The AC/Thundersley Invacar was a small car specially adapted for use by disabled drivers.

History

In 1948, Bert Greeves

Bert Greeves

Oscar Bertram "Bert" Greeves MBE was a British engineer who founded Invacar Ltd in 1942 and Greeves motor cycles in 1953. He was appointed MBE in 1972. Married twice with one daughter, he died on the 15 July 1993.-Early life:...

 adapted a motorbike with the help of his paralysed cousin Derry Preston-Cobb as transport for Derry. Noticing the number of former servicemen injured in the Second World War they spotted a commercial opportunity and, approaching the Government for support, "Invacar Ltd" was created.

During the 1960s and 70s the Invacar with its modern fibreglass shell, ice blue colouring and chain drive were produced in the tens of thousands. Developments including an extended wheelbase, wider track and use of Austin

Austin Motor Company

The Austin Motor Company was a British manufacturer of automobiles. The company was founded in 1905 and merged in 1952 into the British Motor Corporation Ltd. The marque Austin was used until 1987...

 Mini wheels saw the Invacars right through to the end of the final DHSS

Department of Health and Social Security

The Department of Health and Social Security was a ministry of the British government in existence for twenty years from 1968 until 1988, and was headed by the Secretary of State for Social Services.-History:...

 contract in 1977. More than 50 variants would be produced. Besides Invacar a number of other manufacturers were licensed by the Ministry of Health to produce similar vehicles, including AC Cars

AC Cars

AC Cars Group Ltd. formerly known as Auto Carriers Ltd. is a British specialist automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest independent car marques founded in Britain...

, Thundersley and Tippen.

On 31 March 2003 it became illegal to drive an Invacar on British roads. The veteran vehicle could not stand up to modern day government regulations requiring approval under the Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval Scheme as part of a standard set by the European Union. There were still around 200 Invacars in Britain prior to the 2003 recall and scrapping program. Hundreds of stockpiled Invacars in government warehouses were scrapped along with all their spare parts. Examples survive in the hands of private owners and museums in Britain and abroad.

All Invacars were owned by the Government and leased to disabled drivers as part of their disability benefit. Their use had been in decline since the introduction of the Motability

Motability

Motability is a United Kingdom scheme which enables disabled people to obtain a car, powered wheelchair or scooter by using their Government-funded mobility allowances....

scheme - offering disabled drivers a conventional car with modified options.