Everyone should try a Seven’

Your tales of the latest classic car deals. This week, how one reader added an Austin Seven to his collection.

What made you want an Austin Seven?

I have owned several classics, I’ve got an MGC GT, MG Midget and Alfa Romeo 156 V6 currently but I’ve never had a pre-war one and always wanted to. I wanted something not too big as it needed to fit on my drive and I’ve always felt every petrolhead should try out an Alfa Romeo and a Seven at some point – I had to tick the latter one off!

Tell us about this one.

I looked at a few but I just loved the look of this one and the colour! I viewed it just after the last lockdown lifted, had a test drive, and my heart ruled my head probably. It was a lovely couple selling the car though, they even gave me lunch!

Has it been a joy to own?

I’m very happy with it, and happy she is being used. You have to concentrate a lot harder while driving it than in my other cars – and you can’t wear big shoes in it either. Even my dog Alfie loves being a passenger in it too!

What are your plans for it now? That an easy question to answer because I’ll be driving it as much as possible, and I definitely want to take part in the Austin Seven centenary which takes place next year.

there’s a lot you can do, including moving to a hydraulic system. If Howie does decide he wants to hot it up at all, the world is his Oyster, and there’s lots of parts available to help the car shed weight (I’d consider ditching the hood for a tonneau for one) and gain some power. Some fruitier carbs won’t cost much and should make the car feel and sound more eager.

Howie’s car otherwise looks a peach however, and a great foil to his stable of more modern classics. I just hope he gets a seatbelt for Alfie!