Austin 7 'Penrock' Special

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In 1966 a tired 1936 Austin Seven Ruby failed its MOT and was consigned to the crusher.

Fortunately, three plucky teenage boys gave it a home as their play thing (pre games console!). Soon after, the engine seized and interest soon waned, the car being left to deteriorate in some woodland. In 1975 our vendor married into the family and watched with sadness as the 7 rusted away.

Eventually, in 2012, the undergrowth was cleared, the rotten body removed and two bits of chassis pulled out along with the major componets of the car. Sadly, the original chassis was too far gone, so a replacement boxed chassis was procured and the build began.

Our vendor lived in a small cottage called Penrock, with only a 12x6 timber shed to house the build, hence this is a ‘Penrock Special’ Seven. During the build, the front and rear axles were overhauled with sports twin-arm shocks fitted at the front and telescopic dampers at the rear. Morris Minor hydraulics provide the stopping power with a more modern master cylinder.

The engine was fully rebuilt with new pistons, valves, hi-cap oil pump and high compression head, the two-bearing crank being retained. Fuel is handled by a single SU carburetor into the original manifold. A Kubota alternator was also modified to supply 12v power. The frame utilized a re-chromed and re-cored ‘box’ radiator and cowl. A handmade steam-shaped ash frame was created reminiscent of the American Austin Bantam which was clad in aluminum, including the wings and a useful recess for the spare.

It was then re-upholstered with some clever use of a 1953 Singer sewing machine and an armchair found on Ebay with sidescreens and roof following to keep the spouse happy!

Although no buff logbook was present, the original registration and chassis number were sufficient for the Kithead Trust to reveal EPF 594 was a Surrey car, somehow ending up in Builth Wells. It has been re-registered as a 2-seat sports and the original registration number retained. The history file also includes photographs of the build and large envelopes stuffed with receipts, the vendor has dared not add them up for fear of divorce!

In fact this fascinating build relied more on ingenuity than on lavish expenditure, but the results speak for themselves. At its best with the roof down the lines are lovely and it looks very sweet and would no doubt be at home at any classic and vintage rally. Testament to its quality have been the prizes won at a South Wales’s A7 Rally in 2014, at the 2014 750 Motor Club Beaulieu meeting and best Special at Autokana in 2015.