RUMCars Forum
General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: powerdrive on December 09, 2014, 06:24:44 PM
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HI MY NAME IS GARY AITKEN , AND AM NEW TO RUM CARS , DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT , A COMPLETE POWERDRIVE MK 3 FROM DOUG IVORY THE CAR IS PRETY MUCH COMPLETE AND RUNNING , BUT NEEDS LOTS OF BODYWORK ,THE REASON ,FOR MY POST IS SIMPLY TO WELCOME ANY INFORMATION , THAT ANY MEMBERS MAY BE ABLE TO OFFER, AS I HAVE MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RARE CAR , FOR EXAMPLE THE CAR HAS THE LATER ROUNDED WINDSCREEN ,WHICH IS MISSING DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT CAR IT WAS SOURCED FROM ALSO THE BUMPERS ARE STANDARD BUMPERS FROM A CAR UNKNOWN , ANY COMMENTS HELP ADVISE, ON PARTS OR ANYTHING ELSE ,AND INDEED ANY ENQUIRIES I MAY BE ABLE TO ANSWER FOR ANYONE MANY THANKS GARY AITKEN
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Ooh, the Reliant in the background looks much more interesting than that awful Powerdrive thing.
Weigh it in and get a Bond 875 ;D
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THANKS FOR YOUR POSITIVE THOUGHTS SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE SPEAKING FROM EXPIRIANCE OF POWERDRIVE OWNERSHIP , YOU ARE RIGHT THE PIG MIGHT BE A BETTER PLACE TO PUT MY EFFORTS INTO ;D BUT AS FOR THE BOND THEY DO TEND TO BREAK DOWN OR WAS IT JUST MY ONE ? ;) ;D
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Hi friend absolutely great to see the car !! This is what this forum has been missing , really obscure oddities , a HUGE welcome from me . Unfortunately on those two queries I am no help to you but bring on the queries ..... If you use the search function , top of the page , you will find out what we have discussed with regard to Powerdrives, Blue Star Garages and also the Coronet
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Try Standard 8 or 10 bumpers but no the Vanguard ones as they won't Fit like ?
Aye, tried a Powerdrive but the performance was poor and the fuel consumption high, especially when towing. Nae chance of pullin the Microbar way that thing ;D
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AYE THE MICROBAR WILL HAVE TO GROW A COUPLE O FEET ANYWAY , WHEN YOU DAY USE A LOT OF FUEL IT WILL BE BETTER THAN THE VOYAGER I HOPE ;)
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So what kind of extension where yeh thinking of ?, patio and decking perhaps :)
Powerdrive in the microbar, now that would be a sight..... On the plus side, more in door seating for wet rally nights.
The Voyager will be down to single figures towing that lot me thinks.
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They've both got the Power. If ever a car would drive you to drink, it sounds like this....
*imitates an Excelsior twin trying to start on a cold morning. ;D
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WELL IF IT DRIVES ME TO DRINK THAT WOULD BE GREAT ,ASSUMING IT MAKES I MAKE IT TO THE PUB ,WITHOUT A BREAKDOWN (the car not me ) :) :D >:
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Hi, Gary
That looks a very interesting car. (I always think the Powerdrive looks well shaped and elegant - perhaps more sporty than its actual performance!)
Can I ask a favour, though?
It will be so much more pleasant for us to read your postings if you don't SHOUT all the time. :)
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What a CAPITAL idea :D
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Dear Gary
If you contact Pilkington windscreens Sheppy Kent and give them the dimensions they require, they can probably tell you what car it came from. They are best with British cars, but also have a large knowledge of popular foreign cars screens as well.
Worth a try
Chris Thomas
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He is only practicing for driving the car with a friend. Oh, what a rude lot we are. It has to be said the Powerdrive wins on styling. The elbow out of the door, windflicked hair of a nation of sporting gentlemen. Sadly the engine was not up to the image, or the blurb. I would be sorely tempted to create a subframe to hook onto to existing mountings and insert a modern 500 Bergman or something in here. I do not normally really agree with such things, but if the Powerdrive were to offer safe modern road classic performance, what a treat to own. Who could turn one away from an event. Its so unusual, but pretty with it. The only driving Powerdrive. Obviously one keeps the original engine safe to pass on with the car, when that time comes.
Are the Bumpers Standard? I know much of the front axle and steering is. So its a reasonable shout. Sadly not got Powerdrive in my reference book of Bumpers. You would be surprised at what fits what. I think the windscreen has been queried before. Do not remember an answer.
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Were they aluminium bodied?
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OK am not shouting but its force of habit as I get older and my sights not what it was I write bigger and type bigger 8)thanks for the advise on the windscreen ,the body is aluminium the front suspension and brakes are a30 (the coronet used the standard10) I think the bumpers could be standard 10 , by the way my friend has a coronet he is in the process of fitting a quad bike 400cc quad bike engine ,with reverse gear to ::) so when he gets it on the road I hope he can keep up ;D
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Shouting is the best way to understand for non Doric speakers, otherwise you will have no chance of understanding what Gary is saying. I offer a translation service at rallies ;)
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What does it have to do with ancient Spartans?
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This ancient language of the Greek is still spoken in the north east of Scotland.
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This ancient language of the Greek is still spoken in the north east of Scotland.
There's an "r" too many in there somewhere isn't there.... ;)
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Fascinating. Didnt know that.
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POWERDRIVE ! Anyone ?? I am sure gary has this but for those interested :
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Seasonal photo from Motor Cycle 3 Jan 1957
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Well that's our first querie , the spec says a curved glass windscreen yet Santas appears flat doesn't it ?
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This ancient language of the Greek is still spoken in the north east of Scotland.
There's an "r" too many in there somewhere isn't there.... ;)
;D
Wot, the Spatons?
I think I will steer clear of North East Scotland. Worse than the Flemish. Wight the other end of the UK is where the Gweek live, if that helps.
I have a seized-on picture of a Powerdrive somewhere.
All of which is a major contribution to advanced screen bending.
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Nurse to room 5 please Mr. Hitchcock has missed his medication - AGAIN :)
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I think the man with the plaggy pig needs med's - a trip off the clock in a Plas ! , that apart had a Coronet a few years back (still have the petrol cap/badge) got shot to a guy that transplanted a BMC mini mill - but out on the road he had to brake hard , the car rolled and killed himself - plod came and interviewed me etc. (previous owner) , but the findings was he used the 2 foot brake , 1 handbrake system to the three wheels , instead of footbrake to all 3 .
did the Coronet have A35/40 bits around the steering/wheels ?
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Ooo eer, I have not heard about that incident. It does sound a bit unwise on the face of it.
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That is a very sad story indeed! Some three wheelers were made with foot brake to front wheels only and hand brake to the rear, Nobels, Fulda's for example. Dont quite see how that would contribute to a roll. Can see how it would reduce braking distance though especially with a heavy mini unit in it.
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I assume the engine and subframe went in the front. It dragged the back along. Mini's had crap brakes and if poorly built/maintained it could have gone sideways. The car was not made to have a big engine in the front.
If the car had a BMC unit in the back, well, it was a matter of time really.....
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Mind you Berkeley's were not designed to have a mini engine and subframe in the front but a mini or metro converted Berk is as steady as a rock.
Still, people get killed in cars, its the risk we all take every day.
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I can think of a few Berk conversions I would not have got in! Several engineery types got into doing Mini Berks. Coronet is a different construction too. Quite what would you solder the Mini subframe too. I can see it being a death trap unless done well. But then you can be perfectly inocent, sitting in a Marina, and have Top Gear drop a piano on you.
