From the PWA7C Magazine, November 2009 with many thanks.
The Handbook of the Austin Seven 352Q (and others)
stated that the operation of lowering and stowing the hood "...is one of extreme
simplicity and ease". What is n
ot
clear from text or illustrations is exactly how the straps attached to the
brackets on which the hood frame rests when in the lowered position. I was
fortunate enough some years ago to see a car which must be one of the few still
to have its original straps and made a note of how it was done. Recently I had
to make up new straps and thought it might be of interest to describe how it was
done originally.
The straps are 21" long and 5/8" wide. I purchased a pair of these for a modest sum in the jumble at Wollaton. The buckles had to be cut off, as the Austin method requires a 2 1/2" fold over at the buckle.
The buckles were then re-riveted (see figure 1) and the
long ends of the straps were inserted into the top slots in the brackets. These
go directionally from the inside to the outside the car with the shiny side
downwards. The ends of the 2 1/2" fold-overs abut the tops of the brackets.
The straps were then doubled back to form a sandwich, the fold-overs being in the middle, and riveted (see figure 2). Obviously, this is best done with the brackets off the car.
After replacing the brackets the straps were secured as described in the Handbook (see figures 3, 4 and 5)
The original method not only looks very neat it also does the job very well.
Roger Bugg
With many thanks—Ed.
