I-Spy Classic Cars/Bikes-What have you spotted?

[white exec]

Only a matter of time before the after-market widgets start to appear . . .

[CitroJim]

Only a matter of time before the after-market widgets start to appear . . .

True... Only needs a speaker, an amp and a device to generate the sound... Even quite easy to do on a DIY basis...

[Zelandeth]

Valenta is definitely on the list...surprised nobody has mentioned the Deltic yet though...that could turn heads! Not least for sounding impressive but also for just sounding downright odd and like nothing else in the world.

[CitroJim]

Good thinking on the Deltic Zel, and for cold starts we really need the sound of a Class 37 starting up in the snow

[Hell Razor5543]

Not the best videos of them, but starting a Bolinder engine in warm weather is easy. Starting one in cold weather is a pig!;




The reason for the side hatches is simple. If a Bolinder engine decided to be awkward, it can kick back. They have broken legs doing so, usually when the person trying to start it has nowhere to go. After the hatches were fitted the number of legs broken went down, but the number of 'ejected by engine' incidents went up. 9HP is surprisingly powerful.

By the way, a Bolinder engine can drive modern mechanics (who do not understand them) mad with the way they run. Very uneven, as it fires only when it needs to. This can help, as if you have something wrapped around the prop the engine clearly lets you know.

[CitroJim]

Reminds me of hand-starting a Lister HA2!

Does the Bolinder run more evenly when under a decent load James? Most of the older engines were very uneven off-load but as soon as you put them to a decent task and the governor actually had something to do they ran like clocks..

[Hell Razor5543]

I don't know, Jim, I will have to ask my Mum, as she has had a lot more exposure to Bolinders than I.

[NewcastleFalcon]

The bollinder got a bit of an airing on a thread which started out with a review of the Citroen Cactus! The fact that its a narrowboat called "Cactus" that this little bollinder comes from is just one of those amazing co-incidences



No rev counter needed just an abacus and a stopwatch

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Spotted this Vanden Plas Allegro 1500 near Wooler. Is there any value in it or is it just going to rust or be crushed away to nothing. Definitely got resident mice, an old newspaper in the back nicely converted into nesting material.



This is a Special Austin Allegro Vanden Plas 1750 2-tone advertised on Carandclassic for £4,495, although it appears to be brown on brown.....and a couple of other VP Allegro's in good condition on the same site got the "Sold In a Day" tag, so looks like someone's buying them.



Regards Neil

[elma]

Not actually a car but very cool so I had to put it up.



Numberplate was VTU 376
I can only find out it is a black petrol motorcycle from 1950s
I think it's an add on engine on an old Raleigh bike.

[Zelandeth]

They seem to be gathering quite a following now, and to be honest I'd have one. That said, I've always had a bit of a spot for BMC motors. The wedge shaped Ambassador probably being the one I'd like on my driveway the most. Mate had a mint one a few years back (black exterior, gold pinstripe and tan velour interior), but wanted far more for it than I could afford at the time.

Main things I remember were that it got very high marks from me both in the comfort and handling departments.

Hard to tell from the photo really, but I'd say that one you've caught there would be saveable. Biggest headaches generally seem to be availability of trim and small items, the rest is just par for the course on BMC cars of the day (i.e. rust), and if you've got the time, expertise and inclination shouldn't be harder than any other restoration. If that car is complete and not missing a heap of bits, could be a good project. Especially in the VDP trim which makes it a bit of an oddball.

[NewcastleFalcon]

Not actually a car but very cool so I had to put it up.

Numberplate was VTU 376
I can only find out it is a black petrol motorcycle from 1950s
I think it's an add on engine on an old Raleigh bike.

The Reg Number comes up with Cyclaid first registered 12th September 1955, year of manufacture 1950, 31cc Petrol, the TU is a Cheshire registration. The Cyclaid was a petrol motor designed to attach to an ordinary pedal cycle.



Nice spot! and quite a rarity I would think.

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Numberplate was VTU 376

...and if you check out the British Motorcycle Preservation Society North Wales 2016 Members Fixture Book and turn to page 8, you will see the 2015 Annual Show Results, where the Chairman's Choice for best British MotorCycle was awarded to John Dean, for a Cyclaid in a 1953 Raleigh Frame..registration Number VTU 376

..and the fixtures for recent days....

May
21st/22nd Anglesey Festival of Transport & Machinery
29th/30th Cheshire Classic Car/M/C Show
30th Bank Holiday Monday Prestatyn Classic Car Show(Ride Out 29th)

It all fits!

Regards Neil

[elma]

I don't know how you do that Neil, I did do a little searching myself before I posted. You're a true expert and should be an automotive archeologist. It seems to live in Llandudno, I've spotted it once before just after the transport festival. Today the roads were clear though so I got ahead of it, parked up and snapped a picture. The things reasonably quick, by the time I had my phone out it was alongside me.

[NewcastleFalcon]

Thanks James, I enjoy the chase, and there is such a vast quantity of information available you just need a little lead to link it in. The reg no came up with the description Cyclaid in the Autotrader Vehicle Check. Bit search on that came up with it being the motor able to be fitted to any bicycle frame, and "Cyclaid VTU 376" came up with that event diary for the British Motorcycle Preservation Society North Wales 2016 Fixtures, and fortunately last year's award winners on page 8. Google and the pedantic record keeping of the BMPSNW played a greater part than me!

The least likely thing in the whole sequence of events would be that a pedal bike with an add on 31cc motor would actually win the Chairman's award for best motorcycle....bet the oher members with their BSA's Vincents and Triumphs would have been fuming


Regards Neil