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[keithgilbern]

Hi Dan
Yes it is a Mk 2 Invader and looks to be in good condition, I hope you enjoy it.

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi Dan, yes a very tidy looking car, we have 1 pic of the car taken many years ago but it doesn't appear to have aged any. I thought the pic was on here but as yet I cannot find it and I don't know how to post the 1 in our system.
As for telling the difference between Genies, Mk1 & 2 that's a secret known only to us 'experts'!
Ok I'll let you in on it- at first glance a Genie has a bonnet with the vents towards the front and a vinyl dash. A MK1 also has a bonnet with the vents at the front with a wooden dash unless it had the option of a vinyl dash!!! Are you keeping up? A Mk 2 has the bonnet vents at the rear and 'basket weave' seat centres as you can just see in Dan's pics, from around IN1200 MK2's also had air vents in the 'C' post and a little later Stag door handles.
Obviously this is not an exact science as cars that were built around the change over to the next model had bits from earlier cars or the last of the early cars had bits from the new model, or it could simply be that someone has replaced a bonnet or the interior!!!
Genies and MK1's also had Watts Linkage on the rear axle,----unless it has been converted to Panhard rod!
The only way to be (almost )100% certain is to examine the front suspension, front chassis members and rear trailing arm bushes, oh and the engine position!.
Even that is not always accurate as there are a couple of cars which have completely different front chassis and suspension set ups!

[Dan]

Thanks very much guys.

That info is brilliant, i thought the bonnet vents had something to do with it, looking at different images on google i could see the bonnet vents changed, but didnt know how they referred to the different types.

Hopefully have her on the road soon, hopefully by the weekend i will have some time to turn the engine over and check it isnt seized.

Dan

[Jeff_6]

Hi All,
My Name is Jeff Reynolds.

I'm a Native of Pembrokeshire but have lived in Cork Ireland for the past 25 years.

I'm on the verge of buying a Gilbern Genie and I've been an occasional visitor to the forum for the last few years to learn what I can.

Will update in the next couple of weeks when hopefully I will move from prospective to confirmed !!!
I'd be interested to hear from anyone in West wales and Ireland.

Regards
Jeff

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi Jeff, sensible man, buying a Gilbern!
It will be even more sensible when the GOC spares man moves to West Wales in the next few weeks!
Join our Club and enjoy yourself!
Gavin

[Ian-Genie]

Hi to all. I have just finished a long term restoration of my 1962 Vauxhall VX4/90, and I thought I needed a new project to keep me in the garage where I’m accustomed to spending most days. A 1968 blue Genie called to me from the web pages of carandclassic.co.uk, chassis no. G1089. It needs quite a bit of work, definitely a respray and interior, probably some chassis work as well. I’ll be doing a fair bit of it myself, but a decent set of seats would be a nice head start. I look forward to picking up lots of hints and tips from this forum. All the best, Ian

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi Ian, I seemed to have missed this post. Good Gilbern seats are virtually non-existent, unless you can find someone who is breaking, or has changed seats, from a good car.
Mazda MX-5 seats so I am led to believe will fit straight in with only a change to the base under the seats to raise them. I have also been told that MG-F seats are also narrow enough to fit. Almost all other seats are too wide. Both of these can be obtained in various colours and materials to hopefully match your car for much less than the cost of restoring the Restall seats used by Gilbern.
If you specifically want original then check the framework under the seat as this is usually the first to go wrong.
Gavin

[Sage]

Hello, my name is Glen howell and I am a new member of the club.
I don't own a Gilbern yet, but I am looking for a Mk3 Invader.
At the moment I don't have the time to put in to a restoration, maybe in a few years when I retire that will be an option.
in the meantime i will keep looking and admiring the lovely cars that other members own.
One day I will scratch that itch and have an Invader in my garage.

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi Glenn, welcome to the madhouse! Mk3's for sale are few and far between so you need to keep your eyes open. Suggest you join your local group (if there is one in your area, check rear of Rarebit) where you can meet others similarly 'mad' but also get advice on what to look for and maybe hear of cars before they are advertised publicly.
Good hunting,
Gavin

[Sage]

Thanks Gavin, I have only ever seen one Mk3 "in the flesh" so i expect to have to look long and hard to get one.
looking in Rarebit I think the Herts/Beds group will be the nearest one for me as I am in Essex.
At least I am in a good place to find Ford spares

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi Glenn, check out the first post listed under Members Bar. If you are unable to access it send me an email (address in front of Rarebit) and I'll put you in touch.
Gavin

[malcvie]

Hello there,
I have recently purchased a Gilbern Invader Mark 1, I think, at the Morris Leslie classic car auctions. There it was lurking way down the order, wouldn't start, and was a tad incontinent....
and I just could not resist!
Managed to get it safely home and work has already started to get it running and stay cool. Probably a long journey I suspect, with evidence of electrical problems and other things.
I live in NE Scotland near Montrose and imagine my surprise when finding out the last owner lived just 15 miles away!
Malcolm

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi Malcolm. Sorry for the delay in replying, I have been having problems logging in, hopefully now sorted? Welcome to the Club, you are certainly a long way from most members but not all! I expect you will have a list of those members near you, if not let me know and I'll sort one.
Regards
Gavin (Used Spares)