RUMCars Forum
General Category => Microcar News => Topic started by: daughter of bamby on July 22, 2011, 12:35:52 AM
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Well guys and gals, we have kept this quiet and you havnt heard much from me for a while. I would like to introduce to you the all new BAMBY P50. Number 1 passed its MSVA test this week and gained its ministry approval certificate from VOSA, which makes it a fully road legal,2011 registered totally reliable and useable P50 replica. with support from mr carter we have tried to stay as true to the original as was possible within the constraints of the MSVA test and using modern mechanicals. T he car is put together using the same principles as an original, monocoque body/subframes. the pics speak for themselves as regards interior and exterior spec so i ll go straight to the important bits. power is from a 50 cc electric start, four stroke with fully automatic transmission driving the rear wheel via chain. rear suspension is coilover shock absorber while the front is our own design,anti roll composite rubber sprung wishbone arrangement, which coupled with the near perfect weight distribution on both front wheels ,makes for a p50 that corners liike no other !! Braking is taken care of by hydraulic disc brakes on all three wheels, with the parking brake operating on the rear also. tyres are DOT approved diamond tread pattern, speed and load rated and E marked. Top speed is governed to 28mph as per VOSA REGULATIONS and is is classed as a 3 wheel moped with a weight of 160kg. Top speed is reached in around 6 seconds. We are awaiting the paperwork from DVLA with our brand new reg number and tax disc and as soon as it arrives i will post a video of it in action on the queens highways. We are set up and ready to put it into production, the body is finished in coloured gelcoat and comes in blue, red or yellow though we can supply other colours subject to availability. price is £8995, inc VAT, registration,shiny new numberplate and road tax. being a new vehicle, the reg is transferable,allowing you to put your own private plate on, and as a bonus, NO MOT FOR 3 YEARS. it has to be the deal of the century! Our demonstrator will be available for appraisal within the next week and you can even take it for a test drive. email me at minimicros@yahoo.com for further info.
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Sounds even better than the original! All the best with this.
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That's a good effort and well done.
Have "Peel Engineering" got there petrol cars actually on the road yet?
Any plans for the Trident?
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Permission to giggle madly. I am glad I did not bother going into building my own replicas as for the effort involved it is easier to buy one of these! Someone had to do it and now they have confirming my estimation of making the investment and backing out. What price a real Peel now I wonder? I look forward to seeing the car in the flesh.
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That's a good effort and well done.
Have "Peel Engineering" got there petrol cars actually on the road yet?
Any plans for the Trident?
a trident will be forthcoming over the next few months, and there have been a few other rare microcars that we have discussed that we would like to update and reproduce.
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Permission to giggle madly. I am glad I did not bother going into building my own replicas as for the effort involved it is easier to buy one of these! Someone had to do it and now they have confirming my estimation of making the investment and backing out. What price a real Peel now I wonder? I look forward to seeing the car in the flesh.
it has been an up hill battle from day one , with the hoops one needs to jump through and the legislation that has to be complied with to pass type approval . but here it is, SVA tested AND road legal. getting any other replica passed now will be a doddle compared to a p50. it will be at the nationals for definate,hopefully at a few other showws between now and then, look out for it, it will be the one being driven, not trailored. ;D
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Congrats, the car looks propper to me. Fantastic work !
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That's a good effort and well done.
Have "Peel Engineering" got there petrol cars actually on the road yet?
Any plans for the Trident?
a trident will be forthcoming over the next few months, and there have been a few other rare microcars that we have discussed that we would like to update and reproduce.
How about a Nobel?
Nah, it would'nt sell, just like the original ;)
Great job on the P50, keep on the great work! Looking forward to see the trident :)
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Permission to giggle madly. I am glad I did not bother going into building my own replicas as for the effort involved it is easier to buy one of these! Someone had to do it and now they have confirming my estimation of making the investment and backing out. What price a real Peel now I wonder? I look forward to seeing the car in the flesh.
So as of today one can go out and but a proper road legal Peel get in and drive in with petrol propulsion. I recall buying my real one for roughly the same price of one of these and actually though i was going mad.
