In 1973 i had a lift from the Elehant & Castle to Colliers Wood, crammed in behind the driver. He was a good friend but although i was grateful for the lift, it was the most uncomfortable lift i have ever had ( but thrilling at the same time ).
This is fascinating. I can definitely see how physically disabled people would both love and hate this machine. It's quirky and dangerous, but it beats depending on someone else any day of the week.
@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 They probably aren't. I just meant they are less stable than cars with four wheels and that presents problems. (edit) Also, I don't remember these having seatbelts... and I do remember stories of more than two people riding in these when they shouldn't. (edit 2) Just to be clear, I'm actually a big fan of quirky, small cars. I daily drive a Smart 453. I just can see where the Invacar's faults lie.
@@mattlawton4715 On the right road in the right conditions, I'm sure all cars are worth driving... As long as you don't drive a lifted jeep on the highway, those people drive me nuts. It's like wearing a winter coat in a heat wave. XD
ATW 722L looks in good nick ! Check out TWC (In Wales - so pronounced: 'tuk') on the hubnut channel - he's had his on the motorway at 60mph as well as done doughnuts in the snow with it. It's also been round the Goodwood circuit !
Ungrateful people! I would take one of these immediately and have a lot of fun with it! I love that stuff, like Vespa Ape, Aixam 500 and even a Velorex! There are many people that are not disabled and have no car at all!
My grandma also had an Invacar, she was once pulled over by the constabulary while my Dad and Uncle sat on the floor in the car, both only kids at the time. They were heading on holiday to the caravan but this officer was having none of it. Walked up to the car and pointed at the metal sign stamped on the dashboard and said "What does that sign say, Madam?" to which she replied "Passenger carrying is forbidden" 😬 Whoops lol
3:16..Bert Greeves the inventor of the Invicar designed the very first one for the needs of his wheelchair bound disabled cousin, Derry Preston-Cobb who used to tear around the local area like a speed demon and was a proper hooligan with it.
It’s good to see that at least a few of these have been preserved… I do remember these when I was younger and (new information to me) that the then government back in 1976 wanted to phase them out, the government issued Invacars lasted until 2003 and the privately owned ones are at least some are preserved They would’ve been replaced by the motorbility that allows everyday cars to be adapted for people with mobility issues I’m guessing
Remember seeing one around my village when I was little must of been late 80,s early 90,s . Cool little things , They should go back to them instead of throwing new ford focuses at everyone who hobbles in the doctors with a fake limp lol
You realise Motability cars have to be paid for, right? They’re actually very expensive, more than buying a normal car. No one gets them for free. 🤦🏻♀️
@@Adeleisha why would anyone spend more driving a mobility car than what it would cost you to just buy it? Its because they get a choice off more benefits or forfeit some of the benefits for a new car , I know plenty who have abused the system over the years
@@garethhammond5478 disabled people are duped into the Motability scheme for various reasons. The ‘choice off more benefits” as you put it, isn’t a choice at all - DLA or PIP highest mobility (which is the only part that allows access to the Motability scheme) are only paid to those with extreme need, and the maximum award is £64.50 per week. That has to pay for all mobility-related needs, whatever they are, and that doesn’t go far enough. Mobility scooters/wheelchairs cost thousands, stairlifts/home lifts tens of thousands, carers for taking you out and about from minimum wage up to £30 per hour; could you afford to pay for all these things, and employ someone, and also have all your mobility element go towards a car, with nothing left of it for fuel, oil, alternative transportation if needed, the downpayment for the car (which can be £2000+ with nothing back at the end of 3 years)? The total amount of ESA & PIP awards is only two-thirds of minimum wage, yet ill and disabled people have quantifiable, proven extra costs to the average person due to their circumstances and societal inequalities. I would like to see you demonstrate how exactly anyone with significant disabilities (whom are the only people who qualify for the higher rates of ESA & PIP) could live adequately from these meagre amounts, let alone ‘abuse the system’ when the system has been penurious for the last 13 years. 100,000s of people aren’t getting the benefits they’re entitled to, there are less than 0.1% of claims that are found to be fraudulent, and that figure has been the same for decades. The media love to peddle lies to create division and divert from the true frauds, ie MPs.
