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...

[LightBulbFun]

4 hours ago, N19 said:

I suppose they could always google it - which would quite possibly lead them to this thread!

Police officer 1: "Dispatch we are in pursuit of a blue 2 door AC with flared wheel arches travelling down the M1 at high speed"

Police officer 2: *smacks 1st Police officer over the head* "Just say invacar FFS!"

[Weird Car]

A picture of me leaving a local car show yesterday, it got more attention than the RS cosworth it was parked next to 😂

[LightBulbFun]

4 hours ago, Harriytait said:

A picture of me leaving a local car show yesterday, it got more attention than the RS cosworth it was parked next to 😂

very cool to see VJN getting out and about, indeed you will get noticed! love em or hate em, Model 70's where a big part of the street scene/furniture for many years and then they all vanished

so people from all walks of life will notice em, and the younger generations who did not grow up with them will still notice and go "WTF is that!" 

where as a Ford RS Cosworth is a fairly mundane vehicle, you can go to any car show and find one probably etc  

question is, have you got your fact sheet printed off? you will get inundated with questions and people spouting bollocks about them LOL  

 

 

as a side note dont forget when you do the mechanical overhaul, that they gearbox and diff have their own separate oil pools, and that the gearbox does NOT have a drain plug so (but the diff does have its own drain and fill/level plugs)

(the official method for draining the gearbox is and I shit you not, take the gearbox out of the vehicle take the top cover with the AC Logo on it off and turn the whole gearbox upside down LOL, but these days you can just suck all the oil and crap out with a pella or electric pump of some kind)

so you drain and fill the gearbox and the diff on their own, each taking their own amount of oil and each having their own level plug

all this is documented in the workshop manual and I know I have talked about this before but I make such a mention of it, because apart from Zel, pretty much everyone else who I have seen attempt to service a Model 70, has completely missed the fact the gearbox and diff do not share a common oil pool even tho they are part of the same casting

[LightBulbFun]

had a very interesting one just now!

have been chatting to Fraser (he needed to know what the front wheel cylinder was I wonder how future employers would act if I put "am skilled in all hours Invacar technical support" in my CV )

as he is continuing to do some more work on VES108S (XEV88S)   

and he posted me some pictures of the progress he has been making

and this caught my eye right away 

so what its just a wheel hub whats special about that might you ask?

well anyone who knows their Model 70's knows that a Model 70 wheel hub normally looks like this (photo pinched from @Zelandeth)

the Model 70 uses normally Fiat 500 (Fiat 500D specifically I THINK) hubs, re-drilled for 4 inch PCD 

now I have seen these Fiat hubs with the half moon cut outs before, on Fiats etc! I never however expected to find one on a Model 70 as the cut-outs leave no space to re-drill for 4x4 inch PCD from what i can tell

while I have seen one before on a Model 70 once, I was not sure if that was something knocked up by the owner of the vehicle or not

so its very interesting to see them again on a Model 70! especially such that they have clearly come from the Factory pre drilled for 4x4 inch PCD rather than the usual Fiat 4x98 PCD 

rather than the usual Model 70 setup which uses a standard Fiat hub that is then re-drilled for 4x4 inch PCD leaving the 4x98 holes visible still 

 

so this is very interesting! I wonder if this was a late production change (XEV88S is a very late Model 70 only 35~ cars away from the end of production Invacar Model 70 production)

or maybe a later 1980's replacement part? perhaps the Ministry found they where able to get whoever made the Fiat hubs to get them made for 4x4 inch PCD right from the start?

I will admit I dont actually know what hubs REV has, I have never had the brake drums off!

but Im pretty sure @Mrs6C's Model 70' which is the same Age as REV has typical fully circular re-drilled hubs, I sadly dont have a photograph of them, but I know the drums have been off at the FoD and Im pretty sure I would of noticed if Dolly was equipped with half moon hubs (as I call them)

so id be inclined to say that REV has regular fully circular hubs, but it would be interesting to check one of these days!

 

 

[Mrs6C]

1 hour ago, LightBulbFun said:

Im pretty sure @Mrs6C's Model 70' which is the same Age as REV has typical fully circular re-drilled hubs

You are correct!

