Last updated: 1st December 2024
ARQ & ARR Ruby & Variants Data
The Austin Seven is acknowledged to be the best small car in the world.
It is designed for, and will carry in comfort, four adults up to a weight of 40 stones and 56lbs of luggage..
There are six models made, the Cabriolet, the de luxe Saloon, the Saloon with fixed head, the Tourer, the Two-Seater and a Sports Two-Seater. The closed models are alike in general lines and general equipment. Particularly good features are the wide doors with one-piece windows, which are mechanically raised or lowered.
The large single panel windscreen, that can be opened wide, and secured by an ingenious lever fastening, easily reached from the driver's seat, is another advantage. The Tourer, with its easily operated hood and side curtains which open with the doors, provides complete protection in even the most inclement weather.
Both front seats are separately adjustable. They tilt forward and allow ready access to the rear seats or luggage space.
The Sports model is a low compact fast car. Its name accurately describes the "Two-seater".
The Austin Seven has a 4-cylinder, water cooled engine, synchromesh gears, and bevel drive. Lubrication is by pump, and cooling is on the thermo-syphon system assisted by fan.
The complete equipment includes electric starting and lighting switches, foot operated "dip and switch" for headlamps, air strangler, electric horn, speedometer, electric windscreen wiper, automatic return direction indicators, licence holder, shock absorbers, spare wheel and tyre and blank number plates. All fittings are chromium plated, except the wheel centres which are of stainless steel.
The Austin Seven is particularly suitable for the woman driver. It requires little physical effort to drive and control, and for that reason its use enables her to do shopping calls without fatigue, visit her fiends, attend social and other functions, or make excursions or trips in any direction in any weather.
For the same reasons business men find it an excellent vehicle, and commercial travellers and others whose occupation compels frequent calls over an extended area, have in the little car an embodiment of all they require. Calls can be made in places where trains, trams and 'buses are infrequent.
In large establishments where the instant use of a car is of vital importance in cases of emergency, such as sudden illness or accident, the Seven has been installed as a "tender", and in addition to its superiority over large unwieldy cars for short runs, has proved a real time and money saver.
As 40 - 42 miles per gallon is the average petrol consumption, the cost of transit is below the cost of fares on any public conveyance, and in this particular the Austin Seven has no rival.
Its speed, economy, reliability and road-holding qualities have been admitted beyond dispute.
Thousands of motorists have had their first experiences on a "Seven", thousands more will follow them.
Having successfully passed through thirteen years of severe use and trial, it has emerged a really successful and popular favourite; and its splendid qualities are internationally recognised.
| Dimensions | The dimensions of the models
vary. Maximum length 10ft 6½in (3,213mm); Width 4ft 4in (1,320mm); Height 5ft 3in (1,600mm); Wheelbase 6ft 9in (2,057mm); Track front 3ft 4in (1,016mm), rear 3ft 7in (1,092mm); Ground clearance (high frame) 8¾in (222mm); (low frame) 6⅛in (171mm) |
| Engine | Four-cylinder water-cooled,
detachable head. Bore 2.2in (56mm), Stroke 3in (76mm); Cubic capacity 747.5cc Brake horsepower 12 at 2,600 rev. RAC rating 7.8hp Ignition: Coil. Oil circulation: By pump. Sump capacity 4 pints. Cooling: Thermo-syphon with film radiator and fan. Cooling system capacity 10 pints. Roller crankshaft bearings |
| Starter | Electrical. |
| Clutch | Single-plate. |
| Gearbox | Four speeds forward, and a
reverse. The top, third and second gears have synchromesh engagement, which ensures smooth, noiseless, certain gear changes to suit varying speeds. First gear is a low one to be used in starting with full load, up an incline, or manoeuvring the car in an awkward place. The ratios of engine to road wheels are: top 5.25 to 1; third, 8.73 to 1; second, 13.85 to 1, and first 22.94 to 1; reverse 29.49 to 1. Ball bearings throughout. Oil capacity 1½ pints. |
| Rear Axle | ¾-floating, with
differential and torque tube. Ball bearings and thrusts throughout. Final drive by shaft and spiral bevel. Oil capacity 7/8 pint. |
| Springs | ½-elliptical cross spring
in front. Quarter elliptics at rear. Shock absorbers are fitted to front and rear. |
| Front Axle | Forged " " section. |
| Brakes | On all four wheels, easily adjustable. Both hand and foot brakes operate on all four wheels. |
| Wheels | Special wire detachable.
One spare wheel with tyre.