More info on the Corri convertion and incident would be needed to tell. Still a sad tale.
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Sorry, I was forgetting there were some nasty ones out there. I was thinking more of the Andy Argyle/ Dave Ratner chassis built ones. I ran one for some years and it handled like a racing car.
The Coronett had a chassis didn't it? Probably easier to bolt a mini subframe to one than a standard Berkeley.
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I've never found mini anchors bad. They will be if poorly maintained and/or set-up, but otherwise they give plenty of stopping power.
With front disks works effectively with cars pushing well over 200bhp.
However, mini subframes are rather heavy. A chap up North produces titanium subframes which are much lighter (force racing), but they're very expensive, and are only for use with coil over shock suspensions systems.
The quad engine conversion sounds like the way to go if you want something approaching modern power to weight ratios. They're tuned for low end torque, and are often water cooled too, so more refined. Burgmann also sounds a good call.
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Yep Mini brakes are fine, Al just doesnt like Mini's.
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I like Minis well enough and have owned loads. Sorry, they do not stop. If you get the brakes working efficiently, then there used not to be a tyre that was affordable with the grip to stop the car, when driven hard. They skidded. (Like the Messerschmitt's prob). So it was up to the handling department to make up for the slack, which it did. The cars real gift was its bungability. However if things got fraut, the one thing you knew you could not rely on was the brakes stopping you. The factory tried going to bigger 12 inch wheels. The car had better brakes, but at the cost of the handling. For Rallying, the idea was scrapped. Modern whizzo Minis seem to rely on big wheels and thus their balance and have lost the ability to nip round the lanes, not least as the cars are about a foot wider!
How do you get 200 bhp out of a Mini? Sounds like a non Mini, Mini. All the rage these days. When I started to go back into them I found that the traditional tuned Mini was not really understood by most younger owners, it was considered very old hat. Really the thing was to take a Mini shell and change everything. Might as well have had a Mini Marcos, or something then, as its not a Mini anymore - to me. Nothing against those who do these Minis, just not me, more custom style, which I am not into. Of course in changing the Mini, it does show that issues with the the original version were valid. So I am arguing against myself either way. Thus I sold out to look at an area of more interest in the original concept of the cars to remain true to something. Could have gone Mini kitcars, but been there too, already. Most of those were worse to stop, but for many and varied reasons.....
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You turbocharge an A-series if you want to see 200bhp.
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I find that hard to believe, for an A series. Chuck in all modern gubbins, then it might be possible, but for the road? The unmodified parts would not last long, if there are any.
I seem to recall at one time John(athon) Buncumbe (spelling) had the fastest 'Mini' and used it to good effect in Special Saloons. It had a BDA engine on a five speed gearbox. Very impressive and probably about 230 BHP. It would be a hell of a A series to get near that.
Then technology has moved on and the combined budget on development is still applying pressure to innovate on A series. See modern Minis and Peanuts in Hysteric Saloon racing.
My last Mini had twin pot alloy Metro brakes working on reduced radius discs so it could run 10 inch wheels. Brilliant brakes but still relied on the tyres, but not Mini anymore. Because of the 10 inch Arden wheels the '64 shell looked right and had the same old bungability. Most people told me what I had done was stupid and/or impossible. I rather lost interest as what I wanted was a trad S look with some modern initiatives. I did not want a Carlos Fandango version of what a Mini could like like. So hence an MG Magnette and B series.
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Most 5 port turbocharged A-series minis make 150-170bhp. To get 200BHP usually requires a change of head, but I know of at least one person who has done it with the old 5 port head, and has the evidence to back it up, not just pub talk, but it does require a bit of work.
This chap has his motor poking out 250bhp, but he's using a K1100 head (twin cam 16 valve), which allows the engine to breath better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqDZ8YboF48
Bear in mind that improvements in ignition and fueling enable tuners to get a lot more out of old engines than they could give in the past.
Anyway think we should leave the mini tuning talk there, as we're now hijacking the original thread.
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Interesting.
I see the search is out for Powerdrive owners. Dave was round with a request on the car we had and passed on into Forfar, I think, Scotland. From there it met a sad end by being bought by an enthusiast and then broken in half. Not sure who has either bit now but it was a restorable machine.
This has been covered several times and Dave is certain he 'moved' the records on. So he assumes those responsible for breaking the car up would prefer it not to be on record at RUMcar. Bit like the Groomfondle Bond mystery where I rescued them, but get the blame for breaking them, after selling them to BOC members who were frighten of Stan. It was they who flogged numbers retained and mixed bits up, not us. No doubt Dave will be updating the records passing the slur off.
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I located the said Powerdrive in Buckhaven, Fife many years ago with some assistance from Dave. Not that I wanted a 2nd example but was asked to find it on behalf of Ivan Robinson, another Powerdrive owner from Yorkshire. Sadly Ivan had the rear aluminium body of his stolen so was on the look out for a parts donor and this one suited the bill.
There was no hope of it every being restored and yielded very few useful parts other than the badly vandalised aluminium body sections. I collected two lumps of front suspension, rear wheel and engine which looked like a large lump of corroded aluminium, two aluminium door skins, rear body section and boot lid which was badly mangled. I believe that the car actually broke in half when you attempted to move it from Groombridge's yard.
I believe in the end the body section required was so badly damaged and stretched that Ivan had to locate another scrap Powerdrive to provide the badly need section. Must mean that there are only three or four left now.
However, there might be a couple of parts that might well help out Gary with his newly purchased example. Hope to see Ivan soon to confirm.
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One answer to that is just with us. I would refer you to the worst restoration thread, rather than what sounds like the make one out of three thread. Possibly doomed if the cars are hand made bodies. I hope the Tony Marshall car is not going to get broken up as well, especially as I had found a potential rebuilder for it and the Astra.
For me, plenty of cars have been restored from worse shells than those cars. It takes skill, and/or money, and the will to do it. I have had two Maicomobil worse than that. Both exist as restored bikes. Currently helping on a racing car in a similar state.
Dave fell short after wanting Powerdrive ownership, later having then falling for Trojans of any sort. If it were mine, I would have been more concerned to find a safe home, but he wanted the object of the deal, a Trojan bus. That said Powerdrives had no historical following, or value, at the time, unlike Maicomobils. Fiscally he did quite well, I guess. What is done, is done.
Our function remained filled, as the car passed on whole. I believe a spare engine was available for additional money, and possibly still is, with where it went after the car went north, as that was not part of either Powerdrive deal, despite being on offer. Likewise other donar parts found were not taken up. It could have been a pretty complete project. I recall a reluctance to allow a copy of the badge to be made colouring things on Dave's deciding not to keeping it. Trojans represented a untapped reservoir of the unfound, not yet affected by much interest or politics.
I reflect the view of Dave on Saturday when he asked me to ID the letter. He says he will be setting the records straight, once he understood what the communication was all about. He was not particularly impressed that the car had either benefited from its registration, nor that he remained codified as the owner of a parted out car, after he had passed it on whole. Clearly he believes he had ended his ownership obligations with the car. Given his drive and success to rescue the most obscure Trojan products from oblivion, I can understand his viewpoint. Even now he has two engines and a Clinton/Trojan silage cutter being donated to the Trust, as well as a potential invite to produce a Trojan event for the family of Peter Agg. He does not need to be associated with other people breaking rare cars up. Dave is not on this forum to make a statement. So I did.
