16-04-2018, 10:10 AM
I owned a Big 7 for 6 years and once I had cured the handling issues that made it difficult to steer, it was a very useable car. Ian is quite correct to say that parts availability is not as good a "baby" Seven, however, one must compare apples with apples, or in this case, a Big 7 with a 1938/9 Ruby, when it becomes apparent that there is some interchangeability in parts.
Hubs and many brake parts are the same as a late Ruby and most trim parts are either the same or close enough to be used. Most gearbox parts are the same and smaller pieces inside the back axle, together with the bearings can be swapped. Crown wheel and pinion is the same design but larger (longer pinion) and the half shafts are also similar but longer (wider axle). Front axle is unique and both front and back axle use screwed spring pin and shackle bushes, familiar to those of us who have worked on the suspension of the Austin A30 and its derivatives. These pins and bushes corrode and wear badly. They are currently unobtainable in original form.
Some new spares are sporadically made but there are no new engine parts in production at all. There have been a number of gasket, piston and bearing sets that have appeared on eBay recently, probably due to the sale and resale of the Kirby Whiske parts.
Girling brake linings are the same as the Ruby type and can be obtained from our cherished suppliers while wheel bearings are the same as a Ruby. Some other spares are available, either new or second hand from the Big 7 Registrar.
Second hand or NOS spares appear from time to time, usually at inflated prices (rare car innit mate??) but seldom seem to sell (after all it’s a rare car isn’t it?).
Hubs and many brake parts are the same as a late Ruby and most trim parts are either the same or close enough to be used. Most gearbox parts are the same and smaller pieces inside the back axle, together with the bearings can be swapped. Crown wheel and pinion is the same design but larger (longer pinion) and the half shafts are also similar but longer (wider axle). Front axle is unique and both front and back axle use screwed spring pin and shackle bushes, familiar to those of us who have worked on the suspension of the Austin A30 and its derivatives. These pins and bushes corrode and wear badly. They are currently unobtainable in original form.
Some new spares are sporadically made but there are no new engine parts in production at all. There have been a number of gasket, piston and bearing sets that have appeared on eBay recently, probably due to the sale and resale of the Kirby Whiske parts.
Girling brake linings are the same as the Ruby type and can be obtained from our cherished suppliers while wheel bearings are the same as a Ruby. Some other spares are available, either new or second hand from the Big 7 Registrar.
Second hand or NOS spares appear from time to time, usually at inflated prices (rare car innit mate??) but seldom seem to sell (after all it’s a rare car isn’t it?).