i have a 1937 ruby as my only car.i love driving it.

@MrClassiccarenthusia

4 жыл бұрын

Up until very recently, my first and only car was a 1974 P6 3500.. While mine is being restored, I've driven a few things.. Currently in a 3 series BMW coupe.. But it's not as good as the Rover.. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I don't think I could live with something that old though.. But if I did, the engine would be pulled out and tuned! No ifs, ands or buts! At the minimum, if it has good compression, porting, exhaust, cam and intake. Would probably benefit quite a bit from modern carburettors. And that's it.. I'm sure the brakes are fine for the weight, even cars with cable brakes properly adjusted stop really well.. Edit: Ignition! Having a nicely setup advance curve and high ignition voltage can work wonders on old engines!

@Fyodor48

4 жыл бұрын

robert cooke wow I am so envious, I would love to own one, I confess I drive a 3series bmw newish, . But to have a garage to keep and space to work on my own Austin is but a dream 😦

@daunteuflay4859

4 жыл бұрын

id really like to have one myself

@leebfc1901

4 жыл бұрын

@@Fyodor48 My first and only car is my beloved 2002 Nissan Micra K11 Activ. Love it.

@Fyodor48

4 жыл бұрын

@@leebfc1901 wow dude an 18 year old micra, still running!! howis it for rust? from memory nissan made these for the eu, i take it u r in the eu/uk..... You have obviously cherished that little car, and is no doubt a part of the family. When you watch some of those resto car shows and folk like yourself have had the same car in the family all this time, something to hand on to the next generation... I have to say i love watching old documentry films from the late 50's and into the 60's these were cars myfamily owned, Humbers, Singers etc etc I stil have memories getting taken to the countryside in winter in my uncles Humber Hawk, a bik comfortable car.... Good times man, good times

This was the first car owned jointly by myself and my best friend. We bought it in 1958 before either of us were old enough to drive and we paid £7 - 10s for it. Thanks for the memories.

That’s a car that brings a smile to your face just looking at it!

@arkhsm

2 жыл бұрын

It's Brum's older brother, that's why !!

My mother had one of these in the 60's. I fell out of it one day when we went around a right hand corner and I inadvertently leant on the cord that opened the door. I somersaulted into the ditch and was completely unharmed, but it gave her a hell of a fright!

@peter7624

2 жыл бұрын

Reminds me of giving my young sister in law a driving lesson with my nephew in the "boot" of my Morris Traveller, the rear lock somehow came open as she accelerated in typical jerky learner fashion. The rear doors swung open and out came the nephew (about 5 yrs old) headfirst. Luckily it was a grassy field . We joked afterwards it was just as well he landed on his head! No H&S in those days!

@objectiveobjective1948

2 жыл бұрын

Nice one Rod, what a Brilliant Tip of safety that is, seriously, well said. By the way they are a beautiful little car. Merry Christmas to 🙋‍♂️

@bricksandstuff2631

Жыл бұрын

yes those pull cords seem to be a really bonkers idea

I lost my father in May this year. These cars were what he saw, aged 5. Quite remarkable to see such a pristine example of this iconic vehicle. Thank you for posting 👍

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

Adam Simmons sorry for your loss, hope this stirred some happy memories for you

Just a note, the "Slant 6" was a Chrysler product, not GM as mentioned.

@peterk2455

4 жыл бұрын

Slant 6 motors were built by other companies than Chrysler. Mercedes Benz built their slant 6 (M186) for the 300SL, in 1952. It was also fitted to the 300 SL known as the Gullwing of 1954, the Roadster 300 & my own 300SE of 1964 with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, producing 225Hp.

@bobbates6642

4 жыл бұрын

@@peterk2455 Yes but the one that he is thinking of that is so bullet proof is the Dodge Slant 6

@ronnronn55

4 жыл бұрын

@@bobbates6642 Yes. A legendary motor.

Am 65 now, when I was a little kid my mum and dad had one of these and I still clearly remember family trips to the coast in it. Your video bought back a lot of very happy memories so many thanks for posting.

