Project Dollywobbler's Invacar - Ongoing

[Zelandeth]

No worries, I'll snap you that first chance I get tomorrow.

[st185cs]

The doors come off pretty simply.

With the stay removed and the limiting stop on the runner, they literally just slide off the front.

Did this twice today, really simple. The limiting stop uses the good old 1/4 Whitworth nut/bolt and a cleat that attaches to the front end of the circa 1” Dia bar that the door runs along. Remove the lot including the stay and slide the whole door forward and off the rail.

[drum]

Well done DW!

 

The woes of the dodgy dizzy can be forgotten about now. It's those difficulties that make the triumph of the first drive so good.

[Twiggy]

That was absolutely fascinating - thank you.

[petermcpete]

Great work!

 

If you ever get bored of it, you could convert it into a mechanical chariot...

 

[eddyramrod]

Wow.  Top work there DW!

[Faker]

You my bearded friend... are an utter lunatic. I fuking love it!

[oldcars]

Brilliant. Well done. I love it.

[Coprolalia]

Brilliant work Ian, as always!

[dollywobbler]

Are you still planning to send the original engine off for a refurb?

 

Not in the short term. Focus is purely to get it on the road at to the Festival of the Unexceptional.

[dollywobbler]

Great work!

 

If you ever get bored of it, you could convert it into a mechanical chariot...

 

 

How frustrating! Watching them chop up and ruin a body that others would love to use to save other Invacars. Oh well.

[richardthestag]

outstanding video. does it wheeley off the line?

[dollywobbler]

outstanding video. does it wheeley off the line?

 

I did try, but apparently not. 

[320touring]

Bag of concrete on the engine lid

 

#lilstubbybob

[Skut]

The warning lights are brilliant.  They look like they are warning of an imminent Windscale core meltdown.  

[Talbot]

outstanding video. does it wheeley off the line?

I did try, but apparently not.

Heave the engine out again and install stronger springs in the centripetal clutch. This will allow the engine to rev up somewhat further into it's power* band before engaging, hopefully getting the front wheel off the ground.

 

I wonder what sort of 1/4mile time you could get with this...

[Tadhg Tiogar]

....I wonder what sort of 1/4mile time you could get with this...

 

I reckon 20 to 25 seconds at least, not including time spent on the wheelie. 

[dollywobbler]

Just had my second drive. Almost crashed coming out of the garage. Slow-speed manoeuvring is definitely quite challenging! I was trying to brake but still had throttle on, while trying to turn. I can see why there were so many accidents!

[Talbot]

Youll probably find that where the centripetal clutch has been disturbed (and is it one set of shoes in the other gearbox?) it will take some time for the shoes to stop grabbing the drum quite so viciously. Bit like brand-new brakes.. they snatch quite a bit until they have settled in.

 

Whatever you do, please don't crash this and injure yourself badly. Not only for the "don't want to see you (or anyone) injured", of course, but also because the irony of being badly injured in an invacar crash and then needing to have a modern equivalent adapted/altered car for your injuries would be unbearable!

 

... either way. Take care in this heap won't you please. I've heard a few stories of these things having all the crash resistance of a paper bag.

[dollywobbler]

There was no reason to go for a drive today, I just wanted to teach my brain how to cope with handlebars. Looks like I need more practice...

[dozeydustman]

Great Video DW. I knew you'd have it running around before March. Hope the MoT goes well when you've sorted the last few bits & bobs out. Looking forward to the next YT instalment.

[Christine]

57th option was opaque glass for blind people

[quicksilver]

IT'S ALIVE! What a fantastic sight to see little TWC finally moving under her own power. All the frustration and skinned knuckles are worth it when you get behind the wheel...er, I mean handlebars.

[Zelandeth]

Here are the photos I promised yesterday (and promptly forgot about until 30 seconds ago) of the repair section on one of my doors.

 

Hope this is somewhat useful in figuring out how to go about sorting yours.

 

 

[dollywobbler]

Blimey. That's, er, function over form. I was hoping to do all my repair work on the inside, with bonded metal panels, then glassfibre over it to match the external finish.

[matara]

Ian,

 

I have an crazy idea for you that I'm sure hasn't been done before with an Invacar. Not sure of the 'er' legalities of this, but the Passengers Forbidden got me thinking about how poor unfortunate Mrs Dollywobbler would not be able to partake in the Invacar adventures, especially after all the engine heaving help she has offered.  How about you gut the mechanicals out of the spare Invacar, remove the front wheel, and replace it with a drawbar and make it into an Invacar trailer, so that Mrs DW can be towed along in the trailer. Kind of like how this 2CV trailer has been built. Just a mad thought!

 

[Zelandeth]

Function over form...you have *seen* mine haven't you!

 

Seriously though, exactly that repair but done on the other side should work with a skim of glass fibre over it just enough to cover the metalwork.

 

Bonded stuff should work well too given there are some crazy strong adhesives out there nowadays.

[dollywobbler]

Ian,

 

I have an crazy idea for you that I'm sure hasn't been done before with an Invacar. Not sure of the 'er' legalities of this, but the Passengers Forbidden got me thinking about how poor unfortunate Mrs Dollywobbler would not be able to partake in the Invacar adventures, especially after all the engine heaving help she has offered.  How about you gut the mechanicals out of the spare Invacar, remove the front wheel, and replace it with a drawbar and make it into an Invacar trailer, so that Mrs DW can be towed along in the trailer. Kind of like how this 2CV trailer has been built. Just a mad thought!

 

 

Not sure my wife is really one for being dragged anywhere...

[Saabnut]

It is illegal to ride in a trailer unless 1) you are a mechanic doing tests or 2) the trailer is a four wheeler, and not close coupled, ie the old showmans vans etc.

 

The trailer is a good idea, but I am afraid Mrs DW will have to go on the roof rack of the tow car!

[Dan_ZTT]

Well done!    These really are a vanished part of British street scenes and well deserve preservation.

 

Truly vanished. I'm (just) over 30 and I'd never even heard of invacars until I came across this thread, let alone seen one.