Description
The Austin Seven RK Saloon was introduced in 1928 for the 1929 Season. It had an up to date style to replace the Top Hat R Saloon and featured a wider door for improved access. The door design continued over the rear wing so the RK is often referred to as the ‘wide-door’ model.
This design made it difficult to have a full width drop glass necessary at the time for hand signals. Austin’s ingenious answer was to provide a drop glass for the front half of the window and a sliding glass for the rear, as it said in the brochure ‘giving the driver a wide choice for vision, signalling or ventilation’.
The saloon body continued the use of a solid wood frame panelled in aluminium making for light weight construction. The engine and chassis were a continuation of the Seven design until the Summer of 1929 when the chrome radiator was introduced adding considerably to the overall appearance.
UF 5667 was supplied new by Henleys and registered on 13th December 1929 by Brighton County Borough Council. The paperwork shows it to have been in single ownership until 1954 when it was taken off the road.
The car was finally sold in 2012 and a four year restoration carried out. Files of invoices detail the work done. It was back on the road in April 2015. Since when it has won several awards and covered significant touring mileage.
The car is finished immaculately in maroon with black interior in the correct style, The engine starts easily, runs smoothly and quietly and has good oil pressure (an oil pressure gauge has been added to replace the original button indicator )
This car is ready to show or tour with the usual back up from the excellent Austin Seven Owners Club. As it’s of Vintage manufacture UF 5667 should also be eligible for the Vintage Sports var Club’s light car events
