RUMCars Forum
General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: Peel replica, Steve Fisk on January 31, 2014, 10:25:08 PM
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(http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/stevefisk1/8224ca58edf7155331b12a1819c3250b_zpsa59cc8ea.jpg) I'm really interested in how the front beam narrowed to fit don't small alleys , do any pictures exist better than this one ?
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Down not don't , stupid iPad
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I have lot of photos Steve which I have yet to scan onto the computer. I will send you them when I get some time. basically the two half axles pivot from the centre. They could be released from inside the car by pulling two pins, pins that fixed the axles back into to driving position. Once released the axles could be pulled forward. The Axles and track rods form a parallelogram allowing the wheels to still face forwards. Does that make any sense?
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If I read you correctly, the longer legs of the parallelogram formed by the axles and track rods, slide past eachother, narrowing the space between them as the wheels are pulled forward. Much the same way that a cardboard box will deform if you lean on it whilst two opposite ends remain open. A process called lozenging.
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Yes, you've got it.
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I thought not all Inters ended up being able to do this trick to chase Larmar getaway cars. There was a simplification for economy. Its a great showpiece though. To which the Larmar can only respond with Carlos Fandango wide wheels and bodykit.
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To chase a Larmar get away car, wouldn't it be more expeditious to simply get out of your Inter, and run it down on foot?
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A car that can be burned off by Usane Bolt, now that is a Microcar. And he has more style!
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The folding Inter thing disappeared almost as soon as it began. The very first batch had the locking pins on the inside of the front bulkhead , they disengaged by means of a central lever with connecting rods. I think one of the problems was the little sheet metal axle covers which had to swivel with the axles as they folded, not an ideal system. The next batch was like your old car Al. It had the ability to fold if you undone the two nuts where the pins were on the earlier cars. Next the late cars that just had one square box section axle. These were all hydraulic brake cars. So, in a sense the folding Inter is almost mythical. My green car is chassis number 15 and I'm not sure if that means the fifteenth car or the fifth with a one in front, was originally a folder, the stud that the disengage lever was attached to is still there. I ended up rebuilding the car as a non folder because I wanted the hydraulic brakes on this one. basically the car was a pile of spare parts thrown into a body shell and the pedal box that came with it was the later type with a master cylinder attached so I went with that as I didn't much like the cable brakes on my previous car
There you have it a potted history of folding/nonfolding Inters!.
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Interesting ;D
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So beating the Schmitt in the brake department, instead of nipping round the back department. I liked the idea of folding the wheels in transit, though the steering would be straight ahead. Great for road runs with scooters. Bollards, what bollards? Its a shame not more sold/survived as it is a design that works pretty well, unlike many.
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It is a shame Al. I remember when I was restoring your old one I was thinking this is going to be horrendous to drive and then to my surprise it was quite nice in fact! I especially liked the rubber band suspension, very supple without being wallowy.
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Thanks Bob that would be great , fascinating design , genius
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So was the BW auctioneer's public description of your car as a folding front wheel vehicle more correct, or incorrect? ::)
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I didn't read the description Steve , I was to busy spitting venom about Bruce promising me he would not and could not ever sell the car because of the trust they were all in.
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It was the verbal description rendered at the time of auction, just prior to accepting bids, that I was referring to.
I believe that it was stated that it had the fold in front wheel feature at that time.
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I see. Well as I said, that one would fold after the removal of two nuts and the axle covers. I guess the folk in attendance would have assumed that it had folding axles without having to partially dismantle it. On that basis I would say the auctioneers comment was misleading.