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I reflect the view of Dave on Saturday when he asked me to ID the letter. He says he will be setting the records straight, once he understood what the communication was all about. Dave is not on this forum to make a statement.
Well I hope Dave understands cause I have no idea what you are rambling on about. A statement about what ?, he once owned a Powerdrive and following many years therapy is now fully recovered. Ivan Robinson now owns the remains (and is not on this Forum either) and all I collected on his behalf as mentioned before. Am sure I posted pictures of the mangled remains of the front end here previously. Will try and find the 'as found' pics in Groombrige's yard.
Yes, the ex. Tony Marshall Powerdrive was bought by Ivan as well. I am sure in the future it would be possible to restore this one as it was complete and both halves were in good condition. Once Ivan has his Powerdrive complete then there will be enough left over to build another one. No one else seemed interested and many months later Ivan done a deal with Tony via Stuart. I am sure that Stuart posted details about saving Tony's cars on here a few years ago when they were at risk.
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(http://www.stilltimecollection.co.uk/gallery/Car/Car%202815.jpg)
(http://www.stilltimecollection.co.uk/gallery/Car/Car%202816.jpg)
There yeh go Garry. A cross over model with later Lucas lighting but the earlier windscreen and frame.
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Well its pointless for a 'representitive' making any further comments on the actions themselves. I have done what I feel was demanded by the situation.
As for Dave's comment, I understand it entirely. He runs a Trust dedicated to protect artifacts with an up to date cross referenced set of records and a website and newsheet. In the main they are donated by owners into the Trust's care, for free, sometimes delivered, even with cash donation to aid conservation. Such an organisition relies on the belief that donations will be looked after for the long term, not broken up, or sold off for profit like Beaulieu. So effective is our buddy, he gets non Trojan gifts, too. Clearly his being associated, and effective accounted as owner, of a rare car broken up can seriously damage the success of what he is doing now, by calling his trustworthiness with rare cars into doubt. Therefore the record requires to be straightened out, as he was long out of the car's ownership when it was chosen to part it up. This should be quite simple and part of that record straightening is for it to be a matter of public record so the wrong records cannot be buried. So here it is. (I am particularly motivated here as much the same situation exists with respect to myself and some club records, they remain unchanged despite I had to resign position, as I was voted in to represent the Members of the Club, not the Members of the Committee. Such a position now existing could effect my private business, as well as theirs. I am not taking the risk and in this event the papers and records exist to prove my non participation and, indeed, attempts to resolve the situation, refused in favour of a cover up. I am now very much more careful about who I link finances with, and their published record keeping.)
Dave is not really interested in what happened after he sold the car, though he remains adamant the vehicle could have been restored. I agree, but by whom. Even today the cost would probably be more than the value of sale restored. So only the motivated need apply. No one will argue that point, theory and practical demands do not follow the same paths, always.
Interestingly there was another offer on the Powerdrive. Admittedly as a seconded to the Astra Van. I again was only representative here, asked to lease with Root and so Tony, but the two parties failed to do business, as my chum took exception to the idea that as a fine woodcraft constructor working on vintage boats and cars, he might take the engines to put in boats. His incredulous comment, 'But they are not marine engines!' tells all. Like many of the original Microcar people he is a most unusual and uncompromising character, so lines hardened despite the offer being that, which was at the time, acceptable. Its a shame, as his workmanship is beautiful to behold, when he is motivated to use his skills. Maybe my connection with the deal was the problem. However I do not doubt that both cars would have been restored in time, and one might even have been at Hatton, since that is about as near to the 52 acre wood on the Welsh boarder that our man lives in. That might tip a few folk as to who I am talking about. But only if you hung around the fire late into the night at early rallies. That lot tended to be the most interesting characters, representing the far eccentric excess that Briton can be proud of. Happy nights before I got to involved.
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Further
Hi Al,
Thanks for doing this. I've replied to the chap who contacted me, he seems to have acquired the Ivan car, which he says is in original running condition and so needed no parts.!! Have to remember that when I sold the Powerdrive it came complete with a rebuilt 322 anzani engine as well as it's original and a complete set of chassis plans to allow an easy rebuild. I would estimate it would take a good welder about two days work to make the chassis, it was pretty simple, then it would be an easy restoration from that point. So about £500 to get a chassis. Whole thing including purchase price up and running, though still needing paint for £1000. I wish I had kept it. And it did have a V5 modern log book as well as it's original buff. I wonder who has the registration now!!
I think the so called enthusiasts can't believe that anyone would rescue these cars just because it needed doing!!
Dave
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I know I won't be thanked for saying this but I feel someone must . I wonder at your continued interest Alan as there has to be very little that you have been involved in that you have good feelings about . Almost every subject you contribute to ends up in another of your private rants , talk about dirty washing ! Almost all those reading this know/ knew nothing of all this history , and personally I think I at least was better off before . :o. Or am I wrong ?
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> ... am I wrong? <
No. I knew nothing of the background to the story - and still know nothing, through the fog. It all seems a bit private to me - there must be others who, like me, haven't been here long, and don't know who or what is being referred to under "Trust", "website", "sheet"? And who is "Dave"? - because it certainly is not I (who seem to be the only one appearing here as "Dave".)
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By the way did anyone identify the Powerdrive windscreen for Gary ?
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This was Tony's Powerdrive, which is now with Ivan, taken May 2013 before heading North. These are the best views of the windscreen. And in case anyone was wondering how far my involvements went with where this car went, I forwarded messages back & forth between Tony & interested parties, and I & my pal Steve Jones, delivered said Powerdrive to Yorkshire on 20th September 2013 in a hired luton when Tony, with the help of Malcolm Thomas, had to clear some lock-ups in double-quick time.
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An articulated Powerdrive, whatever next...! ;D
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Power articulated to Drive, perchance?
To answer questions asked and join the dots of info. Dave as in (Hambleton), Trojan (Museum) Trust (.org) - that's a website too -, Richard's friend and both of whom are part of the (Heinkel) Trojan Archive Trust, I believe, no website. The first is a mine of information with easy access, the second Trust has quite a lot of info too and a repository of new, unused or good second hand parts, stored at Dave's, at his expense. This, in case should anyone ever need to copy them, to make very accurate replacements for owners and enthusiasts. They have most of a car, but from what I understand, committee meetings of the three trustees have been a bit thin of late. Indeed Dave wondered if he had been forgotten about when we spoke of it a few weeks back. I said surely not. Not when he had been one of the talented line of Trienkel Club Magazine Editors, where he used to fill the pages with much more than just Treinkels, but including what was happening with his other cars. Or am I wrong?
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Great to have the pics Stuart . Not so hard to move I imagine by lunchtime you'd broken the back of it ;) GROAN
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It nearly broke my finger at one point Richard. ;)
And by popular demand (fanfare), the Groombridge/Hambleton Powerdrive in all its glory! New in 1958, traded in in 1960, traded in again in 1964 and then left in the Groombridge undergrowth for 28 years until October 1992 where we first see it, and then we view it in latter years in Scotland, now believed to be around 2009. :)
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And by further popular request, a few more views of the ex. Tony Marshall Powerdrive. :)
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And one more for the adoring fans. You lucky people! :-*
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This is great stuff ! Only wish I had the fun of being involved .The Groombridge car appears to have a curved windscreen then , and the Tony Marshall car a flat one - I know which one would be the easier to go for but I suppose it depends on the fittings Gary
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Those pictures make me weep! Days earlier when I went to look at it and made an offer it was still in tact before some pillock bent those gorgeous doors in half!
