Description
In early 1923, just after the Austin Seven was launched. Capt. Arthur Waite persuaded Lord Austin that it would be a very good idea to compete with a racing version of the standard car.
A couple of months later OK7095, a lightweight fabric bodied Austin seven, with a standard engine, won a race in Monza and shortly afterwards, the Easter handicap meeting at Brooklands, with Waite at the wheel. It was later decided to run a team of three cars. A now modified OK7095, and two other cars to match. OK8945 and OL166.
All the cars had standard chassis and were fabric bodied. But now had uprated engines with special nose pieces to give a pressure fed lubrication system, high lift camshafts and twin Cox-Atmos carburettors. Outside exhausts and high compression cylinder heads also featured. The cars were fitted with 11 Gallon fuel tanks, ancillary oil tanks, shock absorbers and all had 4 speed gearboxes.
The cars were entered in the "Boulogne" road race. Sadly, they all suffered the same fate; their No4 big ends failing due to an inherent lubrication problem. During the race OK8945 became stuck in tram lines and rolled with no serious damage to men or machine. The cars entered various sprint meetings, numerous races at Brooklands and were entered as a team in the 1923 Le Mans race.
Unfortunately, these earliest Seven racing models were deemed unviable by Austin as developments in competition models had rapidly rendered them uncompetitive. As a result, they were all broken up and the parts used in other works and experimental development models.
About the constructor and current owner of OK8945, Steve Hodgson.
Steve should need no introduction to those enthusiasts already immersed in the world of Austin Sevens. I think it is fair to say that Steve has Austin Seven blood running through his veins. He has lived and breathed Austin 7’s his whole life, his passion for them having been instilled at a formative age by his father, Mike who has owned and worked on Austin Sevens himself since the 1950s.
Between them Mike and Steve have rescued, owned and restored some of the rarest and most interesting of all the Sevens variants, including Military examples, coachbuilt cars and one of the earliest surviving, pre-production, works demonstrators dating from 1923.
Steve has subsequently built up an enviable reputation as one of the country’s, if not the world’s, leading experts in these cars, particularly the early and more obscure examples.
As a result, there is no doubt that only someone with Steve’s knowledge, enthusiasm and skill would have been able to bring this project to fruition. The attention to detail, not only in the quality and accuracy of the finished article but in the determination to source exactly the right parts has to be seen to be believed.
It is estimated that to build this car from scratch today would cost at least half as much again as the price being asked for the car and probably take a decade to complete.
OK8945 today.
The car you see now is the result of many, many hours of research from write ups, photos, articles, and Stanley Edge’s notebook (Designer of the Austin Seven). Many years of searching for components of the correct year and even rarer early sports parts have been undertaken.
The result is an impeccably accurate and faithful reproduction of the original OK8945. Great care has been taken to ensure that every aspect of the car is correct and the attention to detail from exhaustive research is clear in every aspect of the project. The only changes are those necessary to make the car eligible to compete in vintage events such as catch tanks, fire extinguisher, wheel nuts. However, all can be removed and the replaced with the original parts which are supplied with the car.
The car has competed in many races and sprints. It was invited to and ran in the demonstration runs at the Austin seven centenary at Prescott, and at the prestigious Goodwood revival. The car has been very reliable and is very fast! The early 1923 engine has been fitted with 1½" pressure fed crankshaft and rods. Slipper pistons. Original SP sports head. Reprofiled camshaft. The block has been ported and has larger inlet valves. Original nose and recounter drive. Lightened 1923 flywheel and clutch. Cast iron clutch linings. The gearbox is a three speed box casing and the original "clawer" type drive shaft but it has been converted to four speeds with no reverse. This is one of very few cars that the VSCC will allow this type of gearbox. The VSCC "blue form" states the car as "Standard race car".
It is great fun to drive and can be raced, shown or driven on public road runs and has also been displayed in numerous historic exhibitions and demonstrations. Everything you see has been rebuilt and maintained to the highest standard. The car has recently had an oil change and been fully serviced. The attention to all the detail is has to be seen to be fully appreciated.
The history file that accompanies OK 8945 is full of period documents including 3 original editions of Light Car & Cyclecar from 1923 which feature the team cars, many technical drawings and notes, various period pictures and, of course, a current red style V5C UK registration document and a current VSCC Eligibility card. OK 8945 is presented in immaculate condition, ready to show , drive or race and is bound to put a huge smile on the face of anyone who steps behind the wheel. A testament to the dedication with which Steve has approached and completed this incredible recreation.
£36, 500 ONO
