Monoposto Seven

                                                      Brake drums The desired drums for my Monoposto Seven design are 7" Girling pattern. Anyone that has tried to obtain these lately is in for a shock. They are not available in any form and the new parts are on infinite back order. The problems appear to be Brexit related and surrounds the import duty/VAT payable in advance for non VAT registered  dealers.   I cannot wait for such deliberations and another solution is necessary and relatively urgent if I am to get to a rolling chassis this year. I put together what I think is the likely implementation using a Ford Fiesta MK1 part (which is still available but out of production). The problem is the same no matter what part you start with, it will require turning from what you have to what you want. The advantage of the F...

                                              The remote gear change While sourcing some of the parts for the offset rear axle, I had a look at the availability of remote gear linkages for my 4 speed box. The answer is that there are a few designs going about but they do not satisfy my needs in terms of a competitive gear change (fast and positive).   The above image can be found at link by David Lowe, all due credit for David in publishing a proven example that is easily fabricated using simple techniques. My favourite remote was available in the 60's as an after market product by a company called Wooler. I have one of these on another car and it performs very well. Unfortunately the Wooler part is no longer available and examples that do appear on the market change hands in excess of  £400.   There is another approach. I have ob...

                                          The Chassis, Jig and parts The first job was to collect a number of bits. The project is basically a Bert Hadley Special in that the requirements as discussed with Paul are; that the finished car must be able to compete in that series. So further to that decision a shopping list was put together for Austin Seven running gear as follows: * A good chassis 1937 preferred * Crank case + various engine bits inc Phoenix Crank * Rear Axle * Big seven front axle * Four speed gearbox * Wheel centres * Hydraulic brake back plates *  Brake shoes The above list is just a start but as of this date most of the above parts has now been obtained, cleaned and boxed up ready for the build. The first task was to build a jig. The use of CAD was useful here as I am sharing the design details with Paul and although he is very helpful it ...

                                                   Monoposto Seven Build The start January 2022 After the successful build of my Super Accessories Special my attention wandered with a view to creating another car. It was not exactly my intention to build another car but the drive to tinker with something else automotive was unstoppable. The idea came as a result of a video I made during the 2021 hill climb season where four Austin Seven special owners got together at Forrestburn. Paul (one of the owners) offered to help me with the design of my new car. That was a fantastic offer, not to be refused as Paul is a prime mover at Vintage and Classic Workshops in Penecuik near Edinburgh.   My vision of the car, which is not necessarily shared by Paul, can be seen in this link . Paul correctly thinks the body panel beating required w...