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Wow, thanks Stuart - great pictures. I wonder if the windscreen frame just makes the screen look curved from some angles. Look at pic 032 of the Tony Marshall car.
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My apologies to Grant. Dave straightened the body out a fair bit, some with my help. Most of the original damage was single bends and would have come out, though I would have used a panel beater for good finish. There exists pictures of it looking like a car! Indeed not unlike the TM car, but up on its backbone, despite no real chassis. These were needed to gain the registration document.
It seems the car got vandalized badly and gained double bends and stretched areas. I can see some of the original damage we pulled out has come straight back, which one would expect without a panel beater removing all the stress from the metal. Even today I am not sure who would take on such a project, since the finished car probably does not have a value that warrants the investment. Only the dedicated need apply.
A disappointing end to quite a task getting it out of the yard. I will attempt to lift the pics, or show them to Dave on Sat night, to set the record straight this end.
Must find out what happened to the other engine.
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And by popular demand (fanfare), the Groombridge/Hambleton Powerdrive in all its glory!
That'd polish out! :o
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Unfortunately in its way but the engine being worth a good few hundred pound will possibly be the straw that breaks the .....
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Just a word of thanks to all for keeping the discussion going on the subject of the Powerdrive , big thanks to Grant, Malcolm, chris, and Stewart, for great photos, advise and general banter ,I have picked up so much information from it all, on the subject of the windscreen , my car is the mk3 which has subtle differences ( difficult to see in the photos ) from any of the other ones posted which appear flat and square , but mine is curved and tapered around 52" tapering to 48" and 14" high I am pretty sure mine is a windscreen from a production car of the 50s I have a thought of a a90 Westminster or similar , also as it appears the cars left are ether very bad or pretty complete I would always be interested in any spare parts that anyone would know of thanks, Gary.
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Powerdrive update after the previous flurry of posts I have been following up the information provided by you all not least with the help of bob purton ,who put me in touch with Adrian a fellow enthusiast who had an original front grill including the decorative lions head emblem which will replace the brass “door knocker “ I received with the car, he also had a pair of proper lions head hubcaps he removed from the a powerdrive and have been in his garage he had removed them from a powerdrive that was derelict in a driveway in weighbridge surrey 45 years ago he has now posted the parts to me and will be fitted soon after a good clean up I also contacted David, a previous owner of the groombridge powerdrive he informed me that when the car was removed from the yard the grill and hubcaps were missing a coincidence, maybe but wouldn’t it be great to think this was the same car either way there is no doubt Adrian effectively saved these parts from certain destruction all these years ago ,Also to confirm I am constantly in touch with George a friend who is restoring the Coronet mentioned in other posts he lives in my area and I have known of the car for many years and George has an even bigger task on his hands as the car is a chassis up restoration , on my own car I have been speaking to a good friend in the microcar scene who has been restoring a nobel for the last 20 odd years and is close to completion (yes really scootercar ) so between us have pencilled in a road run in the 1st week of march which would surely be at least 30 years or much more since either car has been driven on the road I have quite a to do list before this will be possible including fitting a windscreen which for the short term I have fitted a Perspex one but I hope we can make it happen and will keep you all updated cheers
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I'm so glad you were able to do the deal with Adrian and acquire the Lion grill and hubcaps. It only seems right that they will end up back on a Powerdrive after all these years. Glad I could play my part.
Well done all Rumsters. There is some good stuff going on right now on the forum where the right help is reaching the right people and some rare cars are standing a good chance of getting restored correctly. Keep it up!
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Great thread folks! I hope we will see some nice photos and video when the Powerdrive returns to the road.
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Whatever you do, don't post a photo. The Powerdrive is bound to be cloned ;D. No more photos on the forum please.
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Hi I am getting close to the point of trying out the powerdrive out for a test run ,can anyone recommend an insurance company to insure a unusual vehicle like this at a sensible rate ?
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Start with:-
Peter James
or
Footman James
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Well I have taken the powerdrive for a few short runs round my area with a view to trying a run farther afield , I have also entered it in an event at Alford motor museum close to home in a ,less than 500 survivors event , so I think it should qualify ok unfortunately the clutch is slipping badly (mind you they never slip good do they ;D) however before I take it out farther I will need to replace the plates does anyone know if these are common to any other car/bike for sourcing parts or recommend a firm to reline them thanks Gary
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Hoorah! Driver power to the Powerdrive driver. Should get in a mag once you have it working efficiently. Its a rare and wondrous beast to be loose in the lanes.
Its an Albion gearbox, isn't it? Should be available via bike source.
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Hope you post a video of it in use!
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We are talking excelsior aren't we ? Berkeley club will I am sure help with that one . I have a couple of sets to sell off but need the same attention please let me know what you find out . Hopefully I will find a buyer and can pass on the relining info
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Mike Cherney of Petworth.
clutchcorkcarvery@btinternet.com
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Hi the gearbox is albion did Berkley use excelsior or are they the same? I will be posting picture and a video before I pull it to bits to do the clutch cheers Gary
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Yep certainly the Berkeley B60 uses the Excelsior 328 with Albion box
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Great to hear its out on the road.
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Once it is in regular use I would be interested to hear what passers-by have to say about it:
As a former Velorex and Trojan owner I have had countless people inform me that my car is an Isetta, Reliant or a Messershmitt, that it has no reverse, that countless people died in them because their front door could not be opened in the garage whose automatic door shut on them, that they are made of surplus WW2 aircraft parts, are not allowed on Motorways....and countless other Urban Myths and misconceptions.
Please let us know of any interesting/daft/wrong/funny/know-it-all comments about your Powerdive! 8)
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As promised short and sweet, photos and video of powerdrive In action.
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Oops can't seem to get the videos to upload will
Have to get advise from a 10 year old
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Photos look good, I too always have problems getting videos on to forums. Each forum and each video has its own process to embed, and they are all incompatible with each other!
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It looks enormous!
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Yes Bob it's 12 1/2 foot long but the track is very narrow as I found out when I bought a trailer and Had to narrow the fixed ramps . The car drives better than I hoped bu I have yet to travel up a steep hill as the clutch is slipping so bad .
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It looks enormous!
The forum doesn't allow you upload any type of video (unless you count a gif as a video). You'll probably have to put it on youtube or similar then post a link to it here.
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These are some stills of the Video I was trying to post this might do in the meantime Marcos
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A treat to see. Thanks for posting!
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Ok try this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_tgCYhlHG0 and this http://youtu.be/yaUZ3lfngPY
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Lovely! It proves two things, despite what folk say about the engine not being powerful enough to move it from stationary, they actually work! Secondly they have reverse gear. I want one!
Please keep us posted on further progress.
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I like it too and seems to go reasonably well even with a slipping clutch. Definitely on the big side for a Micro, but I like the styling and rarity.
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I agree great to see , but we didnt see the steep hill the 6 blokes pushed it down just before it came into shot ;D a lot of rubbish appears to have been spoken on these cars ;)
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Well I wouldnt go that far. I'm sure they are on the underpowered side the same as Nobels and others but I remember when on some of the old Hengrave Hall rallies there was a guy with a white Coronette, somebody Beard Beardsly, Beardsmore?? And when out on the runs the car didnt appear to struggle anymore than the others. Mind you the torrain was pretty flat. I guess naming the car Powerdrive didnt help its reputation.
