Austin 7 Ulster Goes for a Drive 

Things you WILL need when driving this beautiful car, A prayer book, a chiropractor, for England a big umbrella and balls the size of pumpkins, oh and did I mention a prayer book? :)

I'm sitting here in my office in Sydney and I've got a grin from ear to ear watching this.

Now thats what I call PROPER motoring - absolutely fantastic!

Absolutely gobsmacked! The driving cap tops the whole experience. Listening to this, all I can here is engine and gearbox noise, very, very of its time. What an absolute smashing classic, and this is a true classic!

Half charge and full charge was to prevent the battery from being cooked as voltage regulators were not fitted at that time. Brakes, at least it had front ones, anyway they were only used for the final actual stop, one changed down and used engine braking at any speed to prevent cooking them. One always went down hill in the same gear as one would use to climb it or even a lower one if very steep like a 1 in 4 as Bury Hill ( W. Sussex ) was before the road was altered. Can remember Austins and Fords being reversed up it as wouldn't climb it in 1st, reverse being the lowest gear on a 3 speed box.

Just delicious, and what an elemental driving experience. Peter Egan once said of the Citroen 2CV that it brought the simple thrill of “Climbing onto a machine and making it go.” (Paraphrased.) That’s so true here with the Ulster.

The original 1952 Reliant Regal used the austin 7 engine, when Austin stopped producing the engine Reliant bought a licence to build them but Reliant did more than simply remake them, they modified them and improved them with better porting and casting so the production version of their austin 750cc engine was 19.5HP Its why alot of Austin 7 specials have Reliant sidevalve engines fitted instead as it isn't easy to spot them, most parts are interchangeable Reliant dropped using the engine in 1962 and it was one of the last sidevalve engines in production

Thanks for the memories, my father had an Austin 7 Saloon version of this lovely little car, he was an engineer and purchased it just after the end of World War Two second hand, he took the engine to pieces and the differential drive to the rear wheels, I was only eight years old then but we had wonderful trips to the sea side and days out in the country side and I think watching and leaning about that little car helped me follow a career in driving.

Bruce McLaren began his racing career in a 1929 Austin 7. The car now lives at the McLaren Technology Centre at Woking.

Fantastic, I like it. Voltage regulators were very basic back in the day, and a selection of two different resistances was often provided so the charge rate could be adjusted to compensate for the load being drawn. A7 dynamos aren't brilliant, and A7 brakes aren't brilliant. The really early A7s didn't even have coupled brakes- the footbrake was on the rear wheels and the handbrake on the front. This seems totally counter-intuitive to us now, but there is a certain amount of logic i suppose, since the lost movement in the cables would be far less if you're using the rear (ie non-steering) wheels for retardation. The issue with the steering could just be an A7 being an A7, or it could be wear in the steering box....these systems are nowhere near as sharp as rack and pinion once they have worn somewhat. That fuel tank should probably be a custom made fuel cell IMHO; you cannot hit the master switch cut-off if you have knocked yourself unconscious, and even half a gallon of petrol makes a bloody big fireball (ask Jos Verstappen) Sod originality, choose life!! For the record, it's important to note that the car featured is an Austin 7 Special. It might qualify as a Austin 7 Ulster Replica if it was to original spec with ash frame and genuine pistons, etc etc, but it is most certainly NOT an Austin 7 Ulster. We have to be pedantic on this point since it's vital for the nomenclature to be correct when and if the car comes up for sale. Many people with 'new money' may want to buy into classic cars and/or historic racing, and it's very easy for them to fall in love with something whilst not having sought the full information from experts/club members. They may not actually care whether they are driving a factory ulster or a replica, all well and good, but the critical thing is that the price is typically heavily affected by the provenance of the car. If it's been cut down from a saloon, this should always be made crystal clear. This car will drive like an Ulster, no doubt (and possibly even better).

What a gorgeous car 😍

Really like the rear facing front wing camera angle...very pleasing. Great car too.

When it comes to old car videos - this channel has the best! No egomaniac he - it is ALL about the car!

