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...

[Slowsilver]

Watching a recording of a TV programme about Carla Lane comedies when I spotted this:

Dreadful pictures courtesy of mobile phone camera direct from paused TV.

Was a scene from an episode of "Bread", supposedly outside a DHSS office in Liverpool.
No idea which episode or what date. I think the car passing by is a Hillman Hunter GT.
 

[High Jetter]

Saw it tonight, have bookmarked if any interest in more poor pics

[LightBulbFun]

I was most pleased today to be made aware of this  

indeed that is Stuarts Barrett Midget now fully registered with the DVLA!  

thankfully the Bristol archives for this period was fully intact, so Stuart was able to nip down there a couple months ago, grab all the relevant details and get the Barrett registered once more with a standard V765 application 

 

it was just awesome to get confirmation of this Barrett's ID, the Barrett had been known about for a long time but it had remained unknown as to what its reg mark was until Staurt got it and then had a good incentive to go to the records office and see! and even more awesome now to see it fully registered

Its also what we suspect to be the only Barrett registered with the DVLA! although I do wonder if there might a couple in archived form, I know Barett's where an in-service-with-ministry vehicle still in 1974, but im pretty sure the last ones came off the road not soon after then, based how so many Ministry parts list books have the Barrett section explicitly removed 

so I cant imagine many survived into computerisation, and certainly so far I have not found anything that survived long enough (post 1983) to still be live on the DVLA today, but I do wonder if there where maybe 1 or 2 that got computerised in the late 70's and then came off the road soon after, and thus are hiding in the DVLA in archived form. 

(962RHY came off the road in 1970 we think looking its records with Bristol, so good few years before computerisation began) 

Stuarts Bristol visit was also very informative because it gave us a good insight into how Barretts where registered, although there was a big time crunch on the go, so Stuart was not able to dig super deep into it, but we certainly got some good insight into things  

 

it will be interesting to see what the actual V5 says on it, Stuart did say he made sure to put "Invalid Vehicle" on the V55 form for Body/vehicle type, as he knew I would grumble about it otherwise  but it will be interesting to see if the DVLA actually followed it properly or not

 

 

 

[Eyersey1234]

This came up on my Facebook feed today @LightBulbFun

[LightBulbFun]

31 minutes ago, Eyersey1234 said:

This came up on my Facebook feed today @LightBulbFun

looks like the post might of been nuked? I cant find any trace of it on that group, or under that users posts to that group, shame with 630 comments I was hoping to fish out a few good photos/stories  

[Weird Car]

Any progress on the Harper to report? Just curious as I just remembered I took these last time I was at FOD 

[LightBulbFun]

1 hour ago, Weird Car said:

Any progress on the Harper to report? Just curious as I just remembered I took these last time I was at FOD 

nothing to report as of current, not since the last time I was there summer of 2023

 

but i very much want to do things, we know the engine is not siezed, so thats really good and i'd like to keep that momentum going, ideally i'd like to try and get it running, should not be too hard with how simple it is

although it does look like the wiring might be a bit crusty/dog chewed, so thats going to be interesting, espically as we dont have a wiring digram, but a Villers machine is a Villers machine, they are all very similar under the skin, so i am hoping I can use the wiring digram for a similar age of Acedes which I do have, to assist us.

 

next FoD gathering i'd like to have a bash it at, im a bit grumpy that previous FoD gathering, I did not get a chance to put some oil down its bore and in its crank case just to keep things lubricated!

 

long term plan, I obviously want to get it road worthy, but this also makes me grumpy

because I want to do that, but I physically am not sure I can, people rarely mention just how *frustrating* disabilities can be, and this is a key place where it is for me

and like wise @Mrs6C's Model 70 I want to chuck spanners and get its clutch changed and get it running and driving properly, but the physical inability to do so means i cant and its really fucking frustrating! 

 

so yeah not sure how im going to go about the long term plan, but I specifically dont want it to sit around for 10 years deteriorating, so I am going to try and be proactive on that front (that goes for both the Harper and the Model 70 LOL, and I have not forgotten about the Milk Float or the Mk12c either!)

