CLASSIC CARS WITH CAR FAN - THE GILBERN INVADER

We are travelling to Welsh Wales for the subject of this edition as that is where the Gilbern Invader was made.

This particular example is a Mk. 2 version, produced in 1972, bought just over a couple of years ago and it shares garage space with a Gilbern Genie, on which the Invader is based, but with the benefit of an improved chassis and larger brakes.

The company name comes from the first three letters of founder Giles Smith and the first four letters of the co-founder Bernard Friese which has got to be a good quiz question surely. Boasting a 3 litre, Ford V6 engine and also available as an estate, this is no slouch, with quite respectable performance figures for its time. Both automatic and manual versions with overdrive were available when new, with the suspension coming from the MGC and luxuries such as electric windows and a walnut-veneered dashboard graced the interior.

This car has proved to be very reliable, despite not having run for the previous 18 months prior to purchase, with just a new fuel pump needed and it has also benefited from a new sunroof and alloy wheels with modified hubs making it even more attractive. Membership of the owner's club certainly helps with parts availability as well as autojumbles for those hard to get parts.

If you fancy an Invader on your drive and an introduction to classic car ownership, then good luck finding one and if you do, be prepared to pay around £16,000, with just one for sale in the U.K. at time of writing. With just over 600 Invaders of all variants built between 1969 and 1973, there aren't many left, so if you should be so lucky as to see an Invader driving past, don't forget that cheery Carfan wave!