Description
The Ubiquitous Austin 7. So many variants, so many famous marques spawned from it and so many top drivers started their careers racing one. Of all the variants produced the affectionately known Ulster must be the most coveted and copied. Although only around 180 original cars were built by Austins between 1930 and 1932 there must be several thousand replicas on the roads today still competing so successfully in the same types of motor sporting events in which they endeared themselves to the public nearly 100 years ago. WC1672 began life as one of the original 180 or so Ulster’s built. It still carries matching chassis and engine numbers and original ‘Ulster’ gearbox. It was built in June 1930 and appears on the surviving original factory ledgers kept at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon. These remarkable documents record that the car was built on chassis number 111652 carrying engine number 107990. Listed as a non supercharged sports 2-seater, it was painted black with red trim & red wings and dispatched on the 14th of June 1930. Nothing is known of its early history sadly, but the remains were bought through a contact made at Beaulieu autojumble about 20 years ago. It was clear that at some stage it had been slightly crudely rebuilt as a typical 750 club special with chassis and engine modified as was popular at the time. Luckily the main mechanical components survived largely unscathed. The incredible rare engine still has original crankcase, sump, head and crankshaft although the nosepiece it carries now is from a slightly later pressure fed engine from a Nippy. The gearbox is a genuine unit and correctly marked, Axles, steering suspension are all original items but the original body, long since lost, has been replaced by a well built and accurate replica in aluminium fitted with correct instruments. WC1672 is once again in need of a rebuild and as such is offered for sale well below the prices that similar cars have fetched in recent years. Sitting purposefully on 16-inch competition wire wheels and stripped for vintage events these rare cars have always been desirable now here is a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine factory ‘Ulster’ for the same price as a decent Ulster replica.
