invacar LightBulbFun's Invacar & general ramble thread, index on page 1, survivors lists on Pages 24/134 & AdgeCutler's Invacar Mk12 Restoration from Page 186 onwards, still harping on...

12,087 · March 4, 2019

I'll be here tomorrow Tom.

18,818 · March 4, 2019

I'll be here tomorrow Tom.

either that text message was not meant for me or his auto correct is seriously clutching at straws

(im guessing its an autocorrect fail going by the "if been" he probably meant to type "i've been" )

23,241 · March 4, 2019

Name fail aside it’s good you heard back!

Now we await the photos, you most of all of course!

19,438 · March 4, 2019

but thats just about being roadworthy right, or is there a specfic law about doing repairs, regardless of if the car is roadworthy or not?

or the law just about the car being roadworthy, because i am aware of that law

You may get away with changing a headlight bulb or brake pads or something but regular roadside repairs will attract unwanted attention, a copper who thinks you are taking the piss will find a reason the car is illegal. I live on a quiet, one-way, residential street with a car which is MOT/tax exempt and still live in fear that it's going to get clamped/towed. Bear in mind there was a shitter on here a while back who was having to sell his cars which were kept neatly on a private driveway because he owned "more than was reasonable" according to the local council.

If you have to store it on the street I suggest getting it registered as MOT/tax exempt, rolling and aesthetically half decent before actually moving it to location...

Bearing in mind a layby is not a public parking space I can imagine the police would be pretty pissed about finding somebody dropping a gearbox in one...

12,364 · March 5, 2019

I hate to be the one pissing on everyone's bonfire here, but maybe take a few moments to consider what happens if the plan doesn't all magically work out exactly per the dream....

Man agrees to buy car for £800
Man is unable to drive car as he has no license
Man is unable to drive car as it is in an unknown condition, though known not to be roadworthy
Man has no way to transport car himself
Man has no money to pay someone to transport car for him
Man cannot leave car on the road, as is not road legal
Man has nowhere to store the car legally
Man needs to fix the car
Man has no tools, money, or experience with which to fix the car
Man has no money to get driving license to allow him to ultimately drive the car when all of the above are overcome.

Yes some of these can be overcome with enthusiasm and shiters' help - but, just saying, it might not be best to rush in and buy this very car just because it has happened to crop up.

Agreed

You’re obviously super enthusiastic which is awesome but you’ve got to be realistic here. You’re referring to decimal places of amounts of money you’ve managed to save - this car is not simply going to need a set of brake pads and be fit for every day use. Any car let alone a classic that has been off the road will need regular maintenance, a car like this moreso. It’s going to quite literally cost you thousands in driving lessons, theory & practical tests, Insurance in London is a nightmare (I work for a specialist so know the full ins & outs) plus as said, you can’t legally restore this on a public highway. You’ve already said you have no tools or mechanical knowledge of fixing these either. You simply can’t rely on other people funding, fixing, storing etc for you. (Kudos to those that have offered though)

I’m really impressed by your enthusiasm and honestly would love to see this become a reality for you but it just doesn’t seem realistic on a shoestring budget and in your situation. This type of car to me would be suited to someone as a second/third car.. someone with a workshop, tools, knowledge and a bank account to suit too.

My honest thoughts would be to put your money into some lessons, get the pink card and some experience behind you in a ‘normal’ car then invest once you’re in a better position.

Seriously not trying to dishearten you but I’m a realist and just can’t see your plan being viable!

Best of luck either way though Dez,

8,914 · March 5, 2019

If you get pics and want anybody to give it a once over then there's a few of us in the area. Given where S2 is in Sheffield, it does encompass certain, err, how do you put it, less celubrious areas. Be interesting see exactly where it's managed to hide for so long.

My grandfather had an Invacar until his death in the early 60's as he took a German bullet in his back in WWI. I can remember travelling in it, he lived a couple of miles from where this is in Darnall. Useless fact that might be useful for you if you get to chat to the owner.

