Project Dollywobbler's Invacar - Ongoing

[alcyonecorporation]

Less the steam, obviously. 

[Pillock]

Yes, Beetles have the fan at the back away from wayward digits.

 

So is your next video sponsored by Powerflow Exhausts? A nice custom stainless system ought to sort that, I'm sure they could cobble together a heat exchanger. 

[mercrocker]

Absolutely brilliant thread.   Look forward to more instalments!

[Junkman]

The kids were glued to this.

 

Hashtaghomeeducation

 

My home educated child was glued to Murano glass and G-Plan furniture today.

 

Hashtaghomeeducationphale

[beko1987]

Yep, excellent video! Watched it whilst I stripped a death trap 1929 hoover 725 apart earlier!

[Zelandeth]

Hmm... potential for fabrication of a new exhaust around something like a T25 VW heat exchanger box?

 

...or given that I can't really see these being your daily driver in all weathers is it worth worrying about heating at least in the short term?  Assuming the electrical system could cope, one of those electric heaters would probably work given the tiny volume of the cabin.  Less likely to suffocate you too...

[dollywobbler]

That's a fair comment. Those 12v heaters are entirely pointless though.

[Guest Hooli]

Paraffin heater nailed to the floor behind the seat. You can even pre-heat like a luxury car then.

[Guest Hooli]

Paraffin heater nailed to the floor behind the seat. You can even pre-heat like a luxury car then.

 

Oh even better it'll then be 'dual fuel' so you can drive it in that there London...

[phil_lihp]

Excellent work and a great video, there may have been a small cheer from my vicinity when the engine fired up.  Sad to see the Lexus inoperative though so looking forward to seeing that being resurrected.  

[dollywobbler]

Lexus is working again. Video for that should land tomorrow. Two successful start-ups in two days!

[mrbenn]

I absolutely love that Invacar vid. The combination of rescuing such an interesting car, seeing it clean and put in the dry for the first time in years, then finally coming to life is a winner. Have watched it twice already. Ok, three times. I'll get my coat.

[catsinthewelder]

Fantastic news that it runs together with a brilliant video. How could it be better, #youtube captions

 

[Zelandeth]

I know those electric heaters are generally pretty hopeless, just figured it might actually do *something* useful in one of these as the overall cabin volume is so tiny compared to a "normal" sized car...

[bunglebus]

How is the heat exchanger set up? I would think Beetle ones could be used, T25 ones are quite big as they're 1600/2000cc.

[dollywobbler]

Given this is the earliest surviving Invacar, I don't really want to get into mucking about with it. Electronic ignition can be easily removed if needs be. Reengineerimg the exhaust isn't an attractive option. I should be able to sort something out that looks stock.

[The Moog]

Lovely old video. Much better than stuff on the telly box.

 

I think Santa should bring you a wearable go pro so we have have wobbler cam.

[DodgeRover]

Is there anything left exhaust wise on the spares car?

[DVee8]

I have just got round to watching the video,found myself  saying go-on-go-on fire,get in there!!

hahah class.

Keep it up DW&MrsDW..

[dollywobbler]

Is there anything left exhaust wise on the spares car?

 

Yes, there is, though similarly crusty. I don't think that car has run since 1999, which is when it was last on the road...

[Sheefag]

I have just got round to watching the video,found myself  saying go-on-go-on fire,get in there!!

hahah class.

Keep it up DW&MrsDW..

 

DVee8 earlier...

 

[UltraWomble]

http://www.virtualgaz.com/updateoct04/IC/Collapsed%20Lung%20-%20Thundersley%20Invacar.mp3

http://www.virtualgaz.com/updateoct04/IC/Collapsed%20Lung%20-%20Thundersley%20Invacar.mp3

3mb of Collapsed Lung's finest moment

 

http://www.virtualgaz.com/updateoct04/IC/Collapsed%20Lung%20-%20Thundersley%20Invacar.mp3

[dollywobbler]

Rigged up a slightly better petrol supply to the Invacar, using a 2 litre water bottle. All so I could try putting it into drive for the first time - on axle stands.

 

Ha ha! It works!!

 

CVT belt seems ok, pulleys are moving. Got up to 50mph at one point! In fact, it has now covered almost a mile in my garage.

[tooSavvy]

 In fact, it has now covered almost a mile in my garage.

 

[proclaimers]...  ...[/proclaimers]

 

TS

[dollywobbler]

Oh, and on the Urgent Need list:

 

A connector to fit the wiper blade. I managed to break it when removing the blade to refurbish it. The arm itself is flat, with a small round bit on it, so the clip slots on. Anyone got a spare?

 

Secondly, I really need to try and find out where the brake hydraulics are from. I'm hoping they're shared with the Reliant range, but it'd be nice to confirm that before ordering bits. The hydraulic system is very stiff, and generates no stopping power, so I need to go right through it really.

[dollywobbler]

Has anyone in history attempted a burnout or victory doughnut in a Invacar?

 

No LSD m8, so I don't fancy my chances. Also, they're very rear-biased in the weight department. If it snows again, I'll give it a go...

[oldcars]

Glad it didn't come off the stands at 50 in the garage.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Car stuck in drive in a garage. I always think of this scene, and all that follows...

[dollywobbler]

Glad it didn't come off the stands at 50 in the garage.

 

It would have been exciting. The wheels weren't on.

[Tickman]

 need to try and find out where the brake hydraulics are from. I'm hoping they're shared with the Reliant range, but it'd be nice to confirm that before ordering bits

My local factors used the 'book' last time I needed some previously unidentified brake parts and came up trumps.