RUMCars Forum
General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: marcus on July 23, 2007, 07:50:21 PM
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Quite a few Trojans driving around London these days. Sadly they are much greedier of space, materials and fuel, for they are huge 4WD crew-cab-pick-ups made by Mitsubishi. Also the new model of TX 4 London Taxi has a taller radiator grille, with the front bumper cut away to fit it. To my eyes it looks rather like an up-dated Trojan van, very retro!
As for the open Day, it is now looking like my Saturday gig is going to extend into Sunday so I may not be able to get there at all, let alone in a Transit van packed to the gunwhales with Fezhead equipment. B*mmer!
Still, our latest recruit visited the studios on Saturday and said "Wow! A Trojan, I haven't seen one of those for ages! I used to have one when I was 16!" Small World!
Last week end I serviced DUF, then did a good wash and polish then went off for a morning drive around town, with all the usual waves and smiles. One fellow gestured taking a photo with his hands, clearly upset that he had no camera on him.
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I live in London/Essex border and never see a Micro on the roads.
Other than mine naturally! Saw a Silver Schmitt driving up Piccadilly last year one evening though.
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Thats strange, I live in London/ Essex border and I only ever see my own! One day we will pass each other and give ourselves a shock! BobP
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Wher do you live then?!
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Hi Bobbiebubble, hi P50.
You all are living in the London area? Sad we never did meet each other.
I had relationship in Epsom/Ewell the past 3 years, and i have been there once a month. Indeed, i never ever saw a micro over there, only a Reliant once only.
Loads of people i was talking to thought i'm kind of mad, coz being interested in bubblecars. Anyway i can't be bothered!
All the best
Ferdi
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Hi P50. I exagerated slightly, Im in Hornchurch Essex so only a few mile from London. I know other local people who own microcars but like many that claim to be enthusiasts they never get around to doing anything with them. Just listen to me moaning on! We, along with the fezhead will have to meet up and go for a drive some time. What do you drive? Regards, BobP
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Hello Bob,
I'm in Loughton. That's what 10 miles from you? My daily micro is a KR200. But the Scootacar Mk1 comes out for very special occasions now and then!
Could meet up in Epping or somewhere like that and go for a trundle round the lanes. Or if you're feeling brave into Londinium..
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Hi P50. My daily micro is also a KR200. I like the idea of a country lane run! I will be snowed under with restoration work for a couple of weeks but then after the Stonham barns rally [August 3rd] I will have some time . How would that suit you? Look forward to meeting you. Forgive me for being nosey but am I to take it that you dont actually own a P50? Regards, BobP
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Hi Bob, I may be going to the Stonham Bash. Am going to Jeans on Sunday if even weathers poor.
I'm away 11th to 20th Aug for my hols so after that really. I have a P50 and a Trident. The P50 engine gasped "enough" on the IoM meet in '05 and has sat in slumber since. The Trident is as fit as a fiddle.
Hope to bring a little something to show at the Schoolhouse. Micro Related....
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Hi P50. I should be at Jeans if the weather doesnt look teribble. I will be in the yellow schmitt,I was hoping to get the Inter finished in time but it hasnt happend. Do come up and say hello. BobP
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Oh @+%&##*9*** my Saturday booking is now likely to extend into Sunday, and as things look it is now very unlikely that I will be able to get to the open day.
I see that many people are not keen on driving in London, but if you pick your time it really is fun. A weekend morning drive over Tower Bridge and then along to Chelsea is a lovely drive!
Today i was cycling to my local shopping centre on my mini folding Daewoo bike, just outside Southwark park was a bunch of 16 ish years old lads watching me approaching. Then one said "where's your bubble car?", he has seen it driving around London and obviously recognised me. Fame at last!
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I used to keep my Scootacar in Wapping and on the right day ventured along Emankment to Cheyne Walk and the west end. Trouble is whilst the Schmitt is a lowslung sporty number a Scootacar looks dumpy and gets a different kind of acknowledgement. I've parked my Mk1 on Longacre near Covent Garden to be greeted by yet again a million punters poring over it when I get back.
I remember pulling up at Westminster and getting stuck at the front of the lights there. With a million tourists taking pics.
