Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven

tonrag · 26th October 2019, 23:50

Come May 2018, and one more car was dispatched from the garage. I was sad to see her go; but such is life. I reckoned I was not getting any younger, and chasing restoration dreams had to be given up in favour of practical choices.

But the bright side of things was that I had enough room now in the garage to work on Swami.

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_0485.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_0488.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_0493.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_0631.jpg

KPS · 28th October 2019, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonrag

But the bright side of things was that I had enough room now in the garage to work on Swami.

Great to see you back in TBHP, tonrag.

Having seen Swami in the past, it will be great to see her back on the roads. I am sure you will a long drive planned with Swami in the mix.

Cheers

KPS

V.Narayan · 28th October 2019, 12:08

Glad you are back finally. Mother has been calling out to you that dinner is ready. Now you better get cracking on Swami or we will all come and do a dharna at your garage.

Mohammed4rmhyd · 28th October 2019, 18:44

Happy to know that swami is getting the attention which long pending, hope the others in the stable are ready n revving to go.

tonrag · 29th October 2019, 21:08

Yes, KPS, its good to be back. I was remiss for many years. Narayan, no worries, the restoration is complete now. Hi, Mohammed! Good to hear from you!

tonrag · 29th October 2019, 21:26

Once the garage was decongested, I pulled Swami out for a once over and a pressure wash, before I began work on the car. I was looking forward to Swami's half restoration; Austin Sevens are like grown people's Meccano sets and I was confident that I could take him apart and put him together in a jiffy.

But the pressure wash never happened. A check underneath Swami revealed a disaster. The chassis was cracked and bent. Evan as I despaired, a lot of niggles about the car made sense to me. The bent chassis meant that the brake cables were snagging on the cross member holes through which they passed rearward. No wonder, I always had a problem with the brakes, in spite of repeated changes of cables.

It was clear that a rolling restoration would not do. The car needed a complete, body off, nut and bolt restoration. It would have to go out for that. I did not have the time or capability of fixing major chassis deformations at home.

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_0632.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_0633.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_0634.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_0635.jpg

Thad E Ginathom · 29th October 2019, 21:45

Bad news. Hoping you will be able to arrange the necessary work!

tonrag · 30th October 2019, 14:31

Am I the only one who feels that sending a car away for restoration evokes the same mixed feelings as when one sends a first born off to Kindergarten? A mix of relief, happiness and some trepidation?

And so it was, when Swami was pushed out of the garage and towed onto the flatbed, in August 2018.

I watched him receding into the distance and hoped for the best.

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_2051.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_2057.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_2060.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_2065.jpg

Thad E Ginathom · 30th October 2019, 15:53

Wow, the car looks so great out of the garage! Looking forward to its return

ariesonu · 30th October 2019, 16:01

"Ta Na Na, Tana Tana Na" AH the tune plays in the head, reminisces of those old DD days.

I just hope & pray that we do not get to see next post in 2024.
Wishing speedy RESTORATION to Swami. Pls do keep us engrossed with WIP bits.

BTW, I love that period refrigerator also.

Rgds-Sonu

tonrag · 30th October 2019, 18:06

Ariesonu, that refrigerator is a late sixties Allwyn Prestcold from my parents-in-law's house. Its awaiting restoration, which will happen after I finish all my cars.

Rest assured I will post regularly.

tonrag · 30th October 2019, 18:43

One of the pleasures of working on an Austin Seven, indeed all cars for the masses, such as the Citroen 2CV, Morris Minor, Mini, Topolinos and such like, is its delightful simplicity. Successful cheap cars were not built cheaply. Most were finely engineered, with a great deal of thought given to good fuel economy, reliability and ease of maintenance.

Unscrewing just a few bolts was enough to remove the body from the chassis, in order to reveal the damage to the latter.

The Chassis of the A-7 underwent several modifications as the car matured from the early Chummy, to the more commodious and refined Ruby and finally, to the big Seven, which even had the facility of four doors. Throughout this evolution, the main A frame of the chassis remained more or less the same, except when it came to the chummy, where the chassis arched upward to clear the rear axle which was supported by simple leaf springs.

In earlier cars, the rear axle was supported by robust semi elliptic leaf springs that cantilevered from the box section of the chassis rearward, to link to the rear axle. The body was held in place by outriggers welded on the inside aspect of the rear box section of the longitudinal chassis member.

In Swami's case, the rear box section had worn thin on both sides and showed extensive cracks. The outriggers were also rusty. Some major welding and use of reinforcement plates were called for:

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_2852.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_2853.jpg

tonrag · 30th October 2019, 18:51

A closer look at the cracks and perforations on the chassis:

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_2850.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_2851.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_2855.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_2856.jpg

Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven-img_3286.jpg

tonrag · 30th October 2019, 20:21

Oops, a mistake. The long arching rear extensions for the chassis were on the Big Seven, not the Chummy.

vintagepoint5 · 4th November 2019, 11:52

Hi Tonrag sir, it is great to hear about Austin, we look forward to see restored Austin back on road soon. Keep us posted about its progress.

Another thing we seek advice from experts like you, we are facing problem with Austin 10 tourer of my younger brother. The Zenith Carburator was not working well and we acquire another carb different type we have to fabricate one flange to fit it. If you give us your email ID we can send pics or more details. Appreciate and thanks for your feedback.

Show the pic of your Austin Carb. if possible.

