Lot Ended
Description
In single family ownership from new; restored in 1991 and lightly used
since; large and interesting history file; original number plate; driven to the
sale from Ludlow; not just a machine but a priceless slice of local
history
As you might imagine, we have
sold many dozens of Austin Sevens over the last 20+ years, but few come with a
story like this one. Ordered new by The Hon Sybil Wheeler of Bitterley Court
near Ludlow, it has remained in the family ever since – a period of 89
years.
Unveiled in August 1936, the
AAL Open Road Tourer was the open-top version of the four-seater New Ruby Saloon
and marked the swansong of the Austin Seven before it was replaced by the
ill-fated Eight in February 1939, which had to be shelved for six years when war
was declared in September 1939.
Like the New Ruby, the AAL
Tourer used a low-slung, long-wheelbase chassis which gave a more stable ride
and slightly more interior room than the vintage Sevens of the Twenties. The
traditional 747cc four-cylinder side-valve engine had a more durable
three-bearing crank and a higher compression ratio which gave it 17bhp. Mated to
a four-speed manual gearbox with synchro on the top three gears, it was good for
a top speed of 55mph with four-wheel cable-operated drum brakes to bring it to a
halt.
UJ 8870 was collected new on
Friday 8th January 1937 by the Wheeler family gardener, Harry Darby,
who hitch-hiked 40 miles to the Longbridge works before driving it back to
Bitterley – a trip he repeated three days on the trot, collecting a second new
Austin for the Wheelers and a third for the district nurse. It was good timing
because just a week later England was hit by heavy snowstorms which closed the
roads and led to serious flooding when the snow finally melted in February.
By 1958, The Hon Sybil Wheeler was in poor health so she passed the
car on to her son, Air Commodore Allen Wheeler, who owned a market garden in
Twyford, Berkshire. Here UJ 8870 suffered the indignity of being put to use
pulling a harrow. This clearly didn’t do the Austin much good so in 1972 he
started to restore the car, but work stalled the following year, as detailed in
copious letters and worksheets on file.
In 1985 Allen sent the
partially restored Austin back to Bitterley Court as a gift to his nephew, John
Wheeler, along with £500 as an incentive for him to get the job finished. This
clearly did the trick (£500 being the average monthly wage at the time) and good
egg that he was, John spent the next six years painstakingly restoring UJ 8870
to her former glory, ably assisted by Haywards Garage of Cleobury
Mortimer.
Finally completed in 1991, it
was driven the five miles to Ludlow Castle on 2nd June where it was
proudly displayed at the annual Vintage Vehicle Rally – much to the delight of
those onlookers who recognised it as ‘Granny Wheeler’s car’, one gent recalling
how The Hon Sybil Wheeler - suffering from arthritis - would stop outside WH
Smith's on Ludlow's Bull Ring "and honk for service". There are photos of
the show in the history file, along with the brass plaque awarded to all
the cars on display and a press cutting recording the
event.
The Austin passed to John’s
son James when he inherited Bitterley Court in 2004, and it remained there until
February this year when it was driven the 15 miles to
Brightwells.
As you can see in the photos,
John did the Austin proud and UJ 8870 is still in fine shape for an 89-year-old
to this day. She comes with a large and interesting history file from new plus
various original handbooks, parts catalogues and service manuals.
Starting promptly and running well as we have moved her around on
site, all she needs now is a caring new owner who can continue to cherish her as
the Wheeler’s have these past nine decades.
Cars like this don’t come
along very often, so if an Open Road Tourer has ever been on your shopping list,
this is a chance not to be missed!
Consigned by James
Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com