Rare as hell Invacar

[DaveDreads]

Now I know most of you will have never seen one of these,
but when I was a kid these were everywhere in the early 80s.

The government used to lease them to invalids as part of their benefits,
however it's been illegal to drive them on UK roads since 2003,
due to the fact you'd definitely die if you were in an accident.

Would be a right laugh at the drag strip if you stuck a Hayabusa engine in it. lol

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-INVACA...al-1978-/261132517494?clk_rvr_id=418845880500

In 1948, Bert Greeves adapted a motorbike with the help of his paralysed cousin Derry Preston-Cobb as transport for Derry. Noticing the number of former servicemen injured in the Second World War they spotted a commercial opportunity and, approaching the Government for support, "Invacar Ltd" was created.

During the 1960s and 70s the Invacar with its modern fibreglass shell, ice blue colouring and chain drive were produced in the tens of thousands. Developments including an extended wheelbase, wider track and use of Austin Mini wheels saw the Invacars
right through to the end of the final DHSS contract in 1977.

More than 50 variants would be produced. Besides Invacar a number of other manufacturers were licensed by the Ministry of Health
to produce similar vehicles, including AC Cars, Thundersley and Tippen.

On 31 March 2003 it became illegal to drive an Invacar on British roads.
The veteran vehicle could not stand up to modern day government regulations requiring approval under the
Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval Scheme as part of a standard set by the European Union.

There were still around 200 Invacars in Britain prior to the 2003 recall and scrapping program.
Hundreds of stockpiled Invacars in government warehouses were scrapped along with all their spare parts.
A few examples survive in the hands of private owners and museums in Britain and abroad.
All Invacars were owned by the Government and leased to disabled drivers as part of their disability benefit.
Their use had been in decline since the introduction of the Motabilityscheme - offering disabled drivers a conventional car with modified options

 

[Dan519]

I remember when they were taken off the road very well. Bit of a shame they were all scrapped as they're a part of history

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

Knew id seen one somewhere before! Had one at andys for a respray. Guy had spent loads on it making it look mint.

They look abit like that car out of harry potter.... Ford anglia ?

 

[DaveDreads]

Do you think we could cram a V8 in the back of that? lol

 

[McGherkin]

Still coming up with sleeper ideas then I see?

 

[DaveDreads]

If there's room for a scooter engine, then there's room for a super bike engine. :evil:

 

[McGherkin]

But no room for the dog.

 

[DaveDreads]

The dog's almost as big as that thing.

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

The dog can go in with dave. They arnt that small inside tbh. They guy that had his one up andys, had a 1600 bettle engine in all its glory. Was a tight fit but an iyabusa ( sp ) will go in without a problem

 

[tom172cup]

The dog can go in with dave. They arnt that small inside tbh. They guy that had his one up andys, had a 1600 bettle engine in all its glory. Was a tight fit but an iyabusa ( sp ) will go in without a problem

May need a wheelie bar lol

 

[DaveDreads]

I'd have to have that hefty b*stard sat on my lap he weighs 40kgs though,
so i'd probably end up a cripple anyway, at least i'd be in the right car. lol

 

[Blacky950]

Wasn't that car in the ali g in da house film, when he parks in the disabled car park?

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

FLOL silly powered widow makers car, wheeie bar and side car for the dog!

Can just picturw it now, dave in a hotrod'ded thing with the dog in the side car wearing goggles ! Pmsl

 

[DaveDreads]

Wasn't that car in the ali g in da house film, when he parks in the disabled car park?

Bloody hell you're right.

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

Wasn't that car in the ali g in da house film, when he parks in the disabled car park?

Think it was yeah! Lol

 

[deer_dodger]

My grandfather used to have one and used to run my sister and I around the block in it. We were safely(?) crouched on the floor next to the central driver's seat.

I sometimes confuse it with Gordon Murray's McLaren F1, it must be the central driving position.

 

[scotty2hotty81]

When I worked at Mercedes there was a guy upstairs that had one, someone had to take his wheelchair out to him every morning, and then every now and again go round his house and tip it back on its wheels as the kids used to push it over (harsh) made a right racket.

 

[Spinksy]

Bloody hell you're right.

haha!! yes! love to see a hayabusa engine in one

made me realise though that I sing and dance like Ali G when driving ffs lol