Description
1965 Herald 12/ 50, the uprated & rarer version of the regular 1200. Differences include twin SUs for extra oooomphh, front disc brakes, different grille, tubular manifold - Spitfire Mk2 style - and Webasto roof. Seatbelts are fitted.
We've had this to numerous classic shows and breakfast meets in the local area, it goes well, is very economical, keeps up with modern A road traffic and is a doddle to drive.
A previous owner rebuilt the engine within the last 2-3 years or so (they regularly used it on club runs around the UK, and it's been displayed at the NEC on several occasions). The engine sounds very sweet indeed. No knocks, smoke or rattles. Gears and clutch all good (1st whines a bit), brakes have been overhauled (eg master cylinder, front calipers etc), recent rad, new/ re-con carbs, and more.
The interior is presentable but not perfect, good carpets, a NOS slide-back roof assembly was fitted a year two back, later dash, overall very usable. Indicated mileage is 84120 approx but with dash & speedo change I'm not sure on actual figure.
Bodywork and paint are solid, tidy but not prize-winning. The darker sections have been re-sprayed in the past, the lighter areas are original paint still, there is some polish-through in places on the original paint which gives it a bit of character I think. There are various age-related marks & blemishes, the usual for a largely un-restored and regular use 60yr+ old car. Vitesse bumper covers have been fitted.
The underbonnet area is very presentable (please see photos), no rot in the bulkhead.
The underneath and floors are solid, there is evidence of older localised welding repairs to the chassis in places (not the prettiest but solid and serviceable), the outriggers are sound. A bit more Waxoyl brushed around would keep it that way.
Various receipts, handbooks and manuals are with the car, the current V5C is here in my name.
I've priced it around the mid-range for running Herald values, it's a fun little car to zip around in and quite an unusual sight now. It's not perfect but it is usable, and would be a good "use and improve" example. The engine tweaks give it a bit more go than a regular 1200 too, and the large opening sunroof is great on a fine day.
Jobs to do? The temperature sender wants replacing (someone snapped the connector off - a cheap item), the alternator isn't charging the battery very well so wants a look at (I only do local trips and charge it at home from time to time so it's never bothered me), the fuel gauge is optimistic also.
Overall, a presentable example of a fairly scarce car now with scope for further improvement. Many people - myself included - much prefer the styling of the 948/ 1200 and 12/ 50 models over that of the later 1296cc 13/ 60 version, and being the twin-carb 12/ 50 it has almost as much go as the bigger engined version while retaining the "classic" Michelotti-designed looks introduced with the first cars in 1959.
It'll seat four people, it's light and airy (especially with the roof folded back), rolls along quite happily at A road speeds and is economical. It's easy to work on too with the huge tilt-forward bonnet.