I love your video - and your enthusiasm for the Ruby Seven -- I have one myself - a model 1934 - it has not been driving for 31 years , but will be back on the road again this summer ! - I have actually waited way too long for that , because I have had the car for 38 years , and absolutely love it - but good things are worth waiting for !! ( a funny thing is , that the car has been standing (though without engine ) on its tyres for 31 years - without loosing any pressure on them at all !!! ) And the Austin might provoke a lot of smiles in Britain - but even more so here in Denmark , where it is so much rarer ! Thanks a lot for your great video - I so can't wait any longer now to get back driving the absolutely lovely Austin Ruby Seven !!!

My Dad had one of these in the mid-50's. I remember that he got a ticket for driving too slow and holding up traffic!

@darkgreenambulance

3 жыл бұрын

More fool the policeman!

@peter7624

2 жыл бұрын

Just after the red flag act...

@timspooner59

2 жыл бұрын

@@peter7624 about 1958

Once in a while you stumble across a gem of a video on KZread. This is one of those videos. Thank you so much for sharing:)

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

No, thank you for watching!

I loved these small Austins. UK was good at producing small cars. Sad the British Auto Industry disappeared. Same could be said of UK Aerospace Industry, Remember VC10? A great aircraft!

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

I was at an airfield when one came in for its final landing to be broken up. Very sad to see such a beautiful aircraft flying to its doom

@georgeknowles5327

4 жыл бұрын

The VC10 was so quiet that BOAC advertised it as "Try a little VCtenderness". I flew on the VC10 a few times when working abroad. Very comfortable.

Aaaaaah, sweet, I would love a Ruby. Wonderful and characterful little cars.

Charming and endearingly dotty. As an fellow owner of old English cars, I love your enthusiasm. There’s a huge amount of acumen and skill to bring out the best in driving these cars. By driving eccentric cars you’re rewarded by purring, groaning, grunting, squeaks and a huge amount of satisfaction as you look back on your days driving. If you louse it up and graunch the gears, stall it on a hill climb, have it emitting strange rubber burning smells....well, a shandy at the pub, a determined look in the eye and resolve to do better next time you take out your ( beloved ) bucket of bolts is supreme satisfaction. Thank you. Well done.

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

There is nothing like driving cars of this era, as you say everything is a reward (when it goes well!)

I can smell it from here.

I brought a 1936 Austin 7ruby while still at school. It was my daily driver in about 1966-7 ish, ($70NZ) it was my first car and l loved it. No fuel working gauge, so used a copper tube as a dipstick. Mum could always hear the tinkling starter handle as l drove up to our house. A piston disintegrated so l had it repaired and the valves 'stelited' as l recal. Thank you for this video, and thank you to BT9786 for introducing me to motoring.

I love how this car is rough and ready and not a show car that travels everywhere by trailer and exists only as art. Although mindful of the importance its preservation, I wouldn't feel at all guilty using this most days, even in the colder months. The car looks like how I imagine most of these would have in the 1950s - when they were a beater but weren't yet a classic. Cars like this make you realise how refined most cars made even in the 1970s are. It's not without its charm but wow does it sound loud. That said, it has less gear whine than a Metro made 50 years later!

@slome815

4 жыл бұрын

It's all relative really. I just bought a 1991 Trabant, and it's probably rougher and cruder then most expensive cars made in the 30's (let's say bentley, cadillac or mercedes).

My sister learned to drive in one of these in 1967. Kids get it so easy these days!

I used to own a 1930 Austin 7 Swallow and I think that was the most fun driving than I have ever had and I have been driving since 1952 I am now 86+ years old and I havn't thought of giving up yet.

My first car. I was a student at Brooklands tech and everyone strove to buy a "banger" for transport. A fiver usually but I had to pay a tenner as mine was a Ruby. Circa '63.

My first car was a very tired 1936 Ruby, a serious challenge to a leaner driver. It was scrapped and replaced with a lovely Pearl, a cabriolet version of a Ruby. It was my daily driver, l drove down to near Penzance nine times, wonderfully reliable. I bought it for £10 and sold it for £1,200

@furiousdriving

3 жыл бұрын

Thats not a bad investment! And a lovely car to own as well

Brings back memories of my childhood back in the 50s. My Father made and fitted indicators front and rear like you see on cars today, built a box shaped boot that fitted on the back and improved the front windscreen wiper. Use to travel all over the country then stick those different coloured triangular place names that were sold at the seaside and places of interest on the rear screen. He was in the RAC and as far as I can remember only had to call them once, on the way home from East Finchley breaking down on the North Circular in the middle of a thunder storm. Great car with lots of happy memories, even had a transistor radio so we kids could listen to Radio Luxembourg. Happy days.

