A chance to look at a tired but very original A3- car numbered black AD Tourer registered in London, and likely not having moved more than 30 miles from the district during its 96 years. With a buff logbook back … Continue reading 1926 AD Detail
Ken Kimber reports: Progress on the wreck (as my wife calls it) purchased at auction has been interrupted by COVID and personal health issues however the recent postings and excellent photographs by Steve Berg have prompted this posting. The Berg … Continue reading RF3 rejuvenation update
A developing post on another important car. It should be noted that Steve Berg has not only well documented his new acquisition, but took editorial rights on the site to make this post which will act as an excellent archive for all. Perhaps others would like to do the same to record aspects of their cars? Do make contact! This car, like the Julian Parker-conserved Spanish Fabric Saloon and ex Will Maw HMX interior cloth-trimmed Fabric Saloon all have a vast amount of restorer detail, but most importantly have the potential for remaining much as they are; a sensitive, difficult … Continue reading An Original 1929 RK from Portugal
Chris Gould reports: There are two types of ball change gear box covers. Most have the reverse position forward to the right. Some have it forward to the left. I have one of these for my TT replica. I thought that they immediately followed the gate change boxes. Andy Bird is rebuilding the box for me. He thinks that the first ball change boxes were forward to the right and followed for a short period by ones on the left. Then they reverted to forward to the right. I think the TT cars had ball change boxes, but I don’t … Continue reading changing gear shift position
This maroon car has clearly had a cossetted life in UK and the USA. It shows how this Rexine fabric fades to brown – although the colour is clearly evident behind the spare wheel and in the door apertures.It has a remarkably good original interior in Tapestry trim: The car, chassis 76246, Engine M76606, car number A7-8711, body number 4960 was purchased from Harrah’s in Reno, Nevada in 1985; who purchased the car in 1965 from Alan John McKay in London, England. UH 5966 was originally registered in Cardiff in Spring 1929, which ties nicely with the dealer dash decal. … Continue reading An original 1929 RF (3) Fabric saloon in USA
Jonathan Swales has been trying to get hold of original, correct, cast interior door pull/handles but they seem to be often replaced with later items, presumably as they broke in service. He had a car in need of restoration many … Continue reading RL RM interior door handles – 1930/31 ish
Initial considerations of some form of prototype – from the possibility of some remnants of mid bronze green paint and then the records of the GPO – were summarily dismissed by rudimentary examination. These images show a 1934 Morris Minor Utility … Continue reading Austin 7 SWB Utility vans
Doing research on the 4th important statistic on your cars after chassis, engine and car numbers, it becomes clear that BODY NUMBERS are not well understood or recorded. There are STAMPED on an original transmission tunnel, and you may need … Continue reading Appeal for body numbers!
This was unknown to the register and is exceptionally original, with its original black fabric and red leatherette interior. I understand it is seeking a new home so please make contact if you would like to investigate further. Probably about … Continue reading Another original RF (3) surfaces
Ken Kimber reports on his late RF: The offside pillar was totally rotten and removed for replacement. This revealed (below) that it was supported throughout its length by the metal angle iron but also that at the top it simply butted against the horizontal roof timbers with no joint visible. The nearside is identical to the offside so I am sure it is as it left the factory: Images below are of the underside of the scuttle and show that on the nearside the timber support for the bottom edge of the aluminium sheet is missing – there is no sign … Continue reading RF (3) pillar structure
The short wheelbase saloon need for a strong ash frame underlying thin aluminium (or thinner fabric) is vital. The later steel bodies still have a large amount of timber for supporting sunroof, doors and interior trim. Owners are often self-contained, … Continue reading An understanding of ash – structural timbers
An article by Michael Ward, then Secretary of the Austin Seven Tickford Register in the 1980C12 Association Grey magazine. In 1980 there were 7 Tickford saloons known to exist; how many now? Nice rare 1931 SWB saloon currently for sale here. And here a later RN one in LWB featured here and here: Can anyone find a link to the Grey mag article on the employee photographed operating the winding mechanism of an Austin 7 Tickford when new? Continue reading Tickford saloons
A good reliable replacement, albeit less vintage looking, for the Mazak-bodied FZB – if you can find the right one which was produced for the Austin 7 as a 1950s replacement. Choke tube 14 Main Jet 75 Slow Running jet … Continue reading Zenith 24 T-2 updraft carburettor F.1372
Chronology – all but 1A 38 tend to be dated XL 506 (first 100 cars) XL 845 (1923) with priming plugs – perhaps a short run prototype for… XL 1253 (1924-6) with priming plugs; (above on a May 24 Scoop Scuttle car), which became 1A 38 with priming plugs up until at least 1929 (some marked OY or possibly CY 2) 1A 38 The primer holes were deleted, but other than the parts listings deleting the plugs there wasn’t a change in the part number or casting number shown on the cards for this later style of ‘low compression‘ head up to 1933. … Continue reading Austin 7 Low Compression heads
First, read Douglas Alderson’s Dorset A7 Club advice here and Roy Goodrum’s (Essex A7 Club) here. With aid of these excellent sets of instructions, I attempted to repair a non-functioning PA which I found had just two ballbearings out of the required 30. Also … Continue reading Lucas PA Speedometer repair
