Austin Seven Special is a mystery machine
The 1950s and ’60s were the heyday of the homebuilt special. A whole industry quickly sprang up to supply those who wanted to create their own vehicle, usually a sports car based on the Ford Ten or Austin Seven chassis. The builders were encouraged by the 750 Motor Club and its very popular 750 and 1172 racing events.
Firms made modifications for the chassis, suspension and braking, offering go-faster parts for the engines and gearboxes, and bodies in many styles usually made from aluminium or glassfibre. These specials were all homemade, often by people who made few – if any – notes on how they built them.
Now, some 50 or so years later, many mystery machines are coming out of the woodwork. One such example is an Austin Seven Special that Matthew Mason bought at the 750 Motor Club’s annual National Austin 7 Rally at Beaulieu in 2016. All the dealer could tell him was that it came from the estate of a deceased owner in Scotland. Faintly discernible on the rear is the registration GN 312, a London number from 1931 – presumably the original plate on the Austin road car that had been sacrificed to build the special.
The front wings are bolted to the brake backplates so they swivel with the wheels, the engine has only had a few tweaks and it wears just one carburettor. The body is made of aluminium or Duralumin, the panels of which are crudely rolled around the steel tubular frame. The dashboard is made from an old road sign – which might be a good clue.
Restoration is under way, but does anyone remember this car? If so, email info@matthewmason.eu