The A30, or “New Austin Seven” as it was known at launch made its debut in 1951. It was Austin’s answer to the all-conquering Morris Minor and arrived as a surprisingly innovative car from a somewhat conservative motor manufacturer.

The car was of a monocoque design, a first for Austin at the time, and was powered by the Austin “A” Series engine which was considered state-of-the-art in 1951. The eager engine endowed the car with a good overall performance for the time. A top speed of 70mph was suggested by the factory, but never matched by contemporary road tests, and an impressive 40+ mpg figure.

This diminutive Austin has had a mere 3 owners in its 67 year history. During its previous ownership the car has undergone extensive and professional restoration to body and mechanical systems. The car comes with a detailed photographic record of the restoration, a sample of which is presented here, and should give the new owner a high degree of reassurance about the integrity and condition of this appreciating classic.

The current owner is a serial Austin collector but has found that he simply doesn’t have the time to enjoy all of the cars in his collection and is now looking for an enthusiastic new owner for the A30.

The car comes with the UK V5 in the name of the current owner. There is also some other interesting paperwork including invoices and MOT records, original handbook, and a certified copy of the factory records.

There is also a photograph album documenting the various key stages of the extensive body and mechanical restoration that the car has benefitted from during its previous ownership.

The interior appears very period correct indeed but in really excellent condition throughout. Seats are finished in an appealing crimson vinyl which feels very hard wearing. The carpets are of a similar but contrasting shade and present in an equally good condition.

The door cards and headlining are in great original condition and the interior of the A30 appears cosy yet surprisingly accommodating. Very endearing indeed.

The exterior of the A30 has benefitted from a quality respray during its full restoration and, as the photographs attest, any areas of rust or damage have been professionally addressed and the car appears in excellent external condition.

The tyres appear hardly used and the spare in the boot is completely unused as you will see from our photographs.

The “A” series engine of the A30 has gone on to prove itself as a most reliable and effective engine and, given the restoration history of this car, this example is reported to run very well indeed with all mechanical systems working as expected.

The car started and ran very effectively during our visit which was on a cold and wet, battery draining January day.

The A30 was a big success following its launch and almost 250,000 had been sold by the time the A35 arrived in 1956. Today the car’s appeal endures on many levels. Firstly, it is a highly endearing little car that is very easy to like with a cheeky and diminutive demeanour.

Much like the Morris Minor, the car’s big competitor at launch, the A30 represents a true practical classic and a great entrée into classic car ownership at modest cost. You will find few today in such good restored, yet entirely period-correct condition, so bid today to secure a slice of British automotive history.