The one piece windscreen changes between models. This shows the measurements from a 1930 RK, which seems to directly mirror what is found on a 1929 RF (3) model with similar separate roof peak, although there is variation from 16.5 to 16.75″ at the outer edge. The tapering under-section is also the same, although some cars seem to have a regular 1 3/4″ throughout. Theses are the dimensions (in white boxes) of an earlier RF (2) with integral windscreen peak and the under-section is seen to not be tapering; please make contact if you have different. One 1930 AE Tourer … Continue reading Windscreen frame sizes
In 1929, for his 21st Birthday Colin Silcock from Coldstream in country Victoria, Australia was given a maroon fabric bodied Austin 7 Saloon registered number 63422, fitted with a fabric body made by Holden Motor Body Works in Adelaide, South Australia. The vehicle was purchased from AUSTIN DISTRIBUTORS PTY LTD of 460 Bourke Street Melbourne, Car Number A8 6175, Coil Engine number M 83747, with no stamped Chassis number and fitted with a maroon fabric body with black guards and wheels. A later investigation of The Austin Motor Company surviving factory record books held at The British Motor Museum, Gaydon … Continue reading An original 1929 Holden Fabric Saloon
Trying to get a definitive guide written in one place is hard as ideas put forward may not have universal support despite a general consideration of originality being important. Those with engineering expertise will be able to recreate (or easily refit) original components whereas those with a more general interest in keeping their car running may seek to improve the operation of worn items – which may be of a more short-term benefit.
Some modifications may be out of period and considered unnecessary by some. If you have pictures of a modification which has been simply executed and of quality for others to aspire to, please send them to update this post.
Above all, please email (or comment below) if you would like to improve the text here. Continue reading “Austin uncoupled brakes”
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. Continue reading Protected: The story of a Northern Ireland RK
We saw here all the variations of the RF we can now identify, which began with this picture. Dave Martin believes that this must be a 1927 car, as Wyatt notes in his book. Bob Wyatt knew the Longbridge photographer, Ron … Continue reading Help search for the first Longbridge-built Austin 7 Fabric Saloon
Donald Doughty was Swallow Registrar and these articles by him were published in the Association magazine 1971 C and D. Click for larger images. Continue reading Donald Doughty on Swallows in 1971
Ken Kimber sent a link to this centre spread from Association mag 1972B, of an early transition RF(2) car with small rad and integrated roof peak. It IS only an illustration BUT look at the image further down the page … Continue reading Fabric covered bonnets?
The Danks family are the second owners of this very special car. It is understood the original owner was still alive when he bought it from her octogenarian daughter in 2008. She remembered the family car known as the ‘baby’ – … Continue reading A genuine 1929 RF (3)
We first saw this Fabric car here. Ken Kimber has taken on guardianship of 81105 and has started to find some intriguing detail which will be of use to others. He reports: Although the car is largely original it has had … Continue reading 1929 RF (3) rejeuvenation
Harold Murfitt (centre), a confectioner from Ramsay, Huntingdonshire, was probably the owner from new and the car was kept in his family until 1957. Continue reading “1930 RF (3) restoration”
Click on images for larger. Thanks to Chris Gould for uncovering these. Continue reading images from the Andrew Marfell collection
Chassis paint markings on the rear cross member are sometimes present, either by stencil, or brush. These have been noted beyond the short wheelbase cars, but need to be noted somewhere for posterity. Earlier SWB markings are found on the … Continue reading Chassis paint markings
Other cars are available. Clip from crossle01 Youtube channel. Continue reading RL on Exeter Trial
I knew a very original car was to be campaigning the ‘Cold Turkey’ at Tulley’s Farm in late December 2018 so went over to observe exactly what goes on at an Austin Seven trial. Continue reading “Searching for SWB trim – Tulley’s Farm”
Will and Denise Maw’s latest car, a 1928 RF Fabric Saloon UE6316. The car has an interesting history in that in 1984 it was entered as a raffle prize at Beaulieu and since then it has had quite a few owners. Continue reading The Automobile competition prize RF
In this October 1926 The Motor advert, the England Saloon was promoted as a miniature luxury saloon, in daily use by such people as Viscount Curzon and others; ‘whilst several MPs regularly arrive at the House in their England Saloons’. … Continue reading Gordon England luxury saloons – ‘uncannily silent’
A car once owned and restored by David Martin is an early short scuttle RG without bonnet louvres. It was released at the same time as its steel bodied twin – the RL – and initially sold amidst the last of … Continue reading 1930 RG Fabric Restoration
A June 2018 advert in Madrid, Spain for what looked like a low-roofed RK revealed car is bodied wholly in steel, including the roof. According to the Gaydon Heritage Archives this car was originally delivered to Spain in September 1929, … Continue reading Spanish steels
HX was originally a Middlesex registration and that plate was registered in very early 1932, which better links with the chassis listed on the Register – 131670. The car was blue and there may be a connection with the 750MC. … Continue reading Where is HX 4683 – early 1932 with an RK body?
