Highlights
- Highly modified ‘special’
- Significantly upgraded engine
- Suitable for ‘750 Motor Club’ events
- Small amount of work to complete
- Custom trailer included
THE appeal
Vintage car racing is an ever growing sport in the UK and, encouragingly, is drawing in some younger enthusiasts. Described as the most affordable route into historic motor racing, the historic 750 formula series is a popular choice for Austin 7’s and is run by the 750 Motor Club.
Originally built as a trials car and subsequently modified for circuit racing to 750 Motor Club race standards, this diminutive vintage special has seen most of the hard work completed and now just needs some final fettling before it’s ready to race. It’s also provided with the necessary paperwork that would allow the next owner to get it road registered and, with a power output estimated to be more than double the original specification, it would surely be competitive on the racetrack and a scream on the road.
The History and Paperwork
- Built 1929
- Modified for racing as a ‘special’ at some stage
- Current modifications include:
- Custom alloy body with desirable Super Swallow radiator surround
- MG TA slab tank with Aston filler cap
- Pork pie tail lights incorporating the rear lights, brake lights, and indicators
- Conversion to 12 Volt electrical system
- Alloy helicopter seats installed, reupholstered in Morris Minor green
- The engine has received particular attention, including:
- Professionally machined by Cambridge Rebores, +60 thou in its bore
- Phoenix billet crank, bespoke conrods, and pistons
- Bigger inlet valves, an alloy inlet manifold, double valve springs, and flat followers along with a gas-flowed head, rounded at the top of the cylinder bores with the aim of allowing undisturbed air into the cylinders
- Inlet and exhaust ports machined to match the inlet manifold
- Deep alloy finned oil sump, oversized oil pump and high-compression head
- Fuel system fed by an SU pump and 1.25-in SU carburettor
- Radiator recored by Anglia Radiators in Cambridge
- Ulster exhaust with Brooklands side exit silencer
- A few years ago, the chassis was stripped down, sand blasted, and treated to a coat of anti-rust paint, two coats of primer, and two coats of gloss black
- More recently, the rear axle has been completely rebuilt and is ready to be properly reinstalled
- Invoices totalling over £10,000 for work carried out
- Not currently road registered but supplied with the necessary certification from the Owners’ Club for the new owner to apply for a V5C
- Current owner estimates that with a few weekend’s work, it could be ready to compete in ‘750 Motor Club’ events
The Interior
- Alloy helicopter seats
- Retrimmed in Morris Minor green
- Snug dimensions
Clearly built with weight-saving in mind, obviously there’s not a great deal to the cabin of this charming little racer but the first point that we should emphasise is the compact footprint. As currently configured, the driver’s seat proves a squeeze for the 5ft 5 owner and, although it would be possible to increase this with some modifications to the bodywork, that would increase the estimated time to get the car finished for racing.
All that said, if you are suitably proportioned then you should find the re-upholstered leather seats comfortable enough and everything should be in easy reach. Everything works as it should and there’s a period Saint Christopher medallion on the dashboard to bring you luck.
THE EXTERIOR
- Custom alloy bodywork
- Super Swallow radiator surround
- Yellow wheels
- Aged-look chrome
- Modern lighting upgrades
Although obviously heavily modified from the standard design, the car is still delightful to behold and retains much of the charm of the original. With a body in unfinished aluminium and the minimal chrome given an aged look, it’s very much the period racer, complete with genuine patina.
The headlights have been modified to incorporate side lights and the old side lights converted to electronic indicators while at the rear the pork pie tail lights incorporate all of the necessary lighting.
Yellow wheels are just one option as there is a selection of 12 wheels supplied with the car, both in a taller road profile and a lower racing profile.
A specially constructed 4 wheel Austin Seven trailer is also included, complete with load straps so it can be taken from one event to another. The seller notes that trailers alone can fetch £1-2,000.
The underside retains the work of the previous owner which saw the chassis coated in anti-rust paint, two coats of primer and two coats of gloss.
Overall, there’s nothing to do here unless of course you want to personalise it to your tastes.
THE MECHANICS
- Extensively modified engine
- 4 speed manual gearbox
- Rebuilt rear axle
The car starts on the button and is reported to pull well, sounding suitably potent as it does so. The clutch works and the brakes are said to be effective at stopping the car mostly in a straight line. The steering is said to need some work and there is a spare steering column included, along with boxes of assorted spare parts. With some final fettling, the seller believes that the car should be competitive in its class on the track. The rev counter is not operative and a new cable is needed for the speedometer.
Summary
A charming vintage special that has had most of the hard work done to take it racing. With a little work, it could see the next owner enjoying some cost effective but competitive motorsport.
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