Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

By placing seats strategically in the garage and having sold two of my cars: I am now managing do do some work on the special and Ariel sq4 that remain.

I have just carried out the long-needed upgrade on the special's braking system
and can now announce what is possibly the world's first dual, hydro-mechanical system on a 1937 Austin 7 special.
It only remains to bleed adjust and test the rear brake system... I am comforted by the fact that it did work after a fashion with a single master cylinder--but lacked capacity and had too much pedal movement.

This winter (If I'm spared,) I shall rewire the vehicle properly and sort out the crude fixings on the rear suspension system, which owes much to a Honda moped.
Allowing that I have been using the car since I built it in 98 and have toured much of the UK, even crossing the Channel and menaced sundry cloggies sprouts and frogs: it has proved almost totally reliable and deserves to be tidied up and a proper service manual written.
Another factor is my increasing burden of years. If I should shuffle off the old mortal coil I would hate it to be scrapped because no one understands how it's put together. It contains parts from at least 8 different cars and pieces of equipment: including a tenpin bowling lane conditioner.
_________________
Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

Good to have you back here Don, do you have any photos of the special to hand, to refresh our (well, my.. ) memory? Smile

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

Rootes75 · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 11:48 am Post subject:

I wonder if there are many cars out there with more parts from different motors??
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.

47Jag · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 9:18 pm Post subject:

Don,

I'm glad that you are back on the forum and working on the special. Your absence was noticed. As our senior citizen you have a special place here. Live long and prosper.

Art

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

Don has, like many members of the forum, over the years contributed in various ways to content on the main site.

A number of his early motoring recollections made their way into articles linked to from the following page:
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/motoringmemories.htm
(centre column links, part way down).

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Thanks for the welcome back. Getting a bit doddery now and the testing of the brakes has been postponed because I dropped the battery. Some replacement liquid from a discarded one and the liberal application of some hot glue may yet save the day though.
I will post photos of my progress as soon as I work out how to do it on this little hand-held device I'm using.
_________________
Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL

Peter_L · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 8:53 am Post subject:

Welcome back Don. Age can be cruel but good to hear your positive comments. KBO.

Regards
Peter

Roger-hatchy · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex

Nice to see you back Don.
Hope to meet again someday, and see the car as well.

Ray the rocker · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 187 Location: south wales

nice to see your back don----you`ve been missed on line and as an old timer myself--your contribution is always welcome . I don`t put in so much data myself either lately--what with a hip replacement and triple bypass surgery over the last twelve months.I still log in daily just to keep my hand in other people`s problems so be the same and update your troubles so others can follow your progress-----cheers--Ray the Rocker.....

Ashley · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos

All other sentiments endorsed. I'm sixty nine, I've had a heart bypass and recently I've rebuilt my Healey engine twice (don't ask) and with a sixty five year old friends help, he changed the syncro rings in the box while I did the engine, we fitted both in the car. Last time I did it was in the sixties.

This time I really felt it and was extremely stiff and painful afterwards, but I'm glad we managed and the car is going like a train again.

I wish you well and hope keep at it for as long as you can. My wife has cancer and is slowly being prevented from doing the things she loves and it's heartbreaking to watch. Getting old is not much of a reward for living so long.

peppiB · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:07 am Post subject:

Welcome back Don

Seems as well as headcases, we are a load of heart cases. Another sufferer here. 2 years since last surgery, usual daily pills and injections. Arthritis and rapidly crumbling spine curtail my activities nowadays. Won't give up my precious cars though (unless they start to suffer from lack of care)

Ashley - sorry to read about your wife. I have been there Sad

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Ashley · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos

We do sound like a load of old invalides! Still I'm guessing we're cheerful most of the time because we know there's always someone a lot worse off.

Ash (not phoning Samaritans)