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Special Builders Guide
S U P P L I E D B Y
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L U T O N
I’ve seen a quote from a famous car builder, Colin Chapman of Lotus I think, I doubt these are the exact words but the gist was;
· If it weighs anything, it’s too heavy
· If it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t
· If it costs anything, it’s too expensive
These are probably good ideas to follow with special building to which it is easy to add a few more based on our own experience (and who hasn’t done something disastrous to that vital part!!);
· If the engine/gearbox/axle doesn’t sound right it probably isn’t
· If it takes too much time to make/mend that part it may be worth buying a good one
· If you don’t think you can make it, you’ll probably make a mess of it (but you’ll be able to on a the next attempt!)
This page is to try and help A7 special builders and owners, not just the SPEEDEX ones, with the technical bits relating to specials I.e. things not covered in the standard A7 references. That said there is a lot written about specials and tuning, much being from the old 750 formula days. A lot of it is good but some has been overtaken by time and the availability of new superior components and materials. What would the old 750 formula ‘boys’ have given for a Phoenix crank and Renault 4 rods/pistons?
So, other good places to start looking for help include;
· Building Austin Seven Specials By Bill Williams. Probably still the best read on A7 specials, Bill was the owner of Cambridge Engineering, one of SPEEDEX’s rival A7 tuning companies. The book, originally printed in the ‘50s, is still regularly reprinted and second hand copies are available.
· Special Builders Guide and Design for Competition. Published in the ‘50s and ‘60s by the 750 Motor Club as extracts of technical articles from their Bulletin. Much tuning information for racing Seven based cars. If you have a choice on obtaining a second hand copy go for the Design for Competition as it is the final collation including the best of previous issues.
· The Austin Seven Companion. Published by the 750 Motor Club this book (the ‘green’ book) in addition to being a compendium on all things A7 also has a section ‘How to get the best out of your A7’.
· A Digest of Technical Articles from the PWA7C Magazine. Published by the Pre-War Austin Seven Club, this has a number of interesting features on getting the best out of your A7.
· Sales brochures etc from the ‘50s and ‘60s suppliers like SPEEDEX, Super, Cambridge, etc. I have Speedex and Super catalogues, just browsing through what was available and the pictures of parts gives an insight and ideas on what can be done to a special. The Super one has good photo’s.
· Although not a technical book, for inspiration try Building and Racing my 750 by Pat Stephens. The story of how he built a special for the 750 formula in the early ‘50s.
All these regularly come up on that well known Internet Auction site. But as with all things there, ensure that they aren’t still available new (and usually cheaper!).
The information below is intended to be a guide without a cast iron guarantee of suiting your cars needs. As stated on the front page of the website, this is advice, use it with your own discretion, it is posted in good faith but the responsibility is all yours!
Use the hyperlink buttons here to get to where you want
· Carburettor, fuel systems, linkages etc
· Spark plugs for aluminium heads
· Threads, nuts, bolts and tightening
· Independent front suspensions
· Hydraulics and cable brakes that work
· 12 volt electrics and the dreaded dynamo
· Gearing, axle ratios, tyre sizes and gearboxes
· Centre main bearing without machining
Under construction — watch this space!
· Modified camshafts
· Building the ‘bomb proof’ A7 engine
What else would you be interested in, drop me a line?