Hmm, 80+ mph in a car with cable brakes? Men were braver in those days! You forgot to put a link to the dealer in the title mate, but I enjoyed the vid!👍

You would know of the kind of _"Ulster man"_ who would've owned this back in the day.

Excellent! You have to love an Austin Seven!

Lovely to see how it all started yrs ago , and a thing of beauty cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧

What an awesome little car! Love that boat tail. Interesting history behind it. Another great video Matt!

Wow that car is very beautiful.

Used to drive a 1934 Riley Monaco with cable brakes. There were two rotating handles on the floor so you could adjust on the fly. It also had inflatable seat cushions.

Hi Matt,what a nice car,seems fun to drive,great video about the Austin 7 Ulster.

😍 isn't that just a beautiful little car. Thanks for this 👍 dig deep and buy her, we would all like to see updates on her 😉

What a beautiful shade of red. I can just imagine how much fun this little roadster would be. :)

Amazing, felt like we were all beamed back to 1930's Britain in colour!!. Total Joy/Terror/Excitement/Hilarity (elements sadly lacking in our current situations and cars) all rolled into one. Star video sir. Am really liking this channel more and more. Sod the doubters, you stick to your tea shelves!.

Nice one Matt the next best thing to driving one is seeing you review it so well

That's bloody lovely.

Bruce McLaren, one of the very best drivers ever, built his own, from parts his dad had. He was too young to drive on the roads so used the two apple trees in his back garden to make a figure eight course. He mastered drifting, hand-brake turns, and how to repair it when things broke, even welding the head when it got overheated and split. He passed his driving test on his 15 birthday, and started to race in hillclimbs, before moving on to circuit racing. He proved to be a natural, smooth and safe driver. He, and his dad, often raced in the same races, Bruce in the Ulster, and Les in his Austin-Healey 100-4. It is my considered opinion that the Bruce car should NOT be at the Woking HQ for the McLaren ugly cars. It should be at the Bruce McLaren Trust museum above Remuera Upland Motors in New Zealand. It is the real Bruce history museum. Woking let only the rich in to see the cars they have stolen from the McLaren Motor Racing Team history. Woking has been destroyed by Ron Dennis.

Those were the days of motoring , glad to see the fire extinguisher in the front passenger area , nice bit of film .

The first Seven engines had two main bearings. one at each end... when you tried spinning them fast, the crankshaft flexed, and the middle two pistons hit the cylinder head..... Sporty engine builders fitted slightly shorter con rods to the middle two pots to prevent this..... They eventually added a centre main bearing to stop the crank whip.....

Everything an MX5 Lacks the Austin 7 Ulster has in abundance!!!!

Brilliant! Best review ever. Just a side note about safety. In 1933 Sir Tim Birkin died after a nasty burn he got on his arm turned septic. This happened whe he was racing a Bentley, he was one of the "Bentley boys". He burnt his arm on the exhaust while reaching for a cigarette lighter during a pit stop. Yean, different times indeed.

Such a fun car! Love the "Barchetta" styling!

What a charming little car ...wonderful

Fantastic little cars, and go very well too 👍👍👍

Hi, you mentioned Delaney, I remember as a kid in the 50s 60s, a factory on A5 at cricklewood just up the road from Smith's industries called Delaney Gallay , they made automotive parts etc

Fantastic. What fun.

What a splendor.

I have just seen a dark brown Rover 3500 for sale at the Percival Motor Company with the classic SD1 "LOE xxxP" period publicity plates. It says it is a 1980 car, so the plates will not be original to the car, but now I want it! Oh, the Austin is pretty crazy too.