I also took my P50 for a spin over Tower Bridge and nearly caused a pile up with rubber neckers!! There's a 20mph limit on the bridge and I had to gauge my speed. Imagine that. Surely I'd be the only person on the planet who's been nicked for speeding in a Peel?!!! Heh heh.
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Does anyone remember the red isetta that was always parked along the chelsea embankment, it was there for years, well at least it was every saturday as I passed by on my way to the Portobello road. It disappeared about 10 years ago. I often wondered who owned it. It looked like it was in regular use. I just looked at the forcast for tomorrow in kent and it looks to be brightening up for jeans doo , goodo!
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Yeah I remember that Bubble. I'm sure it was a Trojan though. Used to parked next to a Aston DB5 or 6 in the road.
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Talking of Mk1 Scootercars, I was over in Hockley essex last saturday to pick up some acrylic material to make my Inter aeroscreen with and called into Phil Bowlers workshop to say hello. He has almost finished a terrific restoration job on his Mk 1, its pale blue done in 2K. He has fabricated a lot of the internal metal panels himself ie the front seat box, floor, rear parcel shelf ect and I think its going to be one of the nicest ones around. He is hoping to have it done for Stonham. He has had some batches of parts made up as well, for instance silencers, rear mudgaurds and dashboards so if anyone is in need he is the guy to see.
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I've seen it too. It will be the best Scootacar bar none.. Fantastic job
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Does anyone remember the red isetta that was always parked along the chelsea embankment, it was there for years, well at least it was every saturday as I passed by on my way to the Portobello road. It disappeared about 10 years ago. I often wondered who owned it. It looked like it was in regular use. I just looked at the forcast for tomorrow in kent and it looks to be brightening up for jeans doo , goodo!
Yes I do remember that car, definately a red Isetta. On one occasion it had gained a dent in its door, but a few weeks later it had been repaired. I sometimes stopped and had a look at it. There also used to be Messershmitts and Bond in Sands End/Fulham. One of the Shmitts was on a Ride On on C4. There was once an Isetta there painted as an RAF vehicle. I also used to see a blue Isetta further West, near Fulham Palace Road. Up in Shepherd's Bush there was a rough silver KR 200, number plate *** AUK. Apart from mine, Mike Shepherd's and Rufus Yells's, I have NEVER seen a Trojan in London! Oh, I also saw a red Scootercar in Parson's Green.
Really sorry I could not get to the Open Day.
Just been having a few problems with the Forum, but have at last managed to re-register and give a new password. I think there are now two of me.
Oh yes, I have not seen the Red Isetta on Chelsea Embankment for about 6 - 8 years, but about the last time I did see it there was a very nice KR 200 parked in a back road nearby, and once there was a SUPERB red KR 200 near the silver one ***AUK, which had a sun visor and other luxuries.
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I too have not seen a Trojan in London other than the one at Camden purchased by Mike Shepard. There used to be a red Isetta parked on the forecourt of a Mercedes garage on the Cambridge Heath Rd in 1999-2000, and a yellow one outside a hand car wash on Haverstock Hill between Chalk Farm and Hampstead. A couple of times in 1996-97 I saw a blue and cream (possibly blue and silver) two tone Schmitt driving down Kensington Rd, Knightsbridge and again on the Marylebone Rd towards Bakers Street. There also used to be a very sad rusty red Schmitt parked in Clapham Old Town around 1993-94.
p.s. Marcus was the RAF Isetta in camouflage with a great big RAF target painted on the side? I saw this car parked in a side rd round the back of Oxford street in 2000.
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If I remember right that one was RAF blue, but with a roundel. I have also seen an Isetta in green and khaki camouflage with roundels, cannot remember where though. After my last post I remembered also that there used to be a Trojan in poor condition parked in Loughborough Rd Brixton, which I used to pass regularly. it had been red, but was crudely re-painted matt yellow, and might thus have been the Trojan used in one of the Comic Strip TV films. It appeared abandoned, untaxed and un-wanted but enquiries suggested it belonged to a garage and repairer over the road. I thought of putting a bid for it at the local police station, but I had nowhere to keep it or work on it. I wonder if it was scrapped or rescued. There was also an Isetta (green) on top of a pile of cars in a scrappy off Camberwell New Rd about 20 years ago. I asked them if it was for sale, and how much...I decided that £1000 was far too much, especially as I really wanted a Heinkel or Trojan anyway, though it had to wait until I got room for one!
