Cornwall Austin Seven Club creating interest in Austin Sevens (1922 - 1939)   

Celebrating
the 90th Anniversary
of the Austin Seven
and the 75th Anniversary
of the Austin Big Seven

Last updated:
04 February 2012

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Throughout the 1920s & 30s many men were skilled craftsmen and prepared to carry out much of their car repair and maintenance; also to help someone not so mechanically minded.  The cost of garage repairs, and servicing, was another factor when wages were low.  Additionally the motor manufacturers were not, at that time, insisting that any repair, and servicing, work on cars had to be undertaken by their approved dealerships in order to preserve the warranty on the car.  They sold genuine parts to allow the owner to carry out their own work and the store-man was often able to give advice on how to dismantle and fit the parts purchased.

The manufacturer's in-house magazines and the monthly motoring magazines published technical articles of a specific, or general nature, to provide the information that enabled everyone to try their hand at most tasks.  The magazines continued to offer technical articles during the post-war years into the 1950s as owners tried to keep their pre-war cars going, or new owners purchased second-hand pre-war cars as their first step into car ownership.

This section reproduces a number of articles, most of which are not specifically 'Austin Seven' but apply to many pre-war, and early post-war, cars where the advice offered is as relevant now to owners of Austin Sevens as it was when the article was first published.

More articles will be added when they become available.

Please note: The technical advice and information given in these articles is that of the original author and the publication cited.  The Cornwall Austin Seven Club, its officers and members do not necessarily endorse the advice given in these articles, and do not accept any liability for loss, damage or injury from persons acting upon that advice.  Anyone following the advice given in any of these articles, shall be deemed to have accepted this statement.

Our technical members may not be able to answer any questions arising from these articles as they may have developed their own method of undertaking the work.

Articles so far:

      Austin Clutch   From The Austin Magazine, August 1933

      Austin Seven's Back Axle  From The Austin Magazine, September 1929

      Bearings and Con-rods  From Practical Motorist and Motor Cyclist, September and October 1954

      Con-Rods & Little-Ends   From Practical Motorist and Motor Cyclist, August 1954.

      Fitting Cylinder Head Gaskets  From Practical Motorist and Motor Cyclist, June 1954

      Ignition OK?   A Technical Motograph from The Austin Magazine, July 1933

      Maintaining the Fittings (door handles, locks, hinges and retaining straps; bonnet clips)
                                                            From: Practical Motorist and Motor Cyclist, October 1954

      Overhauling the pre-war Austin Seven  - part 1.  (Advice for work on the engine, clutch and front bearings.)
                                              From Practical Motorist and Motor Cyclist, August 1954.

      Overhauling the Pre-War Austin Seven - part 2.  (Advice for work on the timing wheels; prop shaft; axle leakage.)
                                              From Practical Motorist and Motor Cyclist, September 1954

      Prepare for Summer Motoring    From The Austin Magazine, April 1933

      Repairing Wire Wheels   From Practical Motorist and Motor Cyclist, October 1954.

      Starter Motor Repairs   From Practical Motorist and Motor Cyclist, August 1954.

      Windscreen Wiper Maintenance  From Practical Motorist and Motor Cyclist, September 1954

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