Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 881 Threads: 48
Reputation:
4
Location: North Wiltshire
Car type: 1927 Chummy, 1938 Big Seven 1/2 a Trials Chummy
Short wheelbase cars are better in my opinion, better handling and lighter. I've had the whole range from 1939 Ruby backwards and I'm happiest in a black radiator Chummy, fast, agile, topless, fun to drive.
Next choice down is an aluminium or fabric saloon (R, RK, RF), followed by a RL or RM steel saloon, heavier but more civilised.
I have to admit however, that given the opportunity to drive 300 miles in a day, a Ruby has a lot going for it!
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,704 Threads: 47
Reputation:
25
Location: Auckland NZ
Car type: 36 Nippy, 31 RM, 38 Special, 24 Works Rep
The best and most fun non sports A7's I have driven without a shadow of doubt would be magneto engined Chummy's, I love my Nippy for the added performance but in some ways its not as much fun as the Chummy. I am not a big fan of saloons but that simply my personal taste and the most exciting ever has to an extremely well thought out vintage correct special.
Black Art Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2020 Posts: 88 Threads: 5
Reputation:
0
Location: Sheffield UK
Car type: 1937 Austin 7 Nippy
Hi,
My (somewhat biased!) preference has to be a Nippy. I've driven most types of Austin 7 over the years and I find the Nippy is probably the easiest to use as a regular car in the modern world given its better performance compared to a Chummy / Box / Ruby etc.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,461 Threads: 26
Reputation:
17
Location: North Yorkshire
I'm with Malcolm and Alan. SWB Steel Saloon RM/RL (unsurprisingly, all three of us have one!). I don't drive mine as often as I should but when I do it's a joy and surprisingly comfortable and competent over long distances. However, for outright fun but with rather less creature comforts I enjoy my Ulster (unsurprisingly, all three of us have one of those as well!).
Steve
Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 1,564 Threads: 20
Reputation:
14
Location: Bala North Wales
Car type: 1933 RP Standard Saloon
I have little experience of short wheelbase cars, but the very few that I have driven or been a passenger in appear to be uncomfortably 'choppy' to my taste (although, as an owner of an 88" Series 3 Landrover, I should complain!). I agree, however, that a well maintained box saloon is is a perfectly competent little car and my RP is a pleasant and civilised method of transport. It tends to share 'daily' duties with the Mk2 Polo (now 36 years old) but I have recently had to curtail the RP's use, as I have managed to clock up nearly 9K miles in 18 months!