Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,664 Threads: 24
Reputation:
15
Location: The village of Evenley
Car type: 1934 Austin Seven RP Deluxe
I’m of the leave it as it is camp, it’s a shame I’m having to repaint my box saloon, but it has had so much new metal welded in, including new door skins, I had little choice.
All my other Sevens have shewn the patina of age and in my view “look proper”!
Your two seater is an absolute beauty, get out there and spin those wheels!
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 938 Threads: 22
Reputation:
10
Location: Near Cambridge, UK
Car type: 1928 tourer (mag type), short chassis Gould Ulster
I'm glad you didn't hide its past with new paint; it looks delightful with a bit of history showing.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 506 Threads: 13
Reputation:
8
Looks a nice car - I would concentrate on getting it safe and reliable then just use it.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 2,427 Threads: 33
Reputation:
37
Location: Deepest Frogland 30960
Car type: 1933 RP Standard Saloon
When you say the brakes are not good, is that based on previous knowledge of A7 capabilities or just comparing it to later classics?
A7 braking is not what you'd call pin sharp, but even so it depends on everything being correctly set up and properly adjusted. You need a lot of pedal pressure to stop one quickly.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,664 Threads: 24
Reputation:
15
Location: The village of Evenley
Car type: 1934 Austin Seven RP Deluxe
With careful attention to replacing worn parts and fastidious setting up, I’ve managed to get standard A7 brakes to work very well, but they’ll never compare to power assisted discs!
What a cracking car, drive it like you would ride a motor cycle, in other words defensively and you’ll enjoy rattling around in “boaty”
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 558 Threads: 89
Reputation:
7
Location: Deepest darkest Kent
Your car has polished up a treat. It's far too good to go trialling in unless you limit it to the 750mc events like the Cobham trial.
Joined: Jun 2020 Posts: 68 Threads: 8
Reputation:
0
Location: UK, Peak District
Car type: Austin 7 boat tail tourer 1931
I'm used to "classic cars" and had an RN saloon last year and the brakes on it were surprisingly good, so I'm probably comparing this car with a very good example. I've been struggling to get a decent balance between from and back - rolling back down my drive into the garage with reasonable pressure on the brakes the back wheels are locking up quickly and the front wheels still turning. In the garage, up on stands the front wheels will lock, but obviously not as well as the backs. I've tried the clamp on type cable tensioners on the front as a temporary measure, but I don't like them so I think I'll try and slacken everything off again tomorrow and start from scratch.
The way the front cables are adjusted at the minute makes the wheels brake when the steering is on lock so I don't think I can tighten them further, so maybe just release the back brakes a bit and have more pedal travel, but more even braking?
I've checked the linings and cams etc and all seem to be operating properly.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 2,427 Threads: 33
Reputation:
37
Location: Deepest Frogland 30960
Car type: 1933 RP Standard Saloon
19-02-2021, 08:25 PM
(This post was last modified: 19-02-2021, 08:27 PM by Reckless Rat.)
Set the fronts on their own with the back cables slacked right off. Then adjust the rears. You will be amazed how slack the rear cables need to be for you to get the right balance front and rear. Use a cable spreader on the rear cables for fine adjustment. You don't want too much braking at the back otherwise they will lock under heavy braking and you could lose control, as the car will try to rotate.
