Glasses Guide motorcycled, scooters three wheelers 59/60 wanted!

[Bob Purton]

Does anyone have a Glasses guide, Motorcycles, scooters and three wheelers  for the years 1959 to 60? I'm trying to establish what the chassis numbers were for the end or 59 and start of 60 for Brighton built Isetta.  Any clues much appreciated. 

[richard]

Will check later but only have a few

[Bob Purton]

I asked Mike Worthingtom Williams and got this reply. Trying the British library is not a bad idea!

Dear Bob

 

I have Glass’s check book for cars but not for three-wheelers and motorcycles.  These check books were issued only to the trade, and how the DVLA expect members of the public to access them I do not know.  They are not all that satisfactory, in fact, with many makes not included and others, like Lea-Francis, simply showing a blank where chassis numbers should be.

 

The British Library used to be sent a copy of every printed book, and it might be worth contacting them in London to see whether they have the Glass’s check books, and if so if they can let you have a photocopy of the relevant page with a covering letter confirming that it does come from Glass’s check book.  I know from experience that quite a few of the DVLA’s local offices are not adhering rigidly to the DVLA Swansea’s dictat, and I am still issuing dating certificates to a number of dealers who seem to be able to use them without problems.

 

I am on the lookout for Glass’s check books and have recently acquired a number of car ones.  If I manage to get the motorcycle editions, I will mention this in my column in Old Bike Mart.

 

Sorry I can’t be more help at the moment.

 

Best wishes,

Mike WW

 

 

From: Bob Purton [mailto:bobbybubble@ntlworld.com]
Sent: 03 May 2013 14:56

[Trident]

Glasses Motorcycle check book for 1959/1960 does not include any chassis numbers for the Three wheeler Isetta.

In fact the Only Isetta chassis number quoted is "Aug 1964 33412 - 300cc Four wheeler saloon discontinued".

The IOCGB did have some records.

[Bob Purton]

Not what I wanted to hear but thanks. If thats correct I'm in a cul de sac.

[Big Al]

Some records of general production were published by an American source a while ago. I forget who but there are some real experts over there who will have looked for this sort of info to fill their knowledge.

[wilksie]

Glasses Motorcycle check book for 1959/1960 does not include any chassis numbers for the Three wheeler Isetta.

In fact the Only Isetta chassis number quoted is "Aug 1964 33412 - 300cc Four wheeler saloon discontinued".

The IOCGB did have some records.

Can you check that chassis number as it should consist of six figures? Is it 333412? The Isetta Gazette (numbers 321 and 322) claims that 333685 was the last recorded chassis number. Sorry, a bit nerdy but I too am trying to date my 1960 registered Isetta.

[Trident]

It definitely states;
"33412 - 300cc Four wheeler saloon discontinued"
Could be a mistake.

[Big Al]

Ooo eck. The reference book with a mistake. DVLA is a mistake and the ICOGB silent over what should be available and known information. It has to be 1956 doesn't it? Who can prove it is not? Case solved.

[golo2]

Hi, can contribute with some knowledge have my green continuation book in front of me and Chassis+ engine no 318244 Isle of Wight is 30 July 1959 (my duck egg blue nearly ready, mean fighting machine)

Also from my personal archives 13 April 1962   331814 Wilts C.C. buff log book

yet another -green continuation book  16 Sep 1959  317938 Norfolk does not  seem to follow item 1  time warp over the Solent?

Off course as we all know all numbers easily transferable just need the log book and photoshop MOT no car needed--add this to the 'these have no reverse gear' and 'someone died in one of those in a garge' etc etc

All set for round one at Abingdon Airshow  tomorrow Sunday--taking the troublesome schmitt and yes on trailer   so advice is-- if offended by trailerisatored cars stay at home

[Bob Purton]

Thanks for your input Ian. I'm building up a nice file here. Hope the show goes well tomorrow. Me and Mike did 52 miles today in the reliable Isetta and had a great time at the Warren concours show Malden!

[Big Al]

Your nearer the road than I am so your safe.

Still House moved, Studio moved, Garage mostly moved. Yard to clear, garage to clear and then the workshop in its entirety..... I estimate the entire move is a total of a 1000sq ft of gubbins stacked approx three boxes high in temporary storage. 55 years of life is a lot of crap and this is not including two car sheds and misc scattered storage that does not need to be moved yet. Those will condense down onto the new property over time. Even though some stuff is marked for sale my Executors are going to love me! Of course on form the Estate has missed completion date so I am now camping in an empty house awaiting the rest of my money so I can move out and start building. 

That means some extra time so the red Schmitt might get an MOT next week or so. I can work it up over the summer in Cumbria into a reliable machine. So when I return we will have to have a serious fettle on your schmitt and get it going properly. Then heckle a few other locals to get cars moving. Not so smart on Isettas.

The Schmitt will like Abingdon. Used to be Schmitts and Trienkels in and out of there with the RAF lads so it should smell right to the old chap.

[golo2]

Nothing to do with sublect! Your RAF Abingdon and loving schmitts -just read having returned-is true
1. It started!!
2. It reved up (with full choke)
3. Much later it moved around under its own power with me in it (1st gear only but plenty of noise and smoke and spectators) suggested I move the needle up a notch as its running too lean?? may get time on Minday or even Monday whichever comes sooner.

Not so many silly comments today bast one from a teenager who looked in and said 'where is the mobile phone charger?'   resisted temptation to tell him you would not hear a mobile phone while drivng  ring or voice coupled with requiring more than 2 hands to drive it anyway

Pleased to read of other show successes
I think next for me is Chiltern Hills in a couple of weeks? near Aylesbury think its booked up but previous shows they just charged a big entry fee for on the day arrivals

Hi Allan I will try and ee you direct------- so we can keep our secrets safe!  ps I added the correct schmittt tank cap