Steering

[Robert Leigh]

I have a friend in his eighties who decided that he wanted a Chummy a few years ago. He also has a 1928 Riley and has owned many vintage cars over the years. He insists that the Chummy handles badly, 'darting around the road', but I and another Austin Seven owning friend have driven it and I am satisfied that it is normal. The Riley is also a subject of complaint, but I have pointed out that these cars should not be driven gripping the steering wheel firmly, nor should the engine be revved hard to avoid stalling when letting in the clutch, but said friend does not change his technique, although he does admit that the problem is not evident when I am driving. In my opinion the Chummy is fine on the steering within normal limits, and the Riley (cone) clutch does not judder unless the engine is revved unneccessarily. Maybe our Austin Seven owner needs a polite driving lesson by a friend he can trust.
Robert Leigh