@@Adeleisha you say that but I'm from an ex mining community in durham and I grew up watching people fake bad backs for new cars while working fiddle lol, I know exactly how the system works and is bent, I will admit over the last few years it's been harder to swindle, I've seen a few people loose there free car that they've had every 3 year for the past 20 odd years lol
@@mattlawton4715 Yes they do seem quite rare now. I have a love for cars which are really shit, there is something amazing about driving a car like that, they have bags of character.
The Steyr-Puch engine that was also used in the Austrian license-built Fiat 500, but combined with a CVT transmission and a belt-driven starter/alternator similar to what's now used in 'mild-hybrid' cars.
Appealing ingratitude for a different time. Shocking that someone who has had literally millions wasted on him with no expectation of a single penny return would be so.
I knew of one of these that had a 750 Honda Four engine fitted...used to shred tyres and embarrass many sports cars away from the lights. Owner was eventually killed hitting a cement truck head on at over 90 miles an hour. The force of the crash tore the engine out of the back of the car smashing through the thin fibreglass and it took the drivers head off and splattered it into the radiator of the truck....nasty.
What happens if you get a front tire blow-out? I don't know why they couldn't have been designed to have four wheels. I guess this would have made the front steering mechanism more complex and expensive. They are no more dangerous than a moped or scooter.
I guess the problem was very few disabled people had the qualifications or experience to design cars. On the one hand you have an able bodied designer who knows nothing of being disabled and on the other you have a disabled person who knows nothing about designing and building cars. The result would often be an awkward compromise. Especially as disabilities are not standardised and everyone’s would be slightly different.
He brought one back from the dead Yeah he openly admits it'll never be showroom condition consider the fact his spent 14 odd years in a field waiting for the scrappers to crush it. Hubnuts little Invacar has survived and still working
Not restored, but bodged is harsh. Many cars on the road are kept going by the same methods, they are not worth restoring but are better saved and used than scrapped.
I am shocked and appalled to see hateful remarks here. How completely dreadful it must be to live with that kind of poison floating around in your brain--never a moment's peace from the ugliness inside.
@SebastianSevenInMayit’s even worse than that, the entire amount has to be paid by the disabled person, and cars on the scheme are quite substantially more expensive than buying your own.
In 1973 i had a lift from the Elehant & Castle to Colliers Wood, crammed in behind the driver. He was a good friend but although i was grateful for the lift, it was the most uncomfortable lift i have ever had ( but thrilling at the same time ).
This is fascinating. I can definitely see how physically disabled people would both love and hate this machine. It's quirky and dangerous, but it beats depending on someone else any day of the week.
How are they any more dangerous than a scooter, moped or motorcycle?
@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 They probably aren't. I just meant they are less stable than cars with four wheels and that presents problems.
(edit) Also, I don't remember these having seatbelts... and I do remember stories of more than two people riding in these when they shouldn't.
(edit 2) Just to be clear, I'm actually a big fan of quirky, small cars. I daily drive a Smart 453. I just can see where the Invacar's faults lie.
They are not dangerous in normal use but in a crash scenario not to sure. But I'd drive it 👍
@@mattlawton4715 On the right road in the right conditions, I'm sure all cars are worth driving... As long as you don't drive a lifted jeep on the highway, those people drive me nuts. It's like wearing a winter coat in a heat wave. XD
@@michaelhuss0 yes I don't like then at all. 1 man big ass 4x4 just going the shop around the corner. And has no use for it.
We called them Flid chariots back in the 70’s.
I do own a Trojan 200 Bubblecar so I love 3 wheelers.!
02:08 are they holding hands in separate invacars?!? How sweet!!
ATW 722L looks in good nick !
