d7uge
Part of things
Posts: 313
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Oct 15, 2012 19:35:42 GMT
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A conversation at work today about the 80's had us suddenly realising we hadn't seen one of these little fella's in years , the AC Invacar! I had totally forgotten about em! The fact that this country now gives a real car on the motability scheme to anyone with a bit of a chesty cough means that there obviously isn't any call for these now.... but I wonder how many are left?? If any?...
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Last Edit: Oct 15, 2012 19:54:22 GMT by d7uge
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Oct 15, 2012 19:37:40 GMT
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are they not illegal now?
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sumpcracker
Posted a lot
Yes, I’m still here.
Posts: 1,751
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Oct 15, 2012 19:37:59 GMT
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i don't remember well enough but i think you pic is actual size.
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Oct 15, 2012 19:52:26 GMT
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were they owned by the government(the state) and all withdrawn for safety reasons?
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Oct 15, 2012 19:56:28 GMT
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Strange to think they were built by a Company better known for the cobra (And other assorted sports cars)
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bl1300
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,678
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Oct 15, 2012 20:09:39 GMT
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They were supposed to all have been recalled and crushed however a few slipped the net and are still around today.
As a driver for a couple of people who use the motability scheme I slightly resent that statement. In order to qualify you must be on the Higher Rate of DLAs mobility component or War pension. As such your disability must be severe enough that it prevents you from safely travelling otherwise. Not all people with motability cars are physically disabled some have them due to learning difficulities or mental health issues that would make public transport dangerous for them to use. These people may appear normal at first glance but spend time with them and you realise why they need help and support.
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Current fleet.
1967 DAF 44 1974 VW Beetle 1303s 1975 Triumph Spitfire MkIV 1988 VW LT45 Beavertail 1998 Volvo V70 2.5 1959 Fordson Dexta
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Oct 15, 2012 20:21:05 GMT
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remember seeing lots around when i was younger also had forgot about them part of our heritage
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Brian Damaged
West Midlands
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 9,555
Club RR Member Number: 33
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Oct 15, 2012 20:44:33 GMT
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remember seeing lots around when I was younger also had forgot about them part of our heritage Me too, back in the 1970's every Division One football ground had spaces around the pitch for them to park. Imagine that swarthy fibreglass bodywork taking a direct hit from a caser hit by Peter Lorimer* on the half-volley. ;D *Peter Lorimer-legendary Leeds United midfielder from 1962-1979, still regarded as having the hardest shot in football historyThey were built by AC Cars under the Thundersley Invacar brand-name, initially with a 147cc Villiers 2-stroke engine and chain drive. Later models (which can be identified by their Mini rear wheels) were powered by a 600cc Steyr-Puch 4-stroke and automatic gearbox which allegedly gave them a top speed of approaching 80mph. It became illegal to use one as a Invalid Carriage on the road in March 2003, however if they are reclassified as tricycles for tax purposes they remain road-legal...which explains why a few remain. Imagine one looking stock except for a pair of Cooper S reverse-rims on the back but rocking a turbo'd Hayabusa lump.
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MK2VR6
Posted a lot
Mk2 Golf GTi 90 Spec
Posts: 3,329
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Oct 15, 2012 20:47:19 GMT
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Bizarre. I wonder why they were all crushed? I remember seeing several locally years ago, but I must admit I've not seen one for years (makes sense now!). The guy opposite who lived opposite our old house would have benefitted from one of these, rather than his current brand new focus S-max. He mentioned his car was on disability benefit and that he shouldn't really be working as he was up a ladder replacing our facia boards. I bet he wouldn't be claiming his free car if it looked like that. Rant over; thanks for sharing!
