Austin 7 Special - Supercharged
The little details are where you can put your own stamp on your Cyclekart, plus they are also the most fun & satisfying
The Inspiration Car
Sir Malcom Campbell’s Class H Record Breaking Austin 7 Supercharged. One of the many Records was at Daytona beach; Achieving 94.06 mph from a little 750 cc in 1931. Amazing!
I am fascinated by early pioneers of motorsport and manufacturers getting on board like Herbert Austin. In particular, this small but such a successful little car with so many versions including vans was a huge hit both on the road and especially in racing.
The Chassis
The Chassis is a Cyclekart UK Brooklands version 3 x 1” Steel…Although much lightened and modified. See pics below.
Running Gear & Engine choice
Honda clone 196cc engine. CVT drive using 219 chain system.
The Body
The Body is made up of 3/8 plywood sides, floor and bulkhead. Aluminium bonnet, front dam. Glassfibre tail section.
What’s the least and most favourite part of the build?
Least favourite part of build; Drilling (hole saw) over One Hundred Holes in Chassis over several days . Burnt out two new Bosch Drills.
Most Favourite ; As above . Very pleased with the look; achievement , lightness . (some friend said it would “Fold up /buckle) Two years of hard driving fun ….proved them wrong !
How long did it take to build?
It took 6 months of spare time work to build in Winter 2020 - Spring 2021. Being Furloughed from work for a couple weeks, really helped. LOL.
The little details
The little details are where you can put your own stamp on your Cyclekart, plus they are also the most fun and satisfying. For example; fabricating front mount fuel tank, Making a 219 chain system work, Making a “Dunlop” stencil for the tyre sidewall logos or making a dashboard that look realistic (from a distance anyway!!)
How does it drive?
Awful…But great fun!! I would imagine vehicles of that era were very similar.
Ongoing changes and tweaks
Changes made since original 2020 build:
Winter 2021
- Cut the floor out
- Made a lower false floor in Aluminium.
- Made new seat (original looked lost sitting 50mm lower in car).
- Brought driver forward.
- Shorten steering column .
- Moved brake pedals forward.
- Switched from Honda C90 rims to Pit bike.
Planned changes for the 2023 season:
- Fabricate pair friction shocks
- Rebuild/Replace seized engine (at Whilton mill….Oops).
If you haven’t already joined the forum then please consider doing so and then you can see and read Chris Loader's build journal on the forum in full.
