Austin 7 special part 3

[@russtuff]

I'd never seen this process until Wray Schelin recently started a new project, I'm glad I found your channel too. Amazing work!

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Welcome aboard!

[@trevorjarvis3021]

That looks brilliant. - I never realised that as a start for bodywork to use rods like that, unbelievable!😊

[@trevsblog]

Very interesting enjoyed every minute 👍

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks trev 👍

[@andytownsend9163]

Wow, love it. Great idea with the head pod tapering it back to the centre line. I think it will look brilliant, very bespoke ❤❤

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you Andy 👍

[@StevenStratford]

Nice one

[@larryreece1403]

nice body lines. I always like a long tail. It just makes it look faster.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks I completely agree with you

[@RDCProjects28]

Great video Tom. Coming on nicely. “Dose my hair look alright”😂😂.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Cheers Rory 😚

[@trevorwoods2580]

I think I can really see your vision I think it's going to look beautiful when it's done. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks for the kind words Trevor

[@admarshall4]

Saw you on Saturday. Thanks for showing me round. Love the channel, subscribed.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks for the sub!

[@colinwest5294]

I like that -I think its the right approach - I always though that he Ulster had a back end like a Boxer dog! But I not turn one away mind! (The dog or the car)

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks Colin. To me I’m not keen on the scuttle area on the Ulster.

[@colinwest5294]

@@Metal_shaper_tom yes as you say very slab sided like a pram! But small and ugly like a pug… I would like to see what a more ‘organic’ flowing shape would look like - means you are going to have to add a lot of curvature like an old 30’s race plane nice! Hell off a lot of work though don’t envy your area after that lot- good luck to you sir!

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

@@colinwest5294 thanks the Bugatti that I’m building has a lot of shape in it and that has a lot of inspiration for this build.

[@daos3300]

looking really nice. strongly recommend you get the seat you want to use and pedals, and get the driving position ergonomics sorted first, then move on to the body. you'll be glad you did when you actually have to drive it.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you 👍

[@kauaislash5]

Great to see it taking shape. I too prefer a longer tail. Look forward to learning some tips and trick along the way. I rolled my ‘33 10-4 Special chassis out of storage recently and into my new shop space. Just finished up shop wiring so I can finally start setting some tools and workstations up. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation!

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Hi will . Definitely a longer tail rather than a short stubby one. Do you have a channel and will you be documenting your build?

[@kauaislash5]

I have a summary video on my channel that covers up to where I left off on the Airhead Roadster before moving and putting the project on hold and in storage: youtube.com/@kauaislash5?si=3UgQJjreJt0Pav1L

[@nicholasrodgers4360]

Looking forward to the next episode Tom...fantastic video 👍

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you. Really appreciate it 👍

[@Joe.Doucette]

Hi Tom. Thanks for documenting this build and sharing it! That 8 mil bar must be a fair bit tougher to shape but I expect that it would also be more stable than the 6. I like your ideas of a 2/3rds height bonnet and a lower grill shell. However, I do agree with The_Cotswold_Cyclist in that you appear to be sticking out quite high in the body, in this iteration of design. Since I'm a shorty, I wouldn't be up as high. ;) Although, one lovely thing about your own design is that no one can say it isn't right. This is going to be a beauty. I can't wait for the next video! Oh ya... you have a good dog approval rating so all will be well. Joe

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks joe I completely get what you mean but I think if I raise the back the car will become/look a lot heavier. I know I stick out a bit but it’s based on a lot of cars in period and that seems to be the done thing. Ted the dog loves it 😂

[@Joe.Doucette]

You are totally correct! I looked at some older cars like that and even the short folks (my kinda people) looked tall. If Ted is happy then there is very little else needed. ;)

[@65cj55]

Very Cool, looking forward to seeing it come together.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you 👍

[@65cj55]

@@Metal_shaper_tom The Guys from Bennetts Customs Channel are selling the flat head V8 single seat Racer they built if you know anyone chasing something like that, they said they'll ship it worldwide.

