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Good point

Thanks Clive that was a helpful link, seems like I don’t need C1 for the Saracen and category B should suffice assuming it is considered to be a heavy goods vehicle

Clive, how did you know you needed to do this and has this now changed with reference to the point John makes regarding car licence.? Nic

Thanks Nick, reason for asking is that I’m close to reaching 70 when I believe DVLA are likely to issue me a new license and most probably likely to remove some of the categories no longer included on new licenses. I would really like to find a DVLA reference that definitely states that I can drive my Armoured vehicle (Saracen) and specifically what category on my license covers this. Surely a Saracen is not a commercial vehicle, I seem to remember yonks ago seeing a DVLA document that said ex mil armour was classed as a tractor or something. I’ve always believed a car licence was all I needed.

Sorry meant to say, wheeled.

Can anyone confirm what driving licence is required for a pre 1960 armoured vehicle weighing upwards of 11 tons. Have scoured the net and damned if I can find a definitive answer.

I’m after a couple of headlamp bezels for Light Weight, part number 6210-99-817-4519

Anyone got one they would like to sell?

You’ve done a very, very good job of that. Well done

Perhaps he was Richard but he had already commented on preferring driving the Pig and was talking about flying Pigs and how they had painted their screens pink. Maybe just a case of memory playing tricks on him. Nic

I took my Saracen to a local village event yesterday, a chap came up to me who was an ex Saracen driver who had served in NI in the 80’s. He said that the Saracen he drove was adapted to have side doors (not the escape hatches) and that the middle axle was removed to accommodate these doors. I have never seen photos of such a Saracen, did they exist? As an aside, as I was about to leave an American sounding lady came up to me and asked “is this a jeep” !

I’m thinking that this year I shall have to hang a polite “No entry please” when I show it, it’s a shame but there we are.

I took my Saracen to a local car show yesterday, afterwards I parked it for an hour or so on the grass verge opposite my house. It’s not uncommon for people to slow or stop to take a closer look. But we noticed there was a stopped car and people starting to climb on it. Next someone was climbing into the turret hatch. My wife crossed over the road and asked them if it was OK to climb on the roof of their car. Embarrassed they said they didn’t mean any offence etc. It is sometimes the same at shows, I will allow young children to take a look inside when their parents are with them. But the next minute there will be a load of uninvited larger children inside pulling and prodding things. Perhaps you might say this is to be expected, but what I don’t expect is for their parents to be standing by watching without a word to their offspring warning that they should respect other people’s property. I’ve spent a lot of time and money restoring my vehicle and expect people to respect that, perhaps in this day and age I’m being unrealistic!

I don’t think I would want to be one of the chaps inside!

Is this Saracen wading or swimming?

Well the bottom part is, but the top is thin metal

Thanks Clive, Richard. I’m sure this will just stay on my interesting to have wish list. I’ve always thought that the reverse flow Saracen is extremely vulnerable with regard damage to its cowl. The slightest collision could well crumple it and compromise cooling. Nic

Good points Robin

I fancy adding a “paddy pusher” to the front of my Saracen like the one below. Does anyone know the whereabouts of one?

Sounds like a hydraulic leak somewhere, perhaps wheel cylinder. Can you see any signs of weeping from wheels or brake lines?

I agree, smooth hammerite gives a pretty good finish. I did my Saracen with it, I applied it with a small foam roller and the finish is as good as spray.

Good point, if that is the case I think I should be able to test for that by leaving my electric pump on. As the engine's demand for fuel increases so should the ticking of the pump (it's a double SU) so I guess a rapidly ticking pump would indicate that it is working hard and possibly not meeting demand.

Interesting, I don't think I've got that problem as I've fitted an electric booster pump just before the filters. I think if there were pin holes I would hear it ticking away as it sucked air. I tend only to use the pump at start up but it might be worth switching it on when going up hills to see if that makes a difference.

Hi Richard, I don’t think the brakes are binding and I suspect I probably have a tendency to change up too soon when going into 5th. I do wonder however what others experience when doing a (near) standing start at the bottom of a steep hill where you don’t really get the opportunity to wind her up.