Hand Controls

[Chris KC]

I read with interest on the Chris Blakey thread how his car had previously been adapted to be driven with hand controls only (for an owner with a 'disability' if that's the right word these days - would hate to offend anyone!)
If anyone has the details or some pictures I'd love to know how this was done exactly.

[Robert Leigh]

I believe Dave Bonnett had the work done by Dave Williams, The Austineers. I think he was also involved with the Bentley modifications which were mentioned, following my suggestion. I did drive the modified A7, and as far as I can remember there were two levers behind the right side of the steering wheel, the upper larger one being pushed to operate the brakes and the smaller lower one being pulled to operate the clutch. As a matter of interest, Dave Bonnett was quite mobile although his legs were severely affected by childhood polio, getting around mostly with the aid of elbow crutches. Although he lacks the usual use of his legs he has very well developed arm muscles, which do a lot to help him live a fairly normal life as a specialist architect, doing a lot of work for less mobile people.
Robert Leigh

[Chris KC]

Thanks Robert. I can certainly think of one or two others in the A7 world who have wished to continue driving despite similar health issues, & I imagine others may be interested that it can be done (reversibly at that).
I'm curious to know how it was done - were those simple mechanical levers, perhaps attached to Bowden cables? Or was there some hydraulic or electro-mechanical assistance perhaps? It would be quite a heave to apply brakes or clutch by hand, unless those were pretty long levers. Even then they would have to be attached to something fairly solid.
Was gear changing done with hands off the wheel? Or could you pull the lever while steering (like a motorbike).
Chris

[Robert Leigh]

Memory is not too clear, but I think it was rods, and there may have been a servo to help with the brakes. At the time of clutch operation it might have been difficult to steer, but as I said Dave Bonnett has very strong arms, so he may well have operated the clutch without needing to use his thumb on the steering wheel. Gearchange was standard Austin Seven. He is a friendly helpful chap, and you will find him on the web. You could probably contact him and ask direct. If you are trying to help someone 'less abled' I think he would be particularly interested. Conversions for the disabled frequently use a pull for go, push for stop system, and I think Dave's car was like that. My late father had such a conversion, having lost the use of his feet.
Robert
Robert

["Slack Alice" Simon]

I didn't really look at the system whilst working on the car.

When I first saw it, the gear lever was a standard 4 speed, cranked back to suit the raked steering.


I don't think Chris had changed it from anything else.

The handbrake is worked by a lever on the offside, outside the bodywork, and connected by a short Bowden cable to the normal braking system.

I drove the car before the add-ons were removed, I do not think there were any extra servo's, it was just person power as Austin intended.


Just for interest, my Dad converted an early Mini automatic for someone who had lost both arms as a pilot during the War.

It was fun driving that around with arms folded!