Project Dollywobbler's Invacar - Ongoing

[LightBulbFun]

one can only imagine what the tiller controlled ones where like 

[quicksilver]

Hats off to you Ian. Thanks to your endurance testing we now know that 350-odd miles is about the limit for an Invacar but TWC did us all proud. It was all worthwhile as every time I looked she was mobbed by adoring fans!

 

And getting to drive her was the icing on the cake, something few people have ever done that I can tick off my bucket list. I had a vague idea that I'd like to drive an Invacar one day but never ever thought it would actually happen.

[Talbot]

Having seen TWC in that field down in Sussex, I am disappointed I had to leave so early on in the day (before the show) to get home, as I'd have loved to have a go and see what it's like to drive.

 

As for the slipping burning belts.. I am sure I rememeber a product that was available you could apply to belts to make them somewhat grippier, which would be a very good thing when all your drive is through a single belt! Also, is it a smooth-sided belt or a cogged raw-edge belt? If the former, fitting the latter may well be a decent improvement. There are numerous generic belt suppliers out there who will be able to source something the right profile and length.

[RobT]

I should have doffed my sunhat to you on Saturday, but have a virtual dof instead. Such an achievement from where you started with it back in November.

 

Very gracious of you to let us bomb it around the FoD, so thanks for the drive!

[Tadhg Tiogar]

….I pushed on, reached Wales and then got held up by a vintage Morris. Remarkably, some Twitter people captured my dilemma.

 

The Morris was very slow, mostly 30mph even on the flat. There were no overtaking spots, so I settled back. I knew a big hill was coming, so thought it'd be fine to just slipstream it up. As the hill began to bite, he waved me and the car behind past. Ha! No chance! I let the modern go. There was no way TWC was overtaking anything at this point.

 

Down the other side, gravity was my friend and I went screaming past. …..

 

This is brilliant! 

 

The triumph of hope over adversity.

[Cavcraft]

 

 

The hills are alive with the sound of Invacar!

branch-sound-of-music-2-alternate_525 copy.jpg

If that’s not the cover of the 2019 calendar, this forum is finished.

[Supernaut]

One final shot of the Support Nippa arriving.

 

The Support Nippa was last deployed in February, on the way to the MOT, when TWC kept spluttering to a halt all the time.

Calendar shot!

[adw1977]

Looks like quite an adventure and a real achievement after all your work.

 

Calendar shot!

Funny you should say that, I've already put it in the calendar thread.

[quicksilver]

There are enough great photos of TWC that she could have her own calendar all to herself, like those glamorous arty calendars that hot celebrities release but even sexier.

[Felly Magic]

I have always had that feeling Ian is a masochist, this proves it really LOL, poor TWC needs a long rest now, plus perhaps new rubber bands

[Tadhg Tiogar]

There are enough great photos of TWC that she could have her own calendar all to herself, like those glamorous arty calendars that hot celebrities release but even sexier.

 

...and she could have Ian draped all over her front, because supermodel.

[dozeydustman]

I'm trying work out if Ian is a hero or just bonkers.

[Sloth in a bowl]

Acquire another 3 invacars, set up a radio mic system between them and Elly. Then take people on extreme sports driving tours of the Elan valley.

[bezzabsa]

Shirley you have a vast supply of spare belts???

[mrbenn]

Acquire another 3 invacars, set up a radio mic system between them and Elly. Then take people on extreme sports driving tours of the Elan valley.

 

I'd pay for that!

[dollywobbler]

Shirley you have a vast supply of spare belts???

 

Two. I don't think they're much fun to fit.

[Mrs6C]

If you don't fancy the job, you could do worse than driving TWC to a local agricultural engineers and asking them to fit the belts. All kinds of cutting implements and other farming equipment uses belts and they fray, stretch and break etc. The ag. eng. folk are usually well equipped to deal with such things.

[dollywobbler]

If you don't fancy the job, you could do worse than driving TWC to a local agricultural engineers and asking them to fit the belts. All kinds of cutting implements and other farming equipment uses belts and they fray, stretch and break etc. The ag. eng. folk are usually well equipped to deal with such things.

 

Almost worth doing just to see the expression on their faces...

[3VOM]

Idea - TWC to have its own Calendar?

[hairnet]

...and she could have Ian draped all over her front, because supermodel.

no thats just him

[hairnet]

does the nippa now seem like a limo?

[dollywobbler]

does the nippa now seem like a limo?

 

Haven't driven that. Went out in the Rover earlier, and it was just beautiful. So serene! There was so much power in reserve that I didn't even use it. Just wafted effortlessly. 

[AnthonyG]

That’s what Rovers are for!

 

Anyway, an epic road trip, some great shots of TWC amongst scenery and at least two of my non car friends have declared him/her the best of the cars from my pictures of the show. ‘A sweet little car’ is one description

[Noel Tidybeard]

Haven't driven that. Went out in the Rover earlier, and it was just beautiful. So serene! There was so much power in reserve that I didn't even use it. Just wafted effortlessly. 

 

i think you need to punish Rachel for something* and make her drive the 45- that'll learn her all that decadence! 

[wuvvum]

I'm trying work out if Ian is a hero or just bonkers.

[Zelandeth]

Just thinking about these belt issues.

 

Something I've noticed on mine is that the little cooling fan built into the back of the input pulley on the gearbox has disintegrated. It's just a cheap little bit of stamped steel.

 

Worth checking if that's present and correct on TWC? Given the recent hot weather I do wonder if that being in less than stellar shape could have helped see off the old belt on a long run.

[dollywobbler]

Pretty sure the fan was there. Will look. One day. Not sure when I'll next get tinkering time. 

 

Mostly because TWC T-shirts are now available! https://hubnut.org/buy-hubnut-merch/ 

 

Thanks to those who've already bought one.

[MorrisItalSLX]

I finally buy a sticker and the shirts come out just after! Just my luck!

 

Please alert me/us when international delivery is a go!

[dozeydustman]

I'd like one if you can get a 3xl please!

[loserone]

I'd totes buy a twc calendar. I couldn't have an AS one on my desk.