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Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Timothy Payne
I should add, I don't really see that it is fair to join an established club and try to change the way they do things from the inside. They are obviously enjoying the way they do things, so why should anyone expect them to change and bend to their will? If a club is actively seeking people to join and organise a different kind of activity or meeting then that is obviously a different kettle of fish, but there needs to be some way of making this obvious to anyone who might be interested.


thought id see how this one pans out before i add to it.

but timothy, without knowing it. answeres for me many problems with clubs.

the members were young when they joined and liked it that way. so nothing changes.

and why should it for them. they are now old, and still enjoy the club the way it was.

problem of this is alot of whats happening, as they die off. the club dies with it.

sorry but this is whats happened with midshires, as each member dies the club gets smaller by one.

rather than changeing things and upsetting the old members.

the answer could be to start NEW clubs, for more up to date members.

rather than trying to change those who enjoy clubs the way they were.

i like Rs suggestion of listing a day out and letting people decide if they want to join in. the best way new members can make friends without being annoyed by that click thing.

and thank you to david for suggesting the small village fair. thats genious. sadly i can attend. but will be interested in future small gatherings.

tony

Location: huncote on the pig

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Excellent, some great stuff coming out, well mostly I am very sorry to hear of your experiences Derek all I can say is you would be most welcome within my circles of Austin friends!

One thing that seems to be coming through strongly is that some owners have very different requirements to others, therefor any club which has a strong focus on one aspect only will not appeal to all. That in its self is an issue not easy to overcome "being all things to all men, or women" however lets try to be positive, by becoming aware we can at least attempt to meet a greater number of needs.
I am very aware that the average age of club members is increasing, with few younger members joining the inevitable decline happens when members die. This was not always the case, and what I am interested in is how we attract new members, how do we revitalise the existing clubs and still cater for the current members.

Personally when I started as a 19 year old I had little interest in the sedate road convoys, I did not enjoy sitting around with groups of old men complaining about modern life, (very stereo typing there and somewhat unfair but I am trying to illustrate how it appeared to a 19 year old me!) now I am just an old man complaining about.....well you get the picture!
No I was excited by special building, racing, trailing, fast longer distance runs etc, as I have aged these interests have remained but I have gained a greater and greater appreciation and understanding of the social side and of the standard seven and originality, so much so that I am now the one most local members call upon when the need help or advice. We need younger members those under 50, ideally we also need to attract current teens and 20 somethings year olds, they are out there. One young guy Atho, who I know reads this forum, is a shining example of just the sort we need here, he is currently scratch building an Ulster rep, including the bodywork, he has no prior experience and is doing a superb and highly accurate job. Come on Atho lets hear from you.

What we need to know is how we appeal to new members whilst still catering for our current members needs, so come on guys keep the comments coming they are all welcome and all tell us something.

Location: NZ

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

I can recall back in the Seventies when I was pres. of our Austin Seven Club we were concerned about the future because of lack of young members. This did not apply only to our club but to all car clubs. If you went to any meeting all you saw was white hair or balding - and that was only the women! Seriously, though the problem hasn't changed and there's no easy means of improving it. Cheers, Bill

Location: Euroa, Australia

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Rather a long ramble here.
Good heavens, having been introduced to this forum to look at this thread, I find there's so much to comment on I may expire before I get it all said.

So. I will assume from Ian's 'younger generation' that at its broadest, we mean anyone not retired, and not about to retire. Ideally 20s and 30s for longevity, but anything 50-ish and younger is an improvement (and those folk often have kids, who may get hooked in...)

So. I'm a new member, and new owner. I bought my first A7 in April 2016 as a runner that had lots of engine receipts, and within three days discovered the work had been done by someone who knew a lot less than they thought. The car was off the road until November 2016.