[bobdisk]

On 3/13/2022 at 7:47 AM, Dobloseven said:

What's the blue car behind? Peugeot 404?

Yes, Pug 404  https://www.carfolio.com/peugeot-404-67793

[Mrs6C]

Is Fraser's car an Invacar or AC Model 70? The inner wheel arch cut-out in his car is a slightly different shape to mine. If his is an Invacar version, then perhaps this is another one of the subtle differences between the two marques' interpretations of the 'same' Model 70 design...

[LightBulbFun]

42 minutes ago, Mrs6C said:

You are correct!

glad to see my memory was correct!  

 

I noticed the odd half moon hubs also dont have the 2 brake drum retaining screw holes, that even normal Fiat 500/126 half moon hubs have as well

so it seems like these odd half moon hubs where made bespoke for the Model 70 at some point in time which is quite interesting!

I do wonder if the half moon cutouts gives you the clearance to get the brake shoe spring between the wheel cylinder and the hub? so you can pre-assemble the shoes and not have to faff about trying to pull the springs into place

(on the fully circular hubs you have to pull the springs into place behind the hub, you cant pre-assemble things, which is one the big reasons I never tackled the brake jobs on REV, because I have not got the strength to be fighting with brake shoe springs like that LOL)

36 minutes ago, Mrs6C said:

Is Fraser's car an Invacar or AC Model 70? The inner wheel arch cut-out in his car is a slightly different shape to mine. If his is an Invacar version, then perhaps this is another one of the subtle differences between the two marques' interpretations of the 'same' Model 70 design...

Oooh interesting I had not noticed that until now!

Frasers Model 70 is an Invacar Model 70 (XEV88S robbed of its plate in 1998 and given the age related plate VES108S sadly)

its another body difference ill have to pester fellow Invacar owners about and see if it changed over time as well or not!  

and also to check if its the same on both sides or not!

in the meantime here is the rear the body section of that NOS body-shell 

looks "AC" shaped to me which again leans into the weirdness of how this NOS body-shell is a weird hodgepodge of Invacar and AC details!

[anonymous user]

19 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

glad to see my memory was correct!  

 

I noticed the odd half moon hubs also dont have the 2 brake drum retaining screw holes, that even normal Fiat 500/126 half moon hubs have as well

so it seems like these odd half moon hubs where made bespoke for the Model 70 at some point in time which is quite interesting!

I do wonder if the half moon cutouts gives you the clearance to get the brake shoe spring between the wheel cylinder and the hub? so you can pre-assemble the shoes and not have to faff about trying to pull the springs into place

(on the fully circular hubs you have to pull the springs into place behind the hub, you cant pre-assemble things, which is one the big reasons I never tackled the brake jobs on REV, because I have not got the strength to be fighting with brake shoe springs like that LOL)

Oooh interesting I had not noticed that until now!

Frasers Model 70 is an Invacar Model 70 (XEV88S robbed of its plate in 1998 and given the age related plate VES108S sadly)

its another body difference ill have to pester fellow Invacar owners about and see if it changed over time as well or not!  

and also to check if its the same on both sides or not!

in the meantime here is the rear the body section of that NOS body-shell 

looks "AC" shaped to me which again leans into the weirdness of how this NOS body-shell is a weird hodgepodge of Invacar and AC details!

Just a thought for the Invacar obsessed. You could get that rear end and do this.

[mitsisigma01]

That would make a great commode box for the Field of Dreams....just make sure you don't squat in Mrs6c's one😬

[High Jetter]

I don't think @Mrs6C needs a commode!

[New POD]

I haven't read much of the last 250 odd* pages 

But I was watching Netflix. The film is called Babylon. 27 seconds into it this appears 

[LightBulbFun]

49 minutes ago, New POD said:

I haven't read much of the last 250 odd* pages 

But I was watching Netflix. The film is called Babylon. 27 seconds into it this appears 

Oh cool! count yourself lucky as thats not one I have seen before! where you able to make out a registration mark?  

[New POD]

Unfortunately not. 

