HENRY HARRIS’ AUSTIN 7 RP DELUXE SALOON REGISTERED OY 8166 – 28 MARCH 1934
Henry Harris bought OY 8166 in April 1963 when he was 16. First registered in 1934 to one Quinton Death, apparently a church minister from Thornton Heath, Surrey. Henry reckons he’s the eighth owner. ‘I was 16 when I saw two Sevens in the yard of my local fish and chip shop. One was brush-painted in red and had seat covers with what looked like London Transport material. I had to have it. My mother was not impressed when I told her I’d paid £2 for it, and suggested that I take it back and get my money back. Admittedly it didn’t run, but along with some school friends we pushed it home about half a mile. The fuel pump was missing. Being the ‘deluxe’ model it has leather seats and a sunroof. I was mad keen on cars and knew enough to get it going again. It was my everyday transport for many years, through sixth form, art college and more.
‘It’s had three major rebuilds during my ownership, the latest in 2020 following a collision when a car hit the side on a roundabout. We did a full body-off restoration with help from my son Freddie. For the time being it’s running on a spare engine while I do some work on the original. It’s had a number of engines and gearboxes during my ownership.’
Henry had already been using OY8166 for trials as early as 1968 including the arduous MCC Lands End in 1971. But more was to come. ‘I took part in the Austin 7 Jubilee Land’s End/ John o’ Groats run in 1972. I arrived after 47 hours, including an overnight hotel stop at Gretna. From my home in Oxted Surrey to Land’s End, then to Scotland, and then returning home is an 1800 mile trip. With no co-driver – I was younger then!’
More memories were made in June 1972 when Henry used OY8166 as his wedding car. The 750 Motor Club’s race series for Austin 7s was Henry’s next adventure. ‘When the chance to race a special-bodied car disappeared I thought I’d enter my saloon. To make it competitive I fitted a modern Shorrock supercharger, which was within the rules. I competed from 1986 until the early Nineties, including six-hour endurance racing. It really was great fun. Sometime in the late Seventies when the car was outside my workshop in Oxted an elderly couple walked by. They recognised the car as the same one they had in the Fifties. Later they dropped by with a photo of it on the way to Seaton in 1953.
‘Nowadays OY8166 is used more gently as everyday transport. A while back I drove to Manchester and it was fine. Mind you, I avoid motorways because they’re too dangerous for a Seven.’