Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tuesday 9th September from 12pm
Auction: Wednesday 10th September from 9am
Location: Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
1938 Austin Seven AAL Open Road Tourer
No Reserve - Entered from the Dering Collection
Registration No: GNO 242
Chassis No: AAL286800
MOT: Exempt
Entered from the Dering Collection, the property of a gentleman racing driver
Believed one of just eighteen AAL 'Open Road Tourers' left in existence
Subject to a sympathetic restoration during the 1990s
Said to retain its original 747cc engine which has just been subject to an extensive overhaul
Spurred on by the introduction of the horsepower tax in 1921, Sir Herbert Austin began working on the concept of a small family car despite opposition from the company’s board due to their being in receivership at the time. Undaunted, Sir Herbert engaged the services of a young draughtsman from the Longbridge plant, eighteen-year-old Stanley Edge, and plans were drawn up in the billiard room of Sir Herbert's house, Lickey Grange. Initially powered by a sidevalve four-cylinder engine of 696cc with a detachable cylinder head, the new model was rated at 7. 2 horsepower but was almost immediately enlarged to 747cc and 7. 8hp. The early 1930s was a period of significant upgrades, with a longer chassis introduced in 1931 and a four-speed gearbox for the 1933 models, while in July, 1934, the low-chassis range appeared and synchromesh became a feature from second gear up. The final iteration of the open four-seater Sevens and the first to be built on the low chassis was the AAL Open Road Tourer, which was launched in August, 1936, and ran until the end of production in 1939.
One of just 8, 089 Sevens built during 1938, chassis 286800 represents one of the most refined examples of the breed, not only having the low chassis and four-speed synchromesh gearbox, but also being equipped with the so-called ‘full Girling’ rod brakes at the rear (a feature only introduced on chassis 286571). The Essex Register of Motor Vehicles reveals that ‘GNO 242’ originally belonged to Mr. William Frederick Foster of College Gardens, Chingford, but thereafter the history goes quiet until it was acquired by Mr. Frank Prestwich of Fetcham, Surrey, in 2000. It is believed that it had been comprehensively overhauled in the 1990s.
Mr. Prestwich still owned the Austin as of 2016, and perhaps the highlight of his ownership was participating in the 2005 Austin Seven London to Brighton Run which commemorated the centenary of Austin. Some subtle modifications were made during his tenure, including the fitment of flashing indicators in 2006, and a conversion to 12-volt electrics in 2016. By 2017, the Seven had passed to a new owner who undertook a series of minor renovations. He performed an engine service and chassis greasing in 2017, and in 2018 fitted a reconditioned fuel pump, reconditioned track rod ends and a replacement nearside front kingpin, and relined the brakes, using parts sourced from the respected supplier A7 Components. This was followed by the reconditioning of the carburettor in 2019.
‘GNO 242’ changed hands again in 2019, and was purchased by the vendor, a well-known gentleman racer, last year, and is only being reluctantly offered for sale on health grounds. We understand the vendor recently completed an overhaul of the engine, so the charming little tourer should be ready to use and enjoy. It is sold with assorted MOTs and invoices dating back to 2006, a diagram of the Zenith carburettor, a copy of the Handbook of the Austin Seven, the 2003 Austin Seven Owners’ Club Vehicle Registration Index and the 2019D edition of the Magazine of the Austin Seven.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
