The Estate Gazette November 2010 Issue 2

[Greybags]

The Estates Gazette
An independent organ for the Gilbern Estate Owner

Issue no. 2 November 2010

OK, it’s not quite Rula Lenska I agree, but the hope is that other estate owners will forward suitable photos for forthcoming issues, otherwise there will be more of the old bloke in a boiler suit, and nobody wants that!

The rear screen seal for the Estate has long been unavailable, but after a lot of research by Grahame Slope and Dave Gorman, a rubber profile has been identified that will do the job.
Although it will pull back a small amount in the tight radius bottom corners on the outside of the car, the inside remains firm and watertight.
So if you have a poor rear window seal or are restoring your car and need a new one then I can advise that you can use an IRS1181 Profile with a plastic chrome insert.
Dave has also identified a better seal for the windscreen as well… the standard one that has been supplied does not cover much of the bodywork and is very difficult to fit, but again trying a few samples has found that rubber profile IRS1724 and Chrome plastic infill is a much better seal as it covers more of the window aperture on the body, and is easier to fit..
I would think this would also apply to the Mk2 Non Estate version as well
Phoenix Supplies (01884 849294) are recommended for all the above who have been most patient and sent out loads of samples until one was found that did the job.
Grahame now has a used original rear window seal in reasonable, well used, (not perfect) condition and the stainless inserts if anyone wants to keep it original and would be interested in offers for this extremely rare piece of rubber.


Car Builder Solutions (01580 891309) are a useful contact and supply amongst other things, side lights for £10 / pair rather than £25 each as advertised elsewhere.
They also sell plastic bulkhead flanges in differing sizes, allowing a smaller dia. heating duct (heater box to bulkhead) than the usual 4” dia. tube that rather gets in the way.
Owners will notice that if their Invader has had the heads off at some time, the original duct will be bent to buggery, as the only way of getting to the rear head bolt on the offside is to butcher the duct. By nipping off the original, (only tack welded on) fixing a small square plate and then a new plastic 3” dia. flange, head removal is achieved much more easily, the smaller heating duct doesn’t foul the electrics and plug leads, and the extra space accommodates the alloy rocker covers that most discerning enthusiasts would wish to fit anyway. Voila! job done! (note: rocker covers still available, ring for details)

Invading Germany ~ a letter from Sabine Opitz

On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested....
I don’t know on which day Gilles and Bernhard finished their creation. But it was the seventh letter of the alphabet that I clicked on looking for a new British car on an advertising internet page – while I was resting from my work. And there I found this marque called Gilbern.
From that moment I was determined to get, at least, on of these cars. I could, as usual, not easily decide which model I liked most. The GT looked great. Also I liked the MK III. And the Estate. There was one GT and one Estate for sale. I travelled to England to have a look at them and ended up buying the Estate.

For years I had been trying to buy a house up to that moment, but was not successful so far. Now – without an “agent” – all of a sudden, I had an “estate”.
I would have been unbelievably proud to own the only Gilbern Estate in Germany. I was quite sure, that the existence of another one of these rare cars would be very unlikely. But I was wrong. There is another Estate over here – in Hamburg as far as I know. It came over a couple of months before I bought mine. So now I am believably proud to own the second one in Germany.
Let’s take it this way: Me and my car – she is called Blodwyn – are waving Gilbern`s flag in the middle and south of Germany now. The other one, a dark blue automatic car, hopefully represents the marque in the north.

Nonetheless I had to go northbound with my car three times to pass the MOT. Because Gilberning over caused some hassle with the authorities first.
To get the car registered I needed German MOT – and not only the usual check which is due every second year. To pass it first time you have to take some hurdles.
The MOT-station at my place wanted a certificate to prove the cracking- and fire-resistance of the GFK. They were really serious on that. But I was not willing to find a way getting such a certificate, which would have been expensive and is nothing but harassment.
Now it turned up to be a big advantage NOT to be the first and only Gilbern in this country. I found out that the other Estate had passed without such a certificate – at the MOT-authorities 150 miles north. I went there as well. Rather travelling than paying for a useless piece of paper.
The man in charge, Mr. Witter, was immediately enthusiastic about my car. The third Gilbern he met there – also the German Genie passed the MOT with his mercy. Mr. Witter was also working for some motoring events and he therefore just loves cars such us the Estate. He just smiled all over, when he came back from a short test driving with Blodwyn.
There were not many things that he criticised and wanted to be changed after the first visit. But of course the brakes have to work properly. And they didn’t, when I turned up there again. I had – without knowing – oil leaking out of the rear axle. It dropped on the brake pads. And with oily pads they would not work. I went back – 300 miles – to have it sorted out at my garage. But next time I presented the car, the other side showed no braking power. For the same reason. Very annoying. Mr. Witter almost cried with me, but I had to go back to the garage again. Now the rear axle got new parts again and then Mr. Witter could bless us officially. Also I got permission to drive the car as an historic vehicle – which makes it cheaper for tax and insurance.

