Austin Seven 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.

The vendor of this particular project started to accumulate parts to build a car for his son many years ago. A sound 6’3” rolling chassis was sourced 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 hydraulic conversion. The vendor acquired a new radiator surround and a rebuilt core and by good fortune managed to source the aluminium skinned body at a Beaulieu Autojumble.

Included in the project when purchased was an original Nippy crankcase, identifiable by the stiffening ribs along its side. It also came with a “splash fed” modern crankshaft and rods and a standard crankcase as a spare. The kit also includes a block and head, a set of solid skirt Australian pistons, ring gear, timing gears, gaskets, a dynamo and distributor, Ulster exhaust manifold and several gearboxes. Other 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. It also has a current V5 document.

The vendor’s son has become more interested in his modern sprint car and has decided that an Ulster is probably not for him. The vendor has also realised that he has too many projects and so has reluctantly decided to pass it on. His loss, as they say is your gain, with many of the hard to source and expensive components already in this kit. The original Nippy engine makes the project even more worthwhile and as with all Austin Sevens, the restoration and build process is made far easier thanks to the massive supply of components available off the shelf.