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Identify an old car type

  • 18-07-2024 6:38pm
    #1
    phormium
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,395 ✭✭✭


    I don't have one of these :) but it's on some old film I have from the early 1960s, unusual method of getting into the car! Anyone know what type it was?

    Grangecon car2.jpg



Comments

  • #2
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71,190 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    From the shape of the quarterlight I'd say its a Heinkel "Kabine" bubble car. Briefly built in Ireland; most of them were not.



  • #3
    phormium
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,395 ✭✭✭phormium


    Very interesting! This was taken in a small village in Wicklow, sometime between 1958 to 1968 to be as accurate as possible so fits the timescale.



  • #4
    steinbock123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 687 ✭✭✭steinbock123


    Looks like Hillman minx behind plus oval window VW Beetle towing home made trailer



  • #5
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 20,158 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    That car is a Heinkel bubble car - three wheeler.

    It was used in the UK by drivers who only had motor cycle licences. It also had no reverse gear so if the car was driven up to a wall, he driver was trapped.

    Heinkel was a German manufacturer that made bombers and look as if these cars were made from spare parts.

    Reliant Robin, as in Trotter's Only Fools and Horses, was produced for the same market. They were very popular with coal miners for some reason. Top Gear did a spoof on them - the Robin kept tipping over going round corners.



  • #6
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71,190 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122413776#Comment_122413776

    The Trotters used a Reliant Regal Supervan, not a Robin.

    The Top Gear Robin was donkeyed up to make it tip.



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  • #7
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 20,158 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122413782#Comment_122413782

    I am not an expert on three wheelers of any type, and a Reliant is no exception. I have no doubt the TG do a lot of 'fixing' to get their cars to do what they want to get viewers.



  • #8
    cml387
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,644 ✭✭✭cml387


    The Reliant Robins were a bit prone to tipping over, it happened to neighbours of ours in Gillingham, they slipped on a patch of seaweed on the seafront in Brighton.



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