Austin 7 Tire Pressures
To find tires for your Austin 7 see our Austin 7 Tires page.
- Tire pressure for an Austin 7 ranges from 60 PSI on the pre 1925 Pram hood Austin 7 with beaded edge tires, to 28 PSI to Austin 7 Ruby on 17” crossply tires. The pressures you use will depend on the specific model, the type of tires that you decide to fit, and possible pressure differences for front and rear tires.
- To find the ideal tire pressures for your car's year, model, and chosen tires follow the link to our Tire Pressure Guide.
- The 1923 Scoop scuttle and 1924 pram hood Austin 7's fitted beaded edge tires. We recomend 26X3 Ensign beaded edge tires, for early 6” brake Chummies.
- 6” brake Pram hood Chummies From 1925 and all other models of Austin 7s until 1936 we recomend 3.50 x 19 Longstone tires, on 19” well based wheels.
- Our recommended tire for an Austin 7 Ruby, Opal or Pearl from 1936 is the 4.00/4.25 x 17 Longstone.
- At the end of the 1930s we suggest the 450/475-16 tires for the Austin Big 7 on its 16” wheels.
- To find out more information on Austin 7 tires follow the link to our Austin 7 tire Section.
Austin 7 Saloon
Austin 7 Tire Pressure Guide
Prewar cars such as the Austin 7 aren’t as easy to find clear recommendations for tire pressures. 26x3 Tires are beaded edge tires, and beaded edge tires require higher pressures. A minimum of 60 PSI is needed in any beaded edge tire for the tire to stay on the wheel. For our 350x19 tires on the cars from the mid 1920s to the mid 1930s, we would suggest 30 PSI.
In period cars ran lower pressures, going as low as 18 PSI because they were driving on unmetalled rough roads, however on much smoother modern tarmacked roads, a higher tire pressure improves handling and directional stability, which is critical as we maintain higher cruising speeds. For 400-17 tires on the later 1930s Austin 7 Ruby and Pearl we would suggest inflating your tires to 28 PSI, a little less pressure is needed because of the greater volume within the tire. It is also worth noting that on sporting models such as the Austin 7 Ulster and Nippy we also recommend higher tire pressures, in to make the handling more progressive and in a hope to stop the car from falling over.
Making a Tire for the Austin 7
Austin 7 Tires Explained
Austin 7 Tires Explained
The Austin 7 is a car close to our hearts at Longstone, and as there was not a tire in existence that was well suited to these lovely little cars, we decided to produce our own! We made a determined attempt to obtain a genuine tire that a Chummy had left the Austin plant with back in the '20s because getting the design correct was important. We had a good understanding of what the tire structure should be like to keep your Chummy driving in a (roughly) straight line due to our involvement in the world of pre-war Austin 7's.
The bulk of tires available at the time were for motorcycles, but because a Chummy does not lean into a corner like a motorcycle, the side forces on a car tire are considerably greater. An Austin 7 tire requirs a more structural and squared-off carcass than a motorbike tire; one that could endure side forces.
The next step in the design process was to preserve a basic side-wall. Modern tires feature more intricate graphic work on the sidewall than a Chummy would have had. Our objective was to keep it simple, with no distracting decorations in the design. What we've created is a tire that drives great on a Chummy while looking like it came straight from the factory in period.
It's worth noting that the 3.50 X 19 Longstone tire, which was installed to Austin 7 Ulsters at the time, won both the Mille Miglia and Le Mans!! (in its class).
Austin 7 Racing at Prescott 2019
Pre-1925 Austin 7 Tires
These early cars are most suited to the 26X3 Ensign. The Michelin 21MDR Central Valve Innertube is ideal for 26x3 tires.
1925–1936 Austin 7 Tires
Austin 7's of this era are best suited to 3.50 x 19 Longstone tires, and the Michelin 19MF Central Valve innertube is advised for 350x19 tires.
Ruby, Opal, or Pearl Austin 7 Tires
The 4.00/4.25 x 17 Longstone tire is our choice for an Austin 7 Ruby, Opal, or Pearl, and this size of tire should be fitted with Michelin 17MG innertubes. The Big 7 is best suited for 4.50/4.75 x 16 Firestone tires, and 450/475x16 tires are best fit with Michelin 16E innertubes.
Austin 7 Ruby Tires Explained
Austin 7 Ruby Tires Explained
Austin 7 17" Tires
For the Austin 7 Ruby or any other 7 with a 17-inch wheelbase "The NEW 4.00/425x17 Longstone tire is the perfect match for your wheels! The Longstone has a vintage tread pattern and provides better handling than comparable tires in its size.
Because the 400/425x17 tire remained unavailable for a long time, many Austin Seven Rubies were equipped with a 4.50x17 tire in the past. This is the incorrect tire to use and can cause fouling of the wheel arches.
Austin 7 19" wheels and Tires
Naturally, we believe that the 350x19 Longstone is the best option, though other tires are available.
Dougal's Booze Delivery Chummy
Austin 7 History
Wilf's 1911 Austin 7
From 1922 through 1939, the Austin Motor Company produced the Austin 7. It was called the "Baby Austin," and it became one of the most popular automobiles ever made in the country, having an influence on the British market equivalent to that of the Ford Model T in the United States.
Years before World War I, Austin typically produced big automobiles, but in 1909, they released the Austin Seven, a one-cylinder, seven-horsepower automobile. After that, they returned to larger cars, but an idea had been ignited. Despite the company's board of directors' objections, who were apprehensive about the company's financial condition, Sir Herbert Austin felt a smaller automobile would be more desireable on the market. Austin persuaded the board by threatening to take the concept to their rival Wolseley. Austin put a lot of money into the design and copyrighted several of its improvements under his own name. He earned a two-guinea fee on each automobile in return for his investment.
The first year of production was 1923, with about 2,500 vehicles built. This was not as many as intended, but the "big car in miniature" had wiped out the cyclecar business and altered the wealth of the Austin Motor Company within a few years. 290,000 automobiles and vans had been produced by the end of manufacturing in 1939.
The Austin 7 was substantially smaller than the Ford Model T. The track was barely 40 inches in length and had a 6 foot 3 inch wheelbase. It was also far lighter, at 794 pounds, less than half the weight of the Ford. As a result, the engine's requirements for sufficient performance were decreased, and the 747 cc side-valve produced a modest 10 horsepower.
The chassis was shaped like an "A," and the engine was situated between the channel portions at the narrow front end. The rear suspension was supplied by cantilevered quarter-elliptic springs, while the beam axle was furnished with a centrally positioned half elliptic transverse spring. Dampers were not standard equipment in early autos. Brakes were placed on all four wheels, but until 1930, the front brakes were operated by the handbrake and the back brakes by the footbrake.
Body styles for the 7 included the box saloon, nippy, Ulster, Gordon England, Chummy, and others. The Swallow was one of the most attractive bodywork ever mounted on an Austin Seven chassis. Today the Austin 7 is a well-loved vintage car, particularly by us at Longstone, with Dougal owning a 1928 Chummy and his son Wilf driving a 1911 Austin 7 Special on roads, round tracks, and up muddy hills at hill-climb events.