[@dannyzuko1843]

Absolutely love it! I can already visualize the beautiful lines. I am looking forward to watching your progress. This takes me back to when I designed and built a 600cc mini-sprint tube chassis on a sheet of plywood back in the early 90’s.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you! I bet that mini project was cool 👌

[@asciimation]

Lots of progress, very cool. As you say everyone has different opinions but this is what I learned when building my Austin 7 (and Riley). The biggest issue with an Austin 7, especially on a racy looking special is to make it look like you are sitting IN the car, not ON it. So you don't want the body too low. I wonder if yours might be only because your head pod (nice feature!) isn't actually behind your head. It looks a little low but that could just be on film or my personal bias. The ratio of front, cockpit, tail should be (so I was told) approximately 1/3 each so a longer bonnet is a very good idea. As you say on actual A7s they are very short. On my special I deliberately kept the high, original radiator shell to make the car look chunkier. Many cut down the radiators, some to ridiculous lengths, making the sitting on the car issue worse. On my Riley I learned that the car looks better if the rear of the cockpit opening is slightly higher than the scuttle. I think mine is about an inch. You'd think it should follow the fair curve from front to back but I think the fact that it's open means you need it higher at the rear to look right. For the same reason you don't want the end of the tail vertical, it might look better with a slight amount of angle or curve. Similar to what they call entasis in architecture.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you for you feed back it’s great fully received. I’ll have to explain in the next video but I’ve set it like this deliberately, without the head pod I don’t think the back high is an issue compared to others out there and works very well with the overall shape. The head pod is more of a visual feature because if i actually had it head hight it would look bloody awful 😂 but it compliments the overall shape as it is ( in my opinion) the car visually is more important to me than it actually serving a purpose. I agree with the bonnet and glad you picked up on that. The radiator I’ll probably just use a classic mini one and bring it as far forward and have the front grill low too.

[@OutlawEdge]

Amazing project I will definitely be watching this build. And it’s definitely not a homer Simpson car lol 😆 ARCO

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

😂😂 thanks arco

[@bleizbreizh6264]

Nice design, this is going to be an epic build! Good to see the latest CAD techniques used too ( cardboard aided design) gets my 100% approval! Please post regular updates

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you. Got to love a bit of CAD lol hopefully I can get the time on it to post regularly 🤞

[@anthonygrodecki7968]

I like the shape question have a look at the video of your self in the car and maybe I am wrong but head bulge needs to be higher. Having spent far to long at brook-lands I understand where your going but maybe a little higher is more fitting for 30’s. I am learning from what you are doing. Thank you for sharing. 😊

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks for your feedback. It’s tricky ( in my opinion) to get it all to flow. The head pod is very 50’s/60’s so it doesn’t lend itself naturally to a 30s low body. If I make the body higher or the head pod I think it will look out of proportion and not have the effect I’m looking for. A lot of special bodies of that era you did stick out of them quite a bit. Well the ones I know and work on you do anyway, not saying there all like that.

[@anthonygrodecki7968]

@@Metal_shaper_tom I understand just looking at the overall look. I very much admire the work your doing. I am a old school engineer ie my first year of apprenticeship I did all skill sets. Even though I was trained as a electro mechanical draftsman I mostly industrial design. Shape and form but good with spanner. Good luck with the build I am looking forward to seeing your next steps.

[@timwilson4967]

Very clever design, and presented so clearly. I'm glad you've extended the bonnet farther forward; the profile now looks much more balanced, front to rear. One thought: l'm not sure it's a 'boat-tail', as that term surely implies a 'deck' and therefore a flatter top than you've got here... (l much prefer what your tail drawing shows) Maybe a 'curved', or 'Bugatti tail'? Fab work, anyway; l'd love to have that sort of back end on my Allard Special.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you Tim. I kind of get what you mean but I’d still class it as a boat tail.I think this has a flat enough top as I need that surface area for my head pod. If you ever need help with your allayed feel free to get in touch

[@ladysandy2]

Just subscribed form oakswaped .Brians build. Your very talented builder.. thank you. Austin 7. Build awesome. Remainsmiz me of land speed record of Babs. Pendine sand. Thanks.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Cheers welcome to the channel 👨‍🏭

[@gerryoneill8881]

Sounds good Tom, I look forward to seeing you build it.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks Gerry

[@TonyPolson-v6m]

This is very fascinating. Looking forward to the rest! 😍

[@rustysparks8645]

This is going to be a truly awesome build series. No doubt 'Project Prescott' is going to be a car of a 1000 decisions, changes, tweaks, etc. to be made, but that is all part of the process. Got to admire both your ambition and your skill set to be able to achieve it. More power to your elbow! 👍👍

