Description
We?re delighted to present this charming little Austin Seven C Cab 2/ 5 cwt van which is the earliest we?ve ever offered for sale. First registered in February 1929, we believe this was a 1928 produced chassis sent for external coachbuilding. The Austin Motor company contracted the body construction for their van offering to Birmingham dealers and coachbuilders Thomas Startin beginning in October 1923. Completely restored many, many years ago the little van has some interesting early features like magneto ignition, scuttle-mounted front lamps and a deep-dished steering wheel. It also benefits from some useful upgrades such as the later Austin Seven four speed gearbox and a period oil pressure gauge.
We first came across this van back in 2021 and agreed to sell it for a commercial vehicle collector. We quickly sold the car to one of our regular customers, a lady based just 30 miles away up on the Yorkshire Wolds. With a collection of pre-war and post war classics, the Austin has just been used for various local shows and events over the past few years. We fully serviced the Austin when we sold it, and a few months later in August 2021 the wings, running boards and grill surround were all been prepared and painted at a cost of £1600 which further smartened up this lovely rare vehicle. The Austin comes back to us in part exchange, and has driven to us faultlessly over the B roads, a good hour plus of fun motoring over the country lanes.
Unlike a show standard exhibit, the van looks very authentic with plenty of paint chips, marks and minor imperfections - a lovely patina looking like a vehicle that would have been still working for its living during the second World War. However, having had the work in 2021, the wings, running boards and grill have a lovely gleaming finish. On the road, it is an absolute poppet with a willing engine, positive brakes and has no unusual whines or rattles. It was very comfortable at 35mph two-up on its first run our for some time. Rarer now than an early saloon or Chummy, this super little van is ready for the classic show scene, or as a hugely interesting promotional van for a business.