What attracted me to A7s is that my aunt had one in the UK as her daily driver in the 1970s, and I have happy memories spent in it and around it.
What encourages me to attend meetings and runs - learning more about my car and similar cars, meeting more knowledgeable folk and perhaps learning something, or at least learning who to ask if I need advice, knowing that if something goes wrong on my car during the drive and I can't fix it, someone else may be able to and I'll learn what to do next time.
What puts me off same - the number of folk who assume I'm there with someone else; the assumption that I'm not interested in learning anything hands on; the assumption that if I don't know much I'm not worth talking too; oo much sitting around eating and not enough driving
What I'd like to see? More assistance for newbies to learn more about their cars; lessons/workshops from those who know what they are doing to teach those who don't; efforts to take clubs out to the wider public, especially when we're talking older cars and marques no longer on sale, as we can't assume youngsters will get infected when they learn to drive in our brand; current members making fewer assumptions about the folk who ask questions, so interested parties aren't put off right at the start; clubs who are open to inviting outsiders along to an event or two before they join; and and and
best thing about owning an Austin 7? Several. Mostly friendly folk, many of them quirky and characterful. Parts and spares relatively affordable. I'm enjoying what my aunt enjoyed. I'm learning how simple these cars are to keep going, and how easy it is for even an ignoramus to conduct effective ongoing maintenance. The relationship you have with your car - driving fast involves complete involvement with your machine, so does driving a car like an Austin 7, only without the risk of losing your licence. YOu could argue that as the road becomes ever more regulated and limited, classic cars will offer a certain freedom - speed limits are less of an issue for starters!

I think that if vintage car clubs could get across how simple many of these machines are - an A7 is really just a glorified 3D puzzle - more folk would be interested. I had always assumed that because I'm not a mechanic, I couldn't own and run one. Fortunately enough members of the NZ Vintage Austin Register were keen to help me discover that's not the case.

I'm not into pub gatherings, and any evening get together is problematic as I'm pretty rural.

I like organised runs, as long as the organiser makes it clear what is involved. I don't want to drive into town for a run that takes ten minutes and focusses around a three-hour lunch. However a run on a tricky or remote bit of road or a little-known route I might not be game to risk on my own? Game on!

I like the suggestion of buddying/car guardian. And what about those with A7 libraries making sure to leave them to the club when they pass on/donating them? THey're then available for future generations.

It's possible the pace of life now will make club events less popular. On the other hand modern tech - forums, websites, social media - can link enthusiasts across distances far more effectively than anything available before, so clubs still have plenty of life left if they are prepared to be flexible in how they communicate.

agree that trials and racing are a good fit for youngsters. Austin Specials seem tailor-made to attract young petrolheads - you can race on a relative budget, and drive a relatively quick bullet with dangerous-looking pipes and the mimimum of granny safety aids. What's not to like for any yoof?

I disagree with the suggestion that one shouldn't try to change an established club - things change. If a club is run how one small group like it at one point in time, it will die when they do. Yes, you could always form a new club, but how many will there be - one for every year on earth/star sign/ whatever???

Best stop now before any reader dies of old age or boredome

Location: New Zealand

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Individual questions will return individual answers, collectively they will always seem to paint a similar (varied) picture.

A good club will have a variety of events, which will generally appeal to most, pleasing everyone all of the time is rare success or signs that everyone else has left!

A rule I was introduced to many years ago is to only organise something that you enjoy. That way if nobody else turns up you will have had a good time, you are interested so more likely to do a better job, your enthusiasm will carry on to others thereby encouraging them to join in.

When members see the successes of events they are more likely to be encouraged (by you) to organise something of their own and this, in turn, will generate something quite unique and hugely appealing – in my experience.

A good example (for which I make no apology in reposting) of combining a road run, camping/B&B, families, socialising, younger members, teaching, mechanical workshop, welcoming new members and multitude of other wonderful things can be seen here, with a link to how another young(ish) newbie was welcomed into the fold within it:

http://pub25.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=2099944454&frmid=5&msgid=994673&cmd=show

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

What attracted you to A7's in the first place?

Sorry Ian, I have indeed been laying very low.
(I should note that I am mainly looking at this from the point of view of someone who is building a car).
Probably like a lot of people here, I have held a strong interest with vintage machinery and kinetic objects since a young age. This coupled with a long standing interest in New Zealand railway history and steam led me into the world of vintage machinery. The alluring desire to own and build my own piece of machinery and urge to learn uncommon skills, led me to look into cars. I guess I wanted something that would teach me a lot of skills and be interesting to own. For a 20 year old an Austin seven is as good as you can get.


What encourage's you to attend meetings, events, and such like?

Meeting like-minded people who are creative, innovative and willing to share knowledge. Being able to see all types of cars and seeing them run/put through their paces.(for me that's very important! I like to see cars of all makes out and about not hidden in a garage). Events like the Roycroft trophy are always good. We probably need more like that. Or events that are more accessible for the general public… beach racing?? There’s got to be a place for that in NZ.


