HELP WITH PEDALS PLEASE

[Davemayle]

Hi Paul, I don't think there is going to be much you can do (easily) to improve it. With such a nice body it wouldn't be easy to start hacking into it for a foot bulge! I have exactly the same problem which was my own making by not allowing enough width in this area. I also have to have the throttle pedal towards the driver so to allow foot room for the brake pedal and are restricted to slim footwear. I'm sure you may be able to improve the linkage which may help.

[Nick Salmon]

Just my two penny'orth... 

If the car is effectively undriveable as it is then an alternative must be found - and a 'blister' is the fairly obvious choice. It's a really nice looking car and I don't think that such a thing will spoil it if done well.

[Paul Nott]

Thanks for all your comments,  I realise this problem is not straightforward.
Even though I've happy to carry out most mechanical repairs, reengineering to solve this problem is beyond me.
Does anyone know of a specialist who could assist in the Cambridge area, or beyond. 
I'm happy to spend on the car to get it right.

[Charles Levien]

Just my two penny'orth... 

If the car is effectively undriveable as it is then an alternative must be found - and a 'blister' is the fairly obvious choice. It's a really nice looking car and I don't think that such a thing will spoil it if done well.

I think Nick is right here— to make this car safe and fun to drive you will need to have the two right hand pedals close so that your foot can make a speedy transition from accelerator to brake, kind of important when driving a Seven. Also nice to do “ heel and toe” occasionally which you can’t do with your present set up.

[Scarlet O'Hara]

I couldn't drive one of my cars until I changed the pedal positions. The clutch and brake were too far away from the seat and the accelerator was positioned underneath the brake so you tended to brake and accelerate at the some time. The reach problem was solved by changing the brake pedal to a different (longer) one and extending the clutch pedal. I also bent the brake pedal so that it was closer to the column and changed the round pedal for a narrower rectangular aluminium one to give a bit more clearance. A new accelerator was made out of 5/16 bar and fitted so that it was as far towards the outside as possible and bent so that it operates within the width of the wooden frame. Finally I pinched a pair of my sons very narrow trainers and always tuck my right trouser leg into my sock when driving!

           

[stevenm]

the Accelerator is just a cable on a lever, moving it is your best option, it looks like it was an earlier botch / work around for a guy with a short right leg, you would recognise the chap as he always walked in circles. Looks like they took an original pedal cut the face off it and extended past the new bulkhead.

Personally I'd try to buy an original pedal and then create a bracket that places it level with the clutch then work from there, the brake ( guessing at your set up from pics) and accelerator are simpler to move around than the clutch pedal so use it as your datum and arrange others from there, again hard to read from photos what your working with. Even if you have to "persuade" the existing or make a new bulk head to buy some room.

Beautiful car and a great colour. Perceiver.

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PS you probably have enough basic skills to re-engineer an accelerator pedal and bracket.
Its not that complex, its only metal.
Take time and work through, any improvement is an improvement.

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PPS my first accelerator bracket involved using multiple rubber bands on a shelf angle iron with a nut and bolt and 4 washers...

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https://www.facebook.com/ashley750specia...427949478/

My first pedal assembly attempt, works until I finish seat position and firewall then will make something more substantial.

[John Cornforth]

Hi

I always thought it a bit odd that on my 1936 Pearl the brake pedal was noticeably higher than the clutch.  However from a casual look at many other Sevens at the national rally a large number seemed to be the same, so it would seem to be a design feature.  A bit of spare travel capability in the brake is probably not a bad idea.

Your special body (the car's I mean) is rather narrow, and I can see the merits of adding a blister for more clearance. I take size 10 shoes, and have to be careful which style I use for driving to avoid catching the side of the brake pedal.  Maybe the original design was for those 1930's midget people we see in the Austin adverts ?

Some MOT testers will quibble if there is no rubber pad on the brake pedal, but an "anti slip" provision is the requirement and a patterned metal pedal, i.e. not worn smooth, should be acceptable.

[Rogerfrench]

I agree with Mike C. That vertical support to which that bracket is screwed is right where your foot needs to be.
I'd look a a way of eliminating it, replace the brake pedal with a Ruby type which has fore and aft adjustment, then see if your foot will fit. If it won't, make a blister in the side, like 100s of other A7 specials, and then remake your throttle pedal.

[bob46320]

perhaps follow this post ?
https://www.austinsevenfriends.co.uk/for...p?tid=3810

[Derek Sheldon]

There have many occasions when the wife’s favourite baking tin has been bolted to the side panel to make an acceptable bulge to fit the accelerator pedal.