 

although uncertainties with whats going on with @red5 and REV have made it very tricky to plan on that front sadly

[Dobloseven]

48 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

nothing to report as of current, not since the last time I was there summer of 2023

 

but i very much want to do things, we know the engine is not siezed, so thats really good and i'd like to keep that momentum going, ideally i'd like to try and get it running, should not be too hard with how simple it is

although it does look like the wiring might be a bit crusty/dog chewed, so thats going to be interesting, espically as we dont have a wiring digram, but a Villers machine is a Villers machine, they are all very similar under the skin, so i am hoping I can use the wiring digram for a similar age of Acedes which I do have, to assist us.

 

next FoD gathering i'd like to have a bash it at, im a bit grumpy that previous FoD gathering, I did not get a chance to put some oil down its bore and in its crank case just to keep things lubricated!

 

long term plan, I obviously want to get it road worthy, but this also makes me grumpy

because I want to do that, but I physically am not sure I can, people rarely mention just how *frustrating* disabilities can be, and this is a key place where it is for me

and like wise @Mrs6C's Model 70 I want to chuck spanners and get its clutch changed and get it running and driving properly, but the physical inability to do so means i cant and its really fucking frustrating! 

 

so yeah not sure how im going to go about the long term plan, but I specifically dont want it to sit around for 10 years deteriorating, so I am going to try and be proactive on that front (that goes for both the Harper and the Model 70 LOL, and I have not forgotten about the Milk Float or the Mk12c either!)

 

although uncertainties with whats going on with @red5 and REV have made it very tricky to plan on that front sadly

Serious question,how far by road is it from yours to the FoD?

[LightBulbFun]

7 minutes ago, Dobloseven said:

Serious question,how far by road is it from yours to the FoD?

about 60 miles or so? about an 1h:45m or 2 hours depending on if if I tick the avoid motorways button or not

 

the FoD is what I plan to work up to, in regard to REV and confidence building, obviously when I get her back its going to probably mostly local running around while I get back into the swing of things and make sure REV is behaving herself, and then hopefully by the next FoD gathering, ill have enough confidance in myself and REV to take her to the FoD and back again, and I think if she can complete that 120 mile round trip without major issue, then I can confide in her and myself to do longer trips from there on out  

 

but thats obviously all just a plan, I dont have REV back yet sadly

[Dobloseven]

21 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

about 60 miles or so? about an 1h:45m or 2 hours depending on if if I tick the avoid motorways button or not

 

the FoD is what I plan to work up to, in regard to REV and confidence building, obviously when I get her back its going to probably mostly local running around while I get back into the swing of things and make sure REV is behaving herself, and then hopefully by the next FoD gathering, ill have enough confidance in myself and REV to take her to the FoD and back again, and I think if she can complete that 120 mile round trip without major issue, then I can confide in her and myself to do longer trips from there on out  

 

but thats obviously all just a plan, I dont have REV back yet sadly

I genuinely do feel your frustration, particularly as my youngest son is about your age (25)and with a bit of help from the old man(not financial I hasten to add,he earns more than I do)is able to live the life of a Shiter.

[JJ0063]

https://www.facebook.com/share/VJSQhyma39zBpQVC/?mibextid=79PoIi
 

this is 5 miles from my house, buy it.

[Mrs6C]

31 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

https://www.facebook.com/share/VJSQhyma39zBpQVC/?mibextid=79PoIi
 

this is 5 miles from my house, buy it.

That's not a bad idea at all. It's automatic, roomy, has MOT to September 2024 with a decent MOT history, sliding side doors on both sides and a rear wheelchair ramp. Ticks a lot of boxes, I would think?

EDIT: It is ULEZ compliant as well!

[Jim Bergerac]

This does seem to be the perfect solution, I can't imagine something that is effectively a Clio being difficult for parts or insurance either. 

[Datsuncog]

That looks like a decent job... you wouldn't lose money on a Kangoo at that price point, I daresay.

Seems to have been well cared for and does tick pretty much every box discussed previously.

