10-06-2023, 09:56 PM
The following was written by Norman Milne and is taken from 'An Austin Anthology II' by James Stringer p93 talking about a 1959 test of a surviving 1909 single-cylinder Austin 7:
"Its hill climbing ability was marginal, it wouldn't look at Rose Hill (1 in 8 maximum gradient), which the 1922/3 Seven could mang at 15mph minimum, the later box 1930s even could ascend at 20 mph and the later Rubies at 25 mph in 3rd gear."
I don't think my Ruby would achieve this today - the current engine is fairly tired - but this perhaps suggests that a newly built Ruby could climb hills reasonably well back in the 30s? (And there are some Rubies around these days with well-rebuilt engines that can reach 60mph easily enough - so could probably do 30 up Rose Hill? Given the limitations of the chassis, 60mph is more than plenty?)
I agree that the Ruby suspension can misbehave, but in general it is much smoother than a rubber-coned Mini?
Roominess is an issue sometimes - it can be tight in the front giving a lift to someone you do not know!
"
"Its hill climbing ability was marginal, it wouldn't look at Rose Hill (1 in 8 maximum gradient), which the 1922/3 Seven could mang at 15mph minimum, the later box 1930s even could ascend at 20 mph and the later Rubies at 25 mph in 3rd gear."
I don't think my Ruby would achieve this today - the current engine is fairly tired - but this perhaps suggests that a newly built Ruby could climb hills reasonably well back in the 30s? (And there are some Rubies around these days with well-rebuilt engines that can reach 60mph easily enough - so could probably do 30 up Rose Hill? Given the limitations of the chassis, 60mph is more than plenty?)
I agree that the Ruby suspension can misbehave, but in general it is much smoother than a rubber-coned Mini?
Roominess is an issue sometimes - it can be tight in the front giving a lift to someone you do not know!
"