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Yesterda,Sunday Myself and Carla went to Spitalfields in DUF to call in at Duke of Uke Ukulele shop. The usual crowds of people gathered as we parked up, and questions, photos, chat etc. Then a group of American teenage tourists came by. Now all of us micronauts get used to this interest and several of the girls were saying " Omigawd, what a cute car" and "oh that is so cute", and " Omigawwwwwwwd, none of us has a camera". Then one came up with a comment which was totally new to us, and had us in stitches: "Omiguuuuud, that car is SICK" !
Who says Yanks have no sense of humour?!
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Talk about coincidence I was at Spitalfields yesterday, only I went there to see the mess the developers have made and didn't hang around too long, would have been nice to see DUF though. Incidentally the camouflage Khaki Isetta sounds like the one I saw, it had some additional stickers on it and was parked near the London School of Fashion so maybe it
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Hello Blob. Well I know that "bad" means good, and that often it is hip to reverse the meaning of words, but Carla heard this remark and was under the impression that the girl was having a full sense-of-humour-failure, and was genuinely repulsed by the Trojan, and I find that very amusing - her loss!
I am not very good at navigating these forum thingies, but do you have a name ?!
I was there about 1-2 pm in Hanbury St, between Spitalfields and Brick Lane, shame I did not meet up with you.
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Marcus,
I often drive down to the Brick Lane area in my KR (or Scootacar if I'm feeling maga brave). Let me know when you're there next and maybe we can stop for a cup of tea and a chat.
I work about 200 yards from there too.
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Great! Just been on holiday. Will let you know, hopefully quite soon, Marcus
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Top stuff! :D
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Had a VERY busy day at Faversham hop festival on saturday, so took it easy today. A little light maintenance on my Trojan, then open the roof and sit in it playing my Tenor ukulele. Ah, those lovely warm but contained accoustics! Any other musicians out there who enjoy the accoustics in their micro?
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I've tried playing my didgeridoo in the half finished Gordon and the door fell off! Still can't get the hang of circular breathing yet! ;D
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Mt Comtesse is quite capible of making funny noises of its own accord.....
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I always smile at those 60s public information films, and "Look at Life" shorts, when a bubble pootles past the camera unannounced during a general shot of 'London, the swinging metropolis'. ISTR a Trojan pulls up outside the Wimpy where Dudley Moore works in the original version of 'Bedazzled' and a bevy of swinging lovelies tumble out. Eleanor Bron being one of them.
Actually, "micros in film" sounds like a RUMCar news article in the making. Can anyone think of any? I've got a 60s TV advert somewhere where some trendies pull up in a Trojan and a Messerschmit respectively and eat (I think) chocolate bars (will have to dig it out, I can't even remember what it was advertising, so it wasn't a very successful campaign!). There was also an episode of 'The Chinese Detective' in about 1981/2, in which the anatagonists (Nat Jackley & Maurice Denham) owned a microcar collection; the end sequence was a Bond Bug / 'schmit car chase, I remember. Whose collection did they use, I wonder?
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If you're looking for micros in film 3wheelers.com have a pretty good list, http://www.3wheelers.com/3wotv.html
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Will check out that site, but I have 3 films with Heinkel...I'm Alright Jack, Blue Murder at St Trinians, and Double Bunk. Bedazzled was Isetta. In Kenny Everett show was Heinkel/trojan. Messerschmitt in Brazil and BP privatisation ads. Trojan in Comic Strip TV film. Trojan on front cover of Giles Cartoon annual 1963. and many more I cannot remember.
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An '80s episode of "Sticky moments" with Julian Cleary I've got here apparently has some bubbles in it but I haven't yet got round to watching the tape....
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If you're looking for micros in film 3wheelers.com have a pretty good list, http://www.3wheelers.com/3wotv.html
Ah, how could I have forgotten the "Whomobile" ;D