@alejandrayalanbowman367

4 жыл бұрын

208

My neighbour when I was a teeny tiny guy in 1955 had one I remember it well I loved the smell of older British cars. It was common to see cars from late thirty’s early forty’s everywhere

Amazed when i googled Austin Ruby and up comes a video of my actual ruby Im now the proud owner of this car😁 good video mate

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

You bought it? Brilliant! I absolutely loved this car (hope that comes across in the video) and seriously thought about buying it, hope you're going to be very happy with it...and if it doesn't work out let me know, I still tempted!

@anicemothertucker673

5 жыл бұрын

@@furiousdriving ...everythings got a sale price let me know.thanks

@philmcdonald4778

4 жыл бұрын

@@anicemothertucker673 Seven pounds , ten shillings and sixpence ?

I love how your enthusiasm for cars comes across in your videos. Whether it's something really interesting like this or an obscure thing like a Lancia Thema, you're always excited to show us. :)

Good job. I do the speed limit and when one of these insolent young blighters comes up my tail in his G37X or Ford Raptor or the soccer moms speeding around in their Grand Cherokees I make sure to maintain a steady one mph below the stated speed limit. Subscribed

@stoatrepublic

4 жыл бұрын

Speed Limit:- An unenforceable Statute reserved for the moment of Goods in Maritime Derived land going Shipping Vessels/Vehicles been Driven(movement of goods and livestock) in what is basically shipping lanes connecting the various Ports and Docks behind every warehouse, business and shopping complex across the Land with the various Sea Ports. Doesn't apply to Traveling across land in ones Automobile while upholding your Sovereignty under Common Law, Magna Carta 1215.

What fun to see this road test! Liked your different camera angles, and the choice of scenic, twisty, winding roads...Subscribed!

Very entertaining..and very interesting throughout and you make it fun as you drive around with the knowledge of the car top notch!

I was with you in that one all the way. It reminded me so much of my Morris E series. It was even probably the same motor. Thanks for taking me back to the "good old days" of motoring.

I just had to watch it again. You show such joy driving this little car

In January 1964 I was a student and I drove in one of these from London to Leeds (about 200 miles) with my flatmate. There were no motorways and after a journey of about eight hours we arrived in a snowstorm. The windscreen was covered in snow and ice with the swept path of the tiny windscreen wiper. It was our daily transport to and from university for several terms and great fun to drive in but the brakes were almost non existent.

I have watched many car reviews on KZread. I have to say yours is one of the most refreshing I have seen. Your enthusiasm shines through. Thank you

Austin 7 Ruby was my dad's first car. I remember he mentioned having to carefully plan routes to avoid going up very steep hills as the little car might run out of steam before it got to the top.

Fantastic little car. My parents had one just after the war, they called it the Pram. Years later I bought a 1953 Reliant. The engine and gearbox were basically the same as the Austin 7. 750cc sidevalve. You and Hubnut should do a double act! Thanks

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

Yes I guess it is more or less the same kit, Reliant didnt develop their own stuff did they? We used to work together on magazines! A KZread reunion would be fun

Great video mate, simply adore these vintage cars. Such hand built class. Bought a 1937 Austin Big Seven last year and I haven't stopped smiling since.

@Roger.Coleman1949

4 жыл бұрын

Enjoy it Chris, I loved mine when I was 17 , 50 years ago and got pulled up on the first day out for speeding after an MOT by the Police in a 30m.p.h zone.I was let off with a stiff warning !.

The audio was fine! It's a joy to hear that engine, and your commentary is spot on.

That is such a neat car. I love driving cars like this on the road and watching everyone else have a stroke because of road rage. If they cant figure out the need to pass, I’m not going to tell them.

I also say don't restore it! Save the restoration for one with destroyed paint or rust damage. This one is mint and unique!