[LightBulbFun]

in Invalid carriage news, 

Stuart has finally managed to get the Electric Harding

registered with the DVLA! at long last  twas a V55/5 and V765 Job in the end, (as it was never survived long enough back in the day to get computerised) but we got there! (since Stuart never actually applied for vehicle tax, but did stick it in a valid taxation class, the computer just defaults the tax due to the 1st of January 1998, since thats when the current taxation system was introduced)

he even managed to get the date of first registration down correct which is a nice bonus  

which does mean because its a V55/5 V765 Job that the V5c will incorrectly state that "used before date of first registration" which is entirely false in this case!

but is included on V55/5 V765's Jobs since those are generally only have a year of registration declared and the date of first registration is whatever the current date is today, so then it makes sense to warn that the vehicle was used before such date

I just wish the DVLA would not include such a marker on the V5c when its clearly not the case, but this is just a Very Me complaint, (guess you could call me the rivet counter of the DVLA LOL) and has no real affect on the vehicle its just a note on the V5 and a marker on the computer system

and the important thing is its now live once more! 

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

 

[LightBulbFun]

an interesting one on ebay this morning of a Brochure for the Nelco Solocar

the interesting thing about it, it its stated in Stuarts small book that the rights to the Solocar where sold to Reselco invalid carriages in December 1952, but this Brochure is supposedly from 1949 and already states Reselco as the sole manufacturers 

of course that could be incorrect and the Brochure could be from later, or it could be that new information has come to light since the small book was published and the data has changed (I know quite a few things have!) so I have fired off the link to Stuart of course, will be interesting to see what his thoughts are on this  

 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363776813909

[barefoot]

23 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

an interesting one on ebay this morning of a Brochure for the Nelco Solocar

the interesting thing about it, it its stated in Stuarts small book that the rights to the Solocar where sold to Reselco invalid carriages in December 1952, but this Brochure is supposedly from 1949 and already states Reselco as the sole manufacturers 

Now, that is interesting.

[LightBulbFun]

in very exciting news! I just noticed Oxford diecast have finally released their model Model 70  (cc @quicksilver)

https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/products/ac-invacar-pale-blue-76inv001

of course I have already just ordered 2  

im very pleased to see that the final model looks to be quite good! only things I noticed is the rear arches look a little big especially from the rear (but that just might be because of the scale of things)

and they also completely forgot wing mirrors where a thing LOL

[Missy Charm]

On 14/03/2022 at 11:21, LightBulbFun said:

 

where as a Ford RS Cosworth is a fairly mundane vehicle, you can go to any car show and find one probably etc  

Blasphemy.  

[Out Run]

How's it getting on with @red5 @LightBulbFun?

Unsure if I am allowed to ask. 🤣 If this post doesn't recieve a 'Like' then I know I am in the bad books.

[LightBulbFun]

1 hour ago, Out Run said:

How's it getting on with @red5 @LightBulbFun?

Unsure if I am allowed to ask. 🤣 If this post doesn't recieve a 'Like' then I know I am in the bad books.

last I heard things where going well, right up until it was discovered the carburettor is a bit sad

so we are trying to source a replacement carb, easier said than done sadly LOL

 

[Out Run]

7 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

last I heard things where going well, right up until it was discovered the carburettor is a bit sad

so we are trying to source a replacement carb, easier said than done sadly LOL

 

You'll get there. Finding rare parts can often be 'fun'.
 

Can an alternative unit not be employed?

[LightBulbFun]

48 minutes ago, Out Run said:

You'll get there. Finding rare parts can often be 'fun'.
 

Can an alternative unit not be employed?

Yeah! its one of my "things", I guess a version of sods law 

in that, if someone contacts me, and they need something I specialise in, say someone needs or wants a rare old Macintosh computer or part, or a rare old lightbulb/light fixture I can more often than not, relatively quickly find what they need

but if I need something for myself, poof they all vanish!

in-fact this is not the first time I have had to find a Model 70 Carburettor, however the first time was for someone else with a Model 70 and a poorly carb and of course I was able to find them a carb no problems LOL

but can I find something for myself can I fuck LOL

 

I have got a few feelers out, but nothing solid has popped up

one person said they will give up their spare carb in exchange for a good heat exchanger, so thats a non starter sadly,

someone else who is recommissioning a Model 70 themselves said they have a spare carb I can have once they know they dont need it themselves, which is very kind of them, but I obviously dont know when they will reach that stage in their recommissioning, so again, I could be told its up for grabs in a weeks time, or it might take them 6 months to finally get round to it who knows, so I am not counting on it

