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| Lot number | 158 |
|---|---|
| Hammer value | £10,000 |
| Description | Austin Seven RK Saloon |
| Registration | OG 910 |
| Year | 1930 |
| Colour | Blue |
| Engine size | 747 cc |
| Chassis No. | 12555 |
| Engine No. | 110767 |
Launched in 1922, the Austin Seven was such an unprecedented success that it not only saved the Austin company from the receivers, but wiped out most other small car and cyclecar manufacturers 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.
First registered in May 1930, this RK model has factory fitted aluminium coachwork. The majority of Austin saloons of the period were built with fabric bodywork which had a much shorter life-span so these early, vintage saloons have become relatively rare.
It has a fully documented ownership history from new and comes with no fewer than eight old log books, including the original 1930 buff log book, showing 10 owners to date. The third owner, George Jack of Warwick, kept the car from 1937 to 1961 and the fifth owner had it from 1980 to 2003. Clearly a much loved motorcar, it is in excellent condition throughout, and still retains its original engine and original transferable registration number, OG 910.
Purchased through ourselves in 2010, this delightful little car has hardly been used since, the vendor suggesting that the new owner should give it a thorough once-over prior to use on the road once more.
A snug and warm alternative to a Chummy, this vintage saloon is perfect for using on events organised by the myriad of Austin 7 clubs, the VSCC - including the ever expanding Light Car Section - or perhaps just the occasional trip into town where its diminutive proportions make even a two-seater Smart car look positively bloated!