When you think that Ford Prefect had only 3 forward gears up to the 1960s, you realize how advanced the 7 was back in the 30s

@northstar1950

4 жыл бұрын

And vacuum wipers!

@millomweb

4 жыл бұрын

Ford Granada was only 3 speed in the 70s !

@millomweb

4 жыл бұрын

@@northstar1950 And they sucked !

@calderdale6795

4 жыл бұрын

pmailkeey Actually,if you fitted the 107e petrol pump with combined vacuum pump they work quite well.....particularly if you retain the vacuum reservoir. You could select slow wipe before intermittent wipe was available. However,as an engineering solution they were quirky to say the least, and in standard mode would stop working on long hills. I still have my old 100e after 47 years......though somewhat modified.

@millomweb

4 жыл бұрын

@@calderdale6795 I was aware they stopped at full throttle !

My first car was a 1935 Austin 7 Ruby the same as this. My father had two of them during WW2 in New Zealand so that he could get double rations for petrol and tyres. He was a teacher of motor mechanics and engineering and taught me how to overhaul everything except the gearbox. He had a lot of spare parts and even a mould for pouring white metal big end bearings! I bought it when I was in high school in 1965 for 50 pounds and fitted a roof rack so that I could take it surfing every day after school. A fabulous experience. But when I moved to a big city I decided the mechanical brakes were terrible and not nearly safe enough. So I bought a 1947 Austin 10 instead. Thanks for bringing it all back!

When I was a boy my Dad had a Ruby great memories great car we went all over the country in it.

Thoroughly enjoyed your driving this old car with feeling, in the beautiful English countryside, it made me feel quite homesick. Such good fun!

My father bought a 37 Ruby in the mid 1950s from a garage for a very low price , it was immaculate but he had to change the crankshaft bearing shells which had worn out because the previous owner has never checked the oil , a set of bearing shells were about £2 back , these things didn't have heaters so everyone had thick coats and hats on in the winter . They retained the starting handles despite the self starter because batteries were not very good in the winter , much worse for power than our modern items. Great video .

A great review. Actually this was my car. It was found in a dilapidated garage in Salisbury around 2001. I bought it in a poor but intact condition. I did everything myself. I replaced parts and repainted it. It took me years. I enjoyed driving it so much

Nice balanced review. Encouraging me to hire one of these for a few days this summer to see for myself! Thanks.

What a charming little car that engine sounds great and you're having a great time driven it well done !

Just brilliant. Real world classic motoring - thank you

My very first car, in 1960, in Christchurch, New Zealand., and drove it to school for 1961. It cost me £60, and on apprentice wages of £4.19s.6d, it was a huge investment. We were screwed-over then - as now! I learned a huge amount of mechanical knowledge, tearing it down virtually every weekend.

The motoring equivalent of James Herriot or Miss Marple. So endearingly quaint and such a joyful little car to behold. The perfect cure for road rage. I absolutely adore it.

So much fun to watch you … I’m so envious..⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved it! Looks like miles and smiles of fun! Thanks for taking us along for a ride. 😄👍

That was great, lovely car, good photography and narrative, thanks!

Oh my god, the patina. What a gem. You wouldn't dare polish the history out of that paint. Hope it finds a good home. Great channel, your presenting is superb. Thank you. Subbed!

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you liked it! I wish I could take this one home - If I could Id rebuild the gearbox, underseal it and perhaps sort out the door bottoms but have them painted to match and leave it at that, I hope it gets a deserving home but judging by the interstate's they are having in it Im sure it will

Have you ever driven a car you don't like? You seem to embrace the joy of just driving anything. I mean that as a positive thing. One reason I enjoy these videos

On that little road, in an unfamiliar car, 35 mph is plenty, if people want to pass you, it's their funeral.

@rudolphguarnacci197

4 жыл бұрын

Addition by subtraction

@rob5944

4 жыл бұрын

I drive at what I call a reasonable speed, unlike the go faster brigade who appear to have the benefit of being able to see around bends!

