classic motorcycle forum
Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: wetdog on June 25, 2013, 07:49:29 AM
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anyone interested in old cars as well as bikes ?
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I have no great knowledge but I'm always interested in byegones
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Is that a Morgan?
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I don't know but maybe a riely , dad was a car dealer/breaker his yard was in handsworth Birmingham , I have some pics of the yard I will scan , hard to belive they ever broke these cars , heres on I wish hed kept , but we got to drive it around for a month or so but dad said it was to expensive to run , and 3 kids
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Of course it is a Morgan!
How anyone could confuse it with a Riley is beyond me!
Jim.
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I could confuse it with most other makes you cared to mention
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round cars all my younge life but never got into them as I don't like welding , I still have a morgan but its only got 3 wheels , I sould have know better thanks
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Try this one then Bomber!
http://www.imageshack.com/i/md174vj
Jim.
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I only know it from the badge.. no idea of model though
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Sorry Bomber.
A mean trick really!
It is actually a scrapped Triumph Vitesse which I re-bodied back in 1984. Just because I like the looks of those similar MGs. (TF model)
With a 2 litre engine it is still a match in performance for most modern cars of its dimensions - and a hell of a lot more fun!
Even many MG enthusiasts get confused by it.
Which reminds me. It is due for its 39th MOT in this guise at the end of this month.
Jim.
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the only old car I have now (did have a few) is that the triumph based kit car , made to look like a TC (tc I think)
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TF not TC, which had separate headlamps.
Although often called a "Kit Car" it is not really. It is almost totally Triumph Vitesse with a different body rather than a kit of parts sourced from different places.
Perhaps this car could be called a "Kit Car" because only the chassis and running gear were made under the makers name it carries. The body was designed and made by Park Ward.
By the way, the bloke holding the door open was my dad and when he did not drive it I generally did!
http://www.imageshack.com/i/0mcu1939rollsroycesilverwj
Jim.
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nice and better with the straight six , I have used vws in the past for buggys but these where kits , all vw with a fibre glass body , hours of fun , looking back this may have been a mistake , I still have this one (this first one I did)
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It is only 1600cc and it is aircooled and it could be used in a bike but I must resist the temptation to fill a biker site up with car pictures. Anyone still got their dinkies? I restore mine. No Sorn, no mot, no insurance and easier to keep indoors.
Where the photo was taken also parked were expensive European sports cars whose owners take offence when I ask them what they made it from. Probably drugs.
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good first bike tele ridged
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This is my modern classic. Built like a Panzer Tank and just as thirsty.
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Can anyone enlighten me please as to why 3 wheel cars? were so popular in the UK. Rare to see any on roads in Aus.
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If my memory serves me I think that years ago they were in the same classification as a motorcycle combination and if they were under 8cwt in weight they could be driven on a motorcycle licence.
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i think your right , three wheelers where cheap to insure , buy and run also could be driven on a m/c licence (with no reverse at first) and they where fast , with two wheels at the front handeld well (one at the front disaster)
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If you study stability and wheel arrangement scientifically you will fint that a single FRONT wheel is inherently more stable. Unless of course you are daft enough to slam the brakes on on a sharp corner.
Three wheelers below 8cwt could be driven on a motorbike licence, making them an easy transition from motorcycling to covered motoring without a car test. But not if fitted with reverse gear I believe. Though Siba Dynastart which ran the a 2 stroke engine avoided that that.
Jim.
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I read an article last night about a bloke on the Queensland Gold Coast making 3 wheeler type vehicles using Honda VTR 1000cc V twin engines with the bike engine/frame fitted to the rear of the two seat cabin. With the two front wheel arrangement and the driver/passenger weight centre behind the front axel line he was able to do 'donuts' in it easily with out any chance of tipping over. I have yet to see anybody do that with a single front wheel unit, even the VW powered trikes.
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anyone who thinks one wheel at the front is more stable than two has never driven a reliant , i dont care what science says
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My late father in the late fifties changed from a motorcycle combination to a Bond minicar it had 3. 8"wheels one in front and 2 at the rear was powered by a Villiers 250cc single engine over the front wheel. It had electric start but if that failed you could lift the bonnet up put your foot in and kick it over on the kickstart, it also had 3 forward gears and a reverse which was not a gear but was electrical it turned the engine backwards. With this method you could drive with a motorcycle licence. He did not have it for very long as it was always breaking down it would constantly keep shearing the woodfruff key on the mainshaft along with the brakes constantly seizing up.
