What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[David Cochrane]

Had a very enjoyable day at the PWA7C 'Autokarna' rally, with a good drive there & back in the Cup. It was held at Stonehurst Farm, an excellent venue which is run by old car enthusiasts and has an interesting motor museum which includes several Sevens. It's a working family-friendly farm with lots of things to keep the kids occupied. We had a good selection of about 50 Austins with no less than 4 Pram Hood Chummys, and a good turnout of (mostly post-war) other cars. There was a useful autojumble and plenty of time for relaxed strolling around looking at the cars and chatting to people. Compared to the previous Autokarnas held at Wollaton Park in Nottingham it was a much more low-key event, and a very pleasant change.

[Hedd_Jones]

We had intended to attend Stonehurst farm yesterday, however daughter No1 came down with the 2nd burst eardrum this month due to ear infection. Not good. So plans had to be dropped. 
Thankfully we were going to get up early to drive over, rather than having booked accommodation the night before. 

The weekend was spent at home tinkering.

With the three cars here, I have always tried to keep a jack etc in each car - once having had a puncture and no jack. And period jacks are no much more compact.

Anyway one of the jacks a Shelley '7 Bantam' had needed some repair, so I removed it, with its handle etc and replaced it with a similar alternative with a wooden handle.

Anyway, I fixed the jack some time ago


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However I had missplaced the cast iron handle (I knew where the rods were). Well, I found it last week, and noting that I still have issues with the nearside rear tyre on the blue saloon, which has gone down - despite a new tube. Thought I'd use it to change the wheel for one of the spares I have prepared - which is still at full pressure 6 weeks later!.



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Works superbly as expected. Will keep this one as the 'garage' jack, so much lighter than the trolley jack. Its nice to use the proper tackle sometimes

[Ivor Hawkins]

I have the identical jack somewhere around here, it must be with the Speedex badge and other missing stuff lost in the past two house moves...it’s perfect for the Austin Seven and slots nicely in the triangular corner under the back seat, perfick!

[Paul N-M]

Had a fun weekend at Historic Doune hill climb. Three Austin Specials took part, Alistair Reynolds in his Cambridge, at least he thinks that is the body maker, Colin McLachlan in the 'Moose' built by Peter Graham and yours truly in my '37 Special. The weather held which allowed us all to achieve PB's for the track.     

[Howard Wright]

Hi All

We had a super day at the Midlands A7 club 50th Anniversary rally at Charlecote Park near Stratford upon Avon.  About 40 cars at a very good venue.  Most were very shiny putting the Brookfields Special to shame (although it did win a trophy ).  My excuse for a dirty car was that we had motored over from Llandrindod on Friday camped for two nights entertaining our daughter and her husband for lunch on the Saturday.

Many many thanks to Andy Lowe and the Midlands committee!

Cheers

Howard


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[Ruairidh Dunford]

That looks rather splendid Howard - very fitting setting for a Golden Anniversary.

Congratulations MA7C!

[Malcolm Parker]

Yesterday I got the new engine lifted into the Ulster.   Before lifting it in, I checked the front of the chassis and found that the front spring U-bolts were far from tight.  I assume that the looseness has been caused by the plastic packer compressing.   To be honest the U-bolts haven't been checked for tightness for some time, lesson learned.   I am wondering if this is the reason my front brakes haven't been very effective (uncoupled system)?
On a different note, travelling into Thirsk this morning I saw a strange device coming up the footpath on the opposite side of the road.  A bicycle made for two, rather like an old green-grocers bike with someone sat in the basket at the front, legs stuck out horizontally pedaling like fury.  In this case the lady was in the prone position whilst her male companion was behind her quite out of breath.  It reminded me of a Benny Hill Show sketch.
I now realise that it was a semi recumbant tandem.  Investigation on the interweb suggests that they cost between £5,000 and £10,000.  I have decided to stick with my trusty Austin 7.

[austin]

Like a lot of people we are busy as well:

Ulster 1, (replica):
Engine out as threads had stripped for flywheel cover / starter mount and now helicoiled.
Parts arrived today from 7 Workshop for so can all go back together and hopefully running agin by the weekend.
(Only order on Sunday, brilliant service. Ordered new brake pads for our modern car and 10 days later still not here).

Ulster 2, (real one):
Lots of aluminium, (and some steel) arrived to rebuild floor, prop tunnel, bulkhead etc of TT body. Dad is doing a cracking job of it! I'm sure photos will come soon.
Chassis had a small repair welded up over the weekend and now is going to be gently cleaned & oiled before we start putting it all back together.

I feel very spoilt / lucky having to type out Ulster 1 & Ulster 2

[JonE]

Austin - exciting news. What are you going to do with the EA rear crossmember ends if you put the TT body on - shorten... or just stick with?

[austin]

Austin - exciting news. What are you going to do with the EA rear crossmember ends if you put the TT body on - shorten... or just stick with?

We won't be cutting anything on such a good original sports chassis so they will stay as they are.