4,001 · March 5, 2019

Agreed

You’re obviously super enthusiastic which is awesome but you’ve got to be realistic here. You’re referring to decimal places of amounts of money you’ve managed to save - this car is not simply going to need a set of brake pads and be fit for every day use. Any car let alone a classic that has been off the road will need regular maintenance, a car like this moreso. It’s going to quite literally cost you thousands in driving lessons, theory & practical tests, Insurance in London is a nightmare (I work for a specialist so know the full ins & outs) plus as said, you can’t legally restore this on a public highway. You’ve already said you have no tools or mechanical knowledge of fixing these either. You simply can’t rely on other people funding, fixing, storing etc for you. (Kudos to those that have offered though)

I’m really impressed by your enthusiasm and honestly would love to see this become a reality for you but it just doesn’t seem realistic on a shoestring budget and in your situation. This type of car to me would be suited to someone as a second/third car.. someone with a workshop, tools, knowledge and a bank account to suit too.

My honest thoughts would be to put your money into some lessons, get the pink card and some experience behind you in a ‘normal’ car then invest once you’re in a better position.

Seriously not trying to dishearten you but I’m a realist and just can’t see your plan being viable!

Best of luck either way though Dez,

Agree 100% with the sentiment of this post, but.....

Providing LBF can find somewhere to keep it for now, the amount that "Might" (or will) need spending on it isn't really that relevant at this time. It might do sometime down the line, but it's really just about getting it into the fold and taking it from there.

Worst case scenario, he gets it, things don't work out, he sells on not losing much/if anything financially.

Providing the groundwork is there RE transport and storage and it's got at a reasonable price, it's a fairly low risk gamble even as it stands now. They don't come up often enough really to not take it and figure out the rest.

8,910 · March 5, 2019

roadside repairs.JPG

That answer is based on the "Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005" which applies to England and Wales. Any idea what/is there a Scottish equivalent?

21,840 · March 5, 2019

quick update, got a text message back from the guy

Screenshot 2019-03-04 at 23.24.08.png

cant say I have had anyone call me Tom before... (but do you see what i mean when I say no one can get my name right? LOL )

hopefully he will remember and gets back to me tomorrow

The seller will think you're Trigger in a minute (alright Dave).

He knows you're not called Tom. He's suggesting he'll take photos for you tomorrow...

18,818 · March 5, 2019

I am in a bit of a dammed if I do, dammed if I dont situation

because lets say I wait, and go do other things, then come back to the whole invacar thing when the situation might be more optimal, by the time I do, I really dont know if there will be any left/at vaguely affordable prices

(especially if the microcar crowd start getting all crosseyed over them)

so im trying to grab a Model 70 as soon as I can then worry about the rest of the details later,

im not asking anyone to do a nut & bolt restoration for me, but at least just somewhere for me to stash it so its in the fold and out of harms way while I figure out the rest of the details, etc

(also while yeah I dont have any actual hands on mechanical experience with cars, id like to think im not completely inept on the whole subject, I have been "researching" everything quite heavily for the past few years now, plus everyone has to start somewhere right? )

roadside repairs.JPG

You may get away with changing a headlight bulb or brake pads or something but regular roadside repairs will attract unwanted attention, a copper who thinks you are taking the piss will find a reason the car is illegal. I live on a quiet, one-way, residential street with a car which is MOT/tax exempt and still live in fear that it's going to get clamped/towed. Bear in mind there was a shitter on here a while back who was having to sell his cars which were kept neatly on a private driveway because he owned "more than was reasonable" according to the local council.

If you have to store it on the street I suggest getting it registered as MOT/tax exempt, rolling and aesthetically half decent before actually moving it to location...

Bearing in mind a layby is not a public parking space I can imagine the police would be pretty pissed about finding somebody dropping a gearbox in one...

indeed I agree with the MOT/Tax thing hence why iv mentioned the Q plate throwing a spanner into the works because as it stands the DVLA thinks its from 1997 so would not be exempt right?

