I'm a 'newbie' I have had an A7 (RP) for less than a year. The process of finding the car really should not be internet based and can be a lot of fun.

You need to try other people's cars, talk to them and as you do so you will start to work out what it is you are looking for. People are surprisingly tolerant of those of us who asked rather stupid questions. One person's restoration may be another's 'project'. You do need to know what you are going to use the car for...

Put the word about with owners and specialists that you are looking for a car and in time something will come along. Do not drive hundreds of miles to look at a car. Chances are that the journey may tip you into a decision that you may come to regret.

I suppose others must have said all this already but the point I'm really making is about direct contact with owners, seeing stuff with your own eyes and making the whole experience much more 'human'.

From one Nick to another. You are getting very sound advice from the Friends and I hope that you will soon find your first 7. Do be warned - they are addictive. You must never leave a space in the garage or another one will come along and fill it.

Everyone has their preferences. Of the affordable 7s that I have driven I very much like the Opal and unless you need to carry four people regularly the model has an awful lot going for it.

I don't subscribe to the view that the later cars are 'not as good/desirable' as the earlier ones. They are simply different. In the same way that a modern VW Golf is very different from the first of the model. Some like the agile lightness of the first ones, others would prefer the more sophisticated but much bigger later models. My first 7 was/is a Ruby. I just love the shape of them and I never tire of driving it.

What you must be prepared for is that you will be dealing with a car that is eight or more decades old. Unless you are buying a totally restored example (and maybe even then!) there are many old components that may one day give up the ghost. It's a fact of life and part of the 'fun'.(I say that with tongue in cheek). There are many slightly scary stories out there about 7s. Lousy braking, vague steering etc. Yes, they can be affected by those things and more but don't be too concerned by them. A well-sorted Seven (and they can all be sorted) is a thing of joy. As for crank breaking - of course it is possibility, but I know of people who have run Sevens (2 and 3 bearing) all their long lives for thousands and thousands of miles and never had it occur. Luck of the dice perhaps but I wouldn't lose sleep over it or be put off from a particular engine.

Good luck with the hunt. Enjoy the process and take the plunge when it feels right.

Location: North Herts

I would agree with Nick that the later Sevens have a lot going for them, particularly the Opal which combines pleasing lines, relative lightness with good brakes and a remarkably smooth engine. Important, however, to know that your three bearing engine has been assembled with careful alignment and useful to run it with an oil filter to prolong life off centre bearing.
Given the above I reckon a three bearing engine should give plenty of miles of enjoyable driving and if you want to discuss the weather or Brexit or any other contentious issue you won't have to compete with a rumbling rear main bearing!

Charles

Location: Norfolk

Hi Nick

My Fathers 1936 Ruby Mk2 will be for sale shortly. Its a smart car in green with black wings, what would probably be best described as an older restoration. The interior is largely original with seats showing the patina of age, but without the collapsed drivers seat base which so many have.

I have used it on numerous occasions as our spare car when my modern broke down, last year that was a regular occurrence! There are a couple of youtube in car videos online, one which I will attempt to load here.

My parents live nr Dawlish, but the car is currently at a friends house in mid Devon. It is in give it a wash and drive it away condition.

All the best

Stuart

Location: Teignmouth

The high frequency rattle is the camera rattling against the windscreen!

Location: Teignmouth

Location: Teignmouth

Nice video Stuart -- thought you would never get there, wherever you were going.

Sounds like you've got a marble in the ashtray?

Charles. Norfolk, the empty quarter.

Location: Norfolk

Location: Teignmouth

I was on my way to work on some ones boat at the boat yard in Totness, and I did get there, in the end.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=663838770354323&set=pb.100001846188377.-2207520000.1475750977.&type=3&theater

Location: Teignmouth

Hi Stuart,
And many thanks for your post and the videos - I've sent you a message re your Fathers Ruby via your own email link, so hope it reaches you OK.

Many thanks and best regards

Nick