1928 Austin Seven Fabric Saloon

Registration No: UO 5807
Chassis No: 555357
MOT: Exempt

• Rare survivor of a ‘Top Hat’ Fabric Saloon
• In current ownership for twelve years
• Subject to a self-evident previous restoration
• Offered with the original buff logbook and several event plaques

"One of the immortal designs in motoring history is the Austin Seven, for upon its introduction, it rendered the cycle-car obsolete, set a high standard for the economical car, and made motoring possible for the first time for thousands of families. It is surely no exaggeration to say that it was as great an advance in its own sphere as were the 1901 Mercedes and the 1907 Rolls-Royce in theirs, capturing the imagination as few cars have done before or since". (Cecil Clutton, The Vintage Motor Car)

Arguably the forefather of mass motoring 'giants' such as the Volkswagen Beetle, Citroen 2CV, and BMC Mini, the Austin Seven was launched in 1922. An extremely versatile design, its simple but well-executed A-frame, leaf-sprung chassis played host to a bewildering range of derivatives from Brooklands single-seaters to two-speed tractors (all powered by the ubiquitous, four-cylinder, side-valve 747cc engine). Throughout a lifetime of continual revision and development, the Seven never lost its charm.

Chassis number 555357 was manufactured new in 1928 and first registered in the United Kingdom on the 26th of March that year. One of 12,675 fabric-bodied saloons built between 1928 and 1930, this ‘top hat’ car is a rare survivor with the PWA7C estimated 95 remain. Finished in Brown and Black, the vendor informs that the exterior fabric body is in excellent condition having been subject to a self-evident previous restoration, with the Beige upholstered interior being believed original. Purchased by the vendor twelve years ago from a dealer selling on behalf of a deceased estate, with the Seven taken to numerous events while in previous ownership and several event plaques for car rallies including a rosette for a second-place award at a rally in Norfolk included in the sale. Sensibly uprated with a coil conversion, the updraft carburettor has been recently professionally refurbished. On offer now due to an imminent house move, the Austin is offered with a history file that includes the original buff logbook, numerous invoices dating back the past three decades, assorted sundry paperwork, and a current V5C document that shows five former keepers.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452