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anyone who thinks one wheel at the front is more stable than two has never driven a reliant , i dont care what science says
You are blaming wheel configuration when you should be considering the centre of gravity dictated by engine position. Put the single wheel AND the engine at the back and handling can become frightening.
I had a smart looking three wheeler, I believe was called a Coronet ( though I may be wrong - it was over 50 years ago) with Anzani 3 cylinder engine at the rear. Almost new.
Yes I am that old and there were lots of 3 wheelers still being produced. of which I have driven many!
The Coronet looked fantastic and had a fair turn of speed, but using the speed on a corner was a different matter. "Sucking eggs" seems to fit here and to me science is more reliable than beliefs.
I can also vouch that a Reliant Robin is perhaps more stable on the water than on the road! ;)
Yes that is me with a Robin!
Jim
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Just had a further thought.
Consider a child's pedal cycle (tricycle). Why are they always single wheel at the front and the riders seat well back?
The reason is simple. IT IS THE MOST STABLE AND SAFEST CONFIGURATION with 3 wheels! Adding a heavy load (engine?) over or in front of the front wheel produces a vast stability change.
Of course keeping the C of G low will help whatever configuration.
Jim.
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They used to race Morgans at Brooklands etc and many still are being raced around the world. They can be slung into a corner so fast that the single back wheel breaks away, but the same thing done with anything in the Reliant/Bond wheel configuration would have it performing a barrel roll down the track. The positioning of the engine is a red herring.
The child's tricycle is single front wheel because it's simpler ie cheaper to produce that way, although thinking back to the larger-wheeled chain-driven (as opposed to pedals on the front wheel) trikes kids had years ago it was easy to lift the inner rear wheel. Safety wasn't a priority, but costs where.
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If you sling an engine BETWEEN a pair of wheels it is more difficult to turn it over, front or back. Keep it low and it gets more difficult. That sums up a Morgan! With admittedly startling cornering ability.
The Reliant has the engine at the "wrong end" for best stability of the wheel arrangement and the Cof G is much higher for passenger comfort, but all that just compromises the INHERENT STABILITY of the best wheel arrangement.
A Reliant with a rear engine between the two rear wheels and lower seating with less ground clearance would have proved a much more stable design.
Oh and the first Reliant I ever drove was an aluminium bodied open top two seater produced before the Robins etc. It was lighter, very nippy and a lot of fun to drive. It never felt in danger of turning over and I wanted one! Could not afford it though!
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i had a reliant van handling was very poor , and the leaf spring snapped going round balla lakes which went thro the floor and lifted my seat up , i had to drive back with front and rear wheel steering as it let the axel go , very interesting , three wheeled honda things are now ban for road use , i have a morgan and it does handle quite well (at the speed i drive which is slow) i dont know who thinks one wheel at the front is a good idea as all the people i know who have experience of this arrangment think its sh*t , what next a man on the moon
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some interesting reading here reguards 3 wheel arrangment http://cll.qc.ca/Professeurs/Mecanique/ethierp/3-wheels/3w-clas.htm
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Some time back in the 1980's when 3 wheel farm bikes were about, the 'powers that rule' banned all farm workers from using them because of the number of people being killed or injured. So you could use the two wheeled bike (fall over anywhere), four wheel vehicle (land rover, utility, etc) or horse (unpredictable hay burners). Now that we have the four wheeled 'Quad bike', those same powers want to put roll bars on them to "save" people. What about some rider training???
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those three wheelers (one at front) where a death trap and used to roll over forwards and meant the bike then rolled over the rider , I think the US has ban them and in the UK are not for road use , I bought my kids them when they came out (Suzuki 50 and a 250 ) used once , they both rolled , and bought them trials bikes (Honda and beta ) far far safer . im not sure about the four wheelers but I do see some on the road , but why , would have two wheels any day
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This is getting out of hand.
In the end it is more how the weight is distributed than anything else in the quoted examples.
