Sunday 27th March
Pocket Classics Army: PH Fleet
Half the size, twice the fun - latest PH Fleet addition puts comedy spin on downsizing...
It causes me considerable amusement that the first pictures you see after a Google search for 'Pocket Classics' feature good old Riggers pottering around the PH car park in what resembles a miniature Porsche 356, grin fixed in a combination of terror and childish glee.
"Delivery for Mr Trent?"
Fast forward a little and, had it not been dark, you'd have seen the exact same expression on my face as I took our latest PH Fleet acquisition for a quick shakedown.First things first. We are never to refer to this vehicle by the name that will be on your lips. This is the Pocket Classics Army. To call it anything else could result in some nasty letters going their way. Army, Army, Army ... must not call it a- oops, that was close.
I'm still not quite sure how we've come to be in possession. Well I do. Ben from Pocket Classics asked if we'd like one on extended loan. What else was the response going to be? I'm not sure who was more excited - my inner three-year-old. Or my actual three-year-old. Either way, some father-son bonding in building the thing appealed. Once we'd negotiated with my mother some space in her garage for construction and storage. A deal was struck, the space was cleared, many runs to the tip were conducted and I was ready.
Then both my mother and I started getting weird phone calls and emails from Germany about a delivery, which we both ignored on the basis they sounded like some sort of scam. More fool us - this was the firm trying to deliver it to us. My mum looked nervous at talk of the crate containing it requiring a big truck for delivery. The deal looked to be unravelling. Eventually after much to and fro it was outside the garage, the pallet having broken on the journey across the cobbled yard and requiring unpacking where it landed.
Just to be clear: it's the Army, not anything else...
This being a new model to the Pocket Classics range instructions were minimal but not beyond the wit of man, three-year-old assistant and a socket set. Think flat pack furniture. With a more interesting outcome. My mother looked on, not sure whether to be appalled or impressed. And I've swapped the tyres numerous times since the photos, still uncertain as to what direction the tread should be going.With a 150cc four-stroke motor, two dinky hydraulic disc brakes up front and a bigger one on the chain-driven solid rear axle it's a proper piece of kit too. There's a three-speed semi-automatic gearbox, electric start, even headlights and indicators. And, before you ask, of course it's not road legal. Simpler than the car-based models in the range with their all-round independent suspension, the Army starts at £4,995 too - or about half the price. And it's built tough, Pocket Classics boasting their products areand Ben offering the reassuringly sturdy advice to 'give it death' upon starting it for the first time. Which took longer than it should because, in my excitement, I initially forgot to turn the fuel tap on. Idiot.
But now she's a runner! A burr on the threaded steering wheel mount revealed how soft the aluminium threads are on the boss and I think I'll replace the screws with a more sturdy Nylock nut and bolt combo. And I haven't bothered with the windscreen yet because I'm not sure how to keep it upright. I need to get some stickers on it to accompany the military livery too.
Plans? Well if it'll fit in the back of the Range Rover consider it game on. Failing that I have a man on stand-by with an L200 pick-up. Let's just say campsite transport at Le Mans appears sorted...
FACT SHEET
Car : Pocket Classics Army
Run by : Dan's three-year-old ... honest
On fleet since : We located the crate
Mileage : None on the public road, heaven forbid
List price new : from £4,995 (£5,995 built)
Pocket Classics' testing