For your interest here is another closeup picture. The return water pipe seems to have a tortuous route!

For interest - There are several images of the car here: National A7 Rally

Location: North Herts

I've just looked at the DVLA site and tried DTC 374 as GN, Frazer Nash, Frazer-Nash and Austin.
"Vehicle details could not be found", maybe it belongs to no one.

Ah, but if you key DTC 374 into mycarcheck, it comes up as a Frazernash (Sports). I haven't tried it yet, but presumably it's on the DVLA as a Frazernash.

Jeff.

Location: Almost but not quite, the far North East of England

Yes, it's under Frazernash - Taxed until 1st December 2015, first registered 17 February 1939, year of manufacture 1939, 1990cc, colour black.

Jeff.

Location: Almost but not quite, the far North East of England

The seller now appears to have changed his ebay i.d.!

Has there been any suggestion that it has been used on the road?

Scaremongering regarding MOT's does the hobby no favours.

You might not like the water pipe but without seeing the whole system it's difficult to comment. It could be perfectly adequate.

As a closed course competition car it wouldn't have an MOT, but would go through scrutineering at each event. So a "safety check" is carried out each time.

With regard to the steering arm, again I can't comment on its construction and safety, but less than 1 turn lock to lock is reasonable. My own car has 3/4 turn lock to lock.

Looks like its taxed.

It would not be allowed on the road here...it has a clamp type cable adjuster!

Bob Culver

Location: Auckland, NZ

The car was driven into The Orchard car park at Prescott. No trailers are allowed in there and the road outside is too busy to park up and unload. So it must have been driven on the road, albeit for a short distance.

Location: South-East Surrey

The DVLA database actually says, at the top of the page under the registration UJ 8724 - "Not taxed for on road use", then lower down the page under Vehicle Status: "Tax not due".

I take it from that, that it's not taxed for use on the public road.

Jeff.

Location: Almost but not quite, the far North East of England

Nor insured

The drop arm and drag link look particularly well engineered. A lot of thought has obviously gone into their modification. The ultra quick steering may benefit from some additional toe in over standard though.

Paul N-M

I've no connection with the owner, no idea who he his. But why are we so intent on trying to tear aspects of our hobby apart? I am not interested in sitting in a field eating egg sandwiches polishing a Ruby for the 8th time this summer, BUT I've absolutely no problem with people who do, and I don't pop up and criticise them on forums.

Let's look at the positives?

I know of one person who had a lovely car but due to the constant bickering on this forum gave up sold the car and moved on.

My local group has an average age of at least 60. If we're not positive about our hobby, support all aspects of our cars, modified and standard, all support will slowly cease?

I have the same dislike of sitting in fields and it's true that "group think" does affect forums like this (and it's not always attractive). Cyber Bullying is real.

My only objection to this car is the misinformation that associated the recent auction listing. If it had been described differently (correctly), if the listing had been amended when I know that a number of knowledgeable forum members messaged the vendor with the real history I'd be probably more sympathetic.


Charles

I agree with misinformation, but bickering over mechanical details and how it arrived in a car park. Maybe it was unloaded at the entrance and pushed into place? At VSCC events there are some wonderful specials of "unusual" parentage but that's the joy of the events?

Yes I quite agree there are some fantastic specials out there, I am currently building one and no doubt some will like it and some will think things could be done better. Special builders all have there own ideas and skills and that is one of the attractions.

That's not really the point here though.

From outset this car seemed to be pretending to be something it was not and if so had the potential to hoodwink a buyer.
It could well be the case that on enquiry a potential buyer was fully informed by the vendor what was actually on offer.
However the nature of the offer as initially advertised has led to more detailed scrutiny of the car in general and consequently the motives of the vendor. If this has resulted in concerns being raised about its construction, safety, whatever, that is the risk vendors expose themselves to.

As it stands this car does not appear to be legal to drive on the public highway. Even with wings etc it does not look practical for the road anyway.
If someone buys it for the track I think he/she will have fun at scrutineering unless they do a lot of preparation work beforehand to be MSA compliant and safe.

We are very fortunate in this country that we can still modify our cars, build specials out of pre war Austins and not have to have them 'approved' by VOSA or whoever.
Contributors to this forum have many years experience between them mucking around with A7s and are quite justified to raise concerns where they see fit.

Paul N-M

I dont believe that for one minute, the whole confection has been assembled quickly with the sole intention of making money. IMHO the steering modifications were out of necessity due to the body construction, the fact that it has resulted ultra quick steering is a fortunate accident. I have a particular dislike of of those who are dishonest and lack integrity, I feel that they do immeasurable harm to our hobby. As I said previously I have no problem with the concept of marrying the body to an A7 chassis, if the vendor was more truthful and had spent a little more time dealing with the mechanics of his creation he could have made a decent car.

Location: NZ

Ian I think you failed to spot the tongue bulging out my cheek!
Paul N-M

Location: NZ

The seller of this machine is 'Piers' who has a phone number that list him as living in the Malvern, Gloucestershire area.

Does anyone know who he is?

Again I'll state I have no connection with the vendor of this car.

But when it came up for sale I thought it looked quite good with a certain degree of "patina"!! Obviously it needed finishing and a significant amount of additional work but that's what special building is all about?

I called and spoke to the seller and had a very enjoyable chat about this and old cars in general. Maybe I asked the right questions having scratch built a single seater I've a basic idea of how Austin 7's work and the parts involved but at no time was I deceived as to the history or as to what was actually be sold.

As I've said it was actually a very pleasant and humerous conversation.