Austin Seven max weight?

[Hurvinek]

Hi folks!

I have a question:

Can I find any document or data sheet that clearly states the permissible total weight of the Sevens? This question is apparently of immense importance to our vehicle registration authorities...! 

Thank you very much in advance for your help!

Best,
Oliver

[Chris KC]

I doubt a figure was ever published - naturally if anyone has info I'm happy to be corrected.

As a simple practical workaround, I would suggest checking the load rating for the tyres you have fitted.

[John Cornforth]

Hi Oliver

I don't think such information was ever published by Austin.

Their publicity material implied that you could carry two adults and two children, with occasional rather optimistic shots showing four rather small adults. I would estimate the driver, an adult passenger and two children to weigh 200 kg. Add in a full tank of fuel at 15 kg and a meagre 5 kg for luggage you would be up to 230 kg payload. The cars themselves got heavier over the years, but 600 kg would be typical for a Ruby. So my estimate of realistic all up weight is 830 kg.

Of course, knowing the way bureaucracy and officialdom work my realistic estimate counts for nothing

[Peter Naulls]

Motor and Autocar magazines of the period publish weights of the cars themselves. In the absence of anything else that might help.

[Howard Wright]

Hi

My RK saloon (1930) weighs 450kg unladen.

Cheers

Howard

[Colin Morgan]

On the Cornish Club website it says: A Ruby is designed for, and will carry in comfort, four adults up to a weight of 40 stones and 56lbs of luggage. I think a Ruby weighs just over 600KG? - about 1350lbs? Five gallons of fuel weights 30lb.

This would give a total weight of 1996lb or 903Kg.

Of course, a Ruby is heavier and can carry more than earlier Sevens.

[Chris KC]

On the Cornish Club website it says:  A Ruby is designed for, and will carry in comfort, four adults up to a weight of 40 stones and 56lbs of luggage.  I think a Ruby weighs just over 600KG? - about 1350lbs?  Five gallons of fuel weights 30lb.

This would give a total weight of 1996lb or 903Kg. 

Of course, a Ruby is heavier and can carry more than earlier Sevens.

It's a pity no publication source is quoted for that info Colin - unless it's in the handbook cited as source for the 'specifications'?  

Surely by far the easiest solution here is to find out what other owners have got away with when taking their cars for MOT? I'm sure there are at least one or two A7's in Switzerland. Or, for that matter, other vintage car owners, who will doubtless have encountered the same issue.

[falcott]

The Motor magazine, in 1930, published the weight of a Sports (Ulster) model at 10 1/2cwt, complete with driver. In 1932 they weighed a saloon at 10cwt 3qrs (likely with no driver or passenger).
In 1934 the Light Car magazine published the weight of a saloon at 11cwt 1qr 7lb, and the two seater at 10cwt 14lb.
I'll leave you to do the necessary calculations. 

[Dave Mann]

It's some years ago that I filled the petrol tank and with Sue as passenger and with the usual spares and tools on board visited the local public weighbridge in our RN for which I was given a print out which stated it weighed 600 Kg.

[Scarlet O'Hara]

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!
  HB 619A.jpg (Size: 127.16 KB / Downloads: 63)