From: Bruce White ([email protected])
Date: 04 Jan 2002
Time: 12:39:21
Remote Name: 129.96.230.228
This is a good question!
Here are my 2 cents……
In South Australia the rule is the basic running gear must be from the period. That means chassis, general suspension parts and basic motor block. The body is left fairly open in design and includes many designs of the 50’s. The Cambridge style is still popular and a good example for many special builders still today. Most specials have heavily modified braking systems – many with improved “Bowdenex” (sp?) style cable conversions. All feature modified A7 motors (or 1st derivative Reliant motors) and also feature gearbox modifications. Many gearboxes feature replacement gear ratios for better performance. Body materials vary with many going for the traditional aluminium body but some of us are playing with fibreglass as in the 50’s. Wheels must look period with most special builders choosing the late Ruby 16” (or 17”) style. Suspension is also fairly open but the standard beam axle design must remain basically the same. Many fit telescopic shockers.
Having said all this, if you are designing a new special, you must check with your local club to make sure YOUR special will meet the requirements laid down by them and the motor registration people in your state or country. Otherwise you might have major problems later! All that I have mentioned applies ONLY to a special that will be on “Club” registration. If you want “full” registration then your project must meet all the ADR design rules here! I have looked at this and gave up….. The motor registration people even wanted demisters fitted! I do not know the rules about changing the body on a registered vehicle. You can change the motor on a registered car here if it is similar in “capacity”.
In general, specials and replicas do not command the resale value that original or restored models command. My view has always been an original unrestored car should bring top dollar as there are so few good examples left, at least in Australia. Most of us that do restore Sevens actual end up over restoring them or modifying them anyway for more modern road use. Thus where a special starts and a restored car ends gets a bit confused anyway! It will be interesting to hear from others around the world on this one. Remember many specials here are only used for regularity events and are never registered for road use.
Bruce