

That 505 looks the business. Love the wheels.

[nigel bickle]

Does have nice rims, doesnt it? Specific to the model I believe. Tyres all need replacing -look fine but too many dubious hairline cracks for my liking.

 

Dont know about the seats Col,I havent even sat in it yet!

 

No real view on it -other than its heavy (A framed it 200 miles down to the south coast). Bit too heavy for the Legnum, really.

 

Started to acquire the bits needed to legalise & I guess work will start in a couple of weeks, hopefully (weather & back pain permitting). Its got a bit of continental towing to do this summer!

[Timewaster]

Nigel, is this any use to you?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DETA-6-VOLT-BATTERY-FOR-CLASSIC-CAR-/170861440072?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27c822ac48

 

If it is, the seller is a mate and I could probably arrange carriage or storage for you.

[nigel bickle]

Thanks TT. Picked one up a couple of days back. 18 months old £16. Looks OK -is currently on gentle charge -but if it is duff, I'll get back to you.

 

Cheers for the thought

[AnthonyG]

505 Gti looks a proper beast once you get it on the road.

 

Have you ever owned a Renault with a Ferlec semi -auto?

 

CS&C did a write up of a Fregate and mentioned this 1950s system, similar to Smith's Manumatic. Another similarity was that it very rarely actually functioned as it should,and this according to a Renault insider!

[nigel bickle]

No -never had one -and I'de shy away -unless forced. Do have a manumatic Standatd 10 though- which drives Ok -if a little boring! Works fine

[nigel bickle]

Latest addition:-

 

 

 

Having sold the old Yugo to Scooters a few months back, I fancied another small cheap unusual runaround. £102 means I cant really go wrong -hopefully. Hope to pick up & press into regular service asap.

 

So -what doues the A/s collective know about these things, please?

[M'coli]

All I know is that you're a winnah! I'm pleased that Ibiza is going to someone on here.