What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[Steve Jones]

For a long time, I've thought that a Hardy Spicer prop shaft in place of fabric couplings is about the best improvement you can make to a Seven. Maybe 15 or so years ago a friend in Holland, knowing I could get propshafts made at Dunning & Fairbanks in Leeds, asked me how much they were. He told me that in Holland, there was then only one supplier of bespoke shafts left and they were very expensive. In the end, he ordered 6 for himself and his mates and I duly ordered them from D&F. Chatting to chap there when I went to collect them, I mentioned that they were not for me but for friends in Holland. I went on to say that there was now only one supplier in Holland and they were quite expensive. The chap looked up and with a wry smile on his face said "Yes, I know. Where do you think the supplier in Holland gets his propshafts made............?"

Steve