Welcome to the Austin Seven Friends web site and forum

As announced earlier, this forum with it's respective web address will go offline within the next days!
Please follow the link to our new forum

http://www.austinsevenfriends.co.uk/forum

and make sure, you readjust your link button to the new address!

Welcome Austin seven Friends
This Forum is Locked
1 2
Author
Comment
Re: What is the correct layout for an Ulster dashboard?

Bill Sheehan
Bill - If it's any help, one 1930 Supersports "Ulster" I restored was allegedly very original and it had a crackle finish. To duplicate it was much easier than I expected. I guess the choice is up to the individual, and to those building up a replica - is it so important? I'm amused by people who insist on everything being "as original" when their car is a long-wheelbase, long-bodied example, because "Ulsters" were never built on anything but short w/b's. So can you really call a long w/b part-copy an "Ulster?". No doubt this will upset some. Cheers, Bill



Many thanks Bill for the information on crackle finish. The results of research is usually fascinating and I find the research stage of a project helps achieve long lasing enjoyment in living with the finished object.

Regarding naming a replica after the original, I consider one can, at least when one calls it an 'Ulster replica' and even though it may not be an exact replica, utilising for example a lwb chassis. If done well and with respect to the original, it still recaptures the spirit of the factory product, as well as the look, feel and driving experience. One must also remember that most competition cars from the 20s and 30s and beyond were frequently rebuilt and modified throughout their lives and survivors will now be far from original. As a lifelong lover of old cars, the lwb A7 Ulster replica enables me to enjoy the pre-war motoring experience while maintaining harmony in the household, so life continues to be a happy one.

I find it difficult to drive many old cars, so was pleased to discover the option of a lwb Ulster replica and even so, we have had to make some subtle tweaks to accommodation my 6'4'' frame, but that first drive was wonderful and is only going to get better!

I'm not in the least upset by alternative opinions, as I long ago learned that tolerance in most things in life leads to greater understanding.

Vivre la difference!

Cheers and thanks again,

Bill

Location: Saumur, France

Re: What is the correct layout for an Ulster dashboard?

Stephen Voller
Austin in the shed
The dash panel could have been finished with a crackle finish,My 1930 RK was.

The best thing I did with my MGB ,crackle finish dash,was cover it with an accessory walnut dash panel.


Why was that - is it a troublesome finish or did you just not like it?

Steve V.

No Steve I thought it was a bit of a cheap finish for the rest of the car,It was looking tired at 30 odd years old and the walnut one was superb,Shame as I sold the car then.

Location: Channel Islands

Re: What is the correct layout for an Ulster dashboard?

[/quote]
No Steve I thought it was a bit of a cheap finish for the rest of the car,It was looking tired at 30 odd years old and the walnut one was superb,Shame as I sold the car then.[/quote]

Ah I see, often the way isn't it? getting things just right then selling.
Such is life!

Steve V.

Location: Polegate, East Sussex, United Kingdom

1 2