To pass the MOT and to have the car technically improved I bought quite a lot of spares and had them built in. Getting parts was no problem at all. Thanks to Roger Frankland – who saved me loads of times so far already. Also there are a couple of dealers over here selling MG and Triumph parts. Living near Cologne means there are many Ford-enthusiasts and engine experts around – luckily I have found a couple of mechanics who are really keen on this exotic vehicle.

The car seems to like her new home. She never really let me down badly– apart from braking down with a broken shaft – the rear-axle seems to be her weak organ.
Another chronic illness is overheating. Because of the engine getting too hot I already became acquainted with a Belgium and a British AA-helper. Both of which were friendly and very helpful. Hopefully my mechanic will sort out these things in the long run.
I am proud to have made it not only from England to Germany, when I bought the car – my first drive ever in the Gilbern. But also to the National Day two times.
This year we broke down with a burst heater hose. In exact the same village where my car used to “live” when it was a child....well, maybe it was her way of crying because of old memories or a slight feeling of home-sickness....At least she went on from there again alright.....
And our goal is to take part at National Day again next year. On the ferry we have to check in as a “Volvo” every time, since they don’t know Gilberns and many people think that the estate looks a bit like the Volvo “Schneewittchensarg” (Snow White’s coffin).

In Germany we attended two car-meetings – and just like in Britain most people have no idea what sort of car that is....It is very amusing to watch people creeping around it wondering...
The first meeting was on a hot summer day. And the run lead us through the city traffic. I was very nervous because of the heating problems. BUT: We arrived! Other, really concours-looking car’s (e.g. an AC Cobra and a Mercedes 300 SL) did not. We were one of the last cars to come back from the run. And the street to the finish was going uphill. The engine and exhaust were banging and sounding just great. And then people came asking me “what sort of car is that? It sounded like a Maserati, but it looks different”. What fun!
The second meeting was without a run. I parked the car and waited for people to come, so that I could teach them some lessons in British car history. But not many people stopped. It seems that the Estate is splitting: Some people are completely fascinated from that gorgeous shape of the car. Others find it rather ugly. Well, it is not the classic beauty, that is right. But it is very extravagant and full of character. But not everyone is capable of appreciating that.
But people who do, really do. There were two men coming to talk to me and they got stuck for much longer than they wanted. And then a bloke turned up who knew the marque of Gilbern! It came out that he drives a Jaguar E-Type. And he really did not save with compliments on the Estate. I felt very honoured. And Blodwyn did as well.

We also had the newspaper writing an article about me and the rare car. It is a pleasure to drive the car, and also to pass on this feeling and the passion to other people. That is what the marque and especially the Estate version deserves.
I love that car, are fascinated every time when I look at the shape or also that posh-looking dashboard.
The Estate was the right decision! I have never regretted buying it. And I don’t ever want to sell it again!

But I must admit that the Gilbern-virus has taken hold of me seriously. I still dream of getting a GT and a MK III as well. It is nothing I could really afford at present. But I have time. And something to look forward to. And the Estate will remain the favourite one anyway.
I wrote an article for the TVR-club-magazine telling my Gilbern-story. The bloke who imported the other Estate to Germany, and then sold it to its now-owner, is a TVR and Trident-driver. But their club also accepts “relative” marques as Gilbern. Therefore I am a member of the German TVR-club as well, to support making Gilberns better known in Germany.
I taught them that the car was made at a butcher’s backyard. Therefore I gave my car also the nickname “fantastic sausage” (which is a collocation in German). It is definitely the fastest sausage around!
On the 9th of November it is my car’s birthday. It is a Tuesday this year. Just like 1971 when it was first registered. So, not the seventh day. But definitely a day of great (or even divine?) creation!!!

Future contributions promised, include :-

Red cars ~ enough already!

The £100 rebuild ~ full secrets revealed!

Leather interiors ~ seats or trousers? An expert speaks!

(5)