Description
For sale
Invacar Mk12 Model E, my last, from October 1969, including the original Chassis Plate. Was registered E* C 1* 3H and comes with an Invalid Carriage Register dating letter for re-registration as a Historic Vehicle at DVLA. A rare complete car, in reasonable condition, to restore to roadworthy state.
The Invacar Mk12 was the last uniquely Bert Grieves designed Invalid Carriage. A common sight in clips of football matches into the ‘80’s at the side of the pitch. Note the 7 inch headlights, rather simplified front suspension, and the use of later indicator units, over the earlier versions of Mk12. Despite being made in good numbers, the Mk12 is not common, some 45 examples being left to us. Fewer restored.
It features a large diameter steel central tube, off which are mounted various outriggers, some carrying the suspension. The flat steel floor is mounted on top of this robust construction. The four GRP body moldings are bolted to it, being the Front, Roof, Rear and O/ S side panel. The only door, N/ S, is a steel fabrication, and slides to the rear. The seat bottom slides across to the door, for ease of access. Once in, the pilot has room between himself, and the door, for his wheelchair, should he have one. This example has standard controls, hand only, via an offset mounted tiller to the right, and control console also to the right of the driver.
The engine is a Villiers blower cooled 197cc reversing unit, with four gears, changed with a long throw gear-stick, and rod, using a numbered gate plate. The engine sits to the rear on the tubular spine, in the midst of what is nearly a bolted space-frame of stressed tube steel carriers. It drives the N/ S wheel via a drop gear chain to a Hardy Spicer type drive shaft, and has an hydraulic clutch (you can replace this with a cable. Heavier in use for the disabled). It is thus feasible to change the gearing to increase the speed of the car. Their design speed being about 45 mph as standard. Standard Girling drum brakes all round. 12 inch wheels (Fiat 500 tyres). So in all a pretty simple construction, and thus easy to restore. Not least as Villiers still exist, sell spares, and do engine rebuilds.
This example managed to escape scrappage – the scrappage fee being paid on the surrender of the Chassis Plate. This is why it is rare to find an Invalid Carriage with its original Chassis Plate.
The GRP is good, minor repairs to do. The flat floor is poor in places, and the door sill structure is needing work. Nothing complex as its all folding sheet steel sections, and can be copied from original. The all steel door is present but in average condition for a Mk12. They are the weak spot, and it is probably the biggest task of the restoration. The badge, filler cap, and wheel trims, are present.
Engine is nipped up, not surprisingly. See previous Villiers comments. The small car rolls happily, though, and is not very heavy. The lights, and fittings, are all good to go again – I have gone through them exchanging dead ones for good, out of my parts bins. There is a box of other spares, too. I do not have the boot catch. Replica boot catches are available. Optional wheels included.
More detailed pics on request. A very do-able project for somebody. For sale at £1, 650 ono.
