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...

[barrett]

Annoying that video has those pop-up ads at the end, totally obscuring the shots of the Barrett Minor

[LightBulbFun]

25 minutes ago, barrett said:

Annoying that video has those pop-up ads at the end, totally obscuring the shots of the Barrett Minor

Yeah I was thinking that! 

(those are technically not adverts but one of the replacements for the old annotations system that youtube binned off a while back for some reason)

with some fenagling just now I managed to get em to fuck off

sadly 866AHW somewhat predictably does not show up on the DVLA

I don't think any barrett Minors are known to survive, there was rumblings of one in south africa but it went cold sadly

 

its interesting to note that it looks like it has a bigger front wheel fitted then the one pictured in Stuarts small book etc

 

[LightBulbFun]

Stuart popped online for a little bit earlier and thinks the harper article is from the practical motorist october 1957 but is not 100% sure

also while talking to him he made me aware of this tax disk thats for sale on ebay  

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114128576561

which I noticed was from 1979 which I knew meant this Stanley quite likely made it onto the DVLC Computer system and indeed it did, OPA813 still shows up on the DVLA today, infact its the oldest Ministry Argson I know of that still shows up on the DVLA

although I did search all the Ministry chassis numbers, this ones chassis number has one of the errant dots in the middle of it which is why I never found it during my search (its chassis number has now of course been added to my Model 44 Chassis number list)

it still amazes me just how long some people hung onto their Argsons for, this one lasting for 36 years! 

 

also shortly after talking with Stuart I discovered the CTW301G-CTW400G block of Invacar Mk12's  (CTW383G is the only to still show up out of that block, but thankfully its chassis number looks to be correct)

 

[Six-cylinder]

Today was mowing day.

[LightBulbFun]

26 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

Today was mowing day.

I see Dolly is proving to be an effective table once more!, given how we used Dolly to distribute snacks around while we all bundled under the pop up gazebo? thingy she was parked in at the time, at the last FoD gathering, im sure theres a "could eat your food off of that!" joke in there somewhere

Jokes aside, thanks for a grabbing a quick photo  its nice to see the pair once more, nice to see they have not vanished into the ether!   have to say tho, REV needs a wash! (I hope REV's longer than planned stay at the FoD has not done anything nasty to the underside!) also is a trick of the camera or has the bottom half of dolly gone slightly bluer then the top half?!

 

[LightBulbFun]

so this is rather exciting!

I came across something I honestly did not expect to find, that is a private AC Model 64! 2 of them in fact!

    

while talking to stuart yesterday I came across a Model 64 chassis number, but this number did not quite fit in

in that it was a number from the low 5300's and was said to be from 1960 however the oldest Model 64 I have documented is 769RPJ with a chassis number in the low 6000's also from 1960!

now I highly doubted they made 700 Model 64's in the span of less then a year, the Model 64 was always a low production volume machine for fairly specialised use cases

so I decided to run chassis numbers 5300-5400 through my tool and low and behold I came across the 2 above! AFN207B and DAL480J, they are only separated by 4 numbers, but are obviously made years apart!

this, plus their non Surrey registration marks, means im pretty positive they are private AC Model 64's and I have found where the private AC Model 64's lived so to speak in the chassis number ranges (from what I have seen Private AC invalid vehicles where always part of their own chassis number ranges)

it goes part way to explaining the Model 64 chassis number weirdness, as I have mentioned before the Model 64 came out in 1958 on request of the MoH. and in total between 1958 to 1972 they supposedly made 2182 of them, but for some reason the chassis numbers seemingly started in the high 5900s/low 6000's, as documented here

On 12/2/2019 at 9:37 PM, LightBulbFun said:

so was going through the chassis numbers in the very low 6000's and I came across this one!

I did not expect to come across one so early!, seeing as the Model 64 was introduced in 1958, and this is from 1960, suddenly the production figure of 2182 makes more sense, (since I found SPB634F which is late Mid 7000's although funnily enough I cant seem to find any later than it, maybe the Mk4A switched to different chassis number format or not, I know the Mk5 did, but I already know the Mk5 chassis number format and I have gone through every single Mk5 chassis number, as mentioned a page or 2 back I believe there where 200 Mk5s produced)

although the question still remains, why did they start from such a high number...

now I know that at least part of that weirdness is because, the private cars seem to have resided in/allocated the 5300 range, I cant find anything in 5200 or 5400 ranges, but thats not too surprised tho, given how few private examples they looked to have sold, as mentioned both AFN207B and DAL480J are years apart but only 4 cars apart chassis number wise, and they are both mid 5300 cars, so I highly doubt they ever made it into the 5400 range

its not too surprising they sold so few private examples, even the Ministry Model 64's where quite unpopular with electric invalid vehicle users, so its no surprise they didn't sell many privately, infact im surprised any were sold at all!