What puts you off the same?

To be honest not a lot has put me off so far. Finding information can be a real battle, but I have been in other vintage facets and know you just have to be patient and determined. To be honest doing the research is half the fun and half the challenge. However people can react to things differently and thus Ian, I have been careful where I step, so to speak.


What would you like to see that is currently not happening within the clubs in general?

Being new to all of this I probably can’t say too much. However from my point of view it seems hard to find like minded people who are building specials or cars swayed to racing/trialing. Like You Ian, I am interested in driving, building, racing and general action. That's probably why I decided to build a Ulster rep. As a young guy I have a lot of respect for older generations and their knowledge but I don't want to always sit and talk. I want to get on and build cars, race, have fun, learn and pass on knowledge just like older generations did. That aspect seems to be waning and with no younger generation to take that on, there lies a problem.

In New Zealand more exposure of vintage cars is needed to attract more young people! I think I can safely say that at 23 I am an oddity of my generation. I know no one here in NZ that is of my immediate age and shares this interest. But as Simon Jansen mentioned earlier, Its bloody hard for a young person to get into this sort of stuff when you are floundering around trying to get a job, paying rent or saving for a house. Let’s be honest, building or owning a vintage car regardless of size or pedigree, isn’t particularly cheap. And In all honesty if there are not many young people in a club/hobby it's going to be harder to attract more young people...

What is the best thing about owning an Austin 7?

For someone young like me, it’s the size and ease with which I can work on it, being able to meet fantastic people with good old fashioned values and sharing enthusiasm. But really, it’s the opportunity to hone my practical skills and own/create a wonderful piece of machinery from the past. A time machine of sorts… I haven't even touched on driving. That's in the future. P.s I will put up a post about my Ulster rep soon. I promise.
Cheers Athow.

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

One question that arises from those posed by Ian is "What is stopping you, who may already belong to a club, from helping to run the club, including becoming a committee member?" There seems to be an expectation that the "old guard" will keep the show on the road regardless. My club is not alone in pleading for vacancies on the committee to be filled, but finding it falls on deaf ears.
There remains plenty of enthusiasm so long as somebody else makes it happen.
In terms of attitude, this is what has changed most in my many years with an A7

Ron Hayhurst

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Hi Derek, I'm the guy at Bewl with the black Ruby parked next-but-one to you and we chatted; thank goodness we managed to communicate, my wife says I don't chat except to fellow car enthusiasts! I do hope that I didn't offend you, but I have to remember to face you for your lip-reading and it was something I'm not used to. Hopefully, we'll met again at another show. We've had our Ruby for 12 years and belong to Senlac Centre A7OC (London). We attend monthly meetings in the evenings where we sometimes have speakers, both transport related and others (for the ladies present) and monthly lunch get-togethers and various local shows and rallies. We are finding that as members get older they are reluctant to make the trips out in the evenings, especially during the winter months, and pre-war Austins are definitely not winter-driving-friendly on unlit country roads! We are concerned that there are only a dozen or so 'regulars' that attend faithfully, even in modern cars we are pleased to see them.
Perhaps the younger generation are interested in the cars that their fathers and grandfathers owned, hence the popularity of 60s and 70s vehicles at shows. Also, Austins are hard to drive and for the generation that grew up with power steering, maybe their arm muscles are not as well developed as their text-thumbs!

Derrick

Location: Hastings where the battle wasn't!

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Hi Derek, shame you don't live here... have a couple of profoundly deaf friends and am used to lip reading. Learned the sign alphabet to help fill in where lip-reading was falling short.
And Ron, I think one problem folk have with volunteering ideas is they automatically get co-opted, so don't put their thoughts forward. But of course suggestions without time don't help either, I know.
In one year I ended up on two committees because I forwarded suggestions, so I have seen both sides. I guess it is part of the 'problem' that the older guard are likely to have the time, and the younger ones, the ideas/energy...
To his credit, Ian has put a lot of time into the club, running workshops and pushing for ideas to get the club out infront of a wider range of people.
As a result one branch here in NZ, on the periphery of our biggest city, now aims to have vintage Austins in general, and Nippys and Specials in particular, attend a monthly 'caffeine and classics' park-up, which attracts a huge range of participants.
Right. Back to work!

