Lot Ended
Description
In the current ownership for 17 years; expertly restored in c.2002 by
Ray Edge and only 1,100 miles since; in light regular use; full set of weather
gear; original number plate; very smart indeed
Unveiled in
October 1922, the Austin Seven did not go on sale until early-1923 and was
initially only available as a two-door, four-seat tourer which was informally
known as the Chummy. By 1924 it was the best-selling Austin model with around
4,800 sold that year, although in 1925 it was overtaken by the solid and
dependable Twelve.
However, when a saloon
version came out in mid-1926, the Seven shot back to the top of the sales charts
where it was to remain until 1935, undergoing innumerable small changes along
the way. The last Seven rolled off the production line in early 1939 by which
time 290,944 had been sold in total.
First
registered in Hertfordshire in September 1928, this Vintage AD series Chummy has
the correct nickel-plated radiator shell which replaced the previous black
painted shell in August 1928 and was in turn supplanted by a chrome shell in the
summer of 1929. It also has the curved windscreen base which replaced the flat
screen base of the original cars in early-1926.
Although
there is very little history with the car, we are told that it was expertly
restored in c.2002 by well-known Austin Seven archivist and historian, Ray Edge
of Lancashire. Old MOTs on file imply that the odometer was re-set to zero when
the restoration was completed and it has only covered some 1,069 miles
since.
The V5C records just two former keepers,
our vendor acquiring the car from a gent in Cheadle in October 2008. During his
17-year ownership the Chummy has been in light regular use, mainly on trips to
local shows with the grandchildren on board, with the odd longer 50-mile run.
It comes with a full set of weather equipment
(hood; sidescreens; tonneau cover) all in excellent condition, along with a
wheel brace, a set of Austin spanners and an owner’s handbook. A battery cut-off
switch is fitted below the driver’s seat and modern flashing indicators have
been discreetly fitted front and rear for improved safety in modern road
conditions.
As you can see in the photos, this
Vintage Chummy still looks to be in great condition some 20+ years since it was
restored. We are told that it drives as well as it looks and it has certainly
been starting promptly and running nicely as we have moved it around on
site.
On offer here at a modest guide price, it
retains its original (transferable) Herts-issue number plate, UR 1126, which
doubtless has a value of its own.
Consigned
by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com