In my current state of fighting a flu virus, I have a lot of time to worry about things which may not have much significance, except for a Trump Presidency. In the Autocar 647 there is clearly some sort of heat shield, apparently attached to the body, but maybe the silencer, to keep heat from blistering the paint. I have seen this in photos of other Ulsters, at least not the Ulsteroids, and the period photos are rather unclear. Are these important, what is the profile and does anyone make them?

Location: Sunny Seattle

Erich, I don't have flu so no excuse for spending some time looking at the photos of Ulsters (there are more than 200) on Austin Harris' site.

Funnily enough the best picture of the heat shield is on the first page, here:

http://austinharris.co.uk/photo/austin-7-ulster-on-1931-lands-end-trial/172

Two things became apparent as I worked through the site, 1: there are relatively few photos of the exhaust side of cars (Brooklands, RH circuit, restricted to the middle when burdened with a plate camera is one reason), 2: where one can see the exhaust side so far I have not spotted a "works type" exhaust with a heat shield.

I feel sure that Chris Gould has described making one of these somewhere but blowed if I can find it. Suspect the original was asbestos. Suggest you avoid this.

Does it matter? Well, my special with exhaust arrangement similar to the works type does tend to heat up the "passenger compartment" and some of my summer passengers have remarked on this. The winter passengers are probably more stoic or just grateful for any warmth! The works evidently weren't bothered despite the exhaust's proximity to the fuel tank on the TT type cars.

If the paint bubbles probably the mixture at the top end's a bit weak.

Regards,
Stuart

From my experience a heat shield is not considered necessary. The original would have been an asbestos mat similar to the material we used to use under the Bunsen burners in the chemistry lab.
I think from memory Chris Gould in his Ulster Building Guide suggests a piece of hardboard or similar covered in perforated zinc and painted white (presumably with heat resistant paint).

Hi Stuart, Thank you. In the second photo of the Autocar test 647, http://austinharris.co.uk/article/autocar-road-test-no-647-austin-seven-sports-two-seater there is a partial view what appears to be a perforated piece of metal. Since that car was apparently a pre or early production model, some other things are interesting. The crinkle finish dash, and the article mentions, and appears to show, bound springs. They also mention a longer travel on the clutch pedal which I posted about on here before with no success.

Location: Sunny Seattle

Thank you Malcolm. I recall the same from Chris, but not sure how it would have to be attached...with standoffs from the silencer, or directly to the car.

Location: Sunny Seattle

Thanks for the link to the Ulster article. I've seen a few original Ulsters but I have yet to see one with holes in the bodywork that would correspond with the heat shield. One suspects it was fixed to the exhaust, which would be easy enough to arrange.
Regards,
Stuart

I understand the asbestos sheet, shaped to the outline of the can, and covered with perforated zinc, is bolted to the removable bonnet side.

This pic of the just 'restored' VE 4492 shows the original heat shield fitted behind the silencer. I seem to remember that it was thin perforated aluminium sheet formed over asbestos board and bolted to the bonnet side with 2ba nuts and bolts.



close up...

Thank you, Henry. The photo helps a great deal.

Location: Sunny Seattle

Hi,

Henry is correct as our car has its original. 2BA bolts fix it in place through the bonnet side piece. The nuts can cause a vibration unless a piece of rubber is used!

Regards

Christopher