(19-12-2017, 10:08 PM)Andy Bennett Wrote: Bob said that 'It is indisputable that compared to many others and particularly moderns, Sevens are relatively fragile, unreliable and dangerous'. This was challenged, but it seems like simple logic to me.
Really? well I dispute it.
Fragile? Well since the early twenties, Austin Sevens have figured highly in Trials results. Ive been involved with Trials as a competitor and official for many years. I dont remember Austin Sevens as being particularly fragile. If you don't believe me, read Steve Jones' earlier posting.
Unreliable? Well Ruaridh does a mile or two quite successfully, and I'd remind you that the Austin Seven still holds outright British endurance records for 10,000 km, as well as most of the Class H records. That isn't because no one has tried to take them away, its because, so far, no one has been able. Don't confuse reliability with maintenance requirements. You can't neglect a Seven like you can a modern car, but to suggest a well maintained Seven is unreliable is ludicrous.
Dangerous? Well, I admit that if you drive it dangerously, there are less safety systems than you'd have on a modern car, but I thought that was part of the attraction. Isn't it?
Of course should your Austin Seven experience be based on worn out bangers driven in the fifties and sixties, and you haven't driven the Seven which is rotting in your garage for the last fifty years, you might well feel the need to be controversial. might you not?