Joined: May 2019 Posts: 36 Threads: 14
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Location: southampton
Car type: 1931 rm saloon
Has any one ever seen an austin seven set up so that it could be driven with hand controls only ?
My dad has had a few ops on his back and can only drive with hand controls now.
Thanks for your time and thoughts.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 107 Threads: 6
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Along similar lines, I've always wondered if anyone developed an automatic gearbox or an existing one that could be attached to an A7 Bellhousing? I'm sure I've seen reference to one but can't remember where!
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 176 Threads: 11
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Location: Upton upon Seven
Car type: 1931 RN, 1933 RP
Years back I once drove a 1100cc auto ford cortina. The lack of performance was scary. I can hardly imagine what an A7 performance would be!
Roly
1931 RN, 1933 APD
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 985 Threads: 6
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Location: Scottish Borders
In the 1930s Austin experimented with the Hobbs automatic transmission. I have a picture of one fitted in what looks like an RK saloon. I doubt any have survived. I have a 'New Motoring Encyclopaedia' from about 1938 which describes it.
Jim
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 198 Threads: 0
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Location: Far West of New Zealand
Mmmm, 1100 cc auto Cortina ... I've driven plenty of 1300 Escort automatics fitted with the BW35 trans and they were heaps of 'fun' too. What a change for the better the later C3 made to them.
British Leyland spent a lot of time on optimising the AP automatic fitted to the traditional Minis for that reason.
I suspect given the advances in automatic transmission technology and torque converters over the last 50 years or so it would be possible to do it on a 20-ish horsepower car but...?
Eliminating torque converter losses is one of the plusses of DSG technology.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 107 Threads: 6
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DSG gearbox and ? paddles on the steering column that would be a (V. expensive) sight to see! Maybe for the supporters of different more modern engines in A7s (which I don't necessarily support but find interesting...if it's carried out on almost scrappy, common models) would be a possible step forward in the interests of keeping handicapped drivers going but how far could you go with this? Electric and self-drive 7s would probably be pushing the boat out too far!!!
Joined: May 2019 Posts: 36 Threads: 14
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Location: southampton
Car type: 1931 rm saloon
Thankyou to all that sent a reply.
Paul
Joined: Nov 2017 Posts: 250 Threads: 2
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Paul I have a page from an early Light Car & Cyclecar mag which shows an article, photo and drawing of a hand control set-up on a 1923 Chummy. The installer took out patents which you could easily look up & follow through. Because I'm prevented from sending this onto the website (technical reasons only, but the Management hasn't done anything about it - all I got a couple of times was acknowledment that my complaint has been received). I will send the attachment with comments to Tony Press so he could put it up for me. If no go please email me direct on ausevenoz@gmail.com and I will email you the page as attachment. Good Luck , Cheers, Bill in Oz