A beautiful wee thing. Looked like so much fun. You would keep driving her and keep trying to get better and smoother and quicker. Looking down the wee bonnet was awesome. "Oh this is going to be fun. Time the revs and the clutch, remember to pump the fuel. Concentrate on the back to front gear pattern, pump the fuel ⛽. Don't know how fast, speedo not working, check brakes. Ok, so no brakes, pump the fuel. Oh this is amazing, I really need an Austin 7, must remember to pump the fuel. " Class I'm watching it again now. Simple but so advanced for 1927. As for 90 mph, I'm imagining doing 90 in my old bicycle. 😳

Ulsters were always very boxy at the front and curvy behind. The scuttle is very rectangular. Am doing something different with my own Austin 7 special but it will drive, and sound, much the same as an Ulster. Will post a film of it on the road soon I hope. A7s do need a delicate touch on the steering. You need to let them do their own thing. If you grip the wheel tightly they don't like it. And the very short clutch throw is normal. Also the 2 blade fans are aluminium. The starting handle should be horizontal when not being used, not hanging vertically. The nose cones get worn so the handles dangle instead of being where they should. You learn all these little quirks in A7 land. If you want to get into Pre-war cars definitely one of the best choices to start with. Not overly expensive compared to others, parts and help are easy to find, they don't take up much space and are great fun. Lots of great clubs about to help too.

SUPERB video !!

I have driven a couple of very old cars and they are seriously hard work. I wouldn't like to drive them as daily drivers or go a long way in them. Even 1960's cars can be quite cumbersome and hard going. We have been spoilt with modern cars being so comfortable, smooth and easy to drive.

Recently took my Ulster, known as Ruth, to, from and around Snetterton circuit, okay, 6 months ago. I live about 20 miles from the circuit. To get the best out of the Ruth, like all Ulsters you need to take the BIG bravery pill. Darn was it fun, with capital FUN. At one point and only once I, we reached the dizzy speed of 87MPH !!!!!!!! Confirmed by the speed carmera. Can't wait for the lockdown to go be over and go back to Snetterrton so I can scare myself silly, again. Must admit I do enjoy 'blasting' up and down A11 in Ruth to do the shopping. One shopping bag at a time :)

Looks fun

A lot more excited by the quick glimpse of a Fiat Dino right at the start. Oh I do hope you were reviewing that too?

Great video😮😮😮 thank you sir😊

It's a great video again... oozing with your enthusiasm for quirky cars! The car looks great but I'd probably be scared to drive it....

What a great video of an unusual and neat car. Can't quite see me on one, though. Great fun anyway.

Just popping down to Asda dear....in my Austin 7....I could be sometime 🤔

Looking back, I often regret not buying a yellow Austin Ruby that was offered to me for £50. It needed work but at that time I hadnt the courage to take it on, Pity!

Your previous Austin 7 review was what got me to subscribe well over a year ago. I think it was the scarf you were wearing was what did it. Add a link to it in the description.

Hope that the Fiat Dino in the background is a hint from a future video....

Seat of the pants or what??!! Tremendous stuff 😄

Fantastic, proper motoring , seems a bit quick now , but down roads in 1929 must have been pretty frightening

Im trying to imagine using this car on your first date and have her do the fuel pumping. 😅 still love this car thou... 😊

What a spiffing little motor, poop poop!

I'd have liked to have seen you wearing the good old-fashioned driving goggles!

Driving that about the Brooklands banking would have been so scary!

Awesome! This is the type of car that started Bruce McLaren's racing career. I filmed the actual car that was displayed at this years London Classic Car Show, Its also regularly shown at McLaren's HQ in Woking. I hope you asked if you could review the Fiat Dino coupe that was shown in the background? Quick question, how do you know when to pump up the fuel pressure?

hi, did these cars not have an air- cleaner in those days ? i cant see one on this car.

The 'Ulster'. Ha ha. Now I know why we have so many mad motorcycle road racers in this part of the World. 'Brakes, what are those for? So long as there are plenty of horses.'

From inside the cabin it looks like you're going scary fast. It would be fun to get an exterior shot to see how slow you're actually going 😂

Came here because my father had one in the 1950s and I just saw one on TV auctioned at Mathewson`s for £15,000

Lovely little car, all I can picture is wacky races now.

My dream is to own one and drive it as often as possible!

Imagine - 80MPH today, achieved in total comfort and a good degree of safety. 80MPH 100 years ago, mentally writing out your will as you cling on for dear life.