Location: New Zealand

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Apologies if I missed it among the lengthiest letters I recall on this site - but, if not said before, in truth I feel we are self-destructing. We greedily keep hiking up the prices of Sevens to the point where no matter how much we enthuse young members to be involved, they simply can't afford to own a Seven. Our Club has mainly prospered because many retirees or package-holders who've previously owned a Seven, or always wanted one, can now afford to get back into, or into, the game. They generally are quite happy to pay the current prices for brand-new reproduction parts(no criticism there), but most much more than the $40 I paid for my first Chummy. And what do most want to do when the time comes to sell? - try to recoup the FULL amount & more they've spent on getting the car all together. It just doesn't work. Cheers, Bill

Location: Euroa, Australia

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Bill, I usually have the greatest of respect for what you say but on this occasion I don't entirely agree. Certainly greed is destructive to any organisation, but it seems to the nature of society that there will always be someone looking to exploit any opportunity to make money, whether is it the rank and file club members or the dealers and entrepreneurs there is little we can do to stem the tide. However I don't know that cost alone will put off younger people, have you looked at how much money is spent on Drift cars, Hotrods, and 70's saloons by guys in their 20's and 30's, in some cases more than all my sevens put together ( I have several!).
No I think the issue is appeal more than cost, this is where I wonder if we can improve things, if something appeals enough to a person then they make the sacrifices needed to be involved, what I am trying to establish is how can we improve the appeal and profile of our hobby. Some will say that if we are successful that will drive prices even higher so will not have a bar of it, jealously protecting their little patch against all new comers and change.

Location: NZ

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Isn't the Elaphant in the room: How many young people will want to drive a 100 year old car on modern roads?
I can see the future being the Ulster type specials and hill climb standard cars that are gaining in popularity with the younger members. These may be the main focus of the movement and used in VSCC type off road speed/hill climb events. They do look a lot of fun, so I can see the appeal. IanM

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

What attracted you to A7's in the first place?
It was a natural progression.
The first car in the family was an A30, aged 8 I was grinding in the valves and learnt to drive it on a private airfield. Age 14 I was stripping the engine on the family A40 Farina. Age 16 I was driving a side-valve reliant 3 wheeler with engine based on the seven. Read 'The Austin Seven' by Wyatt from local library, ended up buying the same book years later at a library sale. Bought my Ruby to restore thirty years ago. Still working on it.


What encourage's you to attend meetings, events, and such like?
Don't go to meetings, go to various local events to display my other Austin (Ruby still not on the road).

What puts you off the same?
Went to meetings etc years ago but people weren't friendly.

What would you like to see that is currently not happening within the clubs in general?
would like more Austins and more sevens to attend local rallies, shows, events. Many events are being taken over by seventies and eighties cars, and later.

What is the best thing about owning an Austin 7?
Always something to do, something to read about, chat about.

I don't really want a club or meetings. This forum is great, with good discussions and information. But even on here there seems to be a bit of a clique. I've asked a few questions over the years and got very few answers. Surely someone knows what to soak my old carburetors in to make them look like new.

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Ian, I agree you are quite probably correct. I can say that special building is how got involved, however these days although still a special builder I am also extremely keen on originality, to the extent that you could possibly accuse me of rivet counting! But also why would younger people not want to drive a 100 year old car, they are fun and I think actually quite liberating, almost without exception those I have let drive my own cars have had a great time. Provided the cars are well maintained they drive and stop perfectly well on modern roads. If the path into our world revolves around specials then perhaps we should actively promote and support events that cater for them.

I have views and ideas based on my own experiences, but this may be part of the problem, we can as we age become blinkered by our own perspectives. I asked for others views particularly from those younger than me, and those new to sevens in order to get a better more balanced picture. We certainly are getting a good response, please keep your comments coming.

Location: NZ

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

andrew34ruby
But even on here there seems to be a bit of a clique. I've asked a few questions over the years and got very few answers. Surely someone knows what to soak my old carburetors in to make them look like new.


As one who has answered your questions Andrew I am surprised to read your comment.

I made a sensible suggestion about your carbs which you chose not to acknowledge, perhaps others have experienced the same and this has put them off continuing?

You may like to consider the following suggestions that have worked for me in the past:

- vapour/soda/media blasting.

- use a dishwasher.

- boiling water with a Daz (or similar) tablet.

- carburettor cleaner.

- use an ultrasonic cleaner.

- use Marine-Clean.

- try something yourself, see if it works and report back here.

