It is quite difficult finding information about original hoods, and more so for the Sports models.

Has anyone got any memory or evidence, photographic or physical, of 65 or Nippy hood fastenings. i.e. lift the dot, press stud, Tenax or turnbuckle... on hoods which could conceivably be original. The photo evidence is always difficult as the items are so small, even if the images are hi-res.

I'd also be interested to know when hood material like duck came into use. WE know earlier hoods were rexine, but it seems less clear by 1935.

TIA

I am in possession of issue no 9 of a monthly magazine named "the Journal--The monthly magazine for Austin Seven owners " April 1976.
I guess from this it began in  June 1975.  The editor at this time was Barrie Argent  Twickenham , Middlesex. It is full of interesting articles on sports and originality  etc, plus reports from A7OC , Thames valley,Oxford,  N. Hants,  N. London, Bristol ,Essex, 750 MC Brooklands Centre, Scottish Austin 7 club and South Wales.
Questions  : how much longer did it survive, and does anyone have  a scanned set on PDF ?
Can I assume it  petered out as the Grey Book gained status ?

As part of my ongoing quest to create an oil tight engine I'm looking at the tappet chest.
On my car, because of the blower, I have a tappet chest cover made from 10mm thick aluminium plate (I'd have to remove the blower to get to the tappers with a standard cover). Since everything is in bits I was contemplating machining an O ring groove into the plate to give a better seal. However my replacement 1929 block is the early type that has virtually no register at the top for any gasket (O ring, cork or paper) to push against. (See picture below)
What has anyone else done to help make this leak free? I have thought about machining a groove in the face for the bottom and sides and in the top of the 10mm plate for the top seal. Mad?

   

Thanks 

Charles

I've just uploaded the first of several photos to the gallery (under the coachbuilt section) but it appears far too large to view. I was expecting it to automatically resize to fit the screen. Can anyone tell me, do I have to delete it and resize it before uploading?

Peter.

I've been making new front wings using stump shrinking instead of a shrinker machine.  What is the best method for flattening the pleats on the outside face?  If I whack it too much then if straightens out the curve.  If I'm too soft then the depressions stay in place.  Should I be using a small ball hammer from behind to push the depressions out before using the file?  1.5mm 5251 sheet.

I've had to make it in 3 foot lengths so I can weld the straight sections on later.  My English Wheel is mounted on the bench and anything longer hits the wall.

Thanks

Rob

Attached Files

  stumpshrink1.jpg (Size: 79.54 KB / Downloads: 347)

Looking to build an engine for a special and wondered if the collective wisdom had any view on the Jack French bottom end listed on eBay or too far gone?
Any guidance appreciated.
Thank you

This much travelled tired little object arrived yesterday & I spent a useful, smelly afternoon finding out what I had bought (unseen)
The car was bought (from a returning home HK Policeman) by an American in the 70's while working in HK. He took it back with him to California & it eventually ended up in a barn in Ohio. fast forward to 2017 & I heard about it & bought it from the wife/daughter of the late owner. It had not moved for 20 + (?) years, but was sharing a dry barn with many four footed furry critters. They clearly lived in the car & made nests in the battery box, under the driver's seat and under the back seat. That was the smelly bit this afternoon. (one big black rubbish bag full...6kg!old nests, nuts... URGH)The nests were mostly made from carpet & some foam rubber, but amazingly the upholstery (probably from the 60/70's) was hardly damaged. unfortunately the only damp in the barn came from the nesters pee & there are some, not serious, holes in the floor caused by this uric acid!.
I have now established that the crankcase is M163594 & the body is AG1357.Chassis is probably 151214 {Another AG that I brought in from California (with an RK (1929) saloon) had a body number 68 older, but a chassis 868 younger} I will have to scrape the Chassis to see what I can see as the aluminium plates are unreadable. The standard works hardly acknowledge the AGB (Mills misses it out completely, so finding two in the USA  was extraordinary.
The car has been modified (late 60's??) with a four speed box, 17" wheels (with seriously dodgy tyres with many different aspects/sections!), It has been fitted with hydraulic brakes (Lockheed...probably Morris 8), has "helper" coil springs at the rear (off a bed....?) but it has a downdraft 30VE1 Carburettor sitting on a 9E1 head! So it may be an interesting drive when I get to that stage!
First I need a coil to even think about trying to get the engine going (OK I know peoples views on this subject.... ) then make the brakes work, stop the steering column moving about, then think about the body which is basically solid, covered in yellow flaking paint 1mm thick. and some (well quite a lot) surface rust. I don' think an oily rag will be enough!

Date: 06-01-2018

MCC Exeter Trial, Devon

There are 3 Sevens entered on the Exeter trial this year. Alan Bee on the main trial, and Stuart Palmer & Alan Mills on class 0.
Lots of other interesting cars, of all ages, and always a great spectacle.
I will post the hill locations and times when we get this years instructions through.

Date: 21-01-2018

Devon Austin Seven Club - Sunday Saunter

Sunday 21st Jan  2018 Sunday Saunter. The Puffing Billy, Exton, EX3 0PR. 12am
Sunday Roast from £10.50 and the full menu will be available but we will require pre-orders. January Menu to follow.
If you want to leave the car at home Exton Station is just down the road. Exeter St David's 11.45 Exton 12.07
 
For our new members who may be confused a "Sunday Saunter" is a run out in an A7 or modern car to meet up with other members for Sunday lunch - always an enjoyable social event.
Booking essential please contact: Nick Borst-Smith, nickbs@outlook.com 01363 866819
www.thepuffingbilly.co.uk
 

Can someone confirm which way up the rubber seal goes at the hinge.  The image below is from The Seven Workshop. Is the image below the right way up. Thanks

Attached Files

Thumbnail(s)