Austin Seven max weight?

[Chris KC]

Some of the older Handbooks gives the carrying capacity as up to a maximum of 30/32 stones. Tried to add an extract of 619A but not sure if it will attach!

I think this is what Oliver needs.

The permissible total weight (PTW) is the kerb weight of the vehicle + the allowable payload.

For these purposes you can reasonably assume the kerb weight is the weight of the car - unoccupied - with the fuel tank full, that is to say "in running order".

The "payload" according to Scarlet's excerpt is 30 - 32 stone = 190 - 203Kg. (I'd round that off to 200Kg).

So find or measure the kerb weight, add 200Kg and you have the PTW...

[Reckless Rat]

Just one thing Hurvinek. This request for vehicle weights may well be for the tester to set the machine up ready for a comprehensive brake test. BEWARE - DON'T let them put your car on the rolling road brake tester! Under European convention the testing of historic vehicles should be sympathetic to a vehicle's age and vehicles with spoked wheels and cable brakes should never be put on the rolling road. They should use a decelerometer. (Commonly called a Tapley Meter)

If they insist on using the rolling road then demand a written and signed disclaimer beforehand in case they cause any damage.

[AustinWood]

Why would a rolling road brake tester put more strain on a wheel than applying the brake while driving?

[Dave Mann]

I've come across than warning many times Reckless however our cars have in the past been tested on a rolling road with no damage.

[Reckless Rat]

Just quoting from advice given to Testers of classic vehicles in France. It specifically exempted vehicles with spoked wheels and those with cable braking systems from being subjected to the rolling brake tester. However, things have changed since then as any vehicle prior to 1960 is exempt the testing for life, except in the case of proposed sale. I suppose it's intended to avoid subjecting older and probably less sturdy vehicles to forces they were never intended nor designed to face.

[AustinWood]

The Austin brakes show up very well on a rolling road. Because the momentum of the car is absent the front axle doesn't move back so the brakes give a misleadingly high reading.

[Tony Griffiths]

Once upon a time, many decades ago, I relined the brakes and the drums very lightly shot blasted on the inside. The braking performance was incredible, with the front wheels locking on a VSCC stop-astride-a-line driving test. The downside was that I expected them to wear out quickly. However, they didn't. They just bedded in perfectly and lasted a good couple of years with the car driven daily. I've just checked the brakes on the same car and, even 1000 miles after relining with Saftech's softest material, they have still not fully bedded in. Perhaps I'm not driving it as hard as I used to.....

[Colin Morgan]

This handbook 715F from 1931 gives forty stones.  The Handbook 1182 covering early Rubies has the same quote.  


  Handbook 715F.jpg (Size: 131.94 KB / Downloads: 55)

[Steve kay]

The very modern type of brake test rollers should indeed be avoided for wire wheels. Putting a 2CV on modern rollers, and then testing the rear brakes is a very interesting experience. There is little weight and the brakes work very well. Most garages who have to test 2CVs and Dyanes will use the rollers for the front brakes only.