16-01-2021, 07:20 PM
(This post was last modified: 16-01-2021, 07:21 PM by Steve Parkin.)
In the mid 1960s my first car was a Seven special based on a 1936 Ruby but with 1932 radiator cut down to make it look more sporty. I bought it in bits from a pal and had to rebuild the the engine. I learned a lot of mechanic skills from the process of putting it back together again. It had various modifications including a single SU carb, Bowden brake cables and twin front shock absorbers.
Being young and enthusiastic (or should that be foolish?) I drove it down the hill at Wooton Wawen towards Stratford-upon-Avon and I saw around 53 mph on the speedo shortly before a big bang! A con-rod came out through the engine casing and the three-bearing crank split into two! The shock also spilt the manifold. I took a trip to a scrap yard found another similar engine (for little money) and about a month later I was on the road again. Made me a bit wary of trying my luck down hill again.
The other year I manged to get the 30 mph warning sign in Silverstone village flash at me in our RN - two-up. It's a bit different from the old special with 35 mph a bit of a treat! Definitely underpowered although still a delight to drive.
Being young and enthusiastic (or should that be foolish?) I drove it down the hill at Wooton Wawen towards Stratford-upon-Avon and I saw around 53 mph on the speedo shortly before a big bang! A con-rod came out through the engine casing and the three-bearing crank split into two! The shock also spilt the manifold. I took a trip to a scrap yard found another similar engine (for little money) and about a month later I was on the road again. Made me a bit wary of trying my luck down hill again.
The other year I manged to get the 30 mph warning sign in Silverstone village flash at me in our RN - two-up. It's a bit different from the old special with 35 mph a bit of a treat! Definitely underpowered although still a delight to drive.