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Ralph Beardsmore? Not without his probs did he get bthe car going well. I recall a fire....
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Thats the chappie! I only remember following him on a couple of runs in my old Nobel and didnt appear to be struggling with any issues on those occasions. I also remember him offering the car for sale at £3000 in the east anglia micrometer mag and my wife Shelley telling me I should buy it.
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Well I was pleasantly surprised how well it drove on the flat and even gradients, after all the stories, but I wont be able to give an honest view until I do the clutch and try it out on a decent hill ,
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Ralph Beardsmore from Newark had to re-engineer the under carriage of the Coronet so that cool air was ducted from the front of the car direct onto the cylinders. This had the Excelsior twin fitted though and not the more troublesome Anzani that is in the Powerdrive.
Yes Al, as the restoration was nearing completion it caught fire and the fibreglass body was destroyed. A derelict Coronet was located and the body was used to re-restore it again.
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0n the subject of cooling I have fitted a perforated aluminium rear floor in the powerdrive with foot wide air intake scoops ,I have also used a turbo type heater blower to cylinder 2 to aid cooling when stationary to hopefully deal with the lack of cooling
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Fantastic. I hope you get the clutch sorted soon. Has it got a roof?
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I have the original roof and side screens which I intend to get redone during the restoration proper which will be at the end or the rally season any recommendation for this work would be appreciated I also have a tonneau cover which is a bonus
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0n the subject of cooling I have fitted a perforated aluminium rear floor in the powerdrive with foot wide air intake scoops ,I have also used a turbo type heater blower to cylinder 2 to aid cooling when stationary to hopefully deal with the lack of cooling
Going on memory I recall the engine having an installation with vanes directing air from the side scoop to the engine which had a casing, cast ali?, over it to keep the air from spilling away from the fins. I think this was based on the marine version of the engine.
Cannot comment myself, but those I respect who have used both engines with understanding say the Anzani is superior to the Excelsior in many ways.
With these enclosed engines it is important to have the air easy access to the ducting. It then needs an air tight duct of slowly reducing diameter to increase the spead of the air to that which is efficient in removing the heat in a timely manor from the fins. The exhausted hot air needs a low pressure area of exterior bodywork to exit efficiently and not to be sucked back into, or under the car. While air is a gas it can be predicted by fluid dynamics. As the air increases in speed it will pull more in behind it like a syphon. On exiting the hot engine it will have expanded so will need a little more room.
This any new holes, ducting or other mods needs to take these principles into account. It is easy to make a port on the assumption it is introducing more air, when in fact it is upsetting a pre planned system and preventing air flow. A classic few examples from Goggo land.
Example 1 Export Goggo saloons had rear quarter light windows. It was found that with these open the pressure wave formed pushed air away from the side vents in the body and the cars overheated.
Example 2 The Goggo engine is sealed horizontally in its bay. Cold air comes in the top. It goes into the carb and blower. The blower blows it over the cylinders forwards to exit in front of the ducted blower, and away with the hot exhaust. Remove the rubber seals and the car will get a bit hot, reducing performance. Remove the blower duct, as in perhaps a quarter of Goggos I have seen at rallies, and you will have a car living on hot air in its carb, thus a weak mixture, and unable to cool itself as it is breathing its own preheated cooling air. These cars tend to knock out piston 2, as it overheats more. Another dead Goggo.
So you need to know why you have made any new holes in a car for cooling. Watch for any evidence of overheating, either way. Maplin sell thermocouple heat sensors for very little. A great investment. It might be noted that over hot clutches tend to slip, as do low fluid oil bath wet clutchs.
Have you checked your clutch push rod? It is not uncommon for this rod to bell up and thus be incapable of relaxing its position. In effect the clutch is left half on. Many Albion users put a ball bearing in the end to take up the load on a hard bit off metal.
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All that from Al could be the most informed, and informative , information that I have read on the subject of cooling and possibly one of the best posts on this forum I think
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As the Nobel has been in the focus of the forum here are a few snaps of a recent outing with the powerdrive and a friends recently restored nobel we did around 15 miles in the rain but we were both smiling even without a roof! Also a short Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_H5jeDmqm0.
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Lovely! Two rare microcars out on the open road, being used just as they should be. Thanks for posting.
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Yup, great to see!
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Great first shot. Cut to Clarkson with grand piano.
No seriously. that is the thing get them running, build up the trips to get some reliability. Cracking. I stink of two stroke have got a Schmitt running after about 28 years idleness. A real stinker full of dried fuel and carbon. Driving was restricted to the now rebuilt BX 1.6 Auto after ignition problems. Oh wonderful light evenings!
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Fantastic. Great to see both on the road together. Dry weather coming soon!
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0' the joys of open motoring , very nice to see it running - lets hope its driven to rally's and not trailered , the Bond was (will be soon be - new brake parts have arrived ) always under its own steam .
dare we ask for a photo of the first breakdown :o
Alan
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let's hope its driven to rally's and not trailered , the Bond was (will be soon be - new brake parts have arrived ) always under its own steam.
There's a certain joy in doing that (and in getting safely home again!). I loved it when I did 160 miles each way to Morecambe, similarly to the National at Cardiff, and nearly 200 when I drove to the Isle of Wight.
However ... I think I go to many more, and wider-flung, rallies now that I trailer! The twice that I've driven my Bond 500 miles joyously round the Dolomites, Verona and Lake Garda just wouldn't have happened, if I'd also had to drive the 1200 miles there (at 600 miles a day 'cos that was all the holiday we had).
No-one was banned from coming in a Bond to the rally in South Wales this weekend - but strangely they didn't ...
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At least one made an attempt! Had I only anticipated that a tube of non-setting gasket goo might be needed along with all the other spares/bits I had on board. I did a 30 mile trip today with your temporary fix with no problems, but I'm not sure I want to attempt the 170+ miles each way to Nottingham. Anyone got a trailer going cheap?
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I'll tell you a secret, Malcolm: I used the "temporary" gasket-goo fix successfully for 4 years, and 4,000 miles. Until I discovered that I could get it helicoiled, basically! ::)
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[quote author=DaveMiller link=topic=4690.msg39874#msg39874 date=1428331265
No-one was banned from coming in a Bond to the rally in South Wales this weekend - but strangely they didn't ...
[/quote]
Bit cryptic. So folk there trailed? I did not know there was a Rally on, so that probably means the folk I know with Bonds did not know either, as one of them would have told me. I believe in that number are 'banned' members who are, were, might be, have, fallen out with last British outpost in a certain Birmingham canton. Yet some of these cars are in regular use. And just think of the money saved by Bonding over the Severn Bridge, as opposed to trailing. That is nearly enough to by a tyre.
I do not know what happened to South Wales. One minute there was a club, magazine and events, the next it was a wasteland, claiming, for instance, only 4 Schmitts, apparently. But it mirrors the decline of the South West which at one time was perhaps the most active area in the country. Nothing stays the same.
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Bit cryptic. So folk there trailed? I did not know there was a Rally on, so that probably means the folk I know with Bonds did not know either, as one of them would have told me. I believe in that number are 'banned' members who are, were, might be, have, fallen out with last British outpost in a certain Birmingham canton. Yet some of these cars are in regular use. And just think of the money saved by Bonding over the Severn Bridge, as opposed to trailing. That is nearly enough to by a tyre.
How very odd. On several counts:
Every single member of the Bond Owners Club (who were having their Easter rally - the annual Doug Ferreira Memorial Tour - in South Wales) will have known about the rally, through the details published in the club's magazine.
