1935 Austin 7 Ruby
Sympathetically restored
about 10 years ago; good history file back to the early 1960s; bags of
character
Launched in 1922, the Austin Seven was an unprecedented
success that not only saved Austin but wiped out most other small cars and
cyclecars of the early 1920s. Simply yet brilliantly engineered, it quite
literally put Britain on the road.
Built around an A-frame leaf-sprung chassis and powered by
a 10hp 747cc four-cylinder sidevalve engine, it came in numerous different body
styles and remained in production until 1939, going through a bewildering number
of variants along the way encompassing saloons, tourers and out-and-out
racers.
Introduced in 1934, the Ruby was an addition to the
existing saloon range and featured a longer bonnet with hinged vents at the
side, cowled radiator and downswept tail with enclosed spare wheel.
First registered in Dorset in June 1935 with the number JT
2949, this little Ruby comes with a good history file extending back to the
early 1960s and an album of undated photos which suggest it was restored about
10 years ago.
A list of new parts fitted at around this time includes
materials for a new fabric roof; rubber window and boot seals; seat foams;
running board rubbers; rechromed front bumper and headlights; powder coated
wheels; new wiring loom; spark plugs; tyres and inner tubes; shock absorbers;
battery; indicators; fuse box; battery cut-off switch; green engine paint plus
numerous other items at a cost of £2,036.
A new set of Pine Green carpets and new locking door
handles were fitted in 2012 when the radiator was also recored and it had a new
sump gasket and in-line fuel filters in 2014.
Six old MOTs suggest that it was back on the road in 2012
and in regular use until at least 2017, covering around 1,000 miles in the last
nine years. Also on file are numerous invoices from 1962 to 1983 showing regular
upkeep during this period, along with nine old MOTs from 1962 to 1985.
The invoices suggest that it moved from Dorset to Surrey
in 1963, an old green logbook and a V5 showing that it was in Kent during the
1970s and then in Hertfordshire in the 1980s. An Austin Seven Club valuation
certificate valued the car at £5,500 in January 2012.
As you can see in the photos, it has a nicely patinated
interior retaining much originality. The paintwork looks good from a few feet
away but is cracked here and there on closer inspection (principally the roof
and the wings). Starting and running nicely as we have moved it around on site,
it looks very good underneath and doubtless has another 80+ years of useful life
ahead of it.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or
email [email protected]
Reg No: NXS869
Chassis Number: 223873
Engine Number: M225333
Engine Size: 747
Docs: V5C; older V5; green logbook; 15 old MOTs; many invoices; restoration photos; valuation certificate etc
Estimate: £5,250+
Lot 111
Lot ended
Thursday 01/04/2021
Hammer Price (inc. buyers premium)
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