Austin 7 Chummy

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

By 1920 the Austin Motor Company was heading for trouble, its range of high quality but staid and expensive cars were not what the market was wanting. 

In 1921 Herbert Austin saw what was needed and against the wishes of the Board of Directors set about designing a new small car. He famously took Stanley Edge from the drawing office at Longbridge, in secret, and placed him in the Billiard room at his home, Lickey Grange, to get on with the job in hand - designing the new generation of small cars.

Much to the Board’s consternation, the design was pushed through into production only when Austin threatened to take the design to Wolseley instead, probably saving the company from bankruptcy and putting virtually the entire British cyclecar industry out of business at a stroke. Herbert Austin himself had a number of personal patents in the car and took a £2 royalty on each car sold.

Designed as a ‘big car in minature’ it offered excellent performance, reliability and big car comfort at a price that the working man could afford. It genuinely was ‘motoring for the millions’. Drive an Austin 7 today and you will receive more waves and smiles per mile than in any other car.

By 1927 the Seven was in its prime and for many, this period represents the pinnacle of ‘cuteness’, retaining the short black radiator surround, scuttle-mounted lights, gate gearchange, dainty wings and the magneto engine. They were also lighter than the later models, the taller 4.9:1 back axle ratio ensuring that a well driven Chummy performs better than the later heavier cars maintaining a genuine 45-50mph on the open road.

Dating from August 1930, this magneto engine Chummy was bought by the vendor as a pile of bits some time ago. Since then much time and money has been spent on the car, the intention being to turn it into a really top flight example. Unfortunately a change of circumstances means the car now has to go, mid-way through the project.

A new body tub has been fitted and a virtually complete new Roach bodyshell acquired (doors, wings, radiator surround and dashboard etc.) at a cost of some £3,000. The bonnet and side panel are the original items and could be either repaired or used as patterns to make new panels. Most sections required to make a new ash frame are also present as are new brass hinges and door castings to attach the doors.

The chassis, axles, steering, suspension and four-wheel brakes have all been fully rebuilt as has the engine with a refurbished two-bearing crank, new bearings, re-metalled rods, new valves, guides, flywheel, clutch etc. The wheels have been restored and new tyres fitted all round along with a new Cardon transmission block, new battery tray, nearly new honeycomb radiator and new radiator badge. The original door and bonnet handles, lights and instruments (including an oil pressure gauge) are also present. Indeed the only significant items known to be missing are the windscreen (although the surround itself is present) and the scuttle panel.

Loosely assembled for ease of transport, the car will now require putting back together properly and finishing off to the new owner’s requirements. It comes with various bills for work carried out to date and a V5C which confirms that the original London number GH 6753 is still with the car and is transferable.

With Chummy prices going into orbit of late, this is a most worthwhile project that should amply reward the further work still required and should bring a great deal of satisfaction to the lucky new owner once completed and back on the road.