Project Dollywobbler's Invacar - Ongoing

[twosmoke300]

Comes with lubricant upgrade reccomended

[Asimo]

I think that Puch is cheating Asimo. Here's one still with its flat twin.

https://youtu.be/PU9vHPTNGzI

I did check as far as my German and googletranslate allow!

http://www.johannpuchmuseum.at/wp001/neuzugang-der-kracher-von-pracher/#more-5471

 

[dollywobbler]

Ah, ok. I got confused by a similar car with  a Hayabusa-derived V8 in it!

[somewhatfoolish]

Anal lamp knowledge time! The original style fitted in Dolly's pic is the same as Reliant used on the mk1 Robin and Kitten,made by CEP.However much later on as said the (still available) trailer (mini pickup)lamps were used and retro fitted once they broke or needed replacing.Though the Robin lamps look a bit more in proportion,they are pants and can't be bought new.

Time to remanufacture the CEP lamps with 3D printing, taking the opportunity to modify for ZOMGLEDZ to dazzle anyone behind you with?

[dollywobbler]

I actually much prefer the Mini pick-up lamps. Has been nice to finally work out the history though. I'm not used to owning a car where the history is so patchy. I've no idea who at AC designed the Model 70 (or its forerunner). I've no idea how they ended up fitting an Austrian engine (though it seems that initially, the Fiat 500 engine was the choice, until Fiat said they couldn't supply). I know practically nothing about AC's production facilities (online I've found a bit more about the Invacar Ltd set-up via http://www.virtualgaz.com/invacarpage.htm#update)

 

I also don't know why they went from 12" wheels to 10", though I did wonder if stability might come into it. So many questions remain.

[egg]

I think someone in Herne Bay has a Dutch 'Canta' which is mentioned in that link, but not sure, will try and pap it!

[plasticvandan]

I actually much prefer the Mini pick-up lamps. Has been nice to finally work out the history though. I'm not used to owning a car where the history is so patchy. I've no idea who at AC designed the Model 70 (or its forerunner). I've no idea how they ended up fitting an Austrian engine (though it seems that initially, the Fiat 500 engine was the choice, until Fiat said they couldn't supply). I know practically nothing about AC's production facilities (online I've found a bit more about the Invacar Ltd set-up via http://www.virtualgaz.com/invacarpage.htm#update)

 

I also don't know why they went from 12" wheels to 10", though I did wonder if stability might come into it. So many questions remain.

AC had a separate factory on Taggs Island for carriage production.The prototype model 70 originally had a Fiat 500 unit and I think was also a 2 seater. It was designed with heavy involvement with the DHSS as it was meant to be the car to silence the critics.I will do some digging in my collection and see if I can find some more history for you,unlike the main guys behind the register,I know what the internet is

[timolloyd]

I imagine a change in wheel size could have been to do with decreasing availability of 10" tyres. They were a bit tricky to source when I owned my first Mini 20 years ago.

[Eddie Honda]

I imagine a change in wheel size could have been to do with decreasing availability of 10" tyres. They were a bit tricky to source when I owned my first Mini 20 years ago.

12 TO 10, not other way round.

[dollywobbler]

Indeed. The change was the opposite of what was happening with Minis.

 

Dan - any info would be much appreciated. I'm like Johnny Five at the moment. Need more input!

[Sheefag]

Tyre size may have been changed to lower the ride height and thus make access from a wheelchair easier.

[Eddie Honda]

Did the mechanical gearing change or did the smaller wheels aim to do that?

 

Or were the 12" wheel men on strike?

[plasticvandan]

I suspect it was because 10s were cheaper,lower c of g also.Don't forget the mini stayed with tens until 1984 (7 years after invacar production ended) and Reliant were using them until 1994,so supply would have been no issue.

[dollywobbler]

Did the mechanical gearing change or did the smaller wheels aim to do that?

 

Or were the 12" wheel men on strike?

 

I don't believe there was a mechanical change, but then you don't really need one with CVT. 