I can remember that a friend had one of these circa 1983 time. He’d inherited it from the estate of an elderly relative. It had a twisted crankshaft and had packed up and was pushed into a wooden garden garage in the 1950s and left 33 years. He removed the engine and I was amazed to see the size of it. Microwave size ! He got the crank reconditioned. Removed everything, took it back to the bare metal and resprayed it Austin black. With brown leatherette repaired the door cards and re covered the seats. He used it for years as a wedding car around Hall green Birmingham m

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

Is it still around now?

I saw a young lad driving around in one of these a few years ago, was so random haha. Respect to the 7 though for being the first affordable car with the conventional "Cadillac" control layout :)

@markpenrice6253

4 жыл бұрын

Were you watching a repeat of "Danny, The Champion of the World"? :D

I love this car!What a nice video,i hope to see more of you testdriving those beautiful english classic cars.Especially pre war till 70s.Thank you.

I have just purchased an Original condition Austin big seven, it puts a smile on everyone's face and is an immediate talking point.. everyone with a driving licence should drive a car like these, it would make the world a better place.

Great review and camera . What a well sorted car.

Enjoyed this very much, thank you. I believe this to be the third, or perhaps, the fourth time I’ve come along for the ride. :)

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, keep coming along! Glad you're liking them

Most entertaining! A different time... at a different pace. I've always thought about buying a 30s car. Many thanks for this.

In the early 60's one of my primary school teachers had one and took us out in it on occasions, happy days

What a beautiful car I love to drive around in this the real driving experience Thanks for the people making these videos

Excellent, Loved it & watched every minute

My dad bought me a 1937 Austin 7 when I was 16 in 1963. It was already clapped out but never let me down for over 13000 miles. The tiny amount of clutch travel caused many a grating gear for the unwary. It broke half-shaft keys twice, but kept going lopsided. I decided that 30 mph would be its cruising speed and never went above that for long.

How lovely, you can’t beat the vintage cars.

Loved your video and your enthusiasm. Looks like I'm going to be the custodian of a project one of these shortly. Many thanks

thank you that must have been a great joy to drive a piece of history just awesome

Enjoyed the review, very entertaining and informative

My Mum always told stories of how her and her parents and siblings used to travel to the Isle of Skye from Upper Norwood in an Austin 7, it took three days normally! Great video!

Thanks for sharing. Being a former Somerset owner, I'm partial to Austin's. Here in the states we had the Bantam version. I'll have to look for one now.

Brilliant video and sound was great. Well done on making these videos.

excellent review and love the enthusiasm.

My late father learnt to drive in my grandfather's Austin 7 Ruby back in the 1950's. Back then they were just common popular old 20 year old cars. He used to borrow it to take his then girlfriend, my mother, out courting back in 1957.

@bustedfender

4 жыл бұрын

Andy Reid Courting. A term from my youth...

Really enjoyed this review and learned a lot in the process. It seems modern motoring owes a lot to this clever little car 👍🏻

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

very happy you liked it! They are interesting little cars - if I thought people would sit through it I could have gone on for ages more with things I found out researching for this

I really enjoyed this video having owned an Austin 10 Lichfield for a number of years. The 10 was the slightly big brother to the 7. I loved my little Austin 10. It was absolutely reliable and never failed to start. It was a comfortable little thing and quite easy to drive. You had to be very careful and not get cocky with the handling and braking, especially in the wet. Very easy to lose the back end or end up in a skid. Upgraded now to a Rover 12 in similar original condition to this 7.

Lovely video and lovely car. I can see how your channel has progressed and the better equipment, but I still love watching all your videos and I’m getting through them 🤣🤣🤣

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

Go easy on the old ones, I think they've improved a lot in the last year!

Love the presentation. I'm amazed it still rolls along, it was made ten years before I was and now I just trundle. I was hoping you'd make mention of the smell of the car. I remember when I was a kid there was a leathery, exhaust and sort of stuffy smell that was quite distinctive to those old buggies.

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

Ill mention it next time I do one. I dont need to film another but really like them so probably will!

My great uncle had one from new ( he worked, building the wood franes with my grandfather), and only finally passed on to a different car, when the first Metros came oit. As kids it was a riot pottering around in it

The indicator arms are called semaphore arms and were still used into the late sixties early seventies on busses and trucks (lorries) in Australia. Busses and trucks had an outline of a hand on an arm ....That was the turn signal.