Hi Matt, haven’t watched yet but looking forward to this. Had to stop and ask: are you also doing the Interceptor that is in the background at 1:19? Love those things. Ooh, and that lovely XM! OK, now I have watched. I don’t often feel envy, but this is one of those rare times. Fantastic.

Sitting here waiting for Dino

Ah, the Austin Seven. Britain's very first true-blue people's car and a great study in mechanical simplicity. It was even CHEAPER to buy than our own Model T Ford! While the stock Seven was a plenty good motorcar in competition even against much more lavish machines, particularly hillclimbs, I would imagine this Ulster variant would really be special. I suppose this would therefore be the "practical" alternative to the Aston-Martin namesake. Just one question for you. Is having a stiff upper lip mandatory to drive one of these lovelies?

Looks like a old program I watched as a kid called brum 😂😍

Intriguing little thing! Very interested in the Citroen XM and Fiat Dino(?) in the background too, are we going to see videos on those at some point?

I want an Austin seven. I was born in the wrong decade

Where is the link to the garage that was selling it?

Is that a Fiat 124 sport coupe or ISO grifo in the background? Next video, perhaps? Hope so!! :)

Lunch time viewing sorted

I reckon that diamondbrite logo is going to be well outside the Broadcast Safe Zone if you overlay the frame on edit :p

So a stationary only tea shelf?

So what are the dials on the drivers airbag? Choke? Ignition timing? Ps you forgot the tea shelf.

Why didn't they put the gas tank in the rear ,would seem it would help with balance and remove the danger of a fuel fed fire on top of a hot engine

So, Matt, you say you need an Austin 7 in your life. I'm sure that Prince Charles, Mick Fleetwood and who knows who else would support you in that. Thanks for another great video.

Never let the car go too fast downhill why??COS YOU'LL NEVER EVER STOP IT !!!

Ahhhhh! Driving by the seat of your pants. Brilliant!

60kph feels like 60mph 😨😁

What does it weigh? I'm wondering about power to weight ratio? I'd love to do a school run in this....once. The shot back along the bonnet was a great idea!

Hey my uncle had this car. Austin 7 ulster this is a little car and its a sports car

Fantastic car! One of my all time favorites. Thanks Matt. btw, couldn't find the 'for sale' link so here it is www.percivalmotorco.co.uk/1930_Austin_7_Ulster_Rep/

wherse the bloody tea shelf?

Another car you have driven that has a fire extinguisher.You are living dangerously Matt.ha ha

You pronounce aluminum very interesting

Henry Ford did all these things 30 years earlier with the model T 😂

I've driven a lot of cars but never one with cable operated brakes. I imagine this makes retardation somewhat interesting. Still a gorgeously simple little car.

Cable brakes, 90 miles an hour, wow.

I wonder if this is what Neil Diamond had in mind when he sang Beautiful Noise.

No power steering 😱 No ABS😱 No electrictronc egnition 😱 No indicators 😱 And no gps😱 No cruise control 😱 How brilliant back to proper driving 👍🇬🇧

I saw this and had to check my garage as I though "what's my car doing in that video"! It always makes me wince slightly though when these get described as "Ulsters" , The correct name should really be the Austin Seven EA Sports but that is me just splitting hairs. Is this a Compound Curvature Reproduction Body? Mine is quite similar at first glance and was Hill climbed for a few years. The last time being on the Isle of Mann 2002 when it also did the IOM TT course with the 750 Motor Club. It has also run the 1/4 mile at Santa Pod. I can vouch for these cars being great fun and recommend anyone to have ago if they they get the chance.

Wanna review my 31k mile mk2 swift GLS? I doubt it but thought I'd ask 😂

OMG IT'S NOT A ROVER!!!

I regret I am unable to watch videos with advertisements!

Let’s see. 90 miles an hour plus no safety features of any kind and the gas tank is bigger than the engine! Oh yes and no real brakes. What could possibly go wrong!? 🤷🏻‍♂️ It is a cool little car though!

Can you tell me your body height? I’m trying to imagine if I could fit into a Ulster :)