But here is a thought. Why do dodgem cars at fairgrounds never have two wheels at the front?
Jim.
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Two front wheels to steer is always going to be better than just one, and a two front wheel design will be extremely hard to roll. Consider that the forces which would be causing it to roll are acting in a direction at roughly 2 and 10 oclock (if the straight-ahead position is counted as 12 oclock) which in the Bond/Reliant configuration has no "support" but in the Morgan the force will be acting through the front suspension design and into the axle, ie it's well-supported.
Don't forget there were also Morgans, BSAs etc which had a water-cooled four cylinder engine set back from the between the front axle so stability is not just about the Morgan having a big old V-twin set between the front wheels.
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i don't think the four cylinder ones are quite as stable , I drive a morgan four cylinder quite often its a very nice car (better than my V twin jap as far more useable ) the BSA had a reputation for being unstable but I have never driven one
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Not sure if it qualifies as a car, but my latest treasure is a 1904 Sphinx with a fore-car attachment. It was a product of the Sphinx Motor Co. of Adelaide, South Australia, using BSA fittings for the cycle frame and a water-cooled motor from the Advance Motor Co. of Northampton. Direct drive by belt, with pedals for starting and hill climbing.
Stability? I doubt it.
Leon
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looks interesting do you know a
idiot I mean hero who will ride up front to act as the air bag .
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That is a real treasure Cardan. Are going to restore it?
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Yep, motor is almost done, rear wheel built around the original hub, pedalling gear almost organised... we're getting there.
As for who might ride up front... I think I'll start with a tradesman's box rather than a wicker chair!
Leon
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"Why do dodgem cars at fairgrounds never have two wheels at the front"............... cost and turning radius , don't see any on the road round here either , maybe they don't meet SVA regs ............... are you really convinced one at the front is best , there are always weight distribution issues and with experience its been found two wheels at the front works best , if you know other wise can you guide me to the site as id like to read the articule .
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Anyone remember the Bond"Bug",I think they had one front wheel,and were capable of high speeds.Incidentally Dodgem cars have the electric motor drive mounted on the front assy,which can turn right round to provide a reverse.Regards John.
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Yes I remember those sh*tty things. A mate swerved to void a cat and the resulting roll was terrifying he said , moreso that the thing ended up on it's roof (an upward opening canopy, remember) with him trying to force his way out through the side panels (not hard, admittedly) while battery acid and petrol dripped around him.
Not a great example of the "one front wheel is safer" concept.. :(
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wonder what this is like , 325 twin two stroke out , 850 mini in , i have seen this done before ( also royal enfield engines fitted) but power wise thats quite a jump i would have thought http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Berkeley-T60-S-E328-with-850-cc-Mini-engine-three-wheeler-Micro-car-1960-/400523171712?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item5d410a9780
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I'd love it for a lark around in.. but not at 3 1/2 grand IMA
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In the 60s/70s a Famous Mini front ended trike was raced with such success that it was handicapped out of existence. When I can remember his name I“ll post it .
Aeroplanes have 1 wheel at the front and so do bonneville record breakers, Craig Breedlove?.
I think a firm in Preston is making an Isetta copy to take a modern engine.
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Owen Greenwood.
I think planes may have one wheel at the front and two at the back because they start off with a skinny fuselage and end up with two much wider wings. Sticking a big old beam axle under the cockpit and then balancing the weight of wings + fuel tanks on a single rear wheel wouldn't please the aviation authorities... ;)
Then again smaller planes and tail-draggers have two wheels in front of the one rear, and they seem to work OK when on the ground.
So we've had dodgems, kid's tricycles and planes all mentioned. Whatever next?
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Scammell Scarabs, British rail, And forklift trucks ?
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Sunbeam Mabley! Study the photo carefully.
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Forerunner of the Reliant ??!
Front wheel drive though ?
Funny place to put the engine....
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No, you haven't looked closely enough...
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Diamond wheel config... interesting!
//ogram even :)
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Yep, that's one configuration that never caught on! They were reputed to tip over, but have been used successfully in Veteran car runs like the London to Brighton.
Leon
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They were reputed to tip over,
As compared to 3, 4, 6 and 8, and more, wheeler configurations even recently built, which also have been known to tip over ?