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

We called them trafficators here, still had them till the 60s too. dangerous now as no one sees them

@williamrance5086

4 жыл бұрын

When I was a kid living in northwestern England/UK way back in the 1950's I stood at a T junction in the centre of the town I lived in. A traffic policeman stood in a raised box in the centre of the road directing traffic. A single decked Leyland bus approached the junction. For a moment or two the policeman looked puzzled, baffled, and eventually irate. With all traffic at a standstill, the policeman, a burly gentleman with an old fashioned helmet, with white gauntlets on hips, swaggered across the junction and came to a halt, peering up at the bus driver's open window. The driver, obviously upset by the policeman, asked what was the problem. The officer spoke quietly to the driver. The driver said something to the effect, 'I am indicating my intent.' The policeman, thinking the driver was being clever, shouted out for all to hear, 'I fuckin' know that. But which way do you want to go? Both flaming indicators are out.' The driver stood down from his cab and alongside the policeman, scratched his head. The crowd on the pavement laughing their heads off. The two indicators were of the semaphore type that waved up and down - flashing together with minds of their own. It was the first time that I had heard a grown up use the F word, so in telling my story to my father, I kept the F word in my comment - needless to say I got a ticking off for my excellent journalistic account. Such a memory and learning curve - all down to a rogue traffic indicator.

@robnorth7638

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, the semaphore indicators had a long life as a concept but a short life individually..The arm parts made from tin and plastic were easily broken, especially by passengers being dropped off. The two door Morris Minor had them installed in the waist of the car and these were particularly vulnerable. Fortunately they were standard across all makes of cars and the arms were sold in all garages and filling stations alongside the light bulbs, spare ignition keys and Radweld....most drivers could repair their own this way. Nb. the posher cars were fitted with an interrupter unit in the circuit so the light flashed - the forerunner of "flashers", the first of which I ever saw was Rolls Royce, with the front fog lamps and the stop lamps being the indicators.

@delrussel2640

4 жыл бұрын

My old man called them "trafficators"......

@routmaster38

4 жыл бұрын

My 1936 Pop had the same and only one red tail light too.I remember fitting two after market items to each rear wing and the controversy over whether "flashers" were better or no at that time!

This was similar to my dad's first ever car and for sentimental reasons I have always wanted one. Just need an extra garage!!

Fun Fact: The first NISSAN (which actually means "Japan-Made") was an Austin 7 produced under license.

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

did not know that!

@spiderwebb4983

4 жыл бұрын

also BMW made them under licence.

@louisbeerreviews8964

4 жыл бұрын

Spider Webb no

@jakekaywell5972

4 жыл бұрын

@@louisbeerreviews8964 They did though. It was called the BMW Dixi. Google it if you don't believe me.

@t.b.g.504

4 жыл бұрын

@@jakekaywell5972 There was an example of the German version on display at BMW Canada's previous head office in Whitby Ontario, very similar to this except in LHD.

Great report and I am in love with the austin 7

Drove a 1927 Austin 12 at Beaulieu. One of the best drives I've ever had! Daily driving is what these are for, even in 2019 and I want one. 1934 was a major redesign year for US Fords too.

I came across your video because I'd like an austin 7 as my next project, I think you've made it clear that I need a 7 in my life!

@furiousdriving

4 жыл бұрын

I found I need one as well after this

Beautiful little car! Much rather own one than the disposable trash thrown together now.

They were a hoot to drive, the 1/4 elliptical rear springs, which located the rear axle fore and aft, meant that the car had the sharpest turn-in of any car I've ever driven. When you started a turn the outside wheelbase increased giving, in effect, rear wheel steering, which is why they wandered all over the road if it was bumpy - As I said, a positive hoot. It's worth noting that the 7 had a 4 speed gearbox and electric wipers more than 25 years before Ford adopted them. The postwar Anglia and Prefect had 3 speed boxes and vacuum operated windscreen wipers, the latter meaning that the faster you went, the slower the wipers flip-flopped, until eventually they stopped, meaning that you had to lift off to recharge the vacuum tank and start again. These tanks, incidentally, were popular with Lotus Elan owners as "Fixes" for a leaky chassis cross-tube which served as a vacuum tank for the raising of the pop-up headlamps!