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Last Edit: Oct 15, 2012 20:48:44 GMT by MK2VR6
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froggy
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,099
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Oct 15, 2012 20:54:44 GMT
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I had an ac version a few years back and it was on a tricycle log book so fully legal for road use . Top speed is 65mph with a tailwind but they keep up with town traffic well enough . The handlebar steering meant you could squeeze a passenger so our favourite trick was to drive it right through the town centre 2 up and park right outside McDonald's to get lunch for the staff , I really wanted to put a v twin bike motor in but had a good offer from a microcar collector so sold it on . Sturdy little things as I managed to get everything working without replacing a single part
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Oct 15, 2012 21:17:41 GMT
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Ha, I saw one a couple of weeks ago in the Lakeland Motor Museum
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MrOtter
West Midlands
"Your car is your story, so don't let someone else write the book." - Moog
Posts: 281
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Oct 15, 2012 21:34:08 GMT
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I guess I'm too young to have seen these when they were in their heyday, I never even knew they existed until I saw this! A quick search on Wikipedia didn't reveal too much, but I can imagine why they were popular back in the day. Seeing that picture of one did instantly remind me of this though...
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Oct 15, 2012 21:41:21 GMT
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Reminded me of when I & some friends raced Karts some 40 years ago. We bought a complete new chassis & needing an engine & unable to go to the cost of a bultaco or Montessa were looking for a Villiers. The only place you could obtain new ones then was from the makers of the invalid car who had a place somewhere on the old A13 in Essex. Might have been Raleigh , somewhere around there. To get one you had to deal direct with the MD , who was severely disabled ( similar to Prof Steven Hawkinge ), & we'd been told not to laugh. Once over the initial shock he was a really nice bloke, especially when you'd seen the framed speeding ticket for 90mph on the old A13 in his 250cc tuned invalid carriage !!
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Todos con Lorca
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d7uge
Part of things
Posts: 313
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Oct 15, 2012 21:50:31 GMT
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Imagine one looking stock except for a pair of Cooper S reverse-rims on the back but rocking a turbo'd Hayabusa lump. Funnily enough that's pretty much EXACTLY the direction the conversation went at work today too! ha
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OUTRUN
Part of things
13...
Posts: 620
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Oct 15, 2012 22:50:09 GMT
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Yo Doug! Somone has one in the Reader Rides section on here. Just seen it earlier. I was wondering what the score was too, as I had heard they were now illegal to use. It all makes so much sense now though!
Remember seeing a few of these as a bairn. Was it one of these or a plastic pig that Mr Bean used to terrorise?
/Off topic. Seen your truck at the Metro meet last week, but no Derg or dog. Woulda said hi!
Liam.
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I need your help to get back to the year 1985.
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ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,121
Club RR Member Number: 134
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Remember seeing a few of these as a bairn. Was it one of these or a plastic pig that Mr Bean used to terrorise? Nope, that was a Reliant...
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d7uge
Part of things
Posts: 313
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Yo Doug! Somone has one in the Reader Rides section on here. Just seen it earlier. I was wondering what the score was too, as I had heard they were now illegal to use. It all makes so much sense now though! Remember seeing a few of these as a bairn. Was it one of these or a plastic pig that Mr Bean used to terrorise? /Off topic. Seen your truck at the Metro meet last week, but no Derg or dog. Woulda said hi! Liam. Hey up fella , never saw ya. I had asked Mark if he was coming up but he was being boring and said something about blah blah... meal... eating out.... bblah... excuses.
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Strange to think they were built by a Company better known for the cobra (And other assorted sports cars) AC also built the train that goes up and down Southend pier. Basically they were quite often skint and would take any work they could get
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When I started as a Parts Asst. at Kennings Ltd. our stock control man had one (gammy leg from the war), later he got a brand new mini 850, but not an auto - a manual with a hydro clutch ! much better than that plastic junk box though.
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Oct 16, 2012 10:56:12 GMT
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A pal of my Dad's had one in, probably in the 70s, that he only used for going to the football. He drove his normal car, not even an auto, to his Father's house and took the Invacar out of the shed it lived in. I've always assumed he could get into the football for free as well as getting a pitchside seat, is that right?
A boy I know in the scrap metal trade remembers lots of them turning up at his yards within a few months of each other and the people being disappointed to hear there wasn't much metal in them. They were all runners and he reckons the engines were the same as some generators used by the railway engineering guys for welding plants.
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