Under provocation though...
You are right though, didn't take note of that wheel lurking there.
How do they get drive to the wheel ?
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The two centre/side wheels are driven; the fore-and-aft wheels steer. Here are some nice photos, but also check out the custom-built trailer! http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19291/lot/204/
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Interesting that it leaves four wheel tracks.
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Does anyone know where a very informative (and a bit frightening) copy of an old black and white film can be found which investigates the stability issues of trikes? It used to be available on loan to Colleges and Motor Trade institutions. But from where I cannot remember.
I think it might change a few minds!
Jim.
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is this where you have your conviction for the advantages of 3 wheelers from ? do you remember what it was called , was it a laural and hardey production
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Nobody s mentioned the Ariel 3.After BSAs effort both Daihatsu and Honda used the design,far better than the midgets from Small Heath.There s plenty of modern trikes with two front wheels coming about,I think HD make one.They re for people who are too forgetful to put out a sidestand when they park the bike.Regards John.
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I,ve read somewhere recently of a man who built a diamond 4 wheeler using a VW beetle in the middle and front and rear steering wheels. it was late 50s and he drove 10,ooo miles in it.
The bond bug was a Reliant underneath whereas the last Bond threewheeler had a Hillman Imp across the back
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brough had a go aswell i think . some of the new three wheelers ( bike things) lean , i think harley tryed this with a outfit some years ago , there are a lot of VW based trikes about but ive only liked the look of one and he had turned the axel over and had the engine mounted central , not a straight forwards job and did not get to talk to the owner . if they leave the engine out the back the front end is to light so have to add a lot of weight .
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One of my more unusual inventions when I was a child so it only ever got built in Meccano was the engine and back end of 2 motorcycles about 3 ft apart with a seat between them nearly on the ground and 1 front fork and wheel in the middle with your feet about the back of the front tyre, probably for sprinting and maybe even steered by 2 throttles like a tank. I was in the same club as Dave LeCoq who drove the VW powered Dragwaye designed by Clive? Waye and possibly had parts made at De Havillands. I never said that!
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Reminds me of that special built for racing in the 1970s which was a chassis with a Mini engine and box at each end. Wonder what happens to the handling if both engine speeds aren't synchronised?
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is this where you have your conviction for the advantages of 3 wheelers from ? do you remember what it was called , was it a laural and hardey production
No it was not! It was a serious investigation into handling characteristics of road vehicles. Possibly by M.I.R.A. Who have a reputation of knowing about such things! :) Sorry, SCIENCE AGAIN - not an uninformed personal experience of a small selection of vehicles.
And I also know how to spell Laurel and Hardy!
Jim.
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http://cll.qc.ca/Professeurs/Mecanique/ethierp/3-wheels/3w-clas.htm............... read this its in colour , maybe it will help , are you the reliant owners club secatery by any chance , don't tell me about old b/w films which confirm the science but don't remember the name of as its of no use , have you anything a bit more up to date or a three wheeler one at front which you own , know of , drove ? anything really to back up what your saying , well done on the English mind , mine is very poor I know
This 3-Wheeler component layout with a single front wheel can tip over easily in most applications and does not offer the best braking performance. It thus present little interest for general public usage. did anyone not know this already apart from 2ltr
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sand rails (more to do with sailing) and a very nice tractor i once tryed to buy , american i think , looked great , both single f wheel
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Allis Chalmers!
(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQTFSI4NBLDcYdWeTQbfrHkTrj-4QoC6dpOSDcdsu1h9y4qxVfyJA)
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no im sure this had a single front wheel and was much older , it was sold by bhonams , might still have the catolouge will look
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found it "case" went for about £5000 in the mid 70s , i was going to about £1000 , dreaming
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I like old tractors... seems you do too!
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No Wetdog! I am not in any way allied to any three wheeler club or car. BUT I WAS driving when three wheelers became popular and drove most of them. Science apart - I know how they handled. I also admit that the Morgan was one on its own for cornering. But do not regard it as typical because of the low centre of gravity concentrated near the front wheels. Even the occupants virtually scrape their backsides on the road!
I do accept that the best thing I ever did with a Reliant Robin was to sail it to raise thousands of pounds towards restoration of the Chesterfield Canal.
