A new project for me a 1970 Invacar Mk12. I've long had a hankering to own one of these, I hadn't intended to acquire such a rotten example but, hey ho!
I used to repair invalid carriages in the 70’s, but mainly the later 4 stroke twin engined version which was a model 70. I think yours was known as a model 66. I remember driving them with the Villiers 2 stroke engine and a forward reverse switch that you could turn quickly with the engine idling and get it to run backwards, because of the 2 sets of points! They had a chain drive to one half shaft and could do terrific wheel spins if you kept the weight off the driven wheel. Where on earth did you find it?
Hello Chris, it's fantastic to hear from somebody that used to work with these cars and yes it was referred to as a model 66. This one was secreted along with four friends in a hedgerow in Worcestershire where it languished for about 35 years. There it managed to evade the destruction order which was the end of all but a few of the government issued invalid carriages. It was then moved to Wiltshire when the Worcestershire site was being cleared out, it stayed outdoors there for another 5+ years. I have been looking for a good many years to acquire a model 70 which I remember from childhood, my search was drawing only blanks when a friend found this 66 listed for sale and I secured a trade. If you are so inclined you could visit this site to read more and I'm sure the folk there would love to read of your knowledge and experiences of these little vehicles: autoshite.com/topic/32723-lightbulbfuns-invacar-general-ramble-thread-index-on-page-1-model-70-survivors-list-on-page-24-pre-model-70-ac-and-invacar-survivors-lists-on-page-134/ Many thanks for your comment.
Thanks for the reply. I started working on these as a trainee aged 16 in 1978 and continued until 1981 when I left to join the RAF. Like I mentioned, most of my (limited) knowledge is of the model 70, but i always preferred to drive the model 66 and 67 because of the 2 stroke engine and manual box. I do remember various people popping in and trying to buy any of the ones which were about to be scrapped, but the boss was instructed to scrap them and I took a few to the yard myself. I can see I’m well behind with your progress judging by the immaculately restored engine and electrics I’ve just noticed on one of your video thumbnails. Very best of luck with it and it looks already like you’re going to make a cracking job of it. I will have a good look at the suggested website as I’m interested in anything to do with these. It’s also a strange but purely coincidental fact that my wife was born and raised in Thundersely! Best regards, Chris
