“I handed it over to Wimbledon Classic Cars to correct what they called ‘the bush fixes’,” explains Danny. “For example, it didn’t have the right brakes and some parts were welded when they shouldn’t have been. It’s now back to its original, factory-fresh state.”
However, some jobs remain: “The odometer is showing 50,758 miles, but it has done since the speedometer stopped working 18 weeks ago. To replace it, you have to remove the engine. The fuel gauge doesn’t work either, and to fix it you need to get to the fuel tank, which is behind the engine, so the engine has to come out for that too. I’m waiting for a third thing to go wrong that requires the removal of the engine and then I’ll have them fixed, because it won’t be cheap.”
Danny’s Caravelle has the more powerful 1108cc engine, introduced in 1964. It replaced the 956cc engine, which itself had replaced the 845cc launch engine.
“The earlier engines were grossly underpowered,” he says, “but with just 55hp, this later engine is also grossly underpowered!
“Coming here today, I looked at Wimbledon Hill and thought ‘this will be interesting’. Still, on the flat and especially on twisty roads, being rear-engined and rear-wheel drive, the car makes the most of what little power it has.
“In any case, for me it’s all about the looks, which are even better with the metal hard top fitted. It’s in cream and sets the Caravelle off a treat.”