Curiously though, as a combination of comfort and handling the very early aluminium bodied 2 seater soft top Reliant was far and away the best three wheeler I ever drove.
The Morgan had the handling - but comfort?? Sit the occupants six inches higher and it would probably go ar** over tit on corners!
Jim
Musing:- Sand Yachts need stability. I wonder why they ALWAYS have two wheels at the rear??
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I have a 1938 Australian made Howard DH22 (rubber tyre model) with rotary hoe that I plan to restore in the near future.
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Musing:- Sand Yachts need stability. I wonder why they ALWAYS have two wheels at the rear??
They don't need "stability" as such, but they do need the ability to "lean into" the wind when cornering and lifting the inner rear wheel. Two wheels at the front (apart from needing a more complex and weighty steering arrangement) would have the thing leaning backwards and also move the front wheel "track" a metre or so from the centre line of the mast when on two wheels.
Jim, I think you're letting the memory of that "aluminium bodied Reliant"'s performance and handling colour your judgement.
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"Sand Yachts need stability"........ rubbish they will tip whist standing still ... they are to do with sailing and the pilots abuilty to tack ... one wheel at the front for ease of steering with your feet (would love a go) ............ did you say reliant convertible ? this sounds like one of the stupidest ideas ive ever heard , you can not talk three wheelers and exclude morgans because they got it the right way round (and they will tip) or state one wheel at the front is good so long as you never brake on a bend ??? some times round here I do and don't want to end up on the roof sliding into the oncoming traffic ( left hand bend) " BUT I WAS driving when three wheelers became popular ".............. you must be very very old ........ I think you mean cheap ...... I have had a few myself and admit a 2cv based Falcon (o dear) even this was a very stable car compared to my reliant ...... I do like old tractors and ended up with a fordson major I needed one to tow a boat onto the beach Abersoch north wales happy days did a lot of sailing , merlin , lazer , mirror (great little boat ) last one fire ball .
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this one did some miles most on sand or in the sea
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And an Aston Martin tractor! (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg3/takka22/001_zps02ce2818.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/takka22/media/001_zps02ce2818.jpg.html)
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They called them David Brown in Australia. Were a reasonable machine for light work in the hard soils. Lots used for haymaking.
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they were David Brown, he bought Aston Martin ( who hasn“t )
I“ve got 100s of tractor magazines to read in my old age.
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I have a Land Rover 109 on a galvy chassis with TDI etc. Had a lot of fun with that car, but now I want to sell it or even better trade against a classic bike.
Contact me if you are interested!
Ruud
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Yes Wetdog I am quite old and obviously old does not mean stupid - it is more in line with experience.
So OK, I made another statement you can twist!
I probably should have said "sand yachts need AS MUCH STABILITY AS POSSIBLE". Knowing you woold milk it as much as possible. Of course I know they turn over AND I HAVE DRIVEN THEM TOO. Even with better steering I would hate to try a single rear wheel one!
Subject clised for me!
Jim.
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"""""""""""Yes Wetdog I am quite old and obviously old does not mean stupid - it is more in line with experience.
So OK, I made another statement you can twist!
I probably should have said "sand yachts need AS MUCH STABILITY AS POSSIBLE". Knowing you woold milk it as much as possible. Of course I know they turn over AND I HAVE DRIVEN THEM TOO. Even with better steering I would hate to try a single rear wheel one!
Subject clised for me!
Jim. """"""""""""""
"sand yachts need AS MUCH STABILITY AS POSSIBLE". .......... rubbish (again) the stability of the yacht is down to the person in control of the sail . the rest of the design is for weight " it is more in line with experience" of which you have little (maybe none) nothing twisted here ............... hate to tell you but even I have spotted 2 spelling mistakes in your last post and I failed my O level ( throw stones glass houses etc) I have never driven a sand yacht but would like to are you saying you have . sorry Jim please don't take anything to heart I say I am a very sad person and just love old bikes , your right this has got out of hand , get well soon
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We had a 109 (inch wheelbase) to take our outfit to Wallasey beach after lots of competitors got their towing vehicles stuck when the tide came in a bit early, but the tyres weren“t round and going down the East Lancs road they all came into sync and the thing was bouncing up and down so much we couldn“t see.
