Last car supplied with a starting handle?

[kev b]

Saw a 1969 Ford Escort on a re-run of Heartbeat tonight, it had quarter bumpers, revealing a hole in the valance for a starting handle. I worked on these cars as a boy and know that both the radiator and the crank pulley had no provision for a starting handle even though a hole was present.

I know that Morris Minors had a starting handle and soldiered on until 1972-ish but were they the last car to have the option to hand crank?

[marshalla]

2CV

[dandare]

Hillman Imps had a hole in the rear crossmember for a starting handle, right up to the end of production (1976).

[Jonny_]

Lada Niva had one I believe. And I think the Riva did too. Not sure if it was phased out on later cars though.

[kev b]

2CV of course! Were they actually supplied with a handle right to the finish?

This could be the shortest thread ever, so in a bid to reach three pages and get to the off topic threats and insults: - What was the last British built car, besides the Minor, to feature a starting handle?

ETA missed the Lada and Imp posts whilst my ancient laptop was deciding what to do.

Edited by kev b on Tuesday 20th May 21:46

[Kinkell]

1969 Renault 4 had one neatly clipped in the engine bay.

[Byteme]

dandare said:

Hillman Imps had a hole in the rear crossmember for a starting handle, right up to the end of production (1976).

They did but my first car, a 1967 "Super" model that actually came with a heater as standard (but no blower motor), had no provision on the crank pulley for a handle.

[P1ato]

Yes - my 1988 2CV had a starter handle. Had to use it a couple of times too...

[xuy]

Classic. Range rover ?

[a8hex]

Byteme said:

dandare said:

Hillman Imps had a hole in the rear crossmember for a starting handle, right up to the end of production (1976).

They did but my first car, a 1967 "Super" model that actually came with a heater as standard (but no blower motor), had no provision on the crank pulley for a handle.

My brother's Singer Chamois had a starting handle when he bought it. I think I added it to my Husky, the wholes where there already you just needed to buy the replacement bolt. Can't remember where I got the handle from, maybe my Dad's old Humber Hawk.

Could have done with one on my Dolomite too, but that was so easy to push start even Mk1Mrs could push start it on her own, one quick kick out the door and drop the clutch.

[TooMany2cvs]

kev b said:

2CV of course! Were they actually supplied with a handle right to the finish?

Yep, 1990. GSAs, up until 1986, had 'em, too.

[john2443]

British excluding Minor? The Farina Cambridge/Oxford etc range did. Last one was 1969 and the A55 vans went on til 73 or 74.

[Simes205]

Landy?

[Total loss]

xuy said:

Classic. Range rover ?

Not in 1994 it didn't

[skirk]

classic Rangie..........




although a Hindustan Ambassador still made with one i believe..

SK

Edited by skirk on Wednesday 21st May 00:25

[JoeBolt]

kev b said:

Saw a 1969 Ford Escort on a re-run of Heartbeat tonight, it had quarter bumpers, revealing a hole in the valance for a starting handle. I worked on these cars as a boy and know that both the radiator and the crank pulley had no provision for a starting handle even though a hole was present.

It must depend on engine type. My dad had a 1969 'G' reg. Escort Van and I remember badgering him to attempt to start it using the handle. He did try once but the engine didn't fire. Perhaps he forgot to turn on the ignition! It had the 1100cc engine.

[Mr. Magoo]

skirk said:

classic Rangie..........




although a Hindustan Ambassador still made with one i believe..

SK

Edited by skirk on Wednesday 21st May 00:25

pretty sure that's not a starting handle - I am also pretty sure you would need to be built like an ox to crank a Range Rover - then when it fired it would probably rip your arms off.

[standardman]

4 Pot petrol landrovers ? Series 3 ?

[xuy]

Mr. Magoo said:

skirk said:

classic Rangie..........




although a Hindustan Ambassador still made with one i believe..

SK

Edited by skirk on Wednesday 21st May 00:25

pretty sure that's not a starting handle - I am also pretty sure you would need to be built like an ox to crank a Range Rover - then when it fired it would probably rip your arms off.

My old '71 Range Rover still had the starting handle in the tool kit. Wouldn't want to try it!

[xuy]

Mr. Magoo said:

skirk said:

classic Rangie..........




although a Hindustan Ambassador still made with one i believe..

SK

Edited by skirk on Wednesday 21st May 00:25

pretty sure that's not a starting handle - I am also pretty sure you would need to be built like an ox to crank a Range Rover - then when it fired it would probably rip your arms off.

My old '71 Range Rover still had the starting handle in the tool kit. Wouldn't want to try it!