Every single BOC member was welcome (in any vehicle) and none, at all, were "banned".
Use of the Severn bridges would depend, of course, on where you start off. Going in the Bond, via the Bridge, would have been slightly more expensive for me than trailing!
A tyre, for a Mk G anyway, is typically over £50, nowadays.
... Or did you just have a bad Easter, Al? ;D
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No, got a lot done.
So while not banned from the Bond Rally, how do non BOC owners (some of whom aledge they are banned) find out about the Rally they are not banned from. That is effectively a question I was covering. Some of them will have no inkling as to who, or what, a Doug Ferreira is. Some will have had Bonds only a few years, not decades. Tradition is a wonderful thing. Like Eels heading off to the Sargasso sea. Trouble is if they all forget there will be no more Eels.
What price is a nice 4.00 by 8 for the rear of an earlier Bond? £14? Not all Bonds are north of Watford.
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You won't win this one Al ! As usual you are looking for a negative where there is none :) I really think that if you had a Bond you would NOT be welcome mainly because you seem so negative about it all. Wish I had been there this week meeting some of the participants this Friday and they will be full of it ! It was no secret it's every Easter and publicised in the excellent mag all year around . GREAT STUFF ;D
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So while not banned from the Bond Rally, how do non BOC owners (some of whom aledge they are banned) find out about the Rally they are not banned from. That is effectively a question I was covering.
You misquote me, Al. I said no Club member was banned from the Club's rally. (And no-one else could be banned, because they weren't eligible in the first place!)
The rally was for Club members, so why would it be advertised to others? Just because you like driving microcars doesn't make you eligible to attend the meeting or rally of a club you're not a member of. In fact, I know of one person who's often turned up at a Bond Rally, in a Bond, when he steadfastly refuses to pay the club membership. That's just bloody rude, to all those members of the club who put in hard work and funds, for the benefit of the club members. (He is, incidentally, not turned away.)
How would you expect to be treated if you turned up at the annual dinner of the Scarborough Rotary Club, on the grounds that you like to eat, too? Or the Birmingham chess-masters club, with a set of mah-jong, and expecting a game?
Clubs are member-based. That's the idea of a club. Sometimes they have "open" or "invitation" events, and they are different. It's really quite simple.
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On the subject of trailering to shows I agree In principle and as a rule I would drive to local shows , but my wife and I are off to the Scottish highlands this week sadly not with the powerdrive as the weather can be a bit unpredictable , until the Summer , ( I believe summer is on a Thursday this year ) but we are off to the Scottish microcar rally at Ullapool with my Trojan , this is my excuse for trailering , it doubles as our accommodation for the week .
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You misquote me, Al.
Not really a miss quote, but a miss understanding. If the BOC, or any other organisation, wish to do things on their own, I have no great problem with it, nor is it my business. What fooled me is it appeared here, under a Unusual Microcar Discussion. So an observational tangent, of which I am guilty of doing too, of course. I did query it as a missunderstanding of sorts.
Not sure what you see as negative in that, Richard. Is asking sensible questions a negative thing? I got a sensible answer. Winning, or agreeing, is nothing to do with it, and really revolves round your point of view anyway. I find odd that BOC is not more actively seeking members, but as I said. Its not my business. Clearly there is an understanding within BOC that works for BOC in the way it trots along for longer than any other micro club.
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I'm agreeing with Al on this one , the BMOC motto seems to be " I started it so I'm staying put " .
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I'm agreeing with Al on this one , the BMOC motto seems to be " I started it so I'm staying put " .
Not an attitude that seems to pervade the club's members. I think it's important to be careful whether you're referring to attitudes of "the Club" (called BOC, incidentally, for those now confused!) or to individual attitudes.
Al finds it "odd that BOC is not more actively seeking members" and seems to suggest the only way a club should operate is to run yet more open rallies (Gawd, no, please - we have so many on the scene already that attendance is diluted horribly!) and that they are "the" method of recruitment. I can confirm that the BOC (see comment above) does welcome new members - I've only been able to see the detail since I started doing the magazine, but in those 16 months, we've had 42 new members. Quite how many should a small club (which is "not actively recruiting"!!) expect, I'm wondering?
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in those 16 months, we've had 42 new members.
Oops - got that wrong. Having just gone through my email inbox, I'll correct that figure: to forty four.
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Gone well off subject but this is an odd one :) I bought a Bond and joined the club , there was no reluctance to accept me , if there ever was a reluctance to accept new members , which I honestly doubt , ever since I joined 10 years ago there has been a half page or so of new members this month many from abroad . The last two months there have been very interesting articles from Australia and Alaska detailing rebuilds and the terrific friendly response the guys had on joining the club . I would beg that if you are talking of some mythical or historic situation you get better informed :)
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Well that is good news. With cars moving around, and a few new, even if old, faces doing things, a positive reaction. However there is a big difference between a Bond rally, for Bonds, and an open rally. Returning to the Messerschmitt lot, who many consider a bit elitist, they are happy to have Schmitts not in the club attend, hoping that the owner will be enrolled on the day. However that is not their sole medium of entry, as it is not for BOC. By the same token the Schmitters are not nearly so welcoming of other microcars attending, like a Nobel, for instance. Like taking a Scootacar to a BOC rally, same engine, different thing. If the policy is stated, there you go. No arguements.
An interesting question as to the number of open events. Are there to many? Its a separate topic but, yes, connected at the hip. Why should a Bonder be interested in Messerschmitts, for instance. Why have a road run where 'the advanced guard' disappear into the distance in some other sorts of cars. You want to be Bonding, with other Bonds. If the BOC is strengthening, success is its own advertisement. Offering what might be exactly what Bond owners want. Bonding without interference, could be the policy. I do not know all the answers, I wish I did. Some clubs need a bit of a BOC up the 'arris, by the sound of it.
I wonder if we might be treated to one of those magic moments at Hatton, like the old Burford, where 25 odd Bonds turned up together having rolled a convoy up on the way. Anyone who saw that must agree it was hugely motivational, no matter what car was your interest. The senior club showed everyone how to do it. Fledgling Isetta, Trienkel Clubs and more. Perhaps the last marque to fly in value, maybe the Bonds will be the ones to show how to harmonise that with a good social scene and events calender. But if its all secret we will not know.
Be assured I will be telling everyone that BOC is growing again. Give it a go. What have you to loose?
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Gone well off subject but this is an odd one :) I bought a Bond and joined the club , there was no reluctance to accept me , if there ever was a reluctance to accept new members , which I honestly doubt , ever since I joined 10 years ago there has been a half page or so of new members this month many from abroad . The last two months there have been very interesting articles from Australia and Alaska detailing rebuilds and the terrific friendly response the guys had on joining the club . I would beg that if you are talking of some mythical or historic situation you get better informed :)
Stan was somewhat hostile to the notion of Bonds abroad. If this is the myth or history refereed too I am getting informed things have changed. To do this I am asking questions. I know of no other way of finding such things out. Since the news is good I cannot see why this should be threatening. Its not perhaps British to blow your own trumpet. So this allows BOC to stand forward and take a bow. Anyone reading this on the forum will now know something they perhaps did not. I think that is what it is for. If that counts as your winning, then I am fine with that. I have won too, because its good gossip I can spread.
Having agreed we are all happy in a way perhaps time for me to leave this and hope the Powerdrive has got a speeding ticket on its next adventure, or something, which will appear below.