What price a real Peel? What price a perfect copy Picasso vs Picasso, Rothko vs Rothko, Mondrian vs Mondrian? Well an exact in every detail toolroom copy Ferrari California is £350k vs £4m. A Lynx D brand new tool room is 350k vs 4m. You do the math....
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Permission to giggle madly. I am glad I did not bother going into building my own replicas as for the effort involved it is easier to buy one of these! Someone had to do it and now they have confirming my estimation of making the investment and backing out. What price a real Peel now I wonder? I look forward to seeing the car in the flesh.
So as of today one can go out and but a proper road legal Peel get in and drive in with petrol propulsion. I recall buying my real one for roughly the same price of one of these and actually though i was going mad.
What price a real Peel? What price a perfect copy Picasso vs Picasso, Rothko vs Rothko, Mondrian vs Mondrian? Well an exact in every detail toolroom copy Ferrari California is £350k vs £4m. A Lynx D brand new tool room is 350k vs 4m. You do the math....
I do not wish to as they all have copies and are to expensive to ponder even for the copy, even if I knew what three of them were. Clearly I am not a man of urban (is that correct word?) taste, nor do I frequent Goodwood etc. I prefer to have something affordable and unique. A totally differing approach maybe but one reflected by the market in every way just as the above examples might be true? I imagine you could be correct however, time will tell. I certainly would not be rushing to buy those cars likely to be copied though. Better risks elsewhere for equally bonkers machinery.
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Is there going to be a replibamby or as metioned recently a replirepli curcarsoreye??
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Is there going to be a replibamby or as metioned recently a replirepli curcarsoreye??
a revamped bamby has been discussed and is a definate maybe at some point. , a BAMBLICA ? :-\
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"BAMBLICA" What a lovely name. Reminds me of a Romanian Princess. :-*
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And I thought Bamby had been killed off?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WungSzKum3s
A resurrection perhaps.
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And I thought Bamby had been killed off?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WungSzKum3s
It is not just me Stuart!!!!
Bambi was killed by Thumper in the remake by Quinton Tarrentino wasn't he, Bob
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:D funny enough al i was going to post exactly that !!
ITS NOT JUST AL ! my exact thoughts :D
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Looks brilliant. I wish I had the need to buy another toy for the garage, but I should be selling, not buying. I'm sure this will bring down the over inflated price the originals. Please don't compare them with Ferraris.
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Permission to giggle madly. I am glad I did not bother going into building my own replicas as for the effort involved it is easier to buy one of these! Someone had to do it and now they have confirming my estimation of making the investment and backing out. What price a real Peel now I wonder? I look forward to seeing the car in the flesh.
So as of today one can go out and but a proper road legal Peel get in and drive in with petrol propulsion. I recall buying my real one for roughly the same price of one of these and actually though i was going mad.
What price a real Peel? What price a perfect copy Picasso vs Picasso, Rothko vs Rothko, Mondrian vs Mondrian? Well an exact in every detail toolroom copy Ferrari California is £350k vs £4m. A Lynx D brand new tool room is 350k vs 4m. You do the math....
People buy the sports cars to show off, and make the most of them, that means race them.
Peels are virtually undriveable for proper use, just for fun, so an original is no way near what you expect, as my dad says, I think repros are bringing the price down, since you can get an exact copy for a fraction of the price!
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And I thought Bamby had been killed off?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WungSzKum3s
It is not just me Stuart!!!!
Bambi was killed by Thumper in the remake by Quinton Tarrentino wasn't he, Bob
Dont bring my Thumper into it!! ;D ;D ;D I guess Thumper would murder a Bamby in a road comparison test . Lets hope the lastest offerings from Bamby cars are a little better!
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I had a sneaky look around Alan Evans' garage recently. With his permission of course. These are great guys and I admire their dedication and tenacity. The products are, well, world class. I'll start saving for my deposit.
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Permission to giggle madly. I am glad I did not bother going into building my own replicas as for the effort involved it is easier to buy one of these! Someone had to do it and now they have confirming my estimation of making the investment and backing out. What price a real Peel now I wonder? I look forward to seeing the car in the flesh.
So as of today one can go out and but a proper road legal Peel get in and drive in with petrol propulsion. I recall buying my real one for roughly the same price of one of these and actually though i was going mad.
What price a real Peel? What price a perfect copy Picasso vs Picasso, Rothko vs Rothko, Mondrian vs Mondrian? Well an exact in every detail toolroom copy Ferrari California is £350k vs £4m. A Lynx D brand new tool room is 350k vs 4m. You do the math....
People buy the sports cars to show off, and make the most of them, that means race them.
Peels are virtually undriveable for proper use, just for fun, so an original is no way near what you expect, as my dad says, I think repros are bringing the price down, since you can get an exact copy for a fraction of the price!
Like fake TG's make the bone fide TG's come down in price?
Since when has a doppleganger of anything remotely desireable and collectable caused the real thing to become cheaper? There's milliions of plastic AC Cobra 427 reps on the globe. I think you'll find it has the complete opposite effect.
Utter utter nonsense of the highest order.
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Permission to giggle madly. I am glad I did not bother going into building my own replicas as for the effort involved it is easier to buy one of these! Someone had to do it and now they have confirming my estimation of making the investment and backing out. What price a real Peel now I wonder? I look forward to seeing the car in the flesh.
So as of today one can go out and but a proper road legal Peel get in and drive in with petrol propulsion. I recall buying my real one for roughly the same price of one of these and actually though i was going mad.
What price a real Peel? What price a perfect copy Picasso vs Picasso, Rothko vs Rothko, Mondrian vs Mondrian? Well an exact in every detail toolroom copy Ferrari California is £350k vs £4m. A Lynx D brand new tool room is 350k vs 4m. You do the math....
People buy the sports cars to show off, and make the most of them, that means race them.
Peels are virtually undriveable for proper use, just for fun, so an original is no way near what you expect, as my dad says, I think repros are bringing the price down, since you can get an exact copy for a fraction of the price!
Like fake TG's make the bone fide TG's come down in price?
Since when has a copy of anything caused the real thing to become cheaper?
Err OK
I don't mean it in that way, but there are so many peel replicas now, more than originals. Tg wise, there are more originals than repros.
I'm just expressing my opinion.
What would you rather have? A real TG, or a repro one for a fraction of the price, but as original?
As long as it sounds like a TG and is metal, I would have the repro!
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wash your mouth out with soap young man ! ;)
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What would you rather have? A real TG, or a repro one for a fraction of the price, but as original?
As long as it sounds like a TG and is metal, I would have the repro!
I agree with Jonathan. When the original becomes so highly valued that your budget and investment means you can't use it as originally intended, surely it's better to have the option of a repro at a lower price that you can drive, display and muck about with to your hearts content. In my view there is plently of room for both providing one can distinguish between a replica and an original. Let's face facts, most microcars were never manufactured with the expectation that they'd still be in regular use 50+ years later and numbers are dwindling. What's left are increasingly rare survivors and for every person who'd love an original, there are probably quite a few whose budget might allow them to buy one but wouldn't because they are less concerned with investment potential and more with driving the thing. Other than fakes passed off as originals, I've never know a replica to devalue an original, they usually serve to increase the desirability of owing "the real thing". It certainly might help boost attendance at rallys
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the whole idea of building replicas with modern mechanics and at a sensible drive away price is to get cars on the roads again. peels and the like are so highly valued that they hardly ever are used in anger. they rarely come on the market and they are out of reach for most people. our p50 is totally useable, is fun to drive and is affordable. you can jump in, hit the start button and tootle around till your hearts content. whats more, it is within reach of the younger generation, which encourages younger folk to get into the micro scene, a scene that will break down and gather dust if new blood is not encouraged to join in. while its true that bambys of old were not the best engineered things in the world, the new generation bambycars ltd has a head engineer, with a degree in mechanical engineering , over 20 yrs experience in building road and race cars,who has mentored severeal apprentices , all of whom went on to great success, is a coded welder, fabricator and all round wizard . that person is me, emma, daughter of a painter and decorator who went out on a limb and produced his own microcars, and what gave him the inspiration ? a peel p50 replica he built in his garage. so bob, yes they are better than the early offerings, and dad, heres to the future, love ya.
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That is perhaps more important than the value. If these new cars, they are replicas but not Peels, bring in new, younger folk then that is to be encouraged.
Replicas demand that the base car has a value above the cost of re manufacture or it is not worth making them. However to argue if the value would be greater or lesser once the replica is available and quote examples is actually not a valid argument. Either there is or is not a replica and if there is it has already had its effect on values so we do not know what the effect would have been if there were not a replica do we? Cobras might be worth a darn site more if there were not so many cribs about. We will never know. The best you can argue is the evidence suggests cars with replicas made represent a safe investment. Fine if that is the only or main reason for owning the cars but if you want to walk your own path, be different and have something unique then such machinery has been 'spoilt' by becoming copied. Yet I remain greatly supportive of the business enterprise responsible behind this. It is for owners to react to the market forces. It will alter my collection a bit but then so would a change in legislation or tax.
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That is perhaps more important than the value. If these new cars, they are replicas but not Peels, bring in new, younger folk then that is to be encouraged.
Replicas demand that the base car has a value above the cost of re manufacture or it is not worth making them. However to argue if the value would be greater or lesser once the replica is available and quote examples is actually not a valid argument. Either there is or is not a replica and if there is it has already had its effect on values so we do not know what the effect would have been if there were not a replica do we? Cobras might be worth a darn site more if there were not so many cribs about. We will never know. The best you can argue is the evidence suggests cars with replicas made represent a safe investment. Fine if that is the only or main reason for owning the cars but if you want to walk your own path, be different and have something unique then such machinery has been 'spoilt' by becoming copied. Yet I remain greatly supportive of the business enterprise responsible behind this. It is for owners to react to the market forces. It will alter my collection a bit but then so would a change in legislation or tax.
I disagree with the last statement, where something is both desired and rare, there will always be several people who want it and many who can't afford the asking price. That's one of the reasons auctions remain so popular. If you can afford the original whether it's a Picasso or a TG500, then that is what the vast majority will always try and get, how much money you have available is another issue entirely. Replicas are evidence of demand exceeding supply, but while modern technology might allow you to improve on it, you can't 're-manufacture' an original, that's why provenance is such a critical factor. Who would argue that an original van Gogh painting could ever be 'spoilt' by the thousands of copies on the market? Either it's a desirable piece of kit or it isn't. It is true that familiarity breeds contempt, but I doubt we'll ever be seeing enough of these replicas on the road for them to any more familiar than books, magazine articles, TV programs etc have made the originals already. The more people are aware of something desirable, the more people will want to get hold of it and it is the number of people chasing something that ultimately will determine it's value. And whenever money has not been a factor, I've never met anyone who'd settle for a replica and that is what determines value. As to unique or different machinery, I'd argue that the challenge for the RUM is to keep encouraging people to discover and appreciate new and unique microcars and that is where unique and unspoilt territory still lies.
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the whole idea of building replicas with modern mechanics and at a sensible drive away price is to get cars on the roads again. peels and the like are so highly valued that they hardly ever are used in anger. they rarely come on the market and they are out of reach for most people. our p50 is totally useable, is fun to drive and is affordable. you can jump in, hit the start button and tootle around till your hearts content. whats more, it is within reach of the younger generation, which encourages younger folk to get into the micro scene, a scene that will break down and gather dust if new blood is not encouraged to join in. while its true that bambys of old were not the best engineered things in the world, the new generation bambycars ltd has a head engineer, with a degree in mechanical engineering , over 20 yrs experience in building road and race cars,who has mentored severeal apprentices , all of whom went on to great success, is a coded welder, fabricator and all round wizard . that person is me, emma, daughter of a painter and decorator who went out on a limb and produced his own microcars, and what gave him the inspiration ? a peel p50 replica he built in his garage. so bob, yes they are better than the early offerings, and dad, heres to the future, love ya.
Glad to hear it Emma! I always admired your Dad for having a go and despite the engineering naivety of the old Bamby I will always have a soft spot for them. Some will love what you are doing, others will resent it but thats business. Cheers!
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I disagree with the last statement, where something is both desired and rare, there will always be several people who want it and many who can't afford the asking price. That's one of the reasons auctions remain so popular. If you can afford the original whether it's a Picasso or a TG500, then that is what the vast majority will always try and get, how much money you have available is another issue entirely. Replicas are evidence of demand exceeding supply, but while modern technology might allow you to improve on it, you can't 're-manufacture' an original, that's why provenance is such a critical factor. Who would argue that an original van Gogh painting could ever be 'spoilt' by the thousands of copies on the market? Either it's a desirable piece of kit or it isn't. It is true that familiarity breeds contempt, but I doubt we'll ever be seeing enough of these replicas on the road for them to any more familiar than books, magazine articles, TV programs etc have made the originals already. The more people are aware of something desirable, the more people will want to get hold of it and it is the number of people chasing something that ultimately will determine it's value. And whenever money has not been a factor, I've never met anyone who'd settle for a replica and that is what determines value. As to unique or different machinery, I'd argue that the challenge for the RUM is to keep encouraging people to discover and appreciate new and unique microcars and that is where unique and unspoilt territory still lies.
An interesting discussion. You ignore the effect of the people who prefer exclusivity to the extent of not obeying herd instinct. There are a lot about, some with money, and it used to be the driver for Microcars in the beginning. I collect interesting cars I want with an eye to value not the other way round - shock horror. I do not give a flying fig if I could afford Van Gogh's flowers. It is not even a particularly good picture! Don't want it as it is 'spoilt'. Same as I do not want a real Cobra, I would prefer an Aston Martin DBR3 say. At least it won something worth winning! I would prefer to look for fresh stuff and have the satisfaction of my judgement being correct on the risk rather than being in a scramble for what the mass deem is valuable, borrrring. I still think if you ask owners of the talisman vehicles why they want them the answer will involve an element of not knowing and peer pressure of some sort. That's fine if they are happy but there are more interesting challanges out there. I suggest Saachi Brothers for your arty comparison. It has always been easy to follow and more difficult, or in this case, risky to lead.
Also you cannot disagree with the cause and effect logic as it is a fact but I notice you agree with the suggestion of the result. However there are buyers who will step back just as others come forward. That will effect value. You cannot quantify it and it does not matter, or if it does then it is probably something not to be owning anymore.
I will confess to enjoying the thrill of the chase and have ended up with cars I am not sure I really want, like the talisman that is the Tiger, but that is part of my make up. I might yet sell it off as they are very much a flawed beast, like so many over desired items, but while I feel like having a collection of Messerschmitt cars I have to keep it really. I cannot resist a good deal. I have just done it again despite that I should be selling stuff! Again the popular has been traded for the unfashionable. It amuses me when taste often catches up with my choices over time and I enjoy the cash returns on offer to move on to something else. No I do not want the bowl of flowers thanks.
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Will a new Bamby Peel P50 be at the National in September ? I hope so. I wish you every success. I hope this will bring down the value of the originals, then it might stop someone keeping on about how much he thinks his own car is worth. Most of us have vehicles with some value, some more than others, but we don't keep on about it and there's more to this hobby than talking the values up all the time.
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yes we will be at the nationals with the new bamby p50, it will be available for appraisal and a test drive should interested partys wish.
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What would you rather have? A real TG, or a repro one for a fraction of the price, but as original?
As long as it sounds like a TG and is metal, I would have the repro!
I agree with Jonathan. When the original becomes so highly valued that your budget and investment means you can't use it as originally intended, surely it's better to have the option of a repro at a lower price that you can drive, display and muck about with to your hearts content. In my view there is plently of room for both providing one can distinguish between a replica and an original. Let's face facts, most microcars were never manufactured with the expectation that they'd still be in regular use 50+ years later and numbers are dwindling. What's left are increasingly rare survivors and for every person who'd love an original, there are probably quite a few whose budget might allow them to buy one but wouldn't because they are less concerned with investment potential and more with driving the thing. Other than fakes passed off as originals, I've never know a replica to devalue an original, they usually serve to increase the desirability of owing "the real thing". It certainly might help boost attendance at rallys
The microcar wrld has changed.
Before, in the mid 70's, people where finding them everywhere, buying parts to restore them, and driving them to the rallies, and selling them for a few quid to the next owner, who will have fun in it too.
Now, people restore them better than they ever where, and are scared to use them in case they damage them. So many things have gone up in value, and now all people care about is the price.
You would prefer to sell a car to a museum for a bit more money than someone offering you a bit less, and he will use it, as it is meant for.
You used to be able to buy conrods from the schmitt club for 27 pounds, and now there over 200...
All about money.
Let's hope most of the micro people use there cars, instead of lcking them up in a museum, and not knowing how to do anything with it.
Whats the point of owning something you don't use? For example, let's say I have a vintage toy that is worth a fortune, and it is sealed. Of course, I wouldnt open it, I would sell it. The buyer will then sell it again, and so on. no one will ever use it.
Let's hope values dont go even higher then they already are, I'm sure most of you remember oing to all of the rallies, peole laughing about the car, and having fun.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Ob4tFWdh4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72hUv6Pz1_U
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you are all slowly building the microcar worlds grave.money,value,should mean nothing.if you are only interested in what its worth then you should find another hobby,cars were meant to be driven,not to be just looked at in a field 10 meters from the trailer that brought it in.
soon as money gets involved the whole thing becomes a snobby arena of one upmanship.
fortuntately i am well priced out of anything other than a bond so dont have to worry about it.
as for 9k being within reach of younger people,well thats a years wages for me,and if i had 9k to spare theres a lot more exiting machinery that could be bought.
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CANT PLEASE EM ALL !
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Will a new Bamby Peel P50 be at the National in September ? I hope so. I wish you every success. I hope this will bring down the value of the originals, then it might stop someone keeping on about how much he thinks his own car is worth. Most of us have vehicles with some value, some more than others, but we don't keep on about it and there's more to this hobby than talking the values up all the time.
Couldnt agree more Nick!
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funny dan - being a Reliant owner you wouldnt be interested in a cars value :D ;D
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The good thing is at 9 grand for a new P50 you know what you're getting as in a new machine ready to go.
You could fall in the cart however by buying (for example) a once fine original KR that's been restored by amatures who fit fibreglass front wings, nasty paint jobs and even worse, incorrect spec interiors with modern out of place vinyl and other inferior badly home made cheap and nasty parts.
You just cannot believe the utter rubbish out there.
Caveat emptor.
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Meiow!
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I thought someone would throw his dummy out of the pram. Maybe now he'll stop keep on about how much he thinks his cars are worth. When it come to desirable machines with high values, there are some here with vehicles way above your league.
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I have to applaud bamby cars! An affordable and more importantly useable (if there is such a thing) p50. The price is substantially different from others ( naming no names)building replica peels. Having just taken a look at the YouTube videos I am very impressed! The acceleration and stability looks to be superb! What make of engine is in it?
As for the attracting young blood debate, being (fairly) young myself I feel that the microcar scene needs to be careful, as it could go same way as property Market .... A lot of houses are beyond young people's reach, and look at the state of the property Market now.. No first time buyers! The microcar following could end up going the same way as a Hobby my grandad is involved in- model railways. This pass time is facing near extinction as it is not seen as cool and the older stalwarts of the scene are failing to embrace young blood.
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The videos of the Bamby Peel P50 are great. I know you said they are four stroke, but are they automatic or do they have gears. I guess auto, but I would prefere gears. I'm looking forward to a little test drive if I may at the National.
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I don't know what motors they have but I would hazard a guess that the engines are Chinese, maybe out of quad bikes? I wonder if spares are available? I'm sure Emma will put us right. About the question of replicas bringing down the value of the real thing. Some times it does, sometimes it doesn't. In the antiques world in which I have been involved for over thirty years I have seen this go both ways, its true that a prints of the Mona Lisa will not devalue the real one but in my own field of antique scientific instruments with the sudden appearance of all the nasty fake ones from India the market for the real stuff has been affected drastically! Example, ten years ago I could sell an antique sextant for about £500/600. The garbage from India came on the market for £50 and now the real ones have dropped to about £250/300. Fakes or should I say "replica's" have just about put me out of business! One of the reasons why is because fakes undermine the confidence of the buying public. At least these Bamby P50's are not pretending to be something that they are not, although there are plenty out there that are!
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The videos of the Bamby Peel P50 are great. I know you said they are four stroke, but are they automatic or do they have gears. I guess auto, but I would prefere gears. I'm looking forward to a little test drive if I may at the National.
the engines are a honda 4 stroke copy, we dismantled one prior to using it and they are of excellent quality, you get what you pay for and these engines are at the upper end of the price bracket. the gearbox is fully auto, to be honest, it pulls away so well and reaches max speed so quickly, a manual box would be slower in this application. it will be available at the nationals for a test drive should anybody wish.
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you are all slowly building the microcar worlds grave.money,value,should mean nothing.cars were meant to be driven,not to be just looked at in a field 10 meters from the trailer that brought it in.
soon as money gets involved the whole thing becomes a snobby arena of one upmanship.
fortuntately i am well priced out of anything other than a bond so dont have to worry about it.
Correct.
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The good thing is at 9 grand for a new P50 you know what you're getting as in a new machine ready to go.
You could fall in the cart however by buying (for example) a once fine original KR that's been restored by amatures who fit fibreglass front wings, nasty paint jobs and even worse, incorrect spec interiors with modern out of place vinyl and other inferior badly home made cheap and nasty parts.
You just cannot believe the utter rubbish out there.
Caveat emptor.
Correct. Avoid it.
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IThe microcar following could end up going the same way as a Hobby my grandad is involved in- model railways. This pass time is facing near extinction as it is not seen as cool and the older stalwarts of the scene are failing to embrace young blood.
Tie them to the tracks! This is true. Young Edward Hindell is the only youngster to attend the local outdoor model Railway Society. As such he is something of a special case and greatly encouraged. Trouble is he is now less interested in Messerschmitting in part because not much happens at the rallies he has attended. There is more than just budget to attracting younger folk. They have the energy to want to participate in action not sit around like the older generation. It is not an easy one stop answer unfortunately. The clubs and structure need to change really to give any new group room to have their head. I cannot see certain organisations taking kindly to that. Stagnation is a natural progression and the less interesting or usable will disappear from the road in all but a very minority of cases if that is allowed to happen.
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The videos of the Bamby Peel P50 are great. I know you said they are four stroke, but are they automatic or do they have gears. I guess auto, but I would prefere gears. I'm looking forward to a little test drive if I may at the National.
the engines are a honda 4 stroke copy, we dismantled one prior to using it and they are of excellent quality, you get what you pay for and these engines are at the upper end of the price bracket. the gearbox is fully auto, to be honest, it pulls away so well and reaches max speed so quickly, a manual box would be slower in this application. it will be available at the nationals for a test drive should anybody wish.
I can't wait to see it at the Nationnal!
I really think you should make the Bamblica... They where great cars, I'm suprised your first "new" car wasnt a repro of the original!
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A remade and well engineered bamby would be a fantastic idea! After schmitts I would say they are my second favourite micro, but not sure I would buy an original... ! They just seem a little more roomy and modern looking than a P50. I think A modern bamby with a perky engine, which is powerfully enough for town running and disc brakes would be a good seller!
As for the young blood element, I have to agree with Al, young people don't feel motivated by static cars! I first became interested in micros ( specifically schmitts) after seeing a KR200 in action at the age of 8 , which insprired me! But it wasn't until my first ride in one that I became hooked and had to own one whatever the cost! Micros cars are fun to drive because they are so small and unusual! You don't need to hurtle along at 90mph to have fun! But a lot of younger people are more interested in lamborghinis and ferraris! And going fast! The only way to convience them otherwise is to get micros out on the road, and demonstrate how fun they are to own and run!