On Saloons and Cabriolet 4.00 x 17; other models 3.50 - 19 Dunlop tyres. |
| Controls | Ball change speed gear lever, and
brake lever, mounted centrally. Foot control for dip and switch headlights. Foot accelerator is also provided. |
| Petrol Tank | 5 gallon tank at rear. Fuel supply by petrol pump. |
| Lighting | By gear-driven dynamo, with accumulators and dimmer. |
| Bodywork | Two bucket seats for driver and
passenger, both being hinged to allow easy entrance to rear seat. Rear
seat to carry two adults or three children. Ample tool accommodation. Spare wheel and tyre carried on back of vehicle. On touring model, hood, single piece screen and full side screens (those over the doors that open with them). Electric horn and speedometer, direction indicators, automatic windscreen wiper, driving mirror and licence holder. |
| Luggage Platform | The maximum permissible load for the luggage carrier is 56lbs. |
| Dimensions | The dimensions of the models
vary. Maximum length 10ft 7in (3,260mm); Width 4ft 3in (1,295mm); Height 5ft 3in (1,600mm); Wheelbase 6ft 9in (2,057mm); Track front 3ft 4in (1,016mm), rear 3ft 7in (1,092mm); Ground clearance 6⅛in; 6¾in and 7½in according to model; Sports model 4½in. |
| Engine | Four-cylinders, water cooled with
detachable head. Bore 2.2in (56mm), Stroke 3in (76mm); Cubic capacity 747.5cc Brake horsepower 17 at 3,800 rev. RAC rating 7.8hp Ignition: Coil. Oil circulation: By pump. Sump capacity 4 pints. Cooling: Thermo-syphon with film radiator and fan. Cooling system capacity 10 pints. Crankshaft bearings; Front, ball; Centre, plain; Rear, roller. |
| Fuel Feed | Five gallon (22.75 litres) tank at rear. Fuel supply by A.C. pump. |
| Starter | Electrical. |
| Clutch | Flexible single-plate, spring loaded, the plate carrying the friction rings. |
| Gearbox | Four speeds forward, and a
reverse.
The top, third and second gears have synchromesh engagement, which
ensures smooth, noiseless, certain gear changes to suit varying speeds. First gear is a low one to be used in starting with full load, up an incline, or manoeuvring the car in an awkward place. The ratios of engine to road wheels are: top 5.25 to 1; third, 8.73 to 1; second, 13.85 to 1, and first 22.94 to 1; reverse 29.49 to 1. Ball bearings throughout. Sports ratios are, 5.6, 8.38, 13.28 and 21.94 to 1, reverse 28.18 to 1. Oil capacity 1½ pints. |
| Rear Axle | ¾-floating, with
differential and torque tube. Ball bearings and thrusts throughout. Final drive by shaft and spiral bevel. Oil capacity 7/8 pint. |
| Springs | ½-elliptical cross spring
in front. Quarter elliptics at rear. Shock absorbers are fitted to front and rear. |
| Front Axle | Forged "" section. |
| Brakes | On all four wheels with individual adjustment. |
| Wheels | Special wire detachable.
One spare wheel with tyre.
Tyres 4.00 - 17, and 4.75 -16 (ELP) Dunlop. Sports model, 3.50 - 19. Vans, 4.00 - 18. |
| Controls | Ball change speed gear lever, and
brake lever, mounted centrally. Foot control for dip and switch headlights. Foot accelerator. |
| Lighting | By gear-driven dynamo, with accumulators. 6-volt battery. |
| Bodywork | Two bucket seats for driver and
passenger both being hinged to allow easy entrance to rear seat. Rear
seat to carry two adults or three children. Ample tool accommodation. Spare wheel and tyre. On touring model, hood, single piece screen and full side screens (those over the doors that open with them). Electric horn, speedometer, direction indicators, electric windscreen wiper, driving mirror and licence holder. |
| Luggage Platform | The maximum permissible load for the luggage carrier is 56lbs. |
This list is subject to modification from time to time.
See also:
Ruby MK1 or Ruby MK2 ? How do you tell the difference?
Lubrication
Chart for ARR Ruby & Variants
Wiring Diagram
for ARR Ruby & Variants
The Ruby Mk 2 1937 (3 bearing crankshaft)
From The Autocar, November 6 1936.
The Ruby Mk 2 1937 (3 bearing crankshaft) From Practical Motorist, March 27 1937.
Austin Ruby & Big Seven dimensions From The Austin Motor Company Ltd, Pub No: 1539B (1937)