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Austin 7 Nippy

Austin 7 Nippy

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Austin 7 Nippy
Lot number 178
Hammer value £13,600
Description Austin 7 Nippy
Registration JX 1832
Year 1934
Colour Red
Engine size 748 cc
Chassis No. 196018
Engine No. M188042
Documents V5C; Guide to Austin 65 and Nippy; Photo book of rebuild

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 10bhp 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.

Much to Austin’s surprise, the remarkable Seven proved extremely competitive across all forms of motorsport, from trials through to endurance racing. Its giant slaying achievements are legendary, the positive outcome being several excellent road-going sports models launched during its 17 year production life.

One such model was the 65, produced from June 1933 until early 1934. It had lightweight aluminium bodywork over an ash frame with steel cycle wings. Its low-slung stance and distinctive rounded tail 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 Blumel steering wheel; chrome stone-guard and leather seats.

Named the 65 after its top speed, it cost £148 at launch and just 275 were made before it was replaced by the visually similar steel-bodied Type EAB Nippy in 1934.

This fine example dates from between April and May 1934 and is believed to be the earliest Nippy known to have survived. It even incorporates an aluminium boot lid which is believed to be a left-over from 65 production.

Purchased as a major project from Ebay by its previous owner, it was last used in 1963 when it was taken off the road following an accident. A photograph album shows the subsequent restoration, which included the sourcing of a number of hard to find parts that were missing.

The original body is numbered 358 and it retains its original wings and scuttle. The doors were replaced and the car given a professional respray. The wheels were rebuilt by Brickwood Wheel Builders and the car retrimmed and fitted with a new hood and sidescreens.

It has been mechanically overhauled, although the original ‘ribbed crankcase’ Nippy engine is no longer present, the vendor advising us that he is unsure as to the type of crankshaft fitted.

Purchased by the vendor in restored condition to fulfill a long-felt desire to own another Nippy, his advancing years mean that he now struggles to get in and out of the car and so has had to change his plans. His loss is your gain, as this nicely restored example, with full weather equipment, looks excellent value at the suggested guide price.

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