Austin Seven Special

This is proper motoring, so long as you’re satisfi ed with a 40mph cruising speed, which counts as brisk for a Seven. The modified sidevalve engine starts on the button (yes, it has a starter motor) and accelerates without hesitation, and the cable-operated brakes do an adequate job. The handling is excitable, as should be expected, requiring constant course correction, but there’s no particular slackness in the steering and no knocks or wobbles are transmitted through the snug bucket seats. The gear lever, bent at a more acute angle than standard, communicates with a synchro gearbox, making gear selection a doddle once you get used to the typically snappy clutch.

BODYWORK CHECK

This beautiful aluminium body is by RTC (now Roach), fi tted to a Ruby chassis in 1987. There’s a slight dent on the driver’s door, but no other damage and no corrosion. The spoked wheels and exposed parts of the running gear wear a smart coat of gloss black, with no visible rust. The wheels are fi tted with smart RTC-branded hub nuts, and a quick glimpse underneath reveals a similarly rust-free chassis. The folding roof and canvas tonneau (which leaves only the driver’s portion of the cockpit exposed) is faded but intact. Overall the car has a pleasing, gentle patina.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

It’s so simple inside that there’s not much to mention, with the exception of the custom-made dash panel, teeming with gauges – definitely among this car’s most intriguing features. The polished steel binnacle is set against a copper background, its main highlight being the rev gauge which is taken from a vintage aircraft, with two hands to indicate both hundreds and thousands of revs per minute. The vinyl bucket seats are in good condition – bar a small nick on the passenger seat – and there’s a nicely-faded charm throughout. The chunky RTC-embossed gearknob and glovebox handle look smart.

UNDER THE BONNET

The engine has been thoroughly breathed on, with a modified conrod, valves, camshaft, pistons and an improved oil system. Visible upgrades include an SU carb and four-blade fan. It’s a tidy engine bay, with a little oil seepage (you’ll also fi nd some round the diff) but nothing to raise alarm bells, and no damaged or perishing parts. The engine is mated to Rubybased running gear, including 17-inch wheels, with altered gear ratios equivalent to an Austin Seven Nippy. Everything is in excellent working order, supported by lots of history.

THE CCW VIEW

Decent levels of workmanship, and an eye for fun details, make this a particularly desirable motor car for the money, and one that’s bound to appreciate iTnhveaolu Feo.rd-Sagers