Invacars

[John Wakefield]

Looking in Practical Classics mag July/Aug issue Ian Seabrook of Aberystwyth is featured on page 33 with a pic of his restored 1972 Model 70 Invacar registered TWC725K (an Essex mark)
It is stated that this was an AC design made by AC Cars, but looking the registration number up on the DVLA web site the make is shown as Invacar not AC. so made by Greeves. I believe AC did make a similar model, which presumably was a standard government approved design. Does anyone know if there was a connection between Greeves and AC
Here is a pic of the Invacar in question from Flickr

[druid]

Invacar

Both Invacar and AC made the same invalid carriage. The basic design was the governments. The contacted companies could make minor alterations for ease of manufacture but these alterations had to be approved by DHSS.

In fact the transmission cases for both models were cast by Greeves and machined by AC. Greeves used wet layup for the bodies and AC sprayed chopped mat on theirs.

There were quite close liasons between the 2 companies especially when their interests merged with the DHSS as the common enemy.

Druid

[John Wakefield]

Thanks for that John, The Invacar production was the less glamorous side of Greeves, but none the less a very important part financially, and of course provided much needed mobility for the disabled.
The loss of the invalid carriage side of the business contributed to the downfall of Greeves and motorcycle production after the invalid trikes were deemed dangerous by the government of the day.

[Colin Sparrow]

Of course its a Thundersley Invacar. It's got a ruddy great Invacar cast badge on the front!

[John Wakefield]

Quite so Colin, yes for some reason the invalid trikes were badged 'Thundersley' Here is a pic of the 493 cc Steyr Puch Invacar engine, similar to that fitted in the Haflinger 4 wheel drive off road vehicle.
Anyone ever tried fitting one in a Greeves? a 'Gruch' maybe

[Brian Catt]

Steeves? Not sure what the best gearbox would be though!

[John Wakefield]

Steeves? Not sure what the best gearbox would be though!

Not much choice, Douglas probabaly to get the right angled drive

[Brian Magee]

If you go onto YouTube and put in 'Project Invacar Part 1: I buy TWO Invacars!' you will find a series covering an Invacar rebuild.

Brian.