Talk to me about Austin 7 Specials
Discussion
After watching the Chateau Impney hillclimb on ch4 on Saturday morning, I started googling vintage motors. Most of which is mile out of my price bracket, but this led to Austin 7 specials.
So, I always knew they existed but for some reason, never realised quite how cool they can be. I think these might be the perfect antidote to modern motoring and they way to have fun at low speed, and I think I may have to have one. I've got too much invested in the current toys to change just yet, but one for the future definitely.
I'm viewing it as a kind of very eccentric, great grandfather to the Caterham 7 (of which I've had 2) and so really like the very low slung lightweight bodied ones.
The question is, how do I know what to look for, was there a name for versions like this....
Or this one, that RU78 restored a while back.....https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=140&t=1144953&i=0
So, I always knew they existed but for some reason, never realised quite how cool they can be. I think these might be the perfect antidote to modern motoring and they way to have fun at low speed, and I think I may have to have one. I've got too much invested in the current toys to change just yet, but one for the future definitely.
I'm viewing it as a kind of very eccentric, great grandfather to the Caterham 7 (of which I've had 2) and so really like the very low slung lightweight bodied ones.
The question is, how do I know what to look for, was there a name for versions like this....
Or this one, that RU78 restored a while back.....https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=140&t=1144953&i=0
From here http://uniquecarsandparts.com/heritage_lotus.htm
This one actually is the great grand father of your caterham 7
motco said:
J4CKO said:
Is an 7 Ulster a "Special", my late father in law had one, it hasnt moved in years, seems a shame for it not to get used.
I seem to recall being told that an Ulster was something quite special. I'd try to get it sorted, it could be fun.That green one is awesome. There are so many different ones around. I've seen a few that look like full on mini Ferrari or Maserati GP cars. I'm guessing they are not cheap though.
In terms of what I would do with it, I drive a boring turbo diesel company hack every day and have an Alfa 1750gtv which I love and is a keeper. My last caterham was used for hill climbing and sprinting, and when my first child came along 2 years ago I chopped it in for a 996, just to experience one for a couple of years.
So..... I guess I just hanker after something that is a proper event to drive and can be driven hard and exploited at low speeds. That could just be going for a pootle on some country lanes or to get that competition element back, maybe a vintage rally or hillclimb or 2. They just seem to cover a lot of bases and I think it could be a car that would also end up being a keeper that I could tinker with and develop to my needs.
In terms of what I would do with it, I drive a boring turbo diesel company hack every day and have an Alfa 1750gtv which I love and is a keeper. My last caterham was used for hill climbing and sprinting, and when my first child came along 2 years ago I chopped it in for a 996, just to experience one for a couple of years.
So..... I guess I just hanker after something that is a proper event to drive and can be driven hard and exploited at low speeds. That could just be going for a pootle on some country lanes or to get that competition element back, maybe a vintage rally or hillclimb or 2. They just seem to cover a lot of bases and I think it could be a car that would also end up being a keeper that I could tinker with and develop to my needs.
Oh, and I am watching that one on ebay.... despite having no garage space to put it..... or indeed cash to buy right now......
Think this is definitely a car to investigate over the next few years and then maybe go for it. I tend to do that with cars, basically, get interested in something, find out more, become slightly obsessed and before I know it I've bought one. Thats exactly what happened with the Alfa and 996....and the others before........
Think this is definitely a car to investigate over the next few years and then maybe go for it. I tend to do that with cars, basically, get interested in something, find out more, become slightly obsessed and before I know it I've bought one. Thats exactly what happened with the Alfa and 996....and the others before........
Firstly depending on what you want to do with it (and what the VSCC allow) you may want any special to be pre-'30 I believe for eligibility, however this may all have changed, so check the events you 're thinking of entering first before buying one!
When I was a teenager we had a lwb Ulster rep, running a phoenix crank and Renault 4 rods and pistons, proper nippy (or speedy) radius arms, single SU, CR box, I can't remember what back axle ratio, but it was from a ruby so 5.x :1. It was good fun, squirmy and used to leak oil between the block and crank case due to flex! IIRC you either go super modified chassis so the suspension can work, or just go super stiff suspension and flex in the chassis.
Fun cars and there's a wealth of knowledge out there, books, 750mc used to be a big player, pre war Austin (7?) club, and I'd imagine there must be a forum in this day and age.