Apologies for diverting the conversation Ian W.

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

HI Ian, one issue with promoting events for specials is you will need to have two classes one under VCC rules and one under MOTORSPORT NZ rules as there is much more scope under the latter and FIA safety rules.
The younger drivers will still race Sevens but not under VCC as this will restrict the amount of Events that are available for them to compete in

Location: TINOPAI NZ

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Hi Ian,
I know that we have spoken earlier about this issue so you have an inkling on my views on revitalisation as you put it.
I joined the Vintage Austin Register and the vintage car club in 1972 when aged 16. I was probably unique in both the clubs due to my youth especially as I was not introduced to the club by my parents.
Forty -Four years later I am still one of the younger in both clubs, the average age being 70 plus.
I have four sons in their late twenties and early thirties. Only one is a car enthusiast and is capable of driving my 1928 car proficiently. He would I am sure like to inherit my cars eventually and he could maintain them as well. I have never actively encouraged any of my children to participate in my car interests, rather I have taught by example engineering and construction skills that will enable them to to be successful in life and work. The engineering skills have proven very useful to them in that they all have very well paid jobs in related areas and could afford a hobby like ours in future years.
This is not true of many of our youth today who are not prepared to make sacrifices to apply themselves to science and mathematics where our society is crying out for trainees. Vintage cars are also in this category as they are beyond the skills of most to restore and they have little interest in history and basic mechanics.
My job entails teaching youths and young adults workshop skills , both benchwork and machining. Every year I find the manual dexterity and motor skills of my trainees more and more lacking and that very little is done to encourage improvement of these at primary and secondary school level. There is the perception that such skills are unworthy of youth and that numerically controlled machines can do all those jobs now.
The dumbing down of manual skills in society has removed a really important creative aspect of life and has made the outlook for those who are creative and clever with their hands rather bleak - so many jobs on offer now are inconsequential and repetitive.
I am quite proactive with the use of my Austin Seven, taking it on long trips, to Displays and to work quite often.-Yes I get the OOHs and AHHs but I cannot remember a student or workmate actually asking where they could get one or if they could join a club for them in the last twenty years. I am very enthusiastic about my hobby, which ,I fear ,to most people is eccentric and not really their cup of tea.
It is interesting that the Membership of the Vintage car Club ( 8000 + ) and the Austin register (650) here are respectively growing and Stable in Numbers But the activity is dropping in inverse to the average age I fear.
I will say finally that my observation would be that the success of any club is often cyclic and very dependent on enthusiastic stewardship of the membership. Loosing Key members can have big effect.

Location: Wellington NZ

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Another long reply, I do hope they seem constructive.

Ian and Ian,

I don't necessarily think it is always about the speed side of it for younger people. I know that attending a VSCC or Bert Hadley sprint or hillclimb will show you there are good numbers of young people getting into the hobby like this. On the other side though if you look at light car and edwardian section events, VSCC driving tests, trials or road rallies you will see plenty of young people thoroughly enjoying saloons or tourers as well.

As I said I am 27 and have a standard '28 Mulliners saloon. I mainly like to see cars whether standard, modified or specials, as they were or could have been in the inter war years. For me the history is highly important, maintaining and doing things as they were done at the time.

A point which Jacqui has raised is how different people will react to a younger person (Or to Dereks profound deafness). In general people want to be treated as equals regardless of age or anything else, and don't want to have assumptions made about them for any reason. I went to localish mini club meeting once with my 1970 mini, and there was a group of older people all sat around a table, and a group of younger people playing pool and having a laugh. I am a bit nervous around new people, so went to join the quieter older group where I could just sit down, listen and join in as a saw fit. I said hello, and was immediately asked "Don't you want to go and join in with the other youngsters". I didn't go again.

It may be done by some already, but could having a designated member (Maybe Membership Sec) who contacts new members by email or otherwise to chat about their interests and see when they might be along to a meeting help? When they show up they then have someone that they have been acquainted with who can introduce them to others that are comfortable around new people, summarising their interests so that people have an idea of what they might like to talk about.

As far as driving the cars is concerned. I have always had a relatively old car as my only mode of transport never power steered or fuel injected, almost always 60's and 70's. I enjoy driving my seven more than any car I have had previously. I don't find it any more difficult to drive, even with crash gearbox and uncoupled brakes. Though I am happy to have a seven as my only car, with modern traffic the way it is, I think the vast majority regardless of age wouldn't be. This means if a young person is to have a seven they need to be able to afford, and have space for, two cars. Most will compromise with later cars until they have the means in later life.