(although saying that, it does not show any MOT history on the DVLA although I suspect thats the previous owners being a bit cheeky there)

I need to get it back onto its original 1970s ID before i can do so

the athletically looking half decent part, is why im a bit worried about the horrible paint job it has currently, but thats reletively minor in the scheme of things (and im hoping it will strip off relatively easily leaving the original blue coat relatively intact)

If you get pics and want anybody to give it a once over then there's a few of us in the area. Given where S2 is in Sheffield, it does encompass certain, err, how do you put it, less celubrious areas. Be interesting see exactly where it's managed to hide for so long.

My grandfather had an Invacar until his death in the early 60's as he took a German bullet in his back in WWI. I can remember travelling in it, he lived a couple of miles from where this is in Darnall. Useless fact that might be useful for you if you get to chat to the owner.

iv been thinking about the whole "can someone go have a poke at it with a screw driver" thing, if someone is willing to go have a look at it in person and poke around for me that would be greatly appreciated because I know photographs are not everything

11,122 · March 5, 2019

Worst case scenario, he gets it, things don't work out, he sells on not losing much/if anything financially.

No worse scenario is car is left parked on street and is:

A) Vandalized or stolen and dumped then:

B ) Clamped for no tax.

C) Towed away as no tax/ test/ insurance.

D) LBF is hit with a £300 or £400 bill to get it back that he can't afford and it is crushed.

Any offer of storage would need to be more or less open ended.

10,044 · March 5, 2019

Insurance in London is a nightmare (I work for a specialist so know the full ins & outs)

I'll bet you a quid you are going to run into massive problems trying to insure an Invacar.

It's your only vehicle?

You've no NCD?

You've a provisional license?

Have you tried getting a quote for DW's for example?

37,237 · March 5, 2019

Do be aware that it is illegal to undertake major repairs on the public highway - and this includes lay-by's. Most police will either not know/not care but there is always one and that is all it takes. I found this out aged 17 when swapping a Hillman Imp gearbox in a lay-by after a spectacular failure 200 miles from home. As I was nearly finnished, the copper let me off with a warning, but I did the research when I got home and he was correct - for a car to be ON the public highway, it has to be roadworthy, even if not in use.

I did leave the knackered Imp gearbox in the waste bin in the lay-by though.

I’d very much doubt you’d be penalised for mending your car at the side of the road. Only hindering your likely to get will be from neighbors with fuck all else to do with their time.

61,506 · March 5, 2019

I've noticed from googling the sellers phone number that he has a history of selling old bikes and other classic cars.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=07491057262&oq=07491057262&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

2,913 · March 5, 2019

Some good points raised recently on the nuts and bolts of not only getting but also keeping the car. However I wonder if it might be time to step away from worst case scenario thinking.

I don't remember LBF suggesting that this, or any other car was going to be parked on the road without proper documents.

Re storage, yes there would have to be some leeway. Seems there has been more than one offer of such storage so far. If insurance/registration etc proved too much of an issue then the car could be advertised within these walls and likely find a new home under our collective wing.

18,409 · March 5, 2019

and Route 73 into central London (those are the 2 Routemaster Routes I remember fondly from my earily childhood, and then heritage Route 15 when I discovered that a couple years later)

(other fondly remembered routes also include Routes 26 48 & 55 but those where not Routemaster routes during my existence, although I do remember when 55 was curiously crew operated in 2003)

so cool that you managed to own a Routemaster by the time you where 20

gives me hope for my relatively minor in-comparison invacar dreams, as you say grab the car worry about the details later, tis the autoshite way

aye, this is the text I sent him, sadly still not heard back on any channels...

Screenshot 2019-03-04 at 20.55.51.png

I used to like the Clapton Pond bus terminus. I say used to, I'm sure it's still there but I'm unlikely to go there again without RM's. The other side of the pond was (is) a busy London thoroughfare just like many others but the buses pulled in round the back and it was really quiet and green and there were alway three or four buses on layover. Happy days. I have some photos very similar to this (but without the RF) but I just pinched these off the Internet.

