1923 Austin Seven Chummy | Brightwells | Auction Ends: Wed 24th Jun

One of the oldest surviving Sevens; effectively two owners from new, the current for 71 years; on display in the Beaulieu Motor Museum 'Hall of Fame' since 1972; multiple show-winner; wonderful history file; always in regular use; not just a car, a national icon

Designed in secret late at night over the billiard table at Herbert Austin’s Lickey Grange home, the Austin Seven caused a sensation when it was unveiled in October 1922.

An ingenious answer to the horsepower tax that was stifling UK car ownership, the 7.9hp ‘Baby Austin’ not only cost £10 less to buy than Britain’s cheapest car, the £175 Ford Model T, it also cost only £8 per year in tax compared to over £22 for the 22.5hp Ford (road tax being levied at £1 per fiscal horsepower).

Given that the average annual wage for a skilled worker was £180 at the time, this made a huge difference, allowing the tens of thousands who could hitherto only afford to get about on a motorcycle or a flimsy, three-wheeled cyclecar (both taxed at £4) to finally take the whole family out in a proper four-seater.

Against the wishes of his board of directors, Herbert Austin clandestinely designed the Seven out of working hours, ably assisted by his young protegee, 18-year-old draughtsman Stanley Edge, who shared his vision of shrinking a traditional car into a miniature masterpiece that would occupy no more tarmac than a motorcycle and sidecar.

Based around a simple A-frame chassis, the Seven they came up with had a three-speed gearbox, a reliable cooling system, proper leaf-spring suspension and four-wheel brakes – the latter seldom seen this side of a Rolls-Royce at the time. While the prototypes had a 696cc side-valve engine, this was bumped up to 747cc for the production cars which came out in early 1923.

Initially just one body style was offered, an open tourer with an aluminium skin over a timber frame – a flyweight formula that allowed the Chummy, as it was christened, to outperform much larger vehicles on hills and rough tracks due to its superior power-to-weight ratio.

Its success was so immediate that it didn't just transform the fortunes of the ailing Austin Motor Company, it effectively killed the cyclecar industry overnight and quite literally put Britain on the road.

As the years passed, the Seven became heavier and more sophisticated, but for sheer charm and simplicity, an early-Twenties Chummy has always been regarded as the pick of the crop. Tough, easy to maintain and huge fun to drive, the Seven in all its forms has remained the backbone of the Vintage car movement ever since.

First registered in October 1923, this delightful Chummy is among the oldest production cars surviving (chassis number A1-1995). In fact, in the 1970s it was believed to be the oldest survivor (apart from two Austin prototype models in the London and Birmingham Science Museums) but it seems from a 2005 copy of the Austin Seven Club’s ‘Surviving Chassis Register’ on file that a handful of slightly earlier cars had come to light by then, no doubt a few more emerging in the 20 years since.

The first owner was reputedly a Ms Sturgess who was to keep YA 7103 for 32 years. In July 1955 the Chummy was acquired by our vendor’s late-father, Mr J Harris Esq, who owned W Goddard & Co of Salisbury, a family garage business that his own father had acquired in 1917. Mr Harris was to keep YA 7103 for the rest of his life (ownership recently passing to his son), during which period it is probably fair to say that it became the most famous Austin Seven in the world.

An ex-Austin apprentice and authorised Austin dealer, Mr Harris was also Vice President of the 750 Motor Club and took part in many events in YA 7103, including the first ever FIVA Rally in Ireland in 1967, where it won First in Class.

He was also well-acquainted with Edward, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, who played host to the world’s longest-running Austin Seven gathering, held every year since 1963 when Lord Montagu instigated the meet as part of a calendar of events to draw visitors to what was then his privately owned Montagu Motor Museum. We are told that YA 7103 has attended virtually every one of these gatherings for the last 62 years, frequently winning First in Class.

When the museum gained Charitable Trust status in the early 1970s, Mr Harris was appointed a Guarantor for the re-named National Motor Museum and YA 7103 was invited to become one of only seven cars to be put on display in the ‘Hall of Fame’ when the museum first opened its doors to the public in July 1972. It was to remain in this hallowed sanctum for the next 54 years, during which time it is estimated that it has been seen by over 60 million visitors to the museum.

No static display object, this Chummy has taken part in innumerable rallies, shows and concours events over the years, winning dozens of trophies and plaques for condition and originality, many of which go with the car (see photos). It also comes with a full set of weather equipment and an original toolkit with the original Austin branded spanners, oil cans etc, all collector’s items in their own right.

The large and interesting history file contains several precious documents that will be of great interest to any Austin aficionado, including a signed letter from Sir Herbert Austin himself, dated 27th April 1940, thanking Mr Harris for enquiring after his health and relaying his satisfaction that Austin’s 7hp and 8hp cars were so well-regarded by the Wilts and Dorset motor trade.

There is also what looks to be an original Austin Motor Co Ltd drawing office blueprint of the Seven rolling chassis, dated February 1923 when the final details of the production cars were still being ironed out. There is even an old 45rpm vinyl record of the rather splendidly-named Arthur Crudge British Imperial Orchestra playing The Austin Unity Song on one side and My Austin Seven on the other.

Featured in many books, magazines, Beaulieu Motor Museum publications and Austin Rover marketing campaigns over the years, this Chummy remains in excellent running order and is not just a car, it is an important piece of Britain’s national heritage.

On the open market for the first time in over 100 years, this early, highly original and much-celebrated Seven is an opportunity not to be missed…

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com