and as mentioned I dont think AC expected to either the Model 64, is just known as the Model 64, no where on it does it have a marketing name such as Acedes like on the Model 57 and 67

 

its also interesting to note that, at least going by age/date of first registration, DAL480J is a Model 64 Mk5, in fact it was registered on the exact same date DPF678J was (a Ministry Model 64 Mk5) but because DAL470J was/is a private example, it still has the old Model 64 chassis number format, (when the AC Model 64 Mk5 was introduced they switched to a different chassis number format) again this is further proof that it is private example because for a given AC Model the private versions seemingly always followed the same chassis number format no matter what happened on the Ministry side, for example the Private Model 70's RRE20L and NPN924P both have the same general chassis number format, despite DHSS AC Model 70's having gone through several different chassis number blocks between the 2)

 

all in all some pretty exciting stuff!

[666jjp]

just had a quick search on the 'bay and found this,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autocar-magazine-23-8-1957-Morris-oxford-traveller-Harper-Riley/133394339584?hash=item1f0eec1700:g:4TAAAOSweW5VQeLn

[LightBulbFun]

33 minutes ago, 666jjp said:

just had a quick search on the 'bay and found this,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autocar-magazine-23-8-1957-Morris-oxford-traveller-Harper-Riley/133394339584?hash=item1f0eec1700:g:4TAAAOSweW5VQeLn

oh neat! I wonder if thats where barrett's snippet is from or not  (I did notice tho that barrett's snippet is 1 and a half pages long where as the above says its 2 pages, unless above the half page was just some sort of advert or such thats not in the index list?)

does any have the above magazine to check (and scan in) for us?  (even if its not the above snippet it would be interesting to see what it is, tempting to buy it, but I figured I should first check incase anyone has the magazine to hand so I can save the £8 LOL)

 

[LightBulbFun]

been thinking about driving lessons etc recently

because for those unaware, back when this whole situation kicked off my driving test etc got cancelled and moved to the 29th of June, (and obviously lessons stopped then as well)

which is now drawing ever close, only a bit over a month away now, so im starting to wonder whats going to happen, or what I should do about it!

will it get postponed even further down the year or? or do I need to start figuring out lessons again?

I have no idea when those will be "ok" again I obviously dont want to have lessons when its still not safe to etc

however I would like a couple more lessons at least before my test, to freshen up etc and as I have mentioned I really would like to go for a drive with someone who is not my instructor, as an external review of my driving so to speak

(as mentioned im a bit worried about how many lessons iv had so far! and I do wonder if im just worrying about nothing, or if there is something that needs to be done, or perhaps find another instructor and see if I do better with them?)

plus if nothing else I still need a car to do the test in so I have to figure that out at a minimum! 

 

so yeah some thoughts would be appreciated  (I did check the various goverment websites to see if there was any new info but I dont see anything new https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests )

[Mrs6C]

It's sensible to have some refresher lessons before your test, perhaps one per day for the week before, given the long break. I'd suggest you ring your instructor and see what he recommends.

Don't worry about how many lessons you may or may not have had by the time you take your test. It's not a competition but an investment in a life skill. The more training and development you have gained, the better skilled and experienced you will be when you get your full licence. That can only be a good thing.

[LightBulbFun]

1 hour ago, Mrs6C said:

It's sensible to have some refresher lessons before your test, perhaps one per day for the week before, given the long break. I'd suggest you ring your instructor and see what he recommends.

Don't worry about how many lessons you may or may not have had by the time you take your test. It's not a competition but an investment in a life skill. The more training and development you have gained, the better skilled and experienced you will be when you get your full licence. That can only be a good thing.

Yeah  not sure I could do 1 a day tho sadly, I can just about manage 2 a week sadly (like tuesday and friday for example, the ol back cant take much more than that sadly especially when I have to factor in other day to day stuff)

but maybe something could be figured out!

 

but yeah one of things im not sure on tho at this point is where it stands "legally", are driving lessons allowed now that's one of things im not sure about...

 

maybe things are still a bit early, but i figured I rather ask too early then too late! 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Did your instructor come recommended? Does he have a decent pass rate? I appreciate you've had a chunk of lessons,  but you dont need to feel you have to stay with the same instructor. You're the one putting your hand in your pocket. 

Admittedly a slightly different scenario, but it was clear I was getting nowhere fast after a handful of lessons with my first instructor when learning to drive. I promptly changed to a local fella with an almost new early Clio diesel (K plate, which makes me sound old!) and a really good reputation amongst friends and family. I made progress with him much more rapidly and promptly passed my test first time thanks to him. 

 

[somewhatfoolish]

I had lessons from 3 different instructors, for reasons of economy and because I moved halfway through learning; as others have said you may find you learn better/faster with a different teaching style.

