Description

1928 Austin Seven Chummy

Most appealing original condition; recently reconditioned engine; hood and sidescreens

Everyone loves a Chummy and they have remained as enduringly popular as ever in the Seven's Centenary year. 1928 was a good year for the model, the car retaining the charm of the earlier models but with 7" brakes and a bit more space inside.

This nicely patinated example has been with its current owner since 2017, since when it has enjoyed local trips and some VSCC Light Car action around and about its home in nearby Presteigne.

A sales receipt from 1965 shows it sold for £52.10.0 and some MOTs from the '70s and '80s suggest it lived near Colne in Lancashire.

In 2013 its Magneto was replaced with a Willie McKenzie coil conversion for reliability and recent and relevent receipts show local specialist Gerwyn Lloyd gave the engine a thorough overhaul in August last year. Work included fitting a later Ausitn 7 Zenith side-draught carburettor (the original is included in the sale) and manifold.

At this time, the engine was removed and stripped. The clutch was set and the motor was rebuilt with a rebored block, new pistons and four new valves. The bearings were checked and considered in good order and new big-end bolts fitted. The rear wheel bearings were also replaced and the brakes relined and longer brake levers fitted. The bill for this work came to £1,624 including parts.

The car has enjoyed some fame and fortune, featuring in Practical Classics 'Complete Guide to the Austin Seven' and somewhat bizzarely, in a back-to-back comparison celebrating 90 years of roadtesting in 'Autocar' Magazine against a 2018 McLaren Senna - yes, you read correctly. They felt that despite the technological chasm between the two cars, what set them apart was nothing compared with what bound them together - a nice story.

Complete with a spare tyre and picnic basket, this sweet car was driven to us some 30 miles on the hottest day of the year and appears fit and ready to go.

For more information - contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com