26th October 2019, 23:50	#16
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Come May 2018, and one more car was dispatched from the garage. I was sad to see her go; but such is life. I reckoned I was not getting any younger, and chasing restoration dreams had to be given up in favour of practical choices. But the bright side of things was that I had enough room now in the garage to work on Swami. Last edited by aah78 : 28th October 2019 at 19:28. Reason: Pictures inserted in-line.
	(20) Thanks

28th October 2019, 12:08	#18
V.Narayan Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Delhi-NCR Posts: 4,071 Thanked: 64,313 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Glad you are back finally. Mother has been calling out to you that dinner is ready. Now you better get cracking on Swami or we will all come and do a dharna at your garage.
	(3) Thanks

28th October 2019, 18:44	#19
Mohammed4rmhyd BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 152 Thanked: 159 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Happy to know that swami is getting the attention which long pending, hope the others in the stable are ready n revving to go.
	() Thanks

29th October 2019, 21:08	#20
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Yes, KPS, its good to be back. I was remiss for many years. Narayan, no worries, the restoration is complete now. Hi, Mohammed! Good to hear from you!
	() Thanks

29th October 2019, 21:26	#21
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Once the garage was decongested, I pulled Swami out for a once over and a pressure wash, before I began work on the car. I was looking forward to Swami's half restoration; Austin Sevens are like grown people's Meccano sets and I was confident that I could take him apart and put him together in a jiffy. But the pressure wash never happened. A check underneath Swami revealed a disaster. The chassis was cracked and bent. Evan as I despaired, a lot of niggles about the car made sense to me. The bent chassis meant that the brake cables were snagging on the cross member holes through which they passed rearward. No wonder, I always had a problem with the brakes, in spite of repeated changes of cables. It was clear that a rolling restoration would not do. The car needed a complete, body off, nut and bolt restoration. It would have to go out for that. I did not have the time or capability of fixing major chassis deformations at home. Last edited by aah78 : 30th October 2019 at 19:13. Reason: Pictures inserted in-line.
	(15) Thanks

29th October 2019, 21:45	#22
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,005 Thanked: 26,443 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Bad news. Hoping you will be able to arrange the necessary work!
	() Thanks

30th October 2019, 14:31	#23
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Am I the only one who feels that sending a car away for restoration evokes the same mixed feelings as when one sends a first born off to Kindergarten? A mix of relief, happiness and some trepidation? And so it was, when Swami was pushed out of the garage and towed onto the flatbed, in August 2018. I watched him receding into the distance and hoped for the best. Last edited by aah78 : 30th October 2019 at 19:20. Reason: Pictures inserted in-line.
	(16) Thanks

30th October 2019, 15:53	#24
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,005 Thanked: 26,443 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Wow, the car looks so great out of the garage! Looking forward to its return
	() Thanks

30th October 2019, 16:01	#25
ariesonu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,343 Thanked: 2,417 Times View My Garage	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven "Ta Na Na, Tana Tana Na" AH the tune plays in the head, reminisces of those old DD days. I just hope & pray that we do not get to see next post in 2024. Wishing speedy RESTORATION to Swami. Pls do keep us engrossed with WIP bits. BTW, I love that period refrigerator also. Rgds-Sonu
	() Thanks

30th October 2019, 18:06	#26
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Ariesonu, that refrigerator is a late sixties Allwyn Prestcold from my parents-in-law's house. Its awaiting restoration, which will happen after I finish all my cars. Rest assured I will post regularly.
	(3) Thanks

30th October 2019, 18:43	#27
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven One of the pleasures of working on an Austin Seven, indeed all cars for the masses, such as the Citroen 2CV, Morris Minor, Mini, Topolinos and such like, is its delightful simplicity. Successful cheap cars were not built cheaply. Most were finely engineered, with a great deal of thought given to good fuel economy, reliability and ease of maintenance. Unscrewing just a few bolts was enough to remove the body from the chassis, in order to reveal the damage to the latter. The Chassis of the A-7 underwent several modifications as the car matured from the early Chummy, to the more commodious and refined Ruby and finally, to the big Seven, which even had the facility of four doors. Throughout this evolution, the main A frame of the chassis remained more or less the same, except when it came to the chummy, where the chassis arched upward to clear the rear axle which was supported by simple leaf springs. In earlier cars, the rear axle was supported by robust semi elliptic leaf springs that cantilevered from the box section of the chassis rearward, to link to the rear axle. The body was held in place by outriggers welded on the inside aspect of the rear box section of the longitudinal chassis member. In Swami's case, the rear box section had worn thin on both sides and showed extensive cracks. The outriggers were also rusty. Some major welding and use of reinforcement plates were called for: Last edited by aah78 : 30th October 2019 at 19:22. Reason: Pictures inserted in-line.
	(12) Thanks

30th October 2019, 18:51	#28
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven A closer look at the cracks and perforations on the chassis: Last edited by aah78 : 30th October 2019 at 19:23. Reason: Pictures inserted in-line.
	(10) Thanks

30th October 2019, 20:21	#29
tonrag BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 1,006 Times	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Oops, a mistake. The long arching rear extensions for the chassis were on the Big Seven, not the Chummy.
	(2) Thanks

4th November 2019, 11:52	#30
vintagepoint5 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jeddah/Hyd Posts: 421 Thanked: 64 Times View My Garage	Re: Swami & friends, the story continues - Our 1933 Austin Seven Hi Tonrag sir, it is great to hear about Austin, we look forward to see restored Austin back on road soon. Keep us posted about its progress. Another thing we seek advice from experts like you, we are facing problem with Austin 10 tourer of my younger brother. The Zenith Carburator was not working well and we acquire another carb different type we have to fabricate one flange to fit it. If you give us your email ID we can send pics or more details. Appreciate and thanks for your feedback. Show the pic of your Austin Carb. if possible.
	() Thanks