[LightBulbFun]

1 hour ago, Dick Longbridge said:

Did your instructor come recommended? Does he have a decent pass rate? I appreciate you've had a chunk of lessons,  but you dont need to feel you have to stay with the same instructor. You're the one putting your hand in your pocket. 

Admittedly a slightly different scenario, but it was clear I was getting nowhere fast after a handful of lessons with my first instructor when learning to drive. I promptly changed to a local fella with an almost new early Clio diesel (K plate, which makes me sound old!) and a really good reputation amongst friends and family. I made progress with him much more rapidly and promptly passed my test first time thanks to him. 

 

 

48 minutes ago, somewhatfoolish said:

I had lessons from 3 different instructors, for reasons of economy and because I moved halfway through learning; as others have said you may find you learn better/faster with a different teaching style.

 

yeah I do sometimes feel that I don't quite get on with his teaching style but then I do wonder if its just because im not very good at it or something

I would ideally like to try another instructor, but im also worried about upsetting my current instructor, he is a good chap most of the time, and certainly has had lots of experience ,he started with BSM back when they where running metros! (and I wish they still where LOL) but there are niggles here and there...

but you are right I am the one paying for it and everything so I should not be so worried about going elsewhere/to somewhere else if I feel things are not quite right

(I guess im also worried if it doesn't work out elsewhere that going back might be a bit awkward LOL)

[LightBulbFun]

I was doing some digging and unearthed some harper stuff

    

 

   

(im curious what the Reselco thing is about? AFAIK they had no involvement with Stanley/harper...)

 

and funnily enough after digging the above lot up yesterday this appears on ebay, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362998973905

ain't that rather timely!

    

[quicksilver]

That Harper MkVI isn't a bad looking thing, probably the most attractive invalid carriage and one that could pass for an ordinary 3-wheeled microcar. You might have seen it before, but looking for Harper images I found this: https://www.imcdb.org/v179637.html

A MkVI on foreign plates (not sure which country) and some weird disabled tricycle. Shame they insist on calling it a 'Harper Invacar' though.

[LightBulbFun]

32 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

That Harper MkVI isn't a bad looking thing, probably the most attractive invalid carriage and one that could pass for an ordinary 3-wheeled microcar. You might have seen it before, but looking for Harper images I found this: https://www.imcdb.org/v179637.html

A MkVI on foreign plates (not sure which country) and some weird disabled tricycle. Shame they insist on calling it a 'Harper Invacar' though.

Yeah certially of the full bodied villers machines its one of the better looking machines, although (and this should come as a surprise to no one) I prefer the look of the Model 70  

its a shame so few survive

indeed I have seen that one before it is most perculure, especially with the fact it looks to be a 2 seater, I wonder what its story is etc (or what the control scheme is setup as, the normal Tiller control of villers machines does not lend it self to a 2 seater car particularly well)

 

sadly yeah the IMCDB is a bit of a mess when it comes to invalid vehicles (tbh most places trying to document them are a bit of a mess sadly, I dont think theres any other vehicle or type of vehicle that is as confused as the British invalid vehicle is!)

REV is under the "Thundersley" vehicle make LOL https://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_23199-Thundersley-Invacar-Model-70-1976.html

although if you check the comments of some of the invalid vehicles on there you can see @barrett does try to bring some semblance actual proper information to the table!

[keef]

Seen this? https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1846245

[LightBulbFun]

2 minutes ago, keef said:

Seen this? https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1846245

no not a picture I have seen before  

shame the resolution is not high enough to make out the registration mark

 

[Mr Pastry]

2 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

although if you check the comments of some of the invalid vehicles on there you can see @barrett does try to bring some semblance actual proper information to the table!

Click on the link to the movie for some other interesting pictures.

[Mr Pastry]

In fact it looks as though it would be worth watching.

[LightBulbFun]

3 minutes ago, Mr Pastry said:

Click on the link to the movie for some other interesting pictures.

yeah a lot of spanish invalid carriages, looking up the film it seems to revolve around someones disabled friend so it explains all the ICs!

just a shame there are not more shots of the Harper, bit of an odd one out! 