Check out TWC (In Wales - so pronounced: 'tuk') on the hubnut channel - he's had his on the motorway at 60mph as well as done doughnuts in the snow with it. It's also been round the Goodwood circuit !
Yes I have seen his it's a good one great fun. 👍
Ungrateful people! I would take one of these immediately and have a lot of fun with it! I love that stuff, like Vespa Ape, Aixam 500 and even a Velorex! There are many people that are not disabled and have no car at all!
1973 my neighbour had one, she also had two toddlers she squeezed in the back of it.
My grandma also had an Invacar, she was once pulled over by the constabulary while my Dad and Uncle sat on the floor in the car, both only kids at the time. They were heading on holiday to the caravan but this officer was having none of it. Walked up to the car and pointed at the metal sign stamped on the dashboard and said "What does that sign say, Madam?" to which she replied "Passenger carrying is forbidden" 😬 Whoops lol
Which only goes to show that plod were C U Next Tuesdays even back then !
3:16..Bert Greeves the inventor of the Invicar designed the very first one for the needs of his wheelchair bound disabled cousin, Derry Preston-Cobb who used to tear around the local area like a speed demon and was a proper hooligan with it.
It’s good to see that at least a few of these have been preserved… I do remember these when I was younger and (new information to me) that the then government back in 1976 wanted to phase them out, the government issued Invacars lasted until 2003 and the privately owned ones are at least some are preserved
They would’ve been replaced by the motorbility that allows everyday cars to be adapted for people with mobility issues I’m guessing
I truly wish someone would make a modern equivalent. The reason I cannot drive is because we only get normal cars and I cannot afford 1.
As a kid I remember them being known as gimp mobiles 😳😳😳
We called them Spaz boxes.
I had an old friend of mine (Alan McGeeghan) who worked on the Invacars down in Benfleet.
2:42 Is that Graham Hill?!
Remember seeing one around my village when I was little must of been late 80,s early 90,s . Cool little things ,
They should go back to them instead of throwing new ford focuses at everyone who hobbles in the doctors with a fake limp lol
You realise Motability cars have to be paid for, right? They’re actually very expensive, more than buying a normal car. No one gets them for free. 🤦🏻♀️
@@Adeleisha why would anyone spend more driving a mobility car than what it would cost you to just buy it? Its because they get a choice off more benefits or forfeit some of the benefits for a new car , I know plenty who have abused the system over the years
What about the genuinely disabled. Do you think they should suffer because of a few frauds.
@@garethhammond5478 disabled people are duped into the Motability scheme for various reasons. The ‘choice off more benefits” as you put it, isn’t a choice at all - DLA or PIP highest mobility (which is the only part that allows access to the Motability scheme) are only paid to those with extreme need, and the maximum award is £64.50 per week. That has to pay for all mobility-related needs, whatever they are, and that doesn’t go far enough. Mobility scooters/wheelchairs cost thousands, stairlifts/home lifts tens of thousands, carers for taking you out and about from minimum wage up to £30 per hour; could you afford to pay for all these things, and employ someone, and also have all your mobility element go towards a car, with nothing left of it for fuel, oil, alternative transportation if needed, the downpayment for the car (which can be £2000+ with nothing back at the end of 3 years)? The total amount of ESA & PIP awards is only two-thirds of minimum wage, yet ill and disabled people have quantifiable, proven extra costs to the average person due to their circumstances and societal inequalities. I would like to see you demonstrate how exactly anyone with significant disabilities (whom are the only people who qualify for the higher rates of ESA & PIP) could live adequately from these meagre amounts, let alone ‘abuse the system’ when the system has been penurious for the last 13 years. 100,000s of people aren’t getting the benefits they’re entitled to, there are less than 0.1% of claims that are found to be fraudulent, and that figure has been the same for decades. The media love to peddle lies to create division and divert from the true frauds, ie MPs.
@@Adeleisha you say that but I'm from an ex mining community in durham and I grew up watching people fake bad backs for new cars while working fiddle lol, I know exactly how the system works and is bent, I will admit over the last few years it's been harder to swindle, I've seen a few people loose there free car that they've had every 3 year for the past 20 odd years lol
I really want an invacar, and a bond bug.