What seems a fresh and bright renovated RF (3) Fabric is going to auction in November 2018 here. Lots of bits to puzzle over and it is either a later chassis (122301) with an early registration, or a late-ish registration … Continue reading RF (3) for sale at auction
Archived details and images from an old Car-From-UK advert online for an Austin 7 RF Fabric. Reproduced here because of the value of the detail in these images (and the summary biographical description) for the restorer. I presume the carpets … Continue reading A very original RF (2) variant
The new RL replaces the aluminium RK in mid 1930 – initially with no bonnet louvres or scuttle vents. 5 such cars are known, and about 7 in total RL/RG with no bonnet louvres. Send any pictures of cars. Continue reading July 11th 1930: Light Car & Cyclecar
A nice matching numbers car which is fortunate to appear in the extant Austin Production B1 ledger, confirming its blue colour and “sunshine” – the extra sunroof priced at five pounds. This is a Spring 1930 car. Note the factory … Continue reading Original RK detail at East Preston
Not related, but worth recording somewhere should you be passing and wanting to investigate further. John Coleman’s epic-tripping Chummy included. Click on images for larger picture. Continue reading Austin 7 at National Motor Museum, Gaydon
Kim Rose has a 1929 RF fabric car which he is presently restoring. The car has its original engine and body and has spent most of its life indoors – it emerged from a garage after 51 years! This article is from the … Continue reading Kim Rose’s RF Restoration in NZ
A nice original 1929 RF- an RF(3) variant for identification purposes – originally from Somerset (formerly YC4791) going to auction in July 2018; let us know if you are the new owner! The chassis number appears to be A8 series which would be recorded in the few remaining Austin ledgers. The “Heritage” records known to survive are for just four sequences of cars: March-June 1929; A8 series -Ch. 77535 – 87433 June-Dec 1929; A9 series – Ch. 87434 – 97332 April-Oct 1930; B1 series – Ch. 107228 – 117126 Jan-June 1931; B3 series – Ch. 127026 – 136924 Continue reading A fabric RF for auction
The Austin ledger notes refer to this interior trim option as ‘Taps’, a better finish that rexine or leathercroft but not generally as long lasting. Several restorations are seeking a source for Tapestry trim. The 1928 ‘Valencia’ RF featured here … Continue reading ‘Tapestry’ trim option
Steve Berg’s first car, an RK saloon, is shown in the colour photo taken around 1958/59. She was named Modestine and her colour was originally maroon. He still has the bulb horn found in a breaker’s yard in Edgware. The registration … Continue reading ’29 RK – A first Seven VW 8841
An RK body for sale. Not 1926! https://www.prewarcar.com/235628-1926-austin-seven-two-door-saloon-bodywork Continue reading body for sale
R.C. Moss specialises in vintage Bentley restoration and maintenance. This article reproduced from Octane Magazine in 2015 details the discovery of the original Rexine manufacturing equipment and the rebirth of the material which similarly covered both Fabric-bodied Sevens and Bentleys in … Continue reading Rexine rediscovered
A part-finished project with most of the hard work done by the looks of it. Apparently now sold! (Let us have a progress report when its finished if you bought it.) Continue reading RK for sale at Beaulieu
In 1919, eyeing developments overseas, motorised transport was prohibited by ordinances on St Helena, an island in the South Atlantic. For five years this was uncontested but in 1924 islanders began debating whether mechanised transport should be allowed on the island. The … Continue reading Number One on St. Helena
click for larger image: Continue reading How to start an RF
This Austin 7 recently returned to the UK and is now undergoing full conservation by the team at Julian Parker Limited for its owner. “In our opinion, this particular little vehicle is probably one of the most important and complete vehicles … Continue reading Conservation of 1928 RF by Julian Parker Ltd.
Frederick Rowland Emett OBE was a cartoonist, illustrator and inventor, who earned international fame and a decent living from creating elegantly outlandish machines which served no useful purpose other than make people laugh. He was first and foremost a brilliant … Continue reading Artist Roland Emett and the RK
These may (or may not) have original detail: SaveSave Continue reading Barnfind
Have you a story and images which you’d like to publish here in the public domain that might be of interest to others researching and restoring RKs? Can you suggest a forum or discussion link that needs to be added here? Provide a picture of your own car? Would you like to be involved in collating information? If so, make contact through the contact form accessed by the menu top right. This a free wordpress blogging site accruing no costs and using volunteer support. Continue reading Contribute!
Restorations The remarkable Spanish RF here Malcolm Watts’ restoration article here Brochures 1929 Austin brochure for all models including RK and Fabric saloon here Roadtests Lightcar and Cyclecar 1929 RK Road test here Forum threads Door latches here Body number detail … Continue reading Austin 7 RK & RF resources
The early Austin 7 Saloons 