Tractors: there were hundreds of manufacturers, many built by firms that didn“t really have much connection with the main motor industry. Anzani made a 2 wheeled plough puller for smallholders, Brockhouse ( Corgi ) made the BMB president like a small tractor using a Morris S/V engine, Jowett, The famous little grey Ferguson with the same Standard Vanguard / TR engine
which some bloke took to the South Pole, Later Massey Ferguson after merging, lots of takeovers led to american tractors being sold abroad under the name and colour of the co they bought. Weren“t the legshields nice on that postwar David Brown Cropmaster on page 5, someone realised that farmers work outdoors. they were used as tugs by the RAF with Lorry sized wheels and full mudguards.
3 Wheeled tractors/ machinery. Does anyone remember the Dinky toy Opperman Motocart with a big front wheel driven by an engine on the other side of the single fork. Many small tractors used Norton engines.
Nowadays 3 wheels are used on 20 ton vehicles to give more manouverability , google Terra-Gator.
I drove a Massey Ferguson, probably 1 of the first, at college in 1962 and have mended all types of vehicles ever since.Even a Sherman tank. Must go and look for my Dinkies.
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im watching a jap engine trac now on ebay , I don't know what I would do with it other than sit and look at it (I like all things JAP) , I think I may buy one just for fun and see if anyone pulls out in front of me on the road , I remember all the names you mention and a friend drove 2 three cylinder Nuffield tractors out of the main gates of longbridge when it closed ( there where used inside the factory all there lifes ) I should have bought at least one
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just for fun does anyone out there know why this passport started a life long love of tractors ,it is mine and I was well travelled ,Austria , Belgium, Denmark,finland,france,germany,holland,italy,luxembourg,norway,portugal,sweden,switzerland,that year
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Wink, I restored a TVO grey Fergie in my final year at Askham Bryan College many moons ago.. Love em!
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I'll see your Fergie and raise you an ohc Howard rotivator! (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg3/takka22/004_zpsf9f071b7.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/takka22/media/004_zpsf9f071b7.jpg.html)
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Amazing to think that a little old factory on the Northern outskirts of Sydney Australia would in 1928 begin building a tractor with an overhead camshaft 3.5 litre engine when all the rest of the world were still playing with side valves.
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i think maybe where tractors are conserned (more so early ones) simplicity was the key , as many where worked on by farmers with little maintanance (nothing changed here my brothers a farmer) , ohc engines are more expensive to build and fix etc . how many did they make and where they any good ? i always thought the damiler knight (i think) engine was a work of art (sleve valve ) but was just a excersise in enginerring as once out on the road proved very trouble som , bit earlyer than 1929
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpyjAR_k70Y
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Yes they were very good. I have seen a figure of 45,000 made, but that may include smaller models as well. The engines were very robust and didn't need much maintence. The only bits not made at the Northmead factory were the magneto (which mine is stuffed) and ball bearings. The camshaft was driven by duplex chain, along with the waterpump/magneto, oil pump and cooling fan all enclosed in the front of the engine. Camshaft ran in ball bearings with roller followers with easy screw and locknut adjustment. There was a full flow oil filter which was cleanable, and oil bath air cleaner. These tractor were exported around the world (including the UK) and were usually sold with a rotary hoe attached.
The sleeve valve engine is a very smooth running engine, but they didn't last in this country because of the ineffective air filters allowed the fine dust into the workings.
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daimlers sleeve valve didant last long here either as the bottom of the recipricating sleeve used to snap , tractor sounds interesting , chain ohc engines where used a lot in cars over here , but not seen in a tractor , and mag should not be a problem , they are easy to fix once apart (octapus req or can get damaged pulling bearings) a rewind new condenser and your away , some try to just remagnatize and this may help (if you slip the armiture back in before removing from the machine) but is only a temp measure and only for dealers wanting to drop a sparking mag at a jumble , if you want it right rewind .
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Thanks Wetdog. Have been quoted $1,000 to rewind/rebuild the mag, about what the whole tractor is worth! Think I might just wait and see if a useable one comes up for sale somewhere.