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Update on the powerdrive I recently attended my 1st show with the powerdrive and my friend drove his nobel , a local show with l a very appropriate format namely less than 500 survivors which it would have qualified for in 1956
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unfortunately due to the fact that so few were made this made me effectively last in the competition as the judging was based on how many produced verses how many left , which made the rarest car there a 1980s Renault 19 diesel apparently ? However this was the 1st year of the show and was in my view a successful event . The following week I was to drive to a local show but all day heavy rain put me off , especially with no roof , further events are planned before the end of the season before phase 2 of the restoration resumes . P. s sorry it is in 2 parts file is too big
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This is an argument I have regularly. You can have rare cars due to few made. However you can have statistically rare cars where many were made but few are left, as well. From the point of view of looking at cars for old times sake, therefore, it might be argued that a 1100 MK1 Estate/Countryman is more interesting than a Scootacar. This ignores eccentricity of build, of course. That is, perhaps, subjective. But I understand the rule they wish to apply. I do not doubt that a Powerdrive and a Nobel, driving, stole the show for many of those attending.
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I don't disagree with this format in principle and completely agree that low production cars are all but excluded but I would question a car so "new" getting a top award at a show aimed at classic car owners , also would love to know how many of these models exist in there native country . It was however a great day and we could hope the might tweak it a little for the years to come
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I think your right. But Classic Car often applies as covering cars over 25 years old. All my cars are thus 'Classic', but I feel the BX and Trooper are moderns. It feels wrong taking them to drive in events, but when your there you find plenty of people looking and talking about them.
The BX itself is a car that sold something like 2.5 million. The UK is down to under 1200 left running! Half of those are going to go, a little bolstering by good, but off road mothballed cars. I can see them down to 750 cars in a few years. There is no doubting its credentials as a Classic, but I am not sure it is one yet. The '87 Trooper Citation 2.8 Turbo D I have is practically extinct as they all rotted away long since.
By being this inclusive organisers bolster numbers as owners of odd and older cars seem ever more reluctant to bring them out. I suspect it is a good thing the winning car was not some obscure '30's car for total attendance. Its a clever strategy. Exclude the common, but be inclusive of the lesser over a long period. A many and varied entrant list as opposed to half the cars being regularly featured in the alleged Classic Car Magazines. Something that the car shows like the NEC might take note of as they continue to turn down stands from modern Classics with enthusiastic groups who are prepared to budget significant money and effort to build interesting stands in favour of duplicating the more common recognised mainstream classics. The BX Club suffering here after a prize winning stand a few years ago. A matter of balance, and for those who feed of it, profit.
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Now at The end of the rally season for the powerdrive, after attending the" how many left" rally early in the season by trailer I decided it was time to drive the car to a rally so along with my friend Mike with his Nobel we drove both the cars 10 miles on the main roads to a local show . With no real issues so much so we took the long way home traveling around 25 miles for our day both cars performed well uphill and down .even getting interest from the local paper . The powerdrive is now in the garage to start phase 1 of the restoration proper getting the bodywork straight ready for paint along with other modifications and improvements . Click on this link to see the powerdrive In action climbing a hill ;D https://youtu.be/iQNh6uH_Rwc
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Makes me think of Edwin H story of going to view a Powerdrive back in the day. Happy days.
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Thanks Gary - great video. Look forward to reading details of the restoration as it progresses.
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Well done to those two boys. Takes me back to 1976 when I used to drive my cars to shows. GREAT.
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The powerdrive body restoration is in full swing , but I have a question for someone clued up on d.v.l.a matters last year I went to tax the car as I used it for a few shows . I could not get it done online or at the post office . when I phoned the dvla I was told the car could not be taxed because it was already taxed !! I could only assume the last owner had taxed the car . I have now looked further as I had not received a reminder . but just noticed the taxation class is "not licenced" instead of historic vehicle . as far as I can make out that as the car has been off the road for so long not on the road there is no need to tax or sorn it therefore the 1st time it gets taxed I can change the status to historic . but as far as I can work out I have to produce an mot to make this change, so I have to get the car m.o.t. d to get it m.o.t. exempt sounds stupid enough to be true can anyone confirm if this is the case or not thanks Gary
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Some aspects of that sound distinctly odd, but the bit about requiring an MoT sounds right.
The MoT exemption is for vehicles which have been in regular "use", shown by their continuous insurance and tax history.
There had to be something to stop people finding a few bits of rusty old wreck, and promptly proceeding to drive it on the road. Hence, the first time a car is brought back into licensing, a check is needed that it's safe.
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I didn't need an MOT when I first put my Bond back on the road after it's 30 year break. I had to fill in form V112 "Declaration of exemption from MOT". Assuming your Powerdrive was first registered before 1st January 1960, then that would be what you need. If I remember correctly, I had to fill this out and send it to the DVLA along with the other paperwork and they sent back an updated V5C with the "Historic Vehicle" taxation class.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/declaration-of-exemption-from-mot (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/declaration-of-exemption-from-mot)
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the V112 is worthless , the girl at the post office give it back two years running , so there is no declaration by you or your signiture submited to the DVLA . Also there was no copying done at the PO.
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If I remember the correct sequence. I spoke to the DVLA, and told them about the paperwork that I had with the car. They told me to fill in a V62 & pay £25 and send that along with the existing paperwork back to them. They then sent me back a correct and up to date V5C, which they advised me to take along to the local post office with the V112. The girl in the post office said yes that's absolutely fine and gave me a tax disc for £0.00. I got a reminder to go on-line and renew the tax this year and the insurance company confirmed that because of it's age they did not need an MOT when they agreed to insure it. It all goes back to what an MOT test was originally for, which was to remove a large number of cars from the road that were probably going to fail catastrophically sometime shortly after the test. The MOT certificate is only really valid for anything on the day and at the time of the test. After that it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure their vehicle is in a roadworthy state whenever it is use on the road.
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Thanks for that Malcom I contacted the d.v.l.a. via email and they seem to confirm what you have said so I will go to the post office my next day off and hope it's as simple as that and let you all know how it goes I have included photos of the car as it is cheers everyone Gary
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The body looks great Gary, is that all the welding done?
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Yes but we did uncover some horrors on the way and I am having to replace the boot lid with a new piece bu hope to have the body in primer early next year
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They do have great lines. With love even better lines!
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Updates on 2 fronts the powerdrive is now road taxed . And it was easy er than I was dreading .thanks to all for there comments and guidance here is the official answer as sent by the dvla which may help someone with this issue . Also a few updated photos of the powerdrive sporting it's new boot lid ., The taxation class Historic Vehicle applies to any vehicle constructed before 1st January 1975.
If the taxation class is not already shown as Historic Vehicle on the V5C for your vehicle you can apply in person at a Post Office® that deals with vehicle tax. The V5C must show a date of registration prior to the 01.01.1975.
If this is not recorded on the V5C but the vehicle was manufactured prior to this date you will need to produce dating evidence and submit the application to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DZ.
Acceptable dating evidence can be obtained from:
• An extract from the manufacturer/factory record - these will have the chassis number of the vehicle against the month and year of production*
• An extract from the 'Glasses guide'- which is a comprehensive guide on production dates and includes chassis numbers
• If the vehicle has been imported and already registered, the original foreign registration certificate.
*A certified copy of the factory record (with the embedded stamp) will be acceptable only from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (BMIHT)
The keeper will need to write ‘Historic’ in the change to taxation class field in section 7 of the V5C and sign section 8.
