12 bhp, 747 cc L-head inline four-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, solid front axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf spring, live rear axle with quarter-elliptic leaf springs, four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 81"
Following World War I, Herbert Austin embarked on a one-model policy for his Austin car, inspired by the Model T Ford and his own experience with a Hudson Super Six. The Austin 20, a sturdy, 3.6-liter model, proved to be the right car at the wrong time, as Britain plunged into post-war depression. Austin had an antidote, a concept for a light, inexpensive car, but the company, having gone into receivership, had no money for development.
Austin, however, was determined, and enlisted a young company draftsman, Stanley Howard Edge, to assist him with the light car project, undertaken entirely at Austin's expense at his Worcestershire home, Lickey Grange. In April 1922, the design was complete and the company directors sanctioned the construction of three prototypes. Not an enhanced cyclecar, the new vehicle was a "proper" four-passenger motor car with a four-cylinder, water cooled engine, albeit a small one, three-speed sliding gear transmission with shaft drive and four-wheel brakes. Put into production in July, the tiny car was priced at 225 pounds and promptly became a hit. Called Austin Seven for its taxable horsepower rating, the open car was officially called a tourer. It soon gained the nickname "Chummy", for the closeness of its passengers, a name that has stuck ever since. By the time production ceased in 1939, nearly 291,000 had been built.
Imported to the U.S. in 1970 by an expatriate Briton, this Austin Seven Chummy has recently been repainted in British Racing Green with black fenders and black wire wheels. It has a tan canvas top and black leather seats in the front, black vinyl to the rear. It has cowl-mounted headlamps and a folding windscreen, and as on all Austin Sevens, the spare tire is mounted at the rear. It runs and drives well and will provide much pleasure to a new owner.
Following World War I, Herbert Austin embarked on a one-model policy for his Austin car, inspired by the Model T Ford and his own experience with a Hudson Super Six. The Austin 20, a sturdy, 3.6-liter model, proved to be the right car at the wrong time, as Britain plunged into post-war depression. Austin had an antidote, a concept for a light, inexpensive car, but the company, having gone into receivership, had no money for development.
Austin, however, was determined, and enlisted a young company draftsman, Stanley Howard Edge, to assist him with the light car project, undertaken entirely at Austin's expense at his Worcestershire home, Lickey Grange. In April 1922, the design was complete and the company directors sanctioned the construction of three prototