HI. Has anyone out there come across any Flipper microcars made by SEAB in France ? I know of Jean's Flipper I, my Flipper 2 and Flipper Donky. There is also a Flipper 2 in a dealers hands, but is there any more out there ?
Hello Barry,Great to see all three together Rob. I dont think your ones are going to help me much as I think they use Motobecane engines. I will have to try to have a look at Jeans to see how the gear change is assisted on the Sachs engine. Its good to know that there are some more of these in England. I was surprised at its speed around the garden. I wonder if it is going to be possible to get it registered in England?
Here is a picture of Jean's Flipper 1 along with my Flipper 11 and Donky in my garden back in 2005 when I managed to get Jean's car running for the School House Farm open day.
A far as I know there are now only two Flipper 1's, two Flipper 2's and just the one Donky in UK.
Jean's Flipper is automatic like the other two in the picture, as far as I can remember a cable went to a lever on the steering column that changes forward motion to reverse.
Hello Barry,The cable on the steering column definatel does not select reverse - It might on the flipper II. On my Flipper I, you just rotate the whole engine including the front wheels so they point backwards. Interesting when you can't quite remember where the wheels are pointing but a good turning circle.
Here is a picture of Jean's Flipper 1 along with my Flipper 11 and Donky in my garden back in 2005 when I owned my two. I managed to get Jean's car running for the School House Farm open day.
A far as I know there are now only two Flipper 1's, two Flipper 2's and just the one Donky in UK.
Jean's Flipper is automatic like the other two in the picture, as far as I can remember a cable went to a lever on the steering column that changes forward motion to reverse.
Martin's, and then my, new Flipper II attracted little interest when marketed and ended up heading to Dorset to be turned into an electric powered vehicle. Seemed a sad way to treat a minter but then if no one wants to buy what had to be the best example what do you do? If it ever did get converted I do not know. Someone told me it was re united with the Donkey which was originally with the importer as well. I hope so as Martin was a nit not to buy all the stuff in the first place! He then prevaricated so I could not buy the Donkey which was gone by the time I had the info. The Donkey would have suited my purpose much better, indeed it would Martin's. Hey Ho, you cannot have everything though I do seem to act a bit like a black hole with cars accreting even as I try and get less. Another 6 last week for 2 out.Forgive me Al but I don't know all the names. Where does Martin fit? Any pictures of your Flipper II would be interesting, I am at vividimage@btconnect.com
Thanks Rob
Your Flippers have long gone now? What have you got instead?
I can understand why people don't show much interest in these Sans Permis cars but once you see what they were trying to achieve they do have a certain attraction.
I can understand why people don't show much interest in these Sans Permis cars but once you see what they were trying to achieve they do have a certain attraction.
No! Don't say that in public! Now everybody will want one.
On second thought, never mind. I'm pretty sure that still won't happen.
Congratulations on the Flipper. Do you have the Revue Technique for VSPs? I don't have mine in front of me right now, but I believe it has quite a bit of useful information on the care and feeding of Flippers. I can scan the relevant pages if you need them.
I have often thought that we should have a folder for each car on the register so that everyone can supply photos of their cars from the their beginnings.That is just what Alastair is attempting to do. Another reason that cars should be put on the Register and everyone should keep the Register informed when it changes hands. Each car Registered has its own file with its own unique number.all the cars details are entered on that file together with photographs that have been received over the years, until such time we notified the car has been scrapped. Also recorded are the names of successive owners. From this information which Alastair holds may be when we get our newly designed web site up and running archive pictures could be published (with the owners permission of course) But to do this sort of thing we do need cooperation from all the owners to keep the information updated. Also using these statistics we are able to assist with the retention of the original numbers under the V765 scheme and dating of of cars as the DVLA accept the fact that we have been building up this vital information since 1980 when the Register was first started. Jean
From new pride and joy to old wreck and back to cherished classic (or running restoration). I am sure we would all be happy to supply the photos.
Barry
Going back to the Flipper II and question. Martin is Martin MacKeever. Your story of the Isetta sounds very reminiscent of one his purchases funnily enough. He has often bought before being able to take cars, an annoying habit really. He was the guy who actually started the Isetta Owners Club but left after a year as it got to popular and organised. A rebel and what we have in common and why he is a mate of mine. Anyway a guy near Bedford imported a Flipper II and a Donkey along with a cache of spares with the intention of setting up a distributor business for the cars. It never happened and the two cars got stashed in a barn nigh on unused. Mine had, I think, 37 kilometers on the clock! The Donkey is in circulation. The car was all beige rather than with brown bits.
I believe I have a handbook for the Flipper II somewhere.
As to the Dobie collection, it is better to have owned and played with than to never have owned at all. I am not sure if he feels the same but for some cars the fact you had one is enough and unless an option came up cheap there is no great desire to repeat ownership. With microcars there are so many more to try and not the time to do so. I wonder who has driven the most differing types on the roads. Certainly will not be me but I have done a few over the years. Most were appalling machines but that is the fun.