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So here is an idea, free of charge. A replica single seat Tiger based on a standardised kart base, Bamby are half way there. Create a racing formula for them on the Kart circuit and backed by the manufacturer and sponsorship like Ginetta series racing does. On gaining support introduce Peel racing? The youngsters will buy into that as can the old chap and I am sure a developed road car or two would come out of it to bolster Microcar activity with modern takes on traditional vehicles as limited production or kit cars for everyday road use. This being new it does not trip over old fouggies in campervans who wish to banter over burgers. It opens up some interesting Micro events with the odd 'non competitive' Schmitt sprint round a track or something.
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www.wix.com/minimicros/bamby-home not a clue if it ll work ???
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It works fine on mine & a very impressive site too if I may say. :) It's all another chapter in micro history & its happening before our very eyes. I for one am keeping copious notes for the appropriate chapter of "A complete history of the microcar world"...
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www.wix.com/minimicros/bamby-home not a clue if it ll work ???
Nice site! Works fine here too!
Will there only bee the Bamby P50 at the NMCR, or another minimicro? Maybe you could show us the Isetta too?
JP
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all being well we should have 1 of each there and time permitting,our original bamby. :)
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all being well we should have 1 of each there and time permitting,our original bamby. :)
Nice!
Whatever it is, one day, I want to see a Bamblica!
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after 2 weeks of waiting for the DVLA to get there act together,today we recieved in the post, a tax disc and documentation for the p50. a quick jaunt over to the local motor store and we had a shiny new 2011 number plate made up. plate firmly attached and new tax disc proudly displayed in the screen and it was off for a real life road test in the new p50. dad took 1st stint with me following in the work hack. the only way out of our workshop is a 1/2 mile dash along the A15. scary enough at 60 mph but at 30 in a replica peel !!!!!!!!!!!!!! . safely on the local B roads the p50 was in its element, buzzing along merrilly with the odd oncoming car slowing so the occupants could get a better look, many thumbs up and bouts of hysterics were witnessed. 2 villages down and some 8 miles covered we pulled into a local hostelry, the red lion at redbourne, to check the little fella over, all was well so we decided to treat ourselves to a refreshing beverage. sat outside gazing on the p50 we lost count of how many times we had to reply with "yes,like the one on top gear". fully refreshed we decided to press on. my turn this time,i pulled out of the carpark and set off on my adventure. a white bond bug came the opposite way with the occupant waving madly , not sure if it was aimed at me or if he had a wasp in his cabin, anyways, it was nice to know i wasnt the only fool on 3 wheels today. another 3 miles and time to turnaround, a filling station was the place of choice to do an about turn. pulling in, i couldnt resist the temptation to scoot between the 2 sets of pumps, not stopping for fuel and to the look of bemusement on the rep filling his bmw cockster. back on the road and flat out through the village i smiled at knowing i was just under the speed limit with my foot planted on the floor. on the open road i gained on a tractor hauling bales, a quick look and i made my move, overtaking in a p50 !! thats gotta be a 1st. a few villages up and i find myself at the junction with the dreaded A15 again. waiting to pull out and turn right for a mad dash back to the workshop,i wait,and wait and wait, for a gap in the traffic big enough to afford me some distance, a truck sees me and flashes me out, i give him the thumbs up and im away, he held back the traffic ,following me the 1/2 mile back to base,i indicated a right turn and as he came past he gave a blow on his air horns and a thumbs up out of his window, top bloke ! back at base. the p50 was given a thorough check over and all was fine.we congratulated ourselves on a job well done and retired to the pub for more congratulating. thirsty work this microcar lark !
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Brilliant news. You must feel very pleased with yourself, you and your dad. Sounds like you had a great time. It's a lovely feeling when this type of plan comes together and you can legaly drive your brainchild on the road. Well done.
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No rally is safe. Prepare to be upstaged!