An updated V5C will be returned within 4 weeks. If a V62 form is submitted a V5C will be returned within 6 weeks.
*Please note from 18th November 2012, vehicles manufactured before 1st January 1960 are exempt from the requirement to have a mandatory MOT test.
If your vehicle is manufactured before 1st January 1960 you will need to complete a V112 ‘Exemption from MOT Testing’ form.
The decision was announced by the Minister for transport following a Public Consultation in November 2011.
Please note it is the keeper or driver of the vehicle’s responsibility for ensuring the vehicle is in a road worthy condition and safe to be driven on the road.
More information on the historic vehicles taxation class can be found on information leaflet INF34 Taxing Historic Vehicles.
Form V62 can be downloaded from www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration-certificate-v5c-log-book or obtained from a Post Office® that deals with vehicle tax.
Form V10 can be downloaded from https://www.gov.uk/car-tax-disc-vehicle-licence-using-form-v10 or obtained from a Post Office® that deals with vehicle tax.
Form V112 can be downloaded from https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/vehicles-exempt-from-mot or obtained from a Post Office® that deals with vehicle tax.
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Lovely big space you have to work in.
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This made me smile . seems the powerdrive got its styling from an a35 ;D
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No longer 50 shades of grey ;) Powerdrive now in primer . topcoats won't go on till I have completed my planned improvements which include relocating the battery to the front of the car ,which will allow me to relocate the fuel tank from behind the driver , also the steering column will be shortened by 6 inches .
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Fantastic quality of work!
Any pictures that show interim stages of your excellent repair of the previously agrieviously torn and riveted sections?
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Of course we all know the Powerdrive rear vent went on to influence other stylists.
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Topcoats of paint on now . battery now lives in the front of the car , steering shortened for clearance issues (my belly ;D) see the new petrol tank which will have an electric fuel pump to replace the gravity fed original starting to take shape but still plenty to do ,
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Keep this up and you could end up with a concourse winner.
What class would they put you in?
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Looks much better with the bootlid fitting great . After making it from scratch . The bonnet needs further work to fit correctly
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Looking really great. I think you'll be able to pretty much guarantee winning "best Powerdrive" at every event you attend
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Spot the difference . 1 Year on powerdrive restoration is progressing well .
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Spent a day fitting the tonneou cover . Well it hides the mess below it :)
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Found this on the net .never noticed my car was left hand drive in a previous life :o
http://unusual-cars.com/model-of-the-car-powerdrive-1956/
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Are you trying to catch us out?
At least two photos are inverted :)
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Yes barry of course you are right . This is a photo that was taken of my car at a local show and for some reason was posted this way .
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Mine seems to now be LHD as well. Always thought the damage to the rear wing was on the o/s.......
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MERRY XMAS TO ONE AND ALL
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See the powerdrive progress.
https://youtu.be/IBos3iiPLCoIBOS3IIPLCO
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Excellent
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Thanks Gary
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https://youtu.be/iQNh6uH_Rwc
https://youtu.be/PY6sNjuj5RU
https://youtu.be/3uqaDlOsuAQ
See if you can spot the cop car in the vidio :)
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A few photos
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A re run of the 1st outing the powerdrive took around 2 years ago with the same friend and Nobel . We traveled around 40 miles to a remote tearoom and had a chance meeting with a local man with his reliant regal .
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More photos
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uqaDlOsuAQ
Ha! Love how your car sounds in this one. Amazing, thanks for sharing with us :)
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Hi Finland luke thanks for your interest . But part of the reasons for the sound is that was the start of the head gasket blowing ;) which in later videos became worse. but all sorted now cheers Gary
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For those who attended the national and did not see the powerdrive with the cover off here is a short vidio posted by Grant showing the car doing a few circuits of the rally field and through the village unfortunatly you will need to be on facebook to view
https://m.facebook.com/groups/483245142010913?view=permalink&id=530081973993896
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Cheers! The Facebook video is also linked on the National Microcar Rally website along with a couple of photos of the Powerdrive in the Grasmere gallery.
http://national-microcar-rally.co.uk/nmcr-history.html
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Dear Malcolm
The link from the NMR web site is no better as the facebook log in screen comes up and blocks the video.
Chris Thomas
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Thanks Chris, that's why I said it's a Facebook video! I've now stuck it onto the website gallery page as well for the benefit of those who don't wish to subscribe to the demon Facebook.
http://national-microcar-rally.co.uk/pics2017/powerdrive.html (http://national-microcar-rally.co.uk/pics2017/powerdrive.html)
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Thanks Malcolm
That is much more accessible to all of us.
Chris Thomas
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Thanks for that Malcolm . I had been trying to find a way to do that .
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Found this archive photo seems to have too many wheels compared to my own :)
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My own car for comparison.
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This is from Scooter & three Wheeler for August 1956. (also reproduced in RUMcars magazine #28). Wonder how the modified picture originated?
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The engine bay ventilation opening is behind the seat allowing for four wheels - no side vents. Were four wheels ever considered? I think that when the artist air brushed the original photo to remove the background and highlight some detail, he / she assumed there was a back wheel in the shadow and drew one in. Possible explanation?
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That sounds possible Barry .Interestingly the driver side vent was actually blanked off when new . only the nearside one was functional. The one on top would have made it nearly impossible to have a roof .
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Trying to solve the problem of white flashing indicators as is the case with many of our cars . Looked around and found these. Double filliment orange bulbs . Direct replacement. Gives orange flashing indicator to cars with white lens . Payback is the sidelight has an orange glow . As shown in the photos but still as bright . At the back of the car I have added orange motorcycle type indicators . To replace the flashing red indicators .and so gives proper twin red brake lights . Instead of the single central brake light which can be retained . Also these l.e.d. 12v red light strips as shown below my number plate. can be a good solution not everyone's taste but a quick subtle fix Hope this gives some ideas to someone with similar concerns.
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After the washout at last years national i have spent a few days fitting the 60 year old original soft top. in preperation for this year's national As i had no weather protection at last year's event . But still hoping it's not needed.
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That looks beautiful Gary, what a shame you are so far away we would love to see it at our Open Day the last weekend in July.
Please send some up to date pictures to Alastair for the Register. All the very best . Jean
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How did it survive so well?
Was it in cold storage?
Obviously the clear plastic window was replaced.
I spent a few hours fitting my Berkeley's top last year. Should have waited for a hotter day.
What were you doing to yours during your several day ordeal?
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Hi Jean thanks for your comments. I would have loved to attend the event but as you said it is a long way . On the weekend of your event i will be returning to the 1st show that i took the powerdrive to before the restoration began . I also intend going to the national near Manchester. At last year's national there was so much rain it was almost impossible to take the cover off the car here the need for the hood . Good luck with the event I am sure it will be a success as ever thanks .
Steve yes I am pleased the roof has survived so well as you say the window has been replaced. Unfortunately I had no idea of sizes and had to guess so although it's not perfect it works for me thanks Gary
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Photo pre restoration
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Many thanks to all who voted for the powerdrive at the national very pleased to be awarded a certificate. And a years subscription to the excellent rum news . Cheers to all and to Chris for his hard work throughout the year
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Richly deserved. Wonderful restoration.
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Thanks for posting pictures Bob not home yet so couldn't get photos posted . Also well done on your award for your great looking car .
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The Powerdrive and Nobel make there yearly visit to a local rally driven there without any issues but also a picture of a young restorers scammell scarab he has just completed.