Austin 7 RN Saloon

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Launched in 1922, the Austin Seven was an unprecedented success that not only saved the Austin company but wiped out most other small cars and cyclecars of the early 1920s.

Simply yet brilliantly engineered by Herbert Austin and his young protégé, Stanley Edge, at Austin’s Lickey Grange home, it quite literally put Britain on the road. Occupying barely more tarmac than a motorcycle and sidecar, it still had all the comforts of a family saloon and boasted such luxuries as four-wheel drum brakes and (from 1924) an electric starter.

Built around an A-frame chassis, it was powered by a 10bhp 747cc four-cylinder sidevalve engine mated to a three-speed manual transmission. Suspension was by a transverse-leaf spring 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 pre-war car movement.

This matching numbers 1931 RN Saloon has seen considerable expenditure in time and effort over the last few years. Purchased by the vendor around 3 years ago from Pioneer Automobiles, it has undergone a programme of detailed improvements which have turned it into a very well presented example.

The sunroof has been refurbished and functions as it should while a new headlining and new carpets with extra sound-proofing have also been fitted. The doors open and close nicely and the paintwork and chrome radiator surround are in good condition.

After purchase, one of the wheel rims was found to be corroded, so the vendor sent the whole set to James Wheeldon for restoration, choosing to powder-coat them in a jolly red colour to match the pinstripe on the bodywork. The tyres are in good condition. Prior to acquisition, the car had been rewired, including the addition of indicators fitted into the side-lights for added safety on the road.

The engine started promptly when manoeuvering for the photographs, the vendor advising us that the carburettor is not the original and that the windscreen wiper is a later, more effective electric item in place of the original vacuum unit. The early Austin calorimeter shown in the photographs will be replaced with a Boyce type for the sale.

Everybody loves an Austin 7 and this appealing, snug little RN saloon looks like a lot of fun at a modest guide price.