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I'm relatively new to Austin Sevens, however the issue of what constitutes a "genuine" Ulster has similarities to another area of classics. A number of years ago, a New York woman named Elizabeth Meyer found the beautiful J Class America's Cup Challenger, "Endeavour" resting in a mud birth in England. Meyer resurrected the yacht spending substantial sums to have the boat completely rebuilt. Unfortunately, the hull and near all the ribs and stringer were comprised by sitting for so long. In the end, the only original parts that could be retained were the stem and part of the keel. All other parts were fabricated using original parts for patterns. The question remains, "Is this still Endeavour I, or a replica using some original parts?'
Location: Sunny Seattle
Peter,
I suppose they are similar in that they each have one horn only. I think the unicorn may be a little more expensive.
Dave.
Location: Sheffield
My Supercharged Ulster is reckoned to be one of the few Ulsters still in existence in original form (see Chris Gould's Booklet and Bryan Purves's Source Book). Having said that, Vince Leek and I created a replica engine which is currently fitted in the car at its present Brooklands Museum location. 200 Ulsters were produced 150 with normally aspirated and 50 with supercharged engines. At the time of their production they cost £185 for the former and and £225 for the supercharged version. BHP was around 24 for a car with a normally aspirated engine and 33 for a car with a supercharged one. They are strictly called EA Sports 2 Seaters and only acquired the name 'Ulster' following their success in the 1929 Ulster Tourist Trophy Race. Their rarity possibly stems from the fact that many were raced often to destruction, my car VE4492 was spared being thrashed by being owned by a couple of relatively conscientious owners. Tragically, the second owner's son was killed in a car accident it is thought in the late 1930s (thankfully not in the Ulster) and he subsequently laid the car up in a dry barn for the following 30 years, where it was then re-discovered. Hope this answers your question. James
Location: Ferring, West Sussex
The Austin Motor Co did not refer to the 'Ulster' as a EA Sports but merely as the Austin Seven Sports Model in the three sales leaflets they issued, 730, 730A and 730B. In the written specification in these leaflets they are also referred to as Super Sports. The leaflets issued in early 1930, late 1930 and 1931 respectively differ only in the list of race successes on the final fold out page.
By late 1931 they were being referred to as 'Ulsters' by private and trade sellers in the small ads at the back of Motor, Autocar and Light Car and Cyclecar magazines
Further to my previous entry, I've unearthed a 5 page List of Cars and Engine/Chassis Numbers that came with my car that dates from the 1960's (I think as it's undated) and sadly it is also unsigned. It lists my car as 'yet to be traced', which would tie the list in with the date 'the car was re-discovered'. A quick review suggests that about 50 intact 'genuine cars' exist but not necessarily with matching chassis and engine numbers (as mine does with its original engine in the process of re-building). The list also covers 'Single Seat Racers', 'TT' Cars and Super-sports that cannot be regarded as 'Ulsters', so I've not included them in my approximate estimation. If, like mine, the 'other cars yet to be traced' were in fact found, it would increase the number to 55 known Ulsters remaining. Obviously 'the list' needs to be updated possibly by the current Sports Registrar.
Location: Ferring, West Sussex
Location: Richmond, Texas
Location: London
THANKS for posting that description brilliant.
Just Shows that to many people are more concerned with the value of the Car rather than Driving and enjoying them
Location: TINOPAI NZ
Just a footnote to David's post.
A little while back I owned a 1925 Rolls-Royce 20hp, RR did not actually make complete cars and only sold a driving chassis at this time, The customer purchased the chassis from RR and then had a choice of recommended coachbuilders, in this case it was Barkers. The car stayed in this form till 1936 when it was rebodied by The Southern Motor Company as a three position drop head coupe, Southern and other company's sold these as replica Rolls-Royces, the only modifications done to the original chassis was a new lower radiator surround,P100 headlights and smaller diameter wheels fitted to give it the modern look,the rest of the original chassis was as it left the factory.
This particular car was later to have the Southern body wrecked when it rolled sideways of a trailer, I bought the car in this condition and had a copy of the replica body built using some of the original woodwork.So I ended up with an original as sold RR chassis apart from rad, lights and wheels, a five minute job to put right, fitted with a copy of a replica body. This car is certainly not the car that was first registered in 1925 when it left Barkers, but is as near as possible to the car that was rebuilt by Southern in 1936, the question is would you prefer a rebuilt car to an genuine that will probably need to be repaired and so losing some of its originality probably at great expense sometime in the future.
Most will say a genuine is preferable,but when my body was being rebuilt I visited the workshop and there was a 1920 something Bean there, new paint and upholstery, it looked factory fresh apart from a few small cracks in the paint on further examination the original ash framework was totally rotten and held together with lumps of metal and glass fibre, The owner had paid £15k for it and was now facing a bill of £15k for a new frame and panels. Genuine originality can come with a price!
Location: Pembrokeshire.
Location: HUNCOTE on the pig
Strange - I thought this very subject had been flogged to death many years ago on this Forum. As everybody (buyer, seller, owner) seems to have a different interpretation, I'd suggest it will end up again a nil-all draw. Cheers, Bill in Oz
Location: Euroa,Victoria