Description
1935 Austin 7 Pearl, known to me as 'La Perla'.
Mark 1 variant, born April 1935, she's scruffy, but beautiful and starts on the first pull of the starter and purrs along quite happily, 4 up.
As you'll see from the photos (more to be added or sent on request), she's a true 'Oily Rag'. The exact reason I was attracted to her and bought her back in 2014.
I registered her in Guernsey in 2021, and have enjoyed her since then, my pottering around in the summer months (as I leave her on the drive on sunny days as my daily hack), you get waved at by many and looked at a little strange sometimes too, but that's her charm, scruffy, but she just keeps on giving.
She had some new tyres on from Beaulieu Vintage Tyre Supplies a few years back, and I basically just top her up with petrol, check the oil on the dipstick and look at the water level in the radiator, on occasions I'll grease all the joints and in general I just enjoy bumbling around. As a good friend said," It took a long time to look that good"
Brakes are as to be expected on a 91 year old Austin 7, the gear box works fine, and as with these vars the clutch pedal movement is either on or off at a hairs width of pressure, and has always been like this and is mighty fine to use, and steering is again, as to be expected, she trundles along and you have fun, fortunately she's so slim which makes her easy to keep between the lines.
If you're looking for a 7 to enjoy, and have a laugh in, and not to be precious about, and to enjoy the experience of tatty old cheap vintage motoring, this is the car for you, but if you want a car to restore, please take my word for it, itt would be a crime and restorers ought not to be welcome (hahaha).
Lights work, engine runs, horn honks, wipers (er well thats a point of contention) and the brakes, yeh judge your distances based on how may passengers you are carrying... yes, what I mean is they're pretty shocking to be totally honest.. Handbrake does hold her on a hill though...
Interior is very aged, the rear seat base has some amazingly impressive repairs, repairs like you've never seen before and will probably never see again.. no really I mean they'd make an amateur trimmer cringe, but its comfy, the rear back upright one is the original and is lovely...
Body wise, well take a look at the photos and you can see, the door hinges are holding out, but the doors do drop and shut with a proper clunk, the floors and rear under seat areas, are amazingly solid, Wings are holing out quite well, but all part of its age and charm with some corrosion around the wire edge which is a bit wonky in places, the main body infall fairness for the age is doing quite well, but it has had some gas welded repairs to the sill sides and where the wings mount on the inner wings have seen some keep it on the road repairs, hand painted too in places . Chassis seems complete and strong enough to hold 4 persons and trundle along. I do have a spare chassis from a friends car he was breaking, so if you wanted it for the spare front beam and the fact it's here and solid and I'll never use it.
The roof, well the structures all there and opens and shuts all ok on its pram style hinges, but the hood covering, is in a very poor, but again charming state. I can assure you, it closes but is so thin, a heavy down pour and you'll need a rain coat.. I've only ever used here on sunny days, and quite frankly don't care for a roof...
Don't be put off by my very informative description, my wife's really upset with me for saying I want to sell it, she's not into cars at all 'smelly old things' and I've had some seriously nice cars too, but this one she absolutely loves, so I'm in the Dog House for wanting a change, but I've a Barn find 12/ 6 Riley I bought 10 years ago which I must get round to doing, so I want to upgrade.. hence the sale.
If you're interested in a very fun car with charm, and don't mind getting your hands dirty, cos I can guarantee that you will, then La Perla's for you.
Call me or drop me a message via CandC's app.
Thanks for reading this advert and seriously considering getting yourself into Vintage ownership with a 7, it was my entry level to Vintage Car ownership and I have loved every moment of it.
The 1932 number plate does not come with the car, sorry, that's Guernsey only and is my own private plate I'll be putting on my Riley. Not For Sale. UK Owners, it will need to be NOVA's and a 5% Import VAT.
My description is honest and fair and you'll understand when you drive it, and she is 'Sold as Seen and inspected by the buyer' by photos or in person, it's your choice. I bought it unseen and have never regretted my decision, but its your decision to make, so be sure to either come see it, or 'Caveat Emptor'.
Any questions, feel free to message me.
Thanks...
