The Invacar (from “Invalid Carriage”) was small single-seater microcar vehicle designed for use by disabled drivers.

In the aftermath of World War II, a vast number of servicemen returned to Britain permanently disabled from their wounds. In 1948 engineer Bert Greeves adapted a motorcycle with the help of his paralysed cousin, Derry Preston-Cobb, as transport for Derry. Realizing the opportunity, they approached the UK Government for support, leading to the creation of Invacar Ltd.

All Invacars were owned by the government and leased to disabled drivers as part of their disability benefit through the British Ministry of Pensions from 1948 until 1977.

Painted in a distinctive “Ministry Blue”, these three-wheeled vehicles were able to negotiate both roads and pavements; they were a common sight at football matches, parked right by the pitch.

Unfortunately they had (initially) no heater, no radio and no insulation. One motorist described them thusly:

“Unstable, dangerous and uncomfortable … The car is very much affected by wind and by every bump and dent in the road. The slightest thing takes away your control of that single wheel … Mine is leaking from the bonnet through on to my legs … Driving is always tiring, especially on the arms.”

(Feedback from an Invacar user, Lord’s Sitting, UK Parliament – 5th February 1974)

From April 2003 Invacars were banned from British roads because of safety concerns, and almost all of the remaining models were recalled and scrapped. As of 2022, only 59 remained in the hands of private collectors.