4,001 · March 5, 2019

No worse scenario is car is left parked on street and is:
A) Vandalized or stolen and dumped then:
B ) Clamped for no tax.
C) Towed away as no tax/ test/ insurance.
D) LBF is hit with a £300 or £400 bill to get it back that he can't afford and it is crushed.

Any offer of storage would need to be more or less open ended.

As said, IF the groundwork is there RE storage.

61,506 · March 5, 2019

still no pics

21,048 · March 5, 2019

quick update, got a text message back from the guy

Screenshot 2019-03-04 at 23.24.08.png

cant say I have had anyone call me Tom before... (but do you see what i mean when I say no one can get my name right? LOL )

hopefully he will remember and gets back to me tomorrow

I reckon he has you on the back burner so to speak and is waiting to see if anyone rocks up with a better offer. Hope you get it but don't be too worried as there will be more hidden away which will come out the woodwork.

18,818 · March 5, 2019

aye iv still not heard anything from the chap

not sure what to do at this point...

1,251 · March 5, 2019

There must be some autoshiter who runs a computer-based business who can offer LBF, with his research skills and encyclopaedic memory, an online job which will allow this project to surge forward?

61,506 · March 5, 2019

aye iv still not heard anything from the chap

not sure what to do at this point...

easy for me to say from 250 miles away, but if you said I have a friend who's going to look at it for me......might make him perk up.

8,914 · March 5, 2019

easy for me to say from 250 miles away, but if you said I have a friend who's going to look at it for me......might make him perk up.

Could be done, or 'somebody else' on here could text the seller and ask about it price etc.

18,818 · March 5, 2019

easy for me to say from 250 miles away, but if you said I have a friend who's going to look at it for me......might make him perk up.

Yeah I was thinking of pitching something like that, the only problem is im not for sure who is nearby and willing to have look/poke at it for me, iv had some nice offers from people to go fetch it if provided with a van etc, but im not sure who is willing to go poke at it first

(maybe I should adjust my title accordingly)

Could be done, or 'somebody else' on here could text the seller and ask about it price etc.

I was thinking about that, but id be worried about drumming up too much interest artificially then causing the guy to go "m8 iv had lots of interest so £2K or GTFO"

I dont mind someone contacting the guy on my behalf however ie "hello im Dez's m8 who is local to you" or something like that

61,506 · March 5, 2019

Yep, maybe try amending the title and see if someone is free to look at it - the upside of that is you'll get some contact with the seller and some honest pictures (not some date stamped 2011 or something).

8,914 · March 5, 2019

Text him tomorrow and ask about pics or whether your mate from Sheffield can bob down (local terminology) some time this week and have a gander (again, local terminology). Then PM me.

18,818 · March 5, 2019

Oh thanks much appreciated, will do so tomorrow

61,506 · March 5, 2019

Yorkshireman to Yorkshireman - sounds good

12,364 · March 5, 2019

I'll bet you a quid you are going to run into massive problems trying to insure an Invacar.

It's your only vehicle?
You've no NCD?
You've a provisional license?

Have you tried getting a quote for DW's for example?

Insuring a Q plated car is difficult

Insuring something like this as an only car is difficult

Insuring on the road in London is difficult

Insuring as a young driver is difficult

Insuring as a provisional license holder isn’t difficult

Insuring this type of car as a provisional license holder is difficult

I’ll always try and help when it comes to insurance as I have others on here but it’d be virtually impossible for Dez to insure this.

If you can find somewhere free and local to keep it, you’re doing bloody well.

18,818 · March 5, 2019

I am hoping to and it should possible to get it put back on its original registration, its vital I am able to do so, so i can get it Tax/MOT exempt so i can get it parked up on my dead end with minimal fuss/expense

and im hoping with insurance, even if i cant get it insured in my name, that i can get it insured via my mum, (50 something women who has had a licence since the late 80s/early 90s is pretty much an insurers ideal client no? ) then when the time comes, add me on as a named driver or such

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invacar LightBulbFun's Invacar & general ramble thread, index on page 1, survivors lists on Pages 24/134 & AdgeCutler's Invacar Mk12 Restoration from Page 186 onwards, still harping on...

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