Martin Prior and Son's Motor Works

Martin Prior and Son's Motor Works Specialist manufacturers and stockists of woodwork for Austin Sevens and other vintage and classic cars.

Since the early 'seventies I've owned, driven and restored Austin Sevens. My daily transport is still the 1933 RP saloon that I bought at the age of 15. A7 owners are extraordinarily fortunate in the range of parts and services available for their cars. However, as far as I'm aware no-one has previously offered off-the-shelf timber components for the most popular models. In early 2014 I decided th

at it was time to move my woodworking business in a new direction - I'd been constructing eccentric timber buildings for around 30 years and now in my fifties wanted to do something less physically demanding. Since then, I've been building up a collection of drawings, patterns and templates for Austin woodwork. Efforts to build up stocks of parts have been frustrated by the fact that demand seems to outstrip my ability to make them, but I've recently been joined in the business by my son David, also an avid Austin enthusiast and we hope soon to be ahead of the game! Nevertheless, we can usually turn an order round in about three weeks, or less in an emergency. We can, of course, undertake one-off work on any other make or model of classic or vintage car.

HOBSON TELEGAGE RESTORATION?With the weather having been too hot for heavier work on the Austin Sixteen Light Six, we've...
26/06/2026

HOBSON TELEGAGE RESTORATION?

With the weather having been too hot for heavier work on the Austin Sixteen Light Six, we've turned our attentions to restoring the instruments.

The item most in need of attention is the petrol gauge, a Hobson Telegage. This is an ingenious device with no moving or electrical parts; it's essentially a manometer that measures the pressure in a small air chamber at the bottom of the fuel tank.

The dashboard gauge needs cleaning, new front glass and fresh "heavy red liquid" in the sight glass tube - all do-able.

The fine steel air pipe from tank to gauge is broken in several place, but replacement should be straightforward if we can find suitable tubing.

We haven't yet extracted the tank unit, so at the moment have no idea of what we'll find.

My question is, does anyone out there have experience of overhauling a Hobson system? Can anyone suggest a source for the gauge fluid, or the air tube? Any advice or information would be gratefully received!

SWALLOW TAIL BUCK FOR HIRE We have a professionally-made buck for forming A7 Swallow two-seater tails. This was constru...
22/06/2026

SWALLOW TAIL BUCK FOR HIRE

We have a professionally-made buck for forming A7 Swallow two-seater tails. This was constructed around a highly-detailed digital scan of a completely unmolested original tail.

It's so far been used to construct two superb tails and is now available for hire to anyone wanting to take on a similar project.

We will be asking a fee off £500 per use, plus a returnable deposit of £500 against any damage or loss.

13/06/2026

Our good friend Joe Faulkner has set up a petition to protest against the despicable practice of stripping historic vehicles of their original registrations for profit, something that we feel very strongly about. Please support his campaign!
https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-protect-original-number-plates-on-vintage-and-veteran-vehicles?fbclid=IwY2xjawSaco1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBINERlYlVDUFdUMmZDSGNQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvndSErY1yJ5N1lnC-3BA1f0lokq5jjaR70sGKiqd5gRoCeX6M4aghLD_z-V_aem_VwCDihYDDluR_Q61aFoeig

1933 RP HEADLAMP RIM(S) NEEDED!We're packing a batch of parts to send off for chrome plating and have just realised that...
02/06/2026

1933 RP HEADLAMP RIM(S) NEEDED!

We're packing a batch of parts to send off for chrome plating and have just realised that one of the headlamp rims is cracked right through.

I need to find a replacement in a hurry!

I'm hoping that someone has an exact match for this one available - it's 7" overall diameter and 7/8" front-to-back, with the glass slightly recessed.

The alternative would be a matched pair of a slightly different pattern, but the same diameter.

Obviously, the condition of the plating is not important.

Can anyone help, please?

URGENTLY NEEDED!We're looking for a gearbox front cover, part no.1A3161 (1933/37 type). We'd been very kindly offered on...
19/05/2026

URGENTLY NEEDED!

We're looking for a gearbox front cover, part no.1A3161 (1933/37 type).

We'd been very kindly offered one, but unfortunately this seems to have been lost in the post.

We've had an overhauled engine sitting on the bench and ready to install in the PD for over three weeks, but can't fit it until we have this part.

Can anyone please help?

OVER-ENTHUSIASTIC DYNAMO!Re-commissioning the 16/6 continues and we're now looking at the electrical system.The charging...
15/05/2026

OVER-ENTHUSIASTIC DYNAMO!

Re-commissioning the 16/6 continues and we're now looking at the electrical system.

The charging circuit is connected up and almost as soon as the engine starts, the regulator closes and the warning light goes out; so far, so good.

As engine speed increases, the warning light starts to glow and gets progressively brighter. The regulator remains closed. The ammeter is broken, so not indication from that.

We've tested the output from the dynamo (F and D disconnected from the rest of the system and bridged together). At tickover, we're getting about 14.5 volts (it's a 12 volt system), which is about what I'd expect.

When the speed is increased to a fast idle with about a quarter throttle, the output rises to a stonking 39.4 volts. We didn't try any faster!

Does anyone have any idea about what might be going on?

Thanks!

26/04/2026

MORE SIXTEEN PROGRESS

Flushed with success by Friday's engine start, David and I have worked through the weekend on Ian's Sixteen.

We re-fitted the propshaft, which had been removed by the previous restorer. Fortunately this, unlike many other parts, had not been lost or disposed of.

We then found that the clutch wouldn't disengage, but re-setting the pedal cured that.

A spare Austin Seven seat was fitted - the originals are with Lizzie Paton (Trim Lizzie) for restoration - and our resident test-pilot, David, bravely took to the controls. As you'll see, he was rather enjoying himself!

24/04/2026

Finally, the moment of truth!
Having managed to gather all the necessary parts to get the engine running, especially those that had gone missing during it's long period of storage before it came to us for revival- we've got the 16 running for the first time in many years! Definitely some more tweaking and refining to do, but it lives! This was the big milestone we really wanted to get to. The big unknown! Thanks to all that have given advice and help so far, especially Steve, spares secretary of the Vintage Austin Register for getting parts to us so quickly.
Next? Adjustments, tweaking, and rebuilding the roof!

AUSTIN SIXTEEN LUBRICATION.We're in the final stages of reassembling the engine of our customer's 1929 Burnham. The nex...
15/04/2026

AUSTIN SIXTEEN LUBRICATION.

We're in the final stages of reassembling the engine of our customer's 1929 Burnham. The next job is to connect up the oil filter.

As some of you will know, a good many parts had been removed and from this car before it came to us and were subsequently lost. This included the oil filter and some of the associated pipework.

Before I go any further, can anyone confirm my assumptions?

1. In my first photo, the vertical pipe coming out of the engine appears to have been connected to the oil pressure gauge.

2. Should the (disconnected) pipe that comes out horizontally connect to the "IN" union on the filter?

3. Should the "OUT" union on the filter be connected to the union on the top of the timing chain cover (second photo)?
...Or have I missed something?

Secondly, being mainly geared to working on Austin Sevens, we keep SAE30 in our bulk tank. Is this the correct grade for the Sixteen's engine and gearbox?

Finally, what's the sump capacity?

Thanks!

OUCH! As a result of a catastrophic crankshaft failure, the front cover of the semi-synchro gearbox on our '34 PD has s...
01/04/2026

OUCH! As a result of a catastrophic crankshaft failure, the front cover of the semi-synchro gearbox on our '34 PD has suffered damage. Can anyone help with a replacement, please?

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Wyatt Cottage, Wyatt Road
Cross Keys
HR13NP

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