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you! I’m only on episode 3 and I’m well over a 1000 decision already 😂😂

[@plainnpretty]

She is Looking good it’s interesting how you are going about getting her shape. I’m a woodcarver I draw full size drawings but I also build 3-D cardboard models for bigger carvings to get a sense of the scale and shape I want. Thanks Tom

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you 👨‍🏭

[@simoncarney9944]

Really lovely shape, very 30’s race car look. That Bugatti looks gorgeous, any chance of seeing more of it? Really looking forward to seeing the result. Don’t worry about it being boring, watching you work is never boring. 👍🏼

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you . Yes I get more clips of it for a future video once it’s complete 👍 it’s pretty special. I’m just making the bonnet for it.

[@kevinvile5223]

Initial outline looks perfect Tom, going to be a real sight going up Prescott. I'll be there for your first run without a doubt.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks Kevin 👍 glad you like it. I can’t wait for the day I get to take it up the hill!

[@niallsommerville9813]

Judging by the other comments, you've hit on a winning look. No mean feat pulling so many styling cues and lines into a balanced / proportioned look. The grill shroud and head pod look very complimentary. Well done.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you. Yes I’m surprised as it’s all very individual when it comes to styling and what might work for me might not for others

[@lars-eriklundin6845]

Im impressed looks fantastic The outline of the car is smashing looking foreward the your next episode

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you . I’m glad you like it 👍

[@leslieaustin151]

Well, you’re really on the way now! Interested to see how it develops. Thank you. Les

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks les 👍

[@GH-rr7tk]

Excellent work matey, really enjoying the design process.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you

[@jimmac76]

This is great 👍🏻 really looking forward to watching this process & the end result

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks Jim 👨‍🏭

[@stevewilliams2498]

Definitely my cup of tea. Keep going.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you 👍

[@bubbasgood]

Moon disc for the wheels

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Never heard of them

[@bubbasgood]

Google moon disc hubcaps for images. Used in early racing to streamline wheels in eary saltlake and hotrods.

[@The_Cotswold_Engineer]

Oooowww loving the shapes emerging from the steel rod😍! I'd possibly raise the head fairing an inch or two and probably the rear deck too or try to get your seat as low as possible around the chassis as your head seems to be sticking up a bit high, though if you raise the rear, the front would have to come up a bit to match as well. Who won the lego or have you not drawn that yet?

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you. It really dose start to come to life very quickly like this. I forgot to draw the Lego in this episode 🤦‍♂️ I know what you mean but a lot of cars in period you do stick out quite a bit and if I raise things I’ll lose the look I’m going for and it could possibly look a bit heavy. ( in my opinion ) if I was going for a single seater I would cover my shoulders and head more.

[@The_Cotswold_Engineer]

@@Metal_shaper_tom I understand, the proportions do look very good as you have it now. One of the issues of using a seven chassis is the the wheel base is quite small so it'd be very easy to end up with a boxy top heavy car. Totally get it. As you were....!!

[@paulwhite7475]

Id want to sit back more . But otherwise looks good

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks Paul 👍

[@KeithMooney-sf9gr]

Hi Tom, I love your vision and how your setting the design up. Where are you based in the UK?

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Hi Keith.thank you 👍 I’m in Cheltenham

[@peterkilner512]

Hi Tom have you seen a Austincars Arrow ( just for interest) All the best Peter

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Hello Peter yes I’ve seen them. I think it’s a great idea

[@mynature110]

I'm late to this build and have just started watching. I really like the shape so far but can I ask about the head bulge please. I've never understood why they never seem to be high enough. I always assumed that they'd been tailor made for a different owner but your mock up seemed to only come up to the top of your neck. Surely, whether for protection or aerodynamics it needs to come at least to the top of the head. Not a criticism, just seems odd to me.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Mine is just a visual aspect nothing more than that. If it came to the top of my head it would be out of proportion to the rest of the car and look stupid. Your right they would be made for specific drivers and aerodynamics but not in this instance.

[@mynature110]

Thanks for the reply, I've worked on D types in the past and even by then, they never seemed to fit the driver. Love the aesthetics of your car, I've subscribed and I'm looking forward to watching more of the build.