Vehicle Description
The Austin 7 was produced from 1922 through to 1939 and nicknamed
the 'Baby Austin'; it was one of the most popular cars ever
produced and sold equally well abroad. It wiped out most other
British small cars and cycle cars of the early 1920's and its
effect on the British market was similar to that of the Model T
Ford in the USA. Prior to the Austin 7 though, larger cars were the
order of the day but the forward thinking of Sir Herbert Austin
felt a smaller car would be more popular. Austin put a large amount
of his own money into the design and patented many of its
innovations. In return for the investment he was paid a royalty of
two guineas on every car sold. Nearly 2,500 cars were made in the
first year of production (1923), not as many as hoped, but within a
few years the 'big car in miniature' had transformed the fortunes
of the Austin Motor Co. and by 1939, when production finally ended,
over 290,000 cars and vans had been made. Indeed, in 2007, during
an episode of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson and James May studied a
number of early car designs (including the Ford Model T and the De
Dion-Bouton Model Q) and concluded that the Austin Seven was the
first mass-market car to be fitted with a 'conventional' control
layout, as found on modern cars. The first real car as we know it.
Built in 1927, this charming car has had three previous keepers
with the last owner keeping the car in his tenure for some 13
years. With maroon body work and contrasting black wings, this
little car looks delightful from every angle. A rear mounted spare
is fitted and a black soft top keeps occupants protected from
inclement weather. The simple interior boasts a Smiths speedo,
amperes gauge and black seats front and rear with tools mounted
under the rear seat.This extremely popularly configured Austin 7
with its body mounted headlights is certainly a rare model, perfect
for families, the VSCC and a fantastic entry to pre-war motoring.
For sale by auction on Saturday 23 September 2017 with Historics at
Brooklands, Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit, Weybridge, Surrey,
Call 01753 639170
