Hot Rods Anyone build An Austin Seven (1930-ish) Hot Rod?

It would probably have been deleted as it's a modern (post 1966) motor. But it's a rule that's not always consistently applied, if you read through all of this thread, you'll see some blowback because it isn't about Detroit style product.
Good luck with your Ruby project, some really original good ideas there.

 

As an ST1100 it has carburettors, so it's already well on its way to being configured in a "traditional" technological idiom. It seems a natural to me. I for one would love to see progress on your build.

 

That looks liķe a great engine to consider for my Ruby. Was it ever available on this side of the Atlantic in a longitudinal configuration? How about reverse gear?

 

I've seen a motorcycle engine powered dragster that had an electric reverse - a starter motor with a pegged pinion that engaged the drive chain and backed the car up after a burnout.

 

Ah I see, hopefully the fact that I'm trying to keep everything else old, bar the engine, will mean it doesn't get deleted, as I'd love to be able to ask questions / make a thread for it at some point.

So for the reverse gear, I have this little box of tricks, pull the lever and it turns all your forward gears into reverse gears, 60mph in reverse anyone?



It'll be mounted in the tunnel, in the middle of the car.

A friend of mine is also now using a pan european engine in his morris 8 he bought, after seeing my car, but hopefully the 7 is slightly lighter than the morris 8.

Also for the gearbox, it'll be the standard pan european gearbox, so a nice sequential gear change, only thing I haven't figured out yet, is how I want to do the clutch, it's a hydraulic clutch, so i might just mount the clutch master cylinder and lever on the gear change lever, as space on the floor in such a small car is definitely at a premium, don't know if I have the room for a clutch pedal / master

 

Glad you are still with us Dan. Looking forward to your input.

 

Not an Austin Seven or an hot rod. a Rosengart Kramerwagen...built under license from Austin. maybe they call it a Kramerwagen because there isn't much room and you have to cram it in to get it all to fit.

 

Sort of a dream for a potential future project it seems it would be fun to build a car on the order of this. I can envision a diminutive engine and drivetrain........ Thinking perhaps Crosley. But, Crosley engines don't seem to be exactly plentiful and in decent condition and I'd be open to suggestions of other tiny engine and driveline packages that might be suitable for a retro racer like this. Model T or Model A would seem a likely choice but I'm thinking lighter and more compact.

Lynn

 

A slightly more modern Austin engine could be a solution. The A-series used in Spridgets dates back to the 50s, and is considered the sbc of England. Thing frog eyed Sprite, or early MG Midget. Get a clapped out one and use the entire drivetrain, engine, 4 speed transmission and rear axle. They are tiny.

 

Oh, and parts are still available. Like aluminum (aluminium for the British) heads, adapters for T5 transmissions, and practically every thing to build a quick engine, as an example, SCCA racers have gotten close to 200 hp from 1275 cc race engines. I had a 1275 still streetable pumping out around 120 hp. In a 1300 pound Mini it was quite a handful...

 

I'm gathering parts for the 1933 Ruby that include a V8 60, T5 transmission and a narrowed 8". Possibly blown like the one blowby posted last year.

 

Funny you guys mention this. My Buddy just picked up a 47 Crosley wagon with a 70 MG Midget drivetrain, and I just picked up a complete Crosley chassis and drivetrain, no body. We got the MG powered Crosley started today, and I got the Crosley motor to fire yesterday. I need to rig up a fuel tank and fuel pump to start the Crosley and let it run.

 

A.W. pic

 

Adam Wragg in one of the several specials his father built. See post #133

 

From Martin Port from Classic and Sports Car Magazine:This is what he has to say about the car:-
For context - 1934 Austin Seven chassis, bought last August after someone suggested on the final day of the 2022 Classic that I couldn't build a special and drive it to Le Mans for the centenary. Up until I took it and drove 400-miles.Built entirely from reclaimed aluminium – old bus panels, a Land Rover bonnet etc. 1972 Reliant 700cc engine and gearbox. Seats from an Austin K2 fire engine!

 

This is an old tech book worth searching out.

 

The Salamander Special was made from an Austin Seven.

 

Built by Oliver Way. Here is some other work by Oliver.
Some Other Exciting Projects — Oliver Way Design

 

Probably a good thing for me that they’re not abundant in this part of the country.
The temptation would be just too great.
Cool little buggers!
Thanks for the exposure to this part of automobilia.

 

I'd have to sit in the middle to have a chance at fitting in this...

 

They aren't for folks with big "hearts" ....are they?

 

Wragg Single Seater AW MK3 004. VSCC Mallory Park 2018

 

Rare car; only a handful of survivors. It's an Austin Seven 'Speedy' sports. Actually this one has replica bodywork on a factory 'sports' chassis. The owner lives quite close to me, so I've seen this car at numerous events, and even when it's stood next to a factory bodied car, there is no visible difference.

 

A couple from the UK in the 70's/80's. Small Fry, the Blue Austin was a well known car, and Rubelion, the yellow Austin with a blown Daimler Hemi, built by Pip Biblicombe, went through various updates, ending up prostreet. Apparently now in Canada

 

Mr. Wragg at Donnington. See also posts #133 and 135. A.W. pic.

 

A few SEVENS at Remparts d'Angouleme 2023 M.H. pics

 

That's a mighty fine looking Bantam you've got there.

Lee