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I've had a few old cars.......Morris Series E tourer and sedan, Hillman Californian, two MG TCs, two Sprites, a Bugeye and a MK2, an Austin Healey 100 BN1 and a Triumph TR4.
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Bet you wish you still had them....better than a pension now.. ;)
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Bet you wish you still had them....better than a pension now.. ;)
I had them over a number of years.............Bought some in reasonable nick to use and others as basket cases and then restoring them.
They were all good value and I never lost money on them as such. The last sports car I had up to a couple of years ago was a MX5 NA......It was probably the best of the lot as being easy to look after and nice to drive.
I should add I have ridden bikes on and off for many years, and the last and best one I had was a Bultaco Metralla........I really kick myself for selling that now as they have gone up in value massively over the past couple of years.
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Try these, Note the reg nos. More later when I find them.
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Memories of Perth '71! (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg3/takka22/Picture002.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/takka22/media/Picture002.jpg.html)
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Nice old girl. I wonder if it's still about?
That car in the background...we had them as a Vauxhall Victor FD, IIRC, 1800 or 2000cc OHC with the lump mounted on the slant. Is it badged as a Holden?
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Vauxhall was always badged as Vauxhalls in Australia, and although not that popular there was quite a few about. Holden was a different locally made car.
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Sadly i had to abandon the Mk7 on the way back to Melbourne at Balladonia in the middle of the Nullabor plains. It blew a head gasket and would had to wait 2 weeks for a new one. Sold it to a garage for 50 bucks which is what the tools in the boot was worth. :-[
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The big Jags couldn't hack it in Australian conditions,insufficient cooling.I like your bald tyres,in those days they were nt worn out until the canvas plies showed thru,bike tyres were the same.I had lots of small pommy sports cars,the best was a Singer nine ohc,the worst was a Triumph Spitfire Mk III.What a pos,if you dropped back to third gear and floored it,the layshaft would break teeth,fix that and the diff gears would break teeth.The twin SU carbs would often fall off the motor.My brother had around a dozen Berkleys in various states of disrepair,they had a two stroke motor with no cooling fan,seizure was an everyday occurrence.And people wonder why the British car industry died. Regards John.
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I had a Bond Minicar for a couple of years and and had a ball with it. No reverse but later twins had a reversible engine, stop pull a lever and restart backwards. It had a 250 Villiers single but later had the twin. The whole motor and drive turned 90 degrees each way. I used to turn full lock on tickover and get out while it putted round in a circle.
I have some photos, not my car but very similar.
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn233/statikly/Bond%20Minicar/Bond1.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/statikly/media/Bond%20Minicar/Bond1.jpg.html)
Under the bonnet.
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn233/statikly/Bond%20Minicar/Bond3.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/statikly/media/Bond%20Minicar/Bond3.jpg.html)
I saw one on Ebay for £5000, mine was £20 and I sold it for £10 and I still feel I ripped the guy off. The fuel tank was behind the dashboard and as you see from the photo the exhaust came out in just the right place to fill the cab with fumes.
My currant piece of junk, had it a few weeks and it still looks the same.
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn233/statikly/Beetle/IMG_0687.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/statikly/media/Beetle/IMG_0687.jpg.html)
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.My brother had around a dozen Berkleys in various states of disrepair,they had a two stroke motor with no cooling fan,seizure was an everyday occurrence.And people wonder why the British car industry died. Regards John.
I expect the firms kept on going for much longer than they otherwise would have as all those mugs in Oz kept on buying the silly little two-stroke things designed as cheap around-town cars in impoverished post-war GB, and using them in the over-heated long distance conditions for which they were never intended. ;)
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Here's the Bug eye. Had a good hood and screens, but often used to put aero screens on it for rushing around town. Great fun.
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True Rex, but we had to give them a try otherwise there would be no Pommy cars here for the Irish to come over and buy to send back to replace their rusted ones. ;D
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Me in the Healey coming out of Lukey Heights into MG corner at Phillip Island.
You'll understand exactly where this part of the best race track in Australia is if you watch Moto GP starting soon here today on your TV.
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Believe it or not the old jag didn't overheat until i hitched up to an old blown up rambler and towed it to norsdan about 400 km. An English family were stranded in the middle of nowhere. They paid for the petrol of course. Then i ran out of money at Coolgardie!