What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[Howard Wright]

Hi All

I’ve been getting to grips with my new C Cab van.  Seeing as I found it almost impossible to get in and drive it the existing seating had to go.  One job leads to another!  The van has been constructed by chopping off the floor pan and body just behind the battery box and replacing it with some meaty timber beams.  The floor bearers at the front were bolted to the back of the battery and tool box right over the spring U and through bolts.  Not that the springs need changing just now but I thought it prudent to form some holes.  Unfortunately (and I’ve found this was the same on my RK) the spring through bolt lies almost straight below the rear rear battery and tool box holder.  Still one side done this morning.

I’ve also removed foam backed carpet very well stuck to the wheel arches and transmission tunnel and polystyrene foam tiles stuck on the aluminium panelling.  I’ve now got to find a way to remove the dollops of glue used to stick the tiles!

Cheers

Howard

[Leisureking]

Refitting, is the reverse of the removal!

[David Stepney]

The Modern, having blotted it's copybook yet again, the Seven has been sharing family duties with the Landrover for the last few weeks. The cause of the problem was the failure of the petrol pump on the Panda and it proved to be quite a mission to obtain the correct one. The replacement finally arrived on Monday! I am tempted to compare and contrast the spares position for Sevens, where parts are often available almost by return of post.

However, whilst driving the little car up to the horses today, I found myself musing that, since I bought the car in October 2018, I have traveled some 17,500 miles. Admittedly, when I first owned it, a number of problems reared their head during the first year of ownership including relining the clutch, fitting a new rear main bearing, new pistons to cure a little end rattle and sorting out fuels starvation issues, which required the tank to be professionally cleaned, a new fuel pump, new fuel line and assembling the correct carburettor from an assortment of bits. Many of these trials and tribulations are recorded in these annals, and notwithstanding that I have run Sevens in the dim and distant past and am therefore not a complete novice, I have nevertheless been grateful for the advice and support that I have received from forum members.

It took about twelve months to finally nail all these various niggles, and, since then the car has proved to be completely dependable. It is true that the little car is carefully maintained with a regular regime of servicing, something that is true of all three vehicles that I own. There have been issues, of course. I had some trouble with the flashing indicators that I fitted, but these have been due mainly to the quality of the bulb holders and the fitting of an electro-mechanical flasher unit. The only involuntary stop that I have had was due to a stripped distributor gear and even that was resolved within a couple of hours by young Leon rescuing me and then returning with the spare distributor.

Anyway, to return to the subject of this thread, I had occasion to travel to Chirk and then to Acrefair, taking the short cut from Froncysyllte to Trevor over Pontcysyllte, from which one gets a splendid view of Thomas Telford's aqueduct, Photos to prove the point:


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The Aqueduct


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Approaching Pontcysyllte


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On the bridge itself


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An d, finally, a view of the aqueduct from the bridge

[Ivor Hawkins]

Lovely. I’ve been rattling around in mine and the more I drive at night the more I’m beginning to think LED headlamp bulbs really are essential especially around our very dark country lanes…views not quite as spectacular as yours though David!

[David Stepney]

This neck of the woods is stuffed full of spectacular views, Ivor. I shall have to take more photos with the proper camera! The trouble is, I am so used to them, I forget just how stunning they really are!

Regarding your remark about headlamps, I am still undecided about LEDs. At present, I am running 36 watt bulbs which are reasonable adequate, but with them on, there is a net charging deficit. I have been doing quite a bit of night driving recently without too many problems. So far, so good, as they say.

[Dave Mann]

The aqueduct filled me with woe when I realized it was cast iron however a walk across it allowed me to inspect it's design and see that it was a brilliant design.

[Denis Sweeney]

Not being a local, I cannot remember whether the aqueduct is known as the Llangollen or Pontcysyllte aqueduct or ....?? However I am sure those in the know will advise.
Yes the views are stunning and we were blessed with beautiful weather.
Attached pictures of both Pete and me crossing said aqueduct in 2016, the other four in the family party decided they would walk!!

Cheers

[Howard Wright]

Hi Denis

Pontcysyllte is the aqueduct, Llangollen is the canal. And to confuse things more the village close by is Froncysyllte.

Cheers

Howard

[Reckless Rat]

It's a very famous landmark. However, there are aqueducts about that no-one notices. This is one on the South Yorkshire Navigation Canal at Worksop Road, Darnall, Sheffield. Most people would drive under it not knowing it was carrying the boats above them.

[Dave Wortley]

In local Darnall parlance it would be “ t’accadoc” but probably referring to the working men’s club nearby.