Description

1934 Austin Seven Nippy

Driven to the sale;  very smart example with original body; a genuine sports Austin with a Phoenix crank; close ratio gears; Nippy axle ratio; lots of history

First registered on 24th June 1934, AYT 89's first owner was a lady living near Sheffield who bought her 'for a bit of fun'. It was taken off the road as the War approached and was eventually passed on to a Pilot Officer based in Oxfordshire. He really fancied an MG similar to his fellow officers, but couldn't quite stretch that far.

Shortly after the War, it was sold to a chap living near Witney and then passed on from owner to owner until 2001 when a new owner took on the challenge of restoration and really got to grips with it.

By this time it had been fitted with a later three-bearing engine, although this didn't last long. Dave Williams was given the task of rebuilding the motor, which he did around a two-bearing crankcase (much better) and a replacement block. He fitted a new Phoenix splash-fed crank, and the standard Austin gearbox overhauled and fitted with Nippy ratios. It was then used extensively until undetected water-loss led to a major engine derangement in 2009. This was corrected with another replacement block, new Honda pistons and new valves, springs and gudgeon pins etc.- again sorted by Dave Willaims (the Austin Guru). The sump and inlet/exhaust manifolds are original parts. The car was then pressed into active service again.

Several other owners then enjoyed the car, ownership passing into the current owner's hands in 2019, by now looking rather sorry for itself. He commissioned a body overhaul, documented on file which included much repair to the steel body (original), a repaint and trim work. It was all back on the road conveniently in time for lockdown, since when it has seen very little use for obvious reasons.

The document folder includes a buff continuation logbook, old style V5 and current V5C, along with numerous old MOTs, bills dating back to 2001 and a detailed break down of the recent extensive body restoration works, also supported by before, during and after photographs.

Driven some 30 miles to the sale, it is very appealing in its bright red livery and is great fun to drive and is only for sale due to space restrictions bought on by a new project.

For more information, contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com