Austin 7 Special

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Back in the 1950s, cars were scarce and expensive – even second hand. For many, the only route to a bit of glamour was to build your own, many taking shape around the ubiquitous Austin 7.

Thanks to its simple chassis and plentiful supply, a whole industry evolved, selling ‘off the peg’ bodies which would transform your rusty £5 Austin into a ‘lookalike’ pre-war MG, or thanks to the new craze in fibreglass, a mini Frazer Nash Sebring – well from a distance anyway...

By the 1960s, the supply of donor vehicles had started to dry up, with remaining Austin 7s being snapped up for restoration rather than conversion. Their place in history is significant though, with Austin 7 Specials forming the launch pad for none other than TVR, McLaren and Lotus, while today they still provide enormous fun on the road, 45mph feeling more like 100mph in a modern car.

This late 1930s Austin 7 Ruby chassis has been restored and was intended to be built into a special, using the fibreglass T-replica tub it sports today. It has been treated to a repaint, and fitted with brand new tyres, inner tubes and wheel nuts.

The notion was to build the chassis and tub into a special eligible for nostalgic drag racing events such as the ‘Flathead Meltdown’, an event for side-valve engine 7s. As you can see the project stalled part way through so it will be up to the next owner to determine the next step.

Being offered here at no reserve and with no documents either, this is an unusual opportunity to turn this chassis into whatever your heart, or your head, deems suitable. The possibilities are endless….