 

there has been some talk about alternative units, but I sadly dont know much about that myself

other than I know what other carbs where used with other Steyr puch engined vehicles so would in theory work/fit

(REV, and later Model 70's have the Weber 32ICS10T, earlier Model 70's have the 32ICS3)

[LightBulbFun]

12 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

an interesting one on ebay this morning of a Brochure for the Nelco Solocar

the interesting thing about it, it its stated in Stuarts small book that the rights to the Solocar where sold to Reselco invalid carriages in December 1952, but this Brochure is supposedly from 1949 and already states Reselco as the sole manufacturers 

of course that could be incorrect and the Brochure could be from later, or it could be that new information has come to light since the small book was published and the data has changed (I know quite a few things have!) so I have fired off the link to Stuart of course, will be interesting to see what his thoughts are on this  

 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363776813909

I spoke with stuart about this and indeed unsurprisingly aware of this anonymity already  

it turns out its simply that Nelco produced this postwar brochure in 1949 and then when Reselco took over the rights to the Nelco Solocar in 1952, they just just kept printing the same 1949 brochure till about 1958 apparently!, and all they did was update the price list when necessary and change the sole manufacturers address when they took over in 1952

hence why Reselco is on a "1949" brochure  

[High Jetter]

Probably a stupid post as am too intoxicated to research, but has webcon been contacted?

[AdgeCutler]

As of late I've not done much in the way of restorations and with the way of the world at present wonder whether it's worth while at all. This morning however I managed to drag my carcass out to the lathe and made up a couple of new rollers for Brians door. They need a little hand finishing in the way of a tiny radius to the roller wheels which I plan to do with Emery paper with the roller wheel mounted in the bench drill.

[LightBulbFun]

20 minutes ago, AdgeCutler said:

This morning however I managed to drag my carcass out to the lathe and made up a couple of new rollers for Brians door. They need a little hand finishing in the way of a tiny radius to the roller wheels which I plan to do with Emery paper with the roller wheel mounted in the bench drill.

awesome to see things continuing with Brian, even if its just small things, as they say every little thing counts  

20 minutes ago, AdgeCutler said:

As of late I've not done much in the way of restorations and with the way of the world at present wonder whether it's worth while at all.

I just view it as challenge, can I get REV properly back on the road before the world goes to hell LOL (or can I get REV back the road despite the worlds best attempts to try and stop me LOL)

besides having a fibreglass car in times like this is good, as they have a lower radar cross-sectional area

[red5]

Carb! 

🤔

[Crackers]

You need to get a carb of some kind to Red5 soon I reckon as it can't stay in his workshop awaiting bits for too long. 

My suggestion is to ask on your owners forum thing, if you can short-term borrow a carb off a known running car on the promise it will be returned within a few weeks. You are well enough connected in the right circles to pull this off, and classic car people (with exceptions) generally like to help each other out.

That way, Red5 can get on with the stalled work, get the car ready to return to you, then return the carb to its owner.  That way, at least Red5 can do his side of things without having to struggle around a ruined carb. And it gives you more time to find your own carb in preparation for the car coming back. 

[LightBulbFun]

12 minutes ago, Crackers said:

You need to get a carb of some kind to Red5 soon I reckon as it can't stay in his workshop awaiting bits for too long. 

Yeah! that plays on my mind as well, im hoping at least other jobs can be done in the meantime, like the gearbox and diff oil change, and dropping and cleaning out the engine oil strainer

or maybe they have all already been done and it is just the carb left, I dont know! LOL

13 minutes ago, Crackers said:

My suggestion is to ask on your owners forum thing,

erm this pretty much is the owners forum/thread LOL, there are more Invacars and Invacar owners on this forum than anywhere else AFAIK  

(and im quite proud of that if you dont mind me saying so LOL)

 

I sadly not sure I know anyone I can pinch a working carb from, although about 90 Model 70's are known to survive only about 5-10 are on the road? if that

Zel is pretty much the only person who I know uses theirs regularly, followed by the guy with MPH759P, and then Dollywobbler with TWC and thats about it

nonetheless I have put out even more feelers, not holding much hope out mind!