When I was a teenager we had a lwb Ulster rep, running a phoenix crank and Renault 4 rods and pistons, proper nippy (or speedy) radius arms, single SU, CR box, I can't remember what back axle ratio, but it was from a ruby so 5.x :1. It was good fun, squirmy and used to leak oil between the block and crank case due to flex! IIRC you either go super modified chassis so the suspension can work, or just go super stiff suspension and flex in the chassis.
Fun cars and there's a wealth of knowledge out there, books, 750mc used to be a big player, pre war Austin (7?) club, and I'd imagine there must be a forum in this day and age.
Talking of Austin 7 Specials, I came across a specialist on the web with a few interesting cars on their website. I never realised these cars has such a strong following!
The company is called 'Flying Sevens' (how apt) and they're based in North Derbyshire. Didn't want to copy photos from their website, so links below...
Website: http://www.flyingsevens.co.uk
Some Austin 7's: https://www.flyingsevens.co.uk/our-work
The company is called 'Flying Sevens' (how apt) and they're based in North Derbyshire. Didn't want to copy photos from their website, so links below...
Website: http://www.flyingsevens.co.uk
Some Austin 7's: https://www.flyingsevens.co.uk/our-work
Just came across this thread. I've had a love of Austin 7's for years, first car I drove round the hop gardens and fields of Kent. Lived in Aus for a few years and started attending some of the local club hill climbs and this renewed my interest.
Have been back in the UK a while and started looking around and nabbed this eBay bargain last year. Plans to do some mods this year, lower further, make the brakes work :0. It has a Don Rawson prepared engine (around 55BHP), was fully custom made bodywork and stainless inlet and exhause manifolds. Known as Little Satan (aka The Bodge).
Have been back in the UK a while and started looking around and nabbed this eBay bargain last year. Plans to do some mods this year, lower further, make the brakes work :0. It has a Don Rawson prepared engine (around 55BHP), was fully custom made bodywork and stainless inlet and exhause manifolds. Known as Little Satan (aka The Bodge).
750MC is definitely the club to join, pretty cheap, £20 I think.
If you want to build a Special then I really recommend looking at Rod Yates. These are Ulster replica's and can be built as tourers or racers. Mine (above) was a one off. Also the "Go To" place is Pigsty Racing. I think the one pictured on the last post is a Pigsty special. Worth a visit. In Surrey.
A7 Chassis are becoming more difficult to source now, particularly short chassis versions of the 7. Depends on what you plan to do. If its VSCC stuff then you need to read the rule book which limits you a bit. If it's for fun, Hill Climbs, Sprints etc like mine then much less restrictions.
If you want to build a Special then I really recommend looking at Rod Yates. These are Ulster replica's and can be built as tourers or racers. Mine (above) was a one off. Also the "Go To" place is Pigsty Racing. I think the one pictured on the last post is a Pigsty special. Worth a visit. In Surrey.
A7 Chassis are becoming more difficult to source now, particularly short chassis versions of the 7. Depends on what you plan to do. If its VSCC stuff then you need to read the rule book which limits you a bit. If it's for fun, Hill Climbs, Sprints etc like mine then much less restrictions.
Ours was a Rod Yates body on a lwb chassis with a pigsty engine, and final fettling by Bill Needham up in Rosedale. LWB was vital for my dad at 6ft3+! It was a pretty car, especially the set of Lucas headlights (that we sourced of an Austin 7 circus car that we bought from a guy who lived on a farm with no power/water connection) which were slightly bigger than standard.
Austin 7s are great fun, small easily modified and relatively cheap, (compared to other vintage cars.)
They can be made to go very fast as well, the green one above is a well known car in VSCC circles, has a tendency to beat Bugattis & Bentleys etc!
We have some 7s, the cheapest and most fun you can have is trialling IMHO, this is one of ours at the 750MC Cold Turkey Trial a few weeks ago.
Clearing section.
A special can be whatever you want it to be, decide what you want to do and go for it.
They can be made to go very fast as well, the green one above is a well known car in VSCC circles, has a tendency to beat Bugattis & Bentleys etc!
We have some 7s, the cheapest and most fun you can have is trialling IMHO, this is one of ours at the 750MC Cold Turkey Trial a few weeks ago.
Clearing section.
A special can be whatever you want it to be, decide what you want to do and go for it.
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