Austin 7 Ulster Replica

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The diminutive baby Austin made an unlikely sports car. The butt of many jokes when unveiled to the public in 1923, it was Herbert Austin’s son in law, Arthur Waite, who suggested competing in one, having spotted the potential of its ultra-light body and chassis combination and its tough, reliable engine.

The little cars dominated the 750cc racing class wherever they went, often taking the 1100cc and 1500cc classes at the same time. Herbert Austin employed Gordon England to manage a team of works cars in an attempt on the RAC Tourist Trophy held at the Ards circuit located near Ulster in 1929. Based out of Harry Ferguson’s workshops, they finished third and fourth overall, against the works Mercedes and Alfa Romeos no less, a feat witnessed by over 50,000 spectators. No surprise then that the little sports Austins carried the name 'Ulster' thereafter.

Produced in very limited numbers, their survival rate was low as they generally led hard lives. As a consequence, original cars today are very highly prized. With so many of its components used in the standard model, many Ulster Replicas have been produced, continuing the long tradition of ‘special’ building on the Austin Seven chassis.

This excellent project car is based around a sound, shortened rolling chassis which had originally left the factory carrying a saloon body. It has been fitted with a correct type dropped front axle and a narrowed “D” type rear. Much work has been done to the brakes including a later Girling conversion and an aluminum paneled Ulster-style body loosely fitted.

An Ulster-type exhaust manifold is fitted to a sound, usable block and crankcase along with a 4-speed gearbox. Various boxes of goodies include a correct Lucas switch panel, Smiths rev counter, speedometer (with replacement face) along with numerous small components collected along the way. Re-silvered headlights, fuel tank, steering column, starter, dynamo and radiator core and shell are also part of this comprehensive kit which crucially has a current V5 document.

This is an excellent fast-start to building an ‘Ulsteroid’, the restoration and build process being made even more straightforward thanks to the massive supply of off the shelf components needed to complete the job.