Austin 7 Type EB 65 Sports

Launched in 1922, the Austin Seven was an unprecedented success that not only saved Austin but wiped out most other small cars and cyclecars of the early 1920s. Simply yet brilliantly engineered, it quite literally put Britain on the road. 

Built around an A-frame leaf-sprung chassis it was powered by a 10hp 747cc four-cylinder side-valve engine mated to a three-speed gearbox. Suspension was by transverse-leaf springs at the front and quarter-elliptics to the rear. Available in numerous different body styles, it remained in production until 1939. Tough, easy to maintain and huge fun to drive, it has long been the backbone of the vintage car movement.

The car on offer today is one of the rarest and most sought-after Sevens of all. Inspired by the legendary Type EA Ulster Sports race car, the Type EB 65 was not intended for racing but was aimed instead at those who wanted a fast two-seater sports tourer. Produced for one year only from June 1933 until the summer of 1934, it had lightweight aluminium bodywork over an ash frame with steel cycle wings.

With its low-slung stance and distinctive rounded tail it had many upgrades over the standard Seven including: revised sports suspension; close-ratio 4-speed gearbox; downdraught Zenith 30 VEI carburettor; Chromidium cylinder head and block; special inlet manifold; plugs positioned over the valves; extra-large sump with cooling ribs; sprung 4-spoke Bluemel steering wheel; square radiator with chrome stone-guard and leather seats.

Developing 23bhp at 4,800 revs, it had over twice the power of a standard Seven with a top speed of 65mph. With a low centre of gravity and weighing just 495kg, the Type 65 proved an amusingly brisk and chuckable sportscar. Costing £148 at launch, just 275 were made before it was replaced by the steel-bodied Type EAB Nippy in 1934, with which it should not be confused.

First registered in on 1st May 1934, this particular car is even more desirable than most as it benefits from a Pigsty Racing ‘fast road’ engine that was fully rebuilt in 2005 with new pistons and bearings etc. at a cost of some £2,400 (bills on file). It has also been treated to a hydraulic brake system upgrade which, as any Seven owner will tell you, improves the driving experience no end!

Other bills show that within recent years it has also had numerous other new parts fitted including a fuel pump, all four wheel bearings, steering arm, rear brake shoes, wiper motor, dynamo plus many other items. The cosmetics have not been neglected either with a full repaint in British Racing Green with black wings and an interior retrim. A set of weather gear is also present, including a hood and frame and a double-duck tonneau cover, while a spare wheel nestles in the boot.

The car has only covered a modest mileage since the engine rebuild and is said to run beautifully. It comes with a fair amount of history including the aforementioned bills, copies of two old log books from the early 1960s and a modern V5C. Taxed until December and no longer requiring an MOT (the last one expired in January), this gorgeous and sensibly uprated sportscar is ready to drive away today.

Said to draw a huge amount of attention wherever it goes, it is only reluctantly being sold because the owner finds that he is now not quite so sprightly as he used to be and the car is not getting the use that it deserves.