10-04-2021, 11:02 PM
An interesting discussion and some helpful photos for me and my good friend Mark who are now working to restore the "Bowerbank car" as it is noted previously. The Bowerbank car – Austin 7 Seven Sports 1927-1932 archive (wordpress.com)
We are keen to find out the previous history as prior to Mark's uncle purchasing it in the early 60's we have no information. As the car was chopped around to add doors and a boot, probably in a poorly thought out attempt to make it more practical at some point, and was painted green over its original primrose colour, it has had an interesting life that we do not know anything about.
In terms of original parts we think that we have a large number of them but the car was stripped by a friend of Mark's uncle in the 80's but then said friend died and the project stalled till we hauled it out of the barn a few years ago. At that time we did not know if the car was an Ulster or not. For us we just wanted to restore it as an interesting project (having previously restored a few 60's classics). Now we have shown pictures around of what we have, it seems we have an original chassis, body, rear axle, steering box and instruments (at least some). Latterly we had the good fortune to be put in touch with someone having the original engine and now also have that! We have already had the body remade by Roach and he managed to save quite a lot of the original tail and bulkhead while adding in new side panels. The shell and original bonnet look really nice together. Work on the running gear is started but slow!
What is now difficult is working out what the correct nuts and bolts are to fit the parts together! These came in a number of pots which seem to have been added to over the years! If anyone has photos of axle and suspension parts bolted to the chassis we would appreciate to see them. More than anything though, we would love to find out more of the history. I have looked through the period photos available online and find one of GH4698 which is seen at Brooklands in 1931 1931 Easter Weekend Meeting | Austin Harris . No other photo has a car that matches the colour and is not accounted for. Still a long shot as there are likely some unphotographed cars out there but does anyone know this car or its history? I don't yet have a driver name so am hoping to find some records at Brooklands.
Any assistance from this knowledgeable group on history, or on the correct nuts and bolts to put together our large jigsaw, would be appreciated (some of you already have helped and thanks for that)
We are keen to find out the previous history as prior to Mark's uncle purchasing it in the early 60's we have no information. As the car was chopped around to add doors and a boot, probably in a poorly thought out attempt to make it more practical at some point, and was painted green over its original primrose colour, it has had an interesting life that we do not know anything about.
In terms of original parts we think that we have a large number of them but the car was stripped by a friend of Mark's uncle in the 80's but then said friend died and the project stalled till we hauled it out of the barn a few years ago. At that time we did not know if the car was an Ulster or not. For us we just wanted to restore it as an interesting project (having previously restored a few 60's classics). Now we have shown pictures around of what we have, it seems we have an original chassis, body, rear axle, steering box and instruments (at least some). Latterly we had the good fortune to be put in touch with someone having the original engine and now also have that! We have already had the body remade by Roach and he managed to save quite a lot of the original tail and bulkhead while adding in new side panels. The shell and original bonnet look really nice together. Work on the running gear is started but slow!
What is now difficult is working out what the correct nuts and bolts are to fit the parts together! These came in a number of pots which seem to have been added to over the years! If anyone has photos of axle and suspension parts bolted to the chassis we would appreciate to see them. More than anything though, we would love to find out more of the history. I have looked through the period photos available online and find one of GH4698 which is seen at Brooklands in 1931 1931 Easter Weekend Meeting | Austin Harris . No other photo has a car that matches the colour and is not accounted for. Still a long shot as there are likely some unphotographed cars out there but does anyone know this car or its history? I don't yet have a driver name so am hoping to find some records at Brooklands.
Any assistance from this knowledgeable group on history, or on the correct nuts and bolts to put together our large jigsaw, would be appreciated (some of you already have helped and thanks for that)