[LightBulbFun]

Stuart is continuing to make good progress with his Harding

https://www.facebook.com/groups/950689934973969/permalink/2988891981153744/

I love the little tin the electronics live inside of  

    

and the interior is starting to take shape 

he also took it outside onto the road for some general photos  

https://www.facebook.com/groups/950689934973969/permalink/2993149010728041/

I guess the next big thing to get it registered once more!, thankfully he has found a chassis number on it, but sadly the harding does not show up on the DVLA currently, but im really hoping this vehicle is one of the vehicles that exist in the twilight zone, that being, vehicles tax due between 1974-1981ish  where they got onto the DVLC computer but then archived off of it due to inactivity at some point in time, (like @BlankFrank's Mk12) I know stuarts harding was found in 1980 so im hoping that it may have been taxed recently when it was found back then, giving it a good chance of it being put onto DVLC system at the time, but sadly we dont know if it was or wasn't!  if its not in the DVLAs records somewhere then im not sure what the plan is, because sadly the Surrey registration records don't exist anymore AFAIK

   

[LightBulbFun]

2 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

so had a very exciting delivery today!

it was a large box containing this lamp!

what's special about it? well its a 2000W incandescent GLS (General lighting service), light bulb!

these are very rare! to the point they were never listed in any british catalog that I know of

while they existed on the continent, it was not known that any british company made them until now!

in any british catalog you will find GLS lamps from 15W to 1500W, so 15W 25W 40W 60W 75W 100W 150W 200W 300W 500W 750W 1000W and finally 1500W, but not 2000W

so when this 2Kw example showed up on ebay I just had to add it to the collection  (1500W GLS lamps are rare enough as it is!)

however I had wondered if such a lamp existed, because 1500W GLS lamps from Atlas Mazda Ecko etc (aka any from BLI) came boxed with a little paper wrapper around their neck containing some simple installation instructions

but in very small print it said "1500/2000W" on it as if to indicate this instruction wrapper was meant for 1500W and 2000W lamps, which was very interesting because as mentioned no 2000W lamp was listed or seen anywhere in any british catalog, until now!  

here is a picture of the etch, as you can see its made by Atlas, and it was made in February 1962 at their Lawrence road factory in Tottenham London

and here it is compared to a slightly later Atlas 1500W GLS lamp that I already have in my collection  

the 2000W lamp is on the left and the 1500W lamp is on the right, as you can see they both have the same bulb size, but the 2000W lamp has a noticeably beefier filament 

it still messes with my head somewhat just how "Weedy" it makes the 1500W filament look  

and of course I had to light it up  the amount of radiant energy it kicks out is impressive the camera just does not doing it justice! everything around it was getting noticeably warm! 

of course I videoed it in action too  

 

so yeah im very happy to have this in the collection, I knew of 2Kw lamps on the continent and I had thought to myself it would be cool to get one someday, but I never thought id get a british example!

(2Kw lamps on the continent are very rare also)

 

as a side note I specifically say GLS lamp, because of course incandescent lamps above 2Kw etc where made by plenty of british companies, but they where always something specialised like a studio lamp or something such and had different specifications and shorter lamp lives normally

until now it was only thought lamps conforming to regular light bulb specifications like the same specifications a regular 100W light bulb is made to, where only made up to 1500W by british companies, but now we have discovered these 2Kw lamps  

 

and as a bonus thing, of course while I had my 1500W Atlas GLS lamp out I ran that one up too  

 

 

just have to drag this over here on account of how awesome it is  

[mitsisigma01]

Morning, while you're having your Rice Krispies, stick the telly on ITV4, The Big Match Revisited, league football from 1970s, Brighton v Palace at the moment, shite football with 3 light blue specials in the corner. 

[LightBulbFun]

2 hours ago, mitsisigma01 said:

Morning, while you're having your Rice Krispies, stick the telly on ITV4, The Big Match Revisited, league football from 1970s, Brighton v Palace at the moment, shite football with 3 light blue specials in the corner. 

Morning (well afternoon but I saw this while it was still AM!)  currently finishing off my morning hot chocolate 

sadly I dont have a TV (not one hooked up to Terrestrial TV anyway!)

did you manage to catch any registration marks?  

[bobdisk]

Its on ITV Hub,

https://www.itv.com/hub/the-big-match-revisited/1a6464a0038

First view of them at 1min30. Theres 2 in the corner. Pic is too low resolution to get the numbers

If you want to watch tv on line, read this first;  https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ99

[LightBulbFun]

34 minutes ago, bobdisk said:

Its on ITV Hub,

https://www.itv.com/hub/the-big-match-revisited/1a6464a0038

First view of them at 1min30. Theres 2 in the corner. Pic is too low resolution to get the numbers

If you want to watch tv on line, read this first;  https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ99

ah cool looks like a Model 70 and an Invacar Mk12D or Mk12E, leaning over at a jaunty angle for some reason! I think theres a few people leaning on the floor of it through the open door LOL

(and yeah we have a TV licence I just don't have a TV!)

[mitsisigma01]

I watched the rest of the programme with a few other games but didn't see any other cars, its on quite often so you might get lucky and spot some you haven't seen ??

[Six-cylinder]

A Sunday afternoon treat for you.

I was looking at pictures of Liverpool Central Station High Level and the second one was this picture. The photo itself is not dated.

Now the disclaimer: I offer you a chance to see this but it does not mean I have grown any fonder of 3 wheeled invalid carriages!