My understanding is that in the 60's and 70's sevens provided good, fun transport for young people on a small budget, with them falling in love with them as part of ownership. As time has moved on the era's that provided young people with cheap transport have moved with it. Now the cars affordable to young people are of the 90's and 2000's, with none of the charm that would lead them into seeking out earlier cars. So young people that get into classic cars or sevens have to fall in love with the cars enough first and then save to buy one, and as above their circumstances need to be right to make this possible.

Does it matter if the majority of people coming into the hobby are only 10, 20 or 30 years younger than those leaving, so long as overall numbers don't decline? Is there any real evidence that there is a decline in the hobby overall rather than just a decline in some clubs?

Location: New Forest

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Seven interest and Seven clubs is a chicken and egg situation. The latter will not exist without the first. And persons without cars feel a bit awkward in Clubs. Every effort should be made to foster interest in the cars. But cars need to be honestly touted. Many Seven restorers have been disappointed by the end result.

Many are not interested in Clubs for a long list of reasons; for the industrious restorer time is at a premium. From Forum posts, several able have contacted me directly. They are wary of the Forum let alone Clubs. Any hint of dismissiveness is very discouraging to most. Some that root for expanded club membership discourage as many as they attract. I am in touch with ardent restorers who belong to Clubs only for access to parts hoards.

Information and parts are the things much sought after. With Sevens is almost too much info; it takes an age to work through all the Club websites. Much is dated, repetitive and obsolete, and major errors persist. New comers are smothered, and those with the experience to sift and sort hardly need it. It would be helpful if articles could perhaps be listed in one place and allotted some sort of a grading and within categories ie Introductory, Complete, Supplementary, Dated Period, Competition Orientated , Fine Detail or somesuch.

Many now come with a woefully lacking practical background. The maintenance ritual and materials needs to be presented in the simplest form, free of discouraging mystique.

I belong to a one make Club which for the limited range of vehicles and relative rarity, is one of the most successful here. Several factors (which I can list) contribute but in the main it is the enormous industry of a few (which does not include me). Nowadays few but the elderly have the time. Younger new members are scarce. Weekends are no longer free as 40 years ago.

I think opportunity is often lost at displays and public appearances. I have yet to have anyone say “I am contemplating an old car as a hobby. What does this make offer?” Engaging with all is hard work but seeds may be sown. It is not unknown for newly retired persons to be looking for a completely new interest.
It is too easy to treat as a reunion , yarn to mates and ignore the tedious public. In just a few minutes passing through an unattended VAR site I fielded questions about numbers made, numbers here now, normal driving speed, crankhandle use etc. The experience of cranking is entirely novel. If any ever develop an interest, Sevens may spring to their mind.

Instead of long detailed technical description placards need to convey some period idea of the car in normal use in its time, and sell the hobby and the car. Here It is difficult for outsiders to appreciate how common the cars still actually are. The favourable spares situation needs to be publicised.

Location: Auckland, NZ

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Bob my dislike of your attitude and approach on this site is no secret, and I apologise in advance to other reader's who do not like slanging matches but I can not abide hypocrites
Bob I know you are just attempting to provoke me and that you revel in such destructive practices, but why do you do this. What are you trying to achieve, " any hint dismissiveness is very discouraging" you constantly dismiss Austin sevens as nasty, badly engineered and designed cars not worthy of use on todays roads. You dismiss almost everyone as being woefully incapable of any engineering skill required to work on them, you dismiss web sites and books because they are riddled with errors. You rarely if ever tell us what you perceive those errors to be, you make sweeping dismissive statements that are often quite blatantly wrong. Yet here you are accusing others of being the reason people are discouraged, you seem to have one aim and that is to discourage and disrupt an otherwise vibrant and friendly forum.

Location: NZ

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Ruairidh Dunford
andrew34ruby
But even on here there seems to be a bit of a clique. I've asked a few questions over the years and got very few answers. Surely someone knows what to soak my old carburetors in to make them look like new.


As one who has answered your questions Andrew I am surprised to read your comment.

I made a sensible suggestion about your carbs which you chose not to acknowledge, perhaps others have experienced the same and this has put them off continuing?


