The Fitzmaurice Austin Seven Special
In the early 20th Century, those wishing to go motor racing were limited to sprints and speed hill climbs, there being no racing circuits as we know them today. Hill climbs in particular remained one of the most important forms of motor sport throughought the inter-war period. Many cars were developed specifically for this discipline, many constructed by privateers, often from the parts from more than one car, and known as specials, a tradition which continues to this day.
This car is an outstanding example of such a special, and has an exceptionally successful record in vintage hill climbing over many years, at the most historic venues in the UK.
contact: A7@Austin7.net
Background
The Austin Seven has been successful in competition since 1922. During the 1930's, the Austin Motor Company built single-seater racing cars with highly developed supercharged engines. A few privateers also successfully followed this route, one such being A. N. L. Maclachlan.
The car featured here is a 1930 Austin Seven, developed post-war as a special in the spirit of the Maclachlan car, initially normally-aspirated with a home-built body. The present owner later had a new body professionally built, and fitted a supercharger, more in keeping with the type.
Description
One-off hand-formed aluminium body with papier-mâché cowl on 1930 Austin 7 chassis.
750cc side-valve Austin 7 engine with multi-stud Ulster cylinder head.
Roots type supercharger, chain driven from front of crankshaft, with 1 3/4" SU carburettor. Electric fuel pump.
Lightened Austin 7 flywheel and clutch with cast iron linings, 3 speed and reverse close-ratio Austin 7 gearbox.
Austin 7 sports front axle, standard rear axle. Purpose-built twin rear wheels.
Girling hydraulic brakes.
Competition History
The Fitzmaurice Special has won over 100 Vintage Sports Car Club speed hill climb class awards, both vintage and overall, for racing cars up to 1100cc. It has broken class records for vintage racing cars up to 1100cc at Prescott, Shelsley Walsh, Wiscombe Park, Harewood and Loton Park.
In 2004 the car achieved Fastest Time of Day by a vintage car at Wiscombe Park hill climb, and in the same year won outright the VSCC Hill Climb Championship.
Contact
990 Digital Street, New Forest Area, San Francisco, CA 10660