Unusual Ulster

Sir,

Would it be possible to ask your readers if they can identify or throw some light on the history of my Ulster Austin 7, shown in the photograph?

The car was purchased in 1964 from a gentleman in the Nottingham area whose name I cannot recall. I do remember his showing me a blown Ulster in his garage, that he told me he raced in VSCC events. The Ulster I bought from him was a body on a rolling standard A7 chassis, minus engine, gearbox, front bulkhead and transmission tunnel. There was no log-book or Reg. No. included, thus all means of effective identification were missing.

The tail section is riveted to the body just behind the rear axle and appears to be from a different car. The access hole for the spare wheel has been enlarged to twice its normal size. There are many detail differences between my car and a standard Ulster, e.g. the transverse stiffeners in the tail section are aluminium pressings identical to standard Ulster ones which are made from steel. The floor pan over the rear axle is much larger than the standard one. The cockpit width is narrower than the standard etc.

Some Austin 7 experts think it may be an Ulster TT body circa 1930/31. Another theory is that it may be the TT body from the Gordon Brettell car which was removed when the chassis was fitted with a single-seater body around 1937. In order to aid identification I have not restored the bodywork and the tail still bears the legend “750R” which suggests the car wan once raced in 750 Club meetings.

All enquiries have so far proved fruitless and I am hopeful that one of your readers can supply the missing history of this very intriguing vehicle.

Kew, Alan Smith