"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 U.S. 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 built. 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 7 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.
Using an Austin Ruby chassis, this 7 Special is an eye-catching car with its polished bodywork. Little is known of its history although it is thought the engine has been rebuilt as it has impressive oil pressure and runs very smoothly and quietly. We are advised by the vendor that this is a great fun car and drives with no known faults. Supplied with a V5C this Austin 7 Special is a great entry level into classic or pre-war motoring.
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