Ruairidh, your general contribution is so brilliant and appreciated that I could not bring myself to negatively acknowledge you. But really you had not addressed my question. I wanted to do things myself and you suggested going to an outside expert. And responses from others were conspicuous by their absence. Are people really put off as easily as you suggest?

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Andrew!

Ruairidh Dunford


You may like to consider the following suggestions that have worked for me in the past:

- vapour/soda/media blasting.

- use a dishwasher.

- boiling water with a Daz (or similar) tablet.

- carburettor cleaner.

- use an ultrasonic cleaner.

- use Marine-Clean.

- try something yourself, see if it works and report back here.

Apologies for diverting the conversation Ian W.



Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Hi Derrick, Thank you very much for your thread. Firstly, I'd like to thank you and the couple in the red Ruby parked between our cars at Bewl for chatting with me, especially for facing me when talking! Be reassured you definitely did not offend me in any way!! As you know I can speak quite clearly and my lip-reading skills are good so communicating with a Deaf person doesn't essentially mean one has to use sign language so I was rather bemused with those who walked away from me so suddenly! You and the other couple certainly made my day at Bewl as talking to fellow A7 owners or even people who may have an interest in our cars means a lot to me! Who knows, we might meet at another show or even a Senlac Centre meet. The Six Bells isn't that far from me! The only snag I have is that I don't go for gatherings where there are speakers as there's little point in me going if I'm not going to follow what's been said! I like the ideas of small gatherings, rallies etc where I can (hopefully) fit in and chat with others. Hence, I'll need to be selective on what I attend! In any case, I think A7OC (London) with all its Centres is great as it's an opportunity for fellow A7 owners to get together and enjoy the varied events each Centre puts on.
Despite this thread being a week old and having had excellent response to it, there's been no contact from any Deaf A7 owner as yet! It's early days but if any A7 owners know of a Deaf A7 owner, it would be much appreciated if their attention was drawn to this thread!
All the best .......... Derek

Location: Sunny Brighton in Sussex UK

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Hi Jacqui, Oh no, it's a shame YOU don't live here! I'd love to meet up for a natter! I'm afraid NZ is a bit too far for me to drive my Ruby over to see you! I'm still hoping there will be some Deaf A7 owners out there, and also lots of others like you with the essential understanding of communicating with the likes of me!! By the way, do any of your Deaf friends own A7's? I love your "attend a monthly 'caffeine and classics' park-up". It reminds me of my 60's gatherings of various friends with common interests (in my case at that time it was either motor bikes or Minis!) at what were called "transport or greasy spoon cafes". I don't know if it's a thing the A7 fraternity do in UK nowadays but there are certainly plenty of pubs and coffee places around with parking! See my thread reply to Derrick - I'm wondering if I'm the only Deaf A7 owner in UK!! All the best Derek

Location: Sunny Brighton in Sussex UK

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Goodness me Ian. Why don't you give Bob a phone call and air your differences with him direct, instead of using this excellent forum! And as for my email address, I don't wish to be the target of your vitriol, but prefer to enjoy the friendly banter that is the norm: for this forum.

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

To be clear and for the record Colin it is most certainly not Ian Williams but another Kiwi altogether who trolls and misleads and spoils this excellent forum.
The real mystery is why.
And why he persveres.

Location: Wessex

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

Colin I did try! the man just takes pleasure from winding everyone up.

Ian thank you for your support, I take it as an honour from someone who has done so much for the A7 movement as you.

I should add if Colin or anyone else wishes to call me off forum to vent their spleen I have nothing to hide, I publish who I am, my email and for good measure and here is my number 09 4421261.

Location: NZ

Re: Re-Vitalising Austin Seven Clubs

If Colin cared to scroll back a few years he would see that a certain New Zealander has been often encouraged to stop writing some of his ridiculous rantings. Sadly it hasn't worked - most now ignore and not wish to become involved, others have given up trying. The worst thing we can do is mislead newbies with wrong info and his negative comments have probably put off others from buying Sevens. Not what we need to see, although I must admit that recently some of his contributions have been helpful, even though they're usually about other makes, not Sevens - perhaps he's slowly come to his senses?. I know that Ian has contacted him direct, but obviously to no avail. And Colin, don't think this is an individual thing on Ian's part - I can show you a pile of emails directed to me complaining about our problem when I've attempted to correct blatant errors in the past. Cheers, Bill

Location: Euroa, Australia