[Zelandeth]

The more I'm reading up on these things the more seriously I'm finding myself wanting one.  Really clever minimalist engineering, which I always enjoy.  It's almost elegant in its simplicity.

 

The thought of a project car which is that compact, lightweight and mechanically simple has great attraction too.

 

I may feel the need to do a review next to the Sinclair C5 though and go through the pros and cons of both of them!

 

I've always fancied a Reliant too...just never seen one at the right price yet...if one turned up in the "few hundred quid" bracket common sense may go out the window...

[dollywobbler]

Oh I'd still love a Mk1 Robin. I imagine that after this, I'd be cursing the engine access though!

[plasticvandan]

You need thin fingers and double joints. Rialto access panels can be retro fitted though really access is no worse than a modern with all its plastic panels.

[tooSavvy]

The more I'm reading up on these things the more seriously I'm finding myself wanting one.  Really clever minimalist engineering, which I always enjoy.  It's almost elegant in its simplicity.

 

The thought of a project car which is that compact, lightweight and mechanically simple has great attraction too.

 

Aye.... The quintessential opposite, in execution, of the 'EBay trikes' so beloved around here lolz

 

Differn't Strokes obvz

 

 

TS

[Guest Hooli]

The same happened in Short Circuit in the 80s. The Indian computer nutter was in fact a white bloke 'blacked up'.

[Eddie Honda]

I don't believe there was a mechanical change, but then you don't really need one with CVT. 

 

I meant mechanical as in final-drivey sort of thing, rather than stick to swap cogs with. A CVT still has a min and max.

 

If nothing else was altered the smaller rolling radius of the wheels would lower the gearing and drop the top speed.

[dollywobbler]

AC had a separate factory on Taggs Island for carriage production.The prototype model 70 originally had a Fiat 500 unit and I think was also a 2 seater. It was designed with heavy involvement with the DHSS as it was meant to be the car to silence the critics.I will do some digging in my collection and see if I can find some more history for you,unlike the main guys behind the register,I know what the internet is

 

Further to this, doing a bit of digging, it seems that AC left Tagg's Island in the late 1960s. The hotel it had converted into a factory was demolished in 1971. So, were the AC Model 70s built at Thames Ditton?

[Asimo]

I can't find the cars and trains thread so here is this. Merry Xmas.

[tooSavvy]

Bulleid loco, wartime austerity Q-1... Withdrawn/scrapped 1966.

 

TS

[Guest Hooli]

You'd think they could tow more than one Invacar at a time.

[Noel Tidybeard]

did invacar/AC change to 10" any time around when reliant swapped?

[richardmorris]

Bulleid loco, wartime austerity Q-1... Withdrawn/scrapped 1966.TS

 

I was thinking that’s a very odd looking loco.

[plasticvandan]

did invacar/AC change to 10" any time around when reliant swapped?

Reliant first used 10s on the Bug in 1970,then the Robin in 73,but even then the Regal used 13" rather than the invacars 12s.

[Eddie Honda]

Reliant Rebels used 12" on a 4" PCD. Imps did too.

[meshking]

Further to this, doing a bit of digging, it seems that AC left Tagg's Island in the late 1960s. The hotel it had converted into a factory was demolished in 1971. So, were the AC Model 70s built at Thames Ditton?

I can't help on that, but in doing some research just now into AC cars I found out that I did my sixth form work experience in the factory! I went to a sixth form college in Thames Ditton and did two weeks in a company based in the factory, so I've walked on the shop floor and in the drawing rooms. Useless trivia, eh? Sorry about that.

 

Sent from my SGP621 using Tapatalk

[dollywobbler]

Today, I stole the exhaust from the spares Invacar and fitted it to TWC. Much quieter!

 

Interestingly, both exhausts were absolutely full of plant matter, presumably put there by mice...

 

I need some new exhaust clamps, but that's another job done. Hopefully (weather permitting), the service items will arrive tomorrow. I also need to grab some fuel line and an in-line filter to try and resurrect the fuel system. If I can do that, I might risk a first drive on the handbrake...