If you think that modifying cars is a relatively new phenomenon, then think again.
For years, enthusiasts have been trying their best to make cars look different and go faster - and one of the first cars to be popular on the modifying scene was the humble Austin Seven. The little car that first put Britain on wheels was also one of the first to be turned into home-built racers or trials cars, thanks to their wide availability and low purchase cost.
Indeed, the whole cult of modifying Austin Sevens has continued and it's still a popular part of automotive culture today, with the little cars still hugely popular with trials drivers, and also in organised circuit racing via the 750 Motor Club. The cars may be old, but a lot of the enthusiasts are youngsters, which is great news for the future of vintage motorsport.
This 1932 example was built in the 1990s from a barn-find chassis, and is a two-seater touring body that’s eligible for 750 events – a great chance to break into budget motorsport or enjoy a charming vintage microcar.
The Seven has been part of a private collection for the past few years, having been purchased by an enthusiast who is now slimming down his substantial collection of classics cars as the storage space is required for business purposes, while he is also spending an increasing amount of time in California so can’t really use them.
The car has been maintained by his own mechanic, employed to look after his vehicles, who is handling the sale on his behalf.
It comes with a UK V5C, some old MOTs and tax discs and lots of bills and invoices relating to its rebuild in the 1990s, though some of these are in ‘deconstructed’ format having been nibbled by a mouse in the owner’s filing cabinet!
As you might expect from an Austin Seven, the cabin is pretty basic. It's also a bit of a squeeze. The owner recommends that tall drivers need not apply!
The seats are sports bucket items that have been reupholstered in black leather. Other than those, the steering wheel, the pedals and the dials there isn't much else to report but what is there is in good working order.uOZpyaOdRNam3A9jqJbvtGEVt9G3zWwBoUHLNKeK.jpeg1.02 MB
THE EXTERIOR
Repainted in Audi Red
Some marks and scuffs
Gorgeous patina
Full hood and tonneau cover
Built on a standard Seven chassis, the diminutive Austin is a gorgeous little thing and retains all of the standard front body panels and side-hinged bonnet. The touring body is tiny but well-finished, with a full hood and a clip-on tonneau cover that was made for the car.
Period details include a Shell Motor Spirit oil can on the running board, plus a race-spec pop-off fuel cap should you wish to use it for competition.
It also comes with a period fire extinguisher and electric lamps and sidelamps. The 40-spoke wire wheels are in good order and are fitted with period-correct tyres.
The paint is actually an Audi colour and there’s a can of touch-up paint in the glove compartment. It’s in tidy condition, but with a few marks and scrapes, as can be expected of a near-30yr old restoration.kdc6zuMkhASjr1oTHdtnia79uw7kSzPIizrE3NQL.jpeg1.95 MB
THE MECHANICS
747cc side-valve four
Rebuilt in 1994
Starts and runs
Under the bonnet you’ll find the traditional 747cc Austin Seven powerplant, of which millions were built over a production run spanning more than 20 years. It hasn’t been used much in recent years but the vendor says it’s in running condition, and that the steering, suspension and cable brakes are in decent working order. V8RGTDQFMBv9hVGz1RnkBuWHufGz1VtUqSi9vR85.jpeg1017.82 KB
SUMMARY
This is a lovely old car with a charming patina – rescued and restored loner ago than most cars survive for, and loved and used sparingly since. It’s not perfect but it’s in good overall order and ready for its new owner to enjoy in a multitude of different ways.
Notice to bidders
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