I understand what you are doing with the register Jean and it's great. I was thinking along the lines of your future plans. A place on the website where photos can be deposited by anyone who finds or has a picture of a microcar. The photos deposited would be copyright free and available to anyone (within Rumcars?) who wanted to see them. All filed under the registration number. I would not be too concerned about only keeping the photos of surviving cars. It was great to see the picture of Robs Peel, there are probably many photos of it out there somewher showing its history. It could be easy to open a 'Drop-box' account and share it with all members for the process to begin. It would be the people who supply the photos that would do the work uploading to the Drop-Box account...... Lots of ideas, I know, but time is always a problem.I have often thought that we should have a folder for each car on the register so that everyone can supply photos of their cars from the their beginnings.That is just what Alastair is attempting to do. Another reason that cars should be put on the Register and everyone should keep the Register informed when it changes hands. Each car Registered has its own file with its own unique number.all the cars details are entered on that file together with photographs that have been received over the years, until such time we notified the car has been scrapped. Also recorded are the names of successive owners. From this information which Alastair holds may be when we get our newly designed web site up and running archive pictures could be published (with the owners permission of course) But to do this sort of thing we do need cooperation from all the owners to keep the information updated. Also using these statistics we are able to assist with the retention of the original numbers under the V765 scheme and dating of of cars as the DVLA accept the fact that we have been building up this vital information since 1980 when the Register was first started. Jean
From new pride and joy to old wreck and back to cherished classic (or running restoration). I am sure we would all be happy to supply the photos.
Barry
I have RevueTechnique 'Les Voiturettes' 1984 if this is the same?
What is your car.
What is your car.
It's the KV Mini 1 which I use as my avatar. I've got two, the '80 shown and a '78 for parts. The Revue Technique mentions KV/KVS in the back among its list of manufacturers but doesn't cover any of their products. Ah, well.
My Donky was the other Flipper bought into UK by "the guy in Bedford". As new, 24k. on speedo. After ringing VOSA I was told it would be classed as a Quad. Took it on a trailer to a MOT garage that tested bikes, three-wheelers, cars etc. After having a quick look the owner said it could be tested and if it didn't fit onto the lift he would get four of his testers to lift it up for a deco underneath. I asked about seatbelts and he said "as it wasn't fitted with belts when new (1982) it dosen't need them now (2004). The yellow headlights were ok too. The only thing he wanted was a rear brake light fitted. Never did get it done though.I suppose the Donky is more like a proper car with a wheel on each corner. I wonder what they would make of the turning front wheels and engine, close together - a trike perhaps. The quad catagory sounds good. When I talked to the MOT people about my Lawil 250cc they said it would definately be class 4 and would need seat belts even though it was 1979 (ish).
Hello Rob, can you remember the registration and chassis number of your former Peel P50 shown on the photo? Would like to put these informations in to my register.
Thank you
Ferdi
Post a bigger photo of it, I am always interested....
I understand why your Flipper was 'as new' now Al. I was in the Isetta Owners Club in the late 1970's and found all of the old magazines (booklets) the other day.
So the guy in Bedford never had a Flipper I on the road in the UK? If there was ever a registered one it would help me register my one - perhaps without seat belts, or could it fall in a different taxation class?
The Fliiper hand book would be usefull if you don't need it, Stuart Cyphus let me have a Flipper sales pamflet for two bob.
I agree that it is great to own any of these small cars. Great satisfaction to get them working and run up and down the road. It is still my Isetta that I really want to get back on the road properly. My old one was still a usable vehicle in trafic and behaved on the road quite well, we shall see. I had a Heinkel and it was awfull - no power just revs, suicide gears and certain death brakes.
Thanks Rob
I know of Denis at Microcarfan. Always a good source, I found some information about my Mincat and Lawil (Willam) on his site.
Your Flippers have long gone now? What have you got instead?
Post a bigger photo of it, I am always interested....
Only too happy to oblige! It's this one:
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/by_design/0911_1980_kv_mini_1_design_analysis/index.html (http://www.automobilemag.com/features/by_design/0911_1980_kv_mini_1_design_analysis/index.html)
http://clunkbucket.com/victoire-de-citrons/ (http://clunkbucket.com/victoire-de-citrons/)
If you can get past the introductory sound track, here's a test-drive video put together by the guy who runs the Great Pacific Northwest Microcar/Minicar Extravaganza:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP7CJ3uNVBI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP7CJ3uNVBI)
A picture of your chassis plate would be good.
A copy of your V5 would help me with the fine details and taxation class for the DVLA and proove to them that it is a known type of car.
I hope we can talk further on this one because my Lawil is a usable car and it would be great to get it on the road.
I assume you mean that there are a few real Crayford cars that were imported to England. All the other 250cc cars are Lawil? (Willam being 125cc and mainly in France?). Or, is there a special difference with the Crayford cars - please let me know.
ah ! merci boucoup monsieur Isetta owner l. so am i clear now the donky is the mark E or ;D
or the popemobile the monk ........
A picture of your chassis plate would be good.
A copy of your V5 would help me with the fine details and taxation class for the DVLA and proove to them that it is a known type of car.
I hope we can talk further on this one because my Lawil is a usable car and it would be great to get it on the road.
Slight prob. THe car is stored 200 miles away at the moment and I await the V5. But yes in principle I can do that, but not immedately.
Was the Flipper I a flop? Cleared out as a Flip flop for the II. A donkey Flip flop is rare and the belts did not keep the hooves in hence MOT probs. Why be a Flipper flopper with one Flipper when you can Flip a flopped Flipper flopper too! Thanks to TicTac there. This could be the start of considerable silliness.
Whatever you can do would be a great help.
Did you receive the Crayford Willam (William) report that I sent via email - if not give me a current email address and I will send again..
All the best