Description
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
27th Nov, 2024 13:00
1937 Austin Seven Opal Tourer
Estimate
£7, 000 - £9, 000
Lot details
Registration No: AWV 570
Chassis No: 275532
MOT: Exempt
Subject to a self-evident previous restoration
Benefitting from significant improvement in the last twelve months
Offered with hood and side screens
Scarce Opal Tourer variant of the ever popular Austin Seven!
Spurred on by the introduction of the Horsepower Tax in 1921, Sir Herbert Austin began working on the concept of a small family car despite opposition from the company’s board due to their being in receivership at the time. Undaunted, Sir Herbert engaged the services of a young draftsman from the Longbridge Plant, eighteen-year old Stanley Edge, and plans were drawn up in the billiard room of his house, Lickey Grange. Having invested a large amount of his personal money into the project and being responsible for much of the car’s styling, Sir Herbert was able to claim a royalty of two Guineas on each car built. Initially powered by a side valve four-cylinder engine of 696cc (subsequently enlarged to 747cc / 10. 5hp) and featuring a detachable cylinder head, the new model was rated at 7. 2 horsepower. In August 1934, the Austin Seven range was updated with three new editions – the Opal, the Ruby and the Pearl, known as the 'Jewel' range. By the time production ceased with the advent of war in 1939 some 290, 000 cars and vans had been produced.
Chassis ‘275532’ is a notably late Opal having been road-registered on the 12th July 1937. Finished in the attractive colour scheme of Dark Blue with Black wings and running boards, the Seven features a complementary Black interior upholstery, as well as a Black hood and side screens. Subject to a self-evident previous restoration, the Austin was purchased by the vendor as an addition to his private collection and as a first foray into pre-war car ownership. Bitten by the pre-war car bug, the Seven is now on offer due to larger pre-war cars on the horizon for his collection.
Benefitting from much improvement during the vendor's ownership, ‘AWV 570’ has received new bushes and kingpins by specialist Lawrence Austin 7, as well as a new fuel tank and radiator, all earlier this year. Offered with a history file that includes a collection of invoices, previous MOT certificates, old logbooks, and a current V5C document that shows five former keepers. With Opals one of the more scarce Seven variants and benefiting from open motoring for good weather, this example with recent mechanical improvement is certainly one worth considering.