As you discovered, the suspension set-up makes for some interesting handling characteristics. I own a 1932 Two-Seater Morris Minor that has longitudinally located leaf-springs on each side of the car, making it far less unpredictable. The Austin Seven had the nickname of 'Puddle Jumper', for obvious reasons. Still love 'em though.

@furiousdriving

5 жыл бұрын

Haha, yes its entertaining and keeps you on your toes, but its a lot of fun! I drove a '40s Morris 8 the other day and the jump in refinement was astonishing (still crude, but its relative!). Id love to try a Minor to compare to the 7

Sound's much like driving my old Jeep CJ-5. Great to 40 mph, not bad to 55 ish, takes the entire road from 56 to the engine winding out at 62 mph. :) Love the historic rides. Good times, good times.

brilliant video - i was in there with you!

My Grandfather had an early 7 - one of the few cars to be seen in Dublin at the time. Apparently the Police would pull him over so that they could take the controls, when they felt he was a little too full of good spirits, after the pub.

Absolutely gorgeous x

Thank you very much that was absolutely brilliant, no wonder everyone waves at you, what a beautiful little car, it's like a toy. I'm seriously thinking of buying one. You did a brilliant presentation and like you I love tiny cars they are hilarious fun to drive after driving BMW 5 & 8 series. Merry Christmas by the way. 🙋‍♂️

It was the Austin 7 in 1917 that gave the insight to BMW. The Austin A10 in 1937 had an all synchromesh 4spd gearbox which was advanced. Cadillac in the 1920s introduced synchromesh and starters and automatic gearboxes.

What a cool bit of old Britain. Being a Yank, I never knew of the Ruby. I'm of course familiar with the car you Brits use as taxis. Morris I believe? Anyway as much of a purist as I am when it comes to old cars, I think for safety's sake some suspension work and maybe a few more horses under the bonnet might be warranted. But nothing that would take too much away from the original. She is a lovely old girl though. Thanks for the well executed video. ✌🏻🇺🇸

@sarahwebster8927

4 жыл бұрын

George B That’s right, the old London black cabs were Austins from the 1940’s (Cambridge I think) used until the mid 90’s when they were slowly taken out of service as they didn’t meet regulations anymore... Also you’re right about a few choice upgrades, both car and driver are stressing due to modern roads and traffic...needs a good few mods to make the car really useable.

Smashing video, very informative and interesting.

I wondered what it would be like to drive an Austin 7 - and now I have some idea! Great video - thank you :-)

They are great little cars, I have a Austin 7 Opal which I use most days

The different names didn't denote levels of trim. The Ruby was the saloon, Pearl was the cabriolet and Opal was the two seater. In 1935 £120 equated to about one and a third years gross wages for many working men, do not fall into the trap that the Austin Seven, or the £100 Ford 8, brought motoring to the masses. It was a very middle class notion, and only taken up by a small proportion of those people. The 'masses' didn't begin to think about owning their own cars until after the war, which had allowed many people to experience driving, but it was not until the late 1950's that the ordinary man in the street began to by cars in any numbers......and they would be secondhand.

@Replevideo

4 жыл бұрын

There was a very good reason for that. After the war the country needed foreign currency because of the high National Debt, so nearly all new cars had to be exported. Car owners just had to keep their pre-war cars running. In the mid 50s the controls were cancelled and the rush to buy new cars created a glut of no longer needed used cars with no market as working class people did not have driving licences, causing prices to drop like a brick. Suddenly you could buy a well maintained pre-war car for as little as £5. We young ones all rushed to pass our tests and snap them up. My pal bought an immaculate Ford Anglia for £5, spent another £5 on tax and insurance, and was on the road. By 1960 some working class people were able to afford new cars, like the Mini. My first car was in 1965 because I was a biker before that, but I got an excellent 1951 Standard Vanguard for just £20. Sales of new cars to working class people were restricted by an horrendous purchase tax which I think was about 30% to 40%, making them too expensive. It was reduced when VAT was added, and abolished altogether in 1991.

Bloody marvellous - you're presenting stuff at the end and covered yourself with links to other videos ! Perhaps gear-changing lessons would be an idea too.