There is not left unfortunately. I bought an aixam have you seen thoes just for giggles realy.
@@mattlawton4715 Yes they do seem quite rare now.
I have a love for cars which are really shit, there is something amazing about driving a car like that, they have bags of character.
@@DjNikGnashers yes I say there good because there shit. If you know you know. 👍 (shit but not shit)
What engine is in them,there used to be about 40 of them in Northwood, Middlesex 45 year's ago,near the iron bridge.x
The Steyr-Puch engine that was also used in the Austrian license-built Fiat 500, but combined with a CVT transmission and a belt-driven starter/alternator similar to what's now used in 'mild-hybrid' cars.
02:33 is that Graham Hill on the left??
Appealing ingratitude for a different time. Shocking that someone who has had literally millions wasted on him with no expectation of a single penny return would be so.
i would like to have one
One man in Trafford park circa 1970 had on six foot inside height couldn’t sit down ,,, he never tipped it over
What would his reaction be if his government issued modified "regular car" turned out to be a Reliant Robin?
The scene at Tower Bridge, that's F1 world champion Graham Hill.
Unfortunately, Amongst school children growing up in the early 70,s they were known as Spacker Chariots.
Spaz box.
...And the 80s
My auntie had one in the early 1980s
I knew of one of these that had a 750 Honda Four engine fitted...used to shred tyres and embarrass many sports cars away from the lights. Owner was eventually killed hitting a cement truck head on at over 90 miles an hour. The force of the crash tore the engine out of the back of the car smashing through the thin fibreglass and it took the drivers head off and splattered it into the radiator of the truck....nasty.
You could of got her a cushion out of the parlour dave lol
Always thought these were made by Reliant as they had 3 wheels and looked a lot like the Regal...
As children we cruely called them flidwagons....
We called the spaz boxes.
i once seen one tipped over by hooligans down my street
my brother in law had one . couldnt half shift .
What happens if you get a front tire blow-out? I don't know why they couldn't have been designed to have four wheels. I guess this would have made the front steering mechanism more complex and expensive. They are no more dangerous than a moped or scooter.
Possibly for tax reasons - motorised tricycles have always had a lower rate of duty, that's why the Reliant Robin was built, to exploit that loophole.
I guess the problem was very few disabled people had the qualifications or experience to design cars. On the one hand you have an able bodied designer who knows nothing of being disabled and on the other you have a disabled person who knows nothing about designing and building cars. The result would often be an awkward compromise. Especially as disabilities are not standardised and everyone’s would be slightly different.
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@hubnut
He has restored one.
I think you mean bodged one. It's not restored.
@@catherinewilson3880 hahahaaa...... true.
He brought one back from the dead Yeah he openly admits it'll never be showroom condition consider the fact his spent 14 odd years in a field waiting for the scrappers to crush it. Hubnuts little Invacar has survived and still working
Not restored, but bodged is harsh. Many cars on the road are kept going by the same methods, they are not worth restoring but are better saved and used than scrapped.
I am shocked and appalled to see hateful remarks here. How completely dreadful it must be to live with that kind of poison floating around in your brain--never a moment's peace from the ugliness inside.
why the hell would anyone think its a good idea to give a c r i p p a sportscar???????
commonly known as the 'spacka chariot'
Spaz box.
Now they get 30grand SUVs for free every 3 years...
@SebastianSevenInMayit’s even worse than that, the entire amount has to be paid by the disabled person, and cars on the scheme are quite substantially more expensive than buying your own.
PUT IT IN H!!!!!
H
Ungrateful drain of the state, they had a car especially for them but I wasn’t enough. This load have never had it so good
Did you listen to a thing the guy even said... Idiot.
Lmao
If we live long enough we will all become disabled. I hope you've saved up enough not to be a burden on anyone.
Not everyone,only those tricked into taking the jab!