Lot 24: Austin SEVEN SPORTS REPLICA

Herbert Austin's timely introduction of the Austin Seven in 1922 was to ensure the success of the company with this miniature masterpiece changing the public perception of small economy cars virtually overnight. A particularly clever design using high quality materials, the Seven captured the public's imagination in a similar way that the Ford Model 'T' did in the United States. Affordable and utterly dependable despite its tiny stature, the Seven truly was the first real small family car and it rapidly ousted the crude cycle cars of the early 1920s, allowing those who hitherto could only afford a motorcycle combination the advantages of economical family motoring. By 1924, Austin had introduced its first sports model of the Seven with a guaranteed top speed of 50mph and purposeful styling with a distinctive pointed tail. Costing �175, the new Sports Seven had a broad appeal and captured the new burgeoning market for small economical sporting cars.Offered here is a replica of this particularly attractive model. Only four are believed to exist in the UK  one original example and two additional replicas. Constructed during 1986/7 using all the correct mechanical components based on an early 1927 chassis with bodywork by renowned specialist, the late John Heath, the car has been in the current ownership for the past three years, during which time it has covered 1,300 miles and is now being sold as the owner is downsizing his collection. Presented in excellent condition throughout, this charming little sporting Seven would prove a tempting alternative to a replica Ulster model and is eminently suitable for the larger pilot with plenty of leg room in the cockpit, the present owner being 6ft 3in tall! When inspected, despite not having been used for several weeks, the engine burst into life instantly and on a test run pulled impressively up hills and settled to a happy cruising speed of around 45mph. A rare opportunity, this charming Sports Seven is reported to be in excellent mechanical health and ready 'to go', with an MOT certificate current until 22nd October 2008 and a V5C document. The car also has the advantage of full weather equipment.