THE MICRO MANIACS

Microcar Club

As reported by Adam Quellin

My 1954 MG Magnette could hardly be described as a microcar. However, I reasoned, it’s probably rarer than an Isetta and is of similar vintage, so I decided to drive it to Market Rasen.  The old beast performed well on the trip, the only niggles being a blowing exhaust and jumping out of gear on the A46.  A previous attempt to cure an oil leak had failed, so a careful monitoring of the level was also required. 

The Micromaniacs are a friendly bunch and thankfully I wasn’t ordered to leave the field upon arrival.  I soon got chatting to Ray and Jenny Dilks and it wasn’t long before I was being propelled along the road in their bubble.  Ray asked me if I had ever driven a Heinkel.  I told him that I hadn’t and he then very kindly let me have a go behind the wheel.  The Heinkel felt very lively and not as noisy or sluggish as I imagined it would be.  The sequential gears took a little getting used to, but the experience was great fun.  Ray advised me to feel through the gears, which I found worked better than looking to see if the lever lined up with the numbers on the guide.  The driving position of the Heinkel was excellent and the large windscreen provided good visibility.  As long as you’re not in a rush, Heinkelling seems a very pleasant way to travel.

Ray in his
        "Red-Setter"

It was soon time for the road run and this is when I usually go scrounging and begging people for a seat in their micros. 

I was introduced to Ray Glendinning – THE Ray Glendinning  of Bond Minicar fame.  Ray’s mode of transport for the road run was a red Isetta (or is it red setter) which is also a right hand drive four wheeler.  Ray drove his little maroon marvel round the campsite bibbing his horn, calling all the micros together  like a hen gathering its chicks.  It was fascinating to ride in an Isetta. The last Isetta I rode in was my own.  That was more than twenty years ago - a clapped out three wheeler I messed about in.  If anyone knows the whereabouts of SGV 236, I’d be interested to know… We somehow managed to take a few wrong turnings, but eventually got to the garden centre.  As we had our lunch, Dave Arnott told me about the Barchetta.  That well-known South-coast loony, Jason Heather, who has an enviable collection of over thirty microcars told me that you have to enjoy yourself, because let’s face it – you could be dead tomorrow.  Well, yes, quite.  – great philosophy!

Later on I approached Neil Foster, who kindly drove his BMW 600 over to the other end of the racecourse for me, so I could take some photographs of it.  To the uninitiated, the BMW 600 is like a stretched version of the Isetta.  A flat air cooled twin cylinder motor sits in the tail and there is a single side door for the rear bench seat.  It would be interesting to do a comparison test between the BMW 600 and the Fiat Multipla.  To see them parked next to each other would be great.

Wandering around the campsite, I noticed the air vents on Mark Fisher’s three wheeled Isetta were the same as a four wheeler.  Now call me Captain Nerd of the anorak people, but don’t three wheeled Isettas have smaller rear air vents?  Mark explained to me that his Isetta was made for a four wheeled chassis, but for some reason was swapped to a three wheeled one instead.  Mark took me out for a quick spin in his Isetta.  His car had been suffering gear change problems, but it seemed to be okay that afternoon.

 
Ray leads the way ...
        but to where!?!?!?

The meal was very enjoyable – real northern fayre.  EE, by gum, ay up, it’s steak pie and mushy peas. Snail Racing and the “Tomquiz” were next on the agenda and judging by the amount of laughter was very well received, the evening passed very quickly and several beverages of the alcoholic persuasion were partaken of by most of the assembled throng. I doff my flat cap to you, you northern stars, for organising it all.  The perfect end to a great day out was when Julian Haycroft let me drive his Heinkel down the leafy lanes to the sound of ‘Beep beep’, more commonly known as the ‘Bubblecar Song.’ Julian’s car is adorned with a spoiler, to give it sporty appeal.  I regret not owning a bubble at present and the fact many Micromaniac events are just a bit too far away for me to attend.  However, a big thank you to the microcar fraternity as a whole for showing and sharing your vehicles to us ‘micro-less’ people.

Personally, I have a hankering for a ‘Schmitt, and am just waiting for a giant stork to drop one in the garden sometime soon.  My very own bundle of joy.  Well, I can only hope.

Keep on bubbling.

Adam Quellin