But then I always wanted one of these utilitarian little frogboxes, seeing them as the spiritual successor to the R4,  so maybe I'm just biased...

[egg]

Interestingly* same seller has a Berlingo with a mobility scooter hoist as well.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/397964219407078/

[Mrs6C]

7 minutes ago, egg said:

Interestingly* same seller has a Berlingo with a mobility scooter hoist as well.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/397964219407078/

A Berlingo is a decent and practical car too. The disadvantage of this one and the earlier cars in general is that it's manual. An automatic would be so much easier to use, especially in London traffic.

[LightBulbFun]

5 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

https://www.facebook.com/share/VJSQhyma39zBpQVC/?mibextid=79PoIi
 

this is 5 miles from my house, buy it.

 

4 hours ago, Mrs6C said:

That's not a bad idea at all. It's automatic, roomy, has MOT to September 2024 with a decent MOT history, sliding side doors on both sides and a rear wheelchair ramp. Ticks a lot of boxes, I would think?

EDIT: It is ULEZ compliant as well!

that does tick a lot of boxes! 

 

its a bit of a distance away, @JJ0063 since you say its 5 miles out from you, do you think in theory you might be able to go poke it with a stick for me? obviously willing to compensate you for your time  

compare the market (with the wheelchair ramp declared and seats declared as 3) is coming back £870 with Admiral, which is not bad, do you think to KISS I might be able to get a similar price with Adrian Flux? I like the idea of keeping all my vehicles with the same broker, but I dont know if thats a good idea or bad idea LOL

still would be roughly £2120 all in which is no small chunk of change for me, so this is not a decision to be made lightly

 

again feeling a bit overwhelmed here

 

all this talk of London Taxi's, Pug 205's Berlingo's and everything in-between

 

but really above all else what I really just want, is my Invacar back, is that too much ask for? thats what sits on my mind most heavily, I just want to be running around in REV and then worry about the rest later so to speak

 

but @red5 has kinda gone completely quiet on me, I have asked him a couple times now to confirm the address for carburettor number 3 (gonna have more carburettors then I will cylinders LOL) and I have got no response, so I am a little concerned, its been about a month since I last got a response.

 

[JJ0063]

16 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

its a bit of a distance away, @JJ0063 since you say its 5 miles out, do you think in theory you might be able to go poke it with a stick for me? 

In theory, yes. It’s 14 mins from me.

However, truthfully I’d only be willing to do it when you’re at the point of everything being in place and you are committing to buying subject to me glancing at it for you. I’m currently signed off work with anxiety and don’t need the hassle of it just for the sake of it as you of course have had the opportunity countless times to buy something and it’s yet to materialise.
 

16 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

compare the market (with the wheelchair ramp declared and seats declared as 3) is coming back £870 with Admiral, which is not bad, do you think to KISS I might be able to get a similar price with Adrian Flux? 

Extremely unlikely, £870 sounds fantastic as a first car with no NCB. I’m really surprised it’s that cheap to be honest. Up to you if you call and ask but I can’t see it happening. Flux/Sterling work on the comparison sites so see where they are on the list, it’ll give you a good idea as the price over the phone will be similar.

 

16 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

I have got no response, so I am a little concerned, its been about a month since I last got a response.

Although I’d be eternally grateful for everything you’ve had done, il put myself out on a limb here and say if you genuinely have heard as little as you say you have, I’d be at the point now where I’d be concerned, it’s been a hell of a long time in total, I personally think it’s time to call it a day and organise collection of REV regardless of what state it’s in.

That aside, whenever you eventually get it back, I still put money on the fact you absolutely will not be ‘running about’ in the Invacar and will still need something like the Kangoo. I do however understand clearly now that until you see first hand, you’ll never listen to any of us so the sooner that happens, the sooner you’ll buy something like the one I’ve linked!

 

[horriblemercedes]

At £1200 to buy and £870 to insure, that sounds ideal. £2000 might be a lot of money to you, but to buy and insure a first car that meets your requirements, it is really, really cheap. I can't see that you could possibly do better for the money.

[Christine]

He must have about 5 years ncb  on the invacar !  

[egg]

30 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

currently signed off work with anxiety

Just to say take care m8, and look after yourself.

[plasticvandan]

If all you want is your invacar,use the 2 grand you've got for a kangoo and insurance to get it lifted from Worcester and fixed,or,as.its only 10 miles away from them,get reliantspares in Cradley to fetch it,fix it and mot it,and deliver it back to you,you pay him and he will do it,three wheeler and classic specialist,even had a mk12 c.15 years ago.

[wuvvum]

4 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

I’m currently signed off work with anxiety

N47 ownership will do that to a man.

[LightBulbFun]

23 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

Extremely unlikely, £870 sounds fantastic as a first car with no NCB. I’m really surprised it’s that cheap to be honest. Up to you if you call and ask but I can’t see it happening. Flux/Sterling work on the comparison sites so see where they are on the list, it’ll give you a good idea as the price over the phone will be similar.

yeah I gave Flux a call, just now, using the same details as whats on REV's policy, they cant really quote the Kangoo, well they said 1 underwriter came back for £LOL (£5000+) and otherwise no one else did, and he said even if their usual other did that it would probably be £1500-£2000

he did tell me to call Admiral regarding the £870 quote that compare the market spat out, just to confirm that its accurate/they are actually aware of what it is, he seemed quite surprised by it otherwise

 

 

[LightBulbFun]

47 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

yeah I gave Flux a call, just now, using the same details as whats on REV's policy, they cant really quote the Kangoo, well they said 1 underwriter came back for £LOL (£5000+) and otherwise no one else did, and he said even if their usual other did that it would probably be £1500-£2000

he did tell me to call Admiral regarding the £870 quote that compare the market spat out, just to confirm that its accurate/they are actually aware of what it is, he seemed quite surprised by it otherwise

I gave Admiral a call and they confirmed its all tickety-boo, the only thing of note is because adapted vehicle they might not be able to provide an exact courtesy car

not too bothered by that, just glad to get a confirmation that yeah they know what it is, and have a made a note that I have called to check about it having a wheelchair ramp etc

[Jim Bergerac]

So you think you will go ahead with the Kangoo? It does seem like a good move for you. 

[LightBulbFun]

31 minutes ago, Jim Bergerac said:

So you think you will go ahead with the Kangoo? It does seem like a good move for you. 

cant really say atm, its not exactly near by, so currently thinking about the logistics of it, talking to/waiting to hear back from someone about it.

but I figured ya know, before one gets too deep into things, to make sure one can get insurance  dont wanna buy it and then find out "oh insurance is £LOL" or such

[Marshall2810]

6 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

cant really say atm, its not exactly near by, so currently thinking about the logistics of it, talking to/waiting to hear back from someone about it.

but I figured ya know, before one gets too deep into things, to make sure one can get insurance  dont wanna buy it and then find out "oh insurance is £LOL" or such

You've already done that? Get it bought 

1 hour ago, LightBulbFun said:

I gave Admiral a call and they confirmed its all tickety-boo, the only thing of note is because adapted vehicle they might not be able to provide an exact courtesy car

not too bothered by that, just glad to get a confirmation that yeah they know what it is, and have a made a note that I have called to check about it having a wheelchair ramp etc

 

[JJ0063]

10 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

cant really say atm, its not exactly near by, so currently thinking about the logistics of it, talking to/waiting to hear back from someone about it.

but I figured ya know, before one gets too deep into things, to make sure one can get insurance  dont wanna buy it and then find out "oh insurance is £LOL" or such

If it helps on your quest, the nearest train station will be Brandon or possibly Attleborough 👍

[LightBulbFun]

10 minutes ago, Marshall2810 said:

You've already done that? Get it bought 

yeah insurance is just half the battle in this case, its 3 hours away on public transport, something  that I am not very compatible with at the best of times, let alone 3 hours of it and then the 3 hour drive back. so I need to figure out the how one would get it from point A to point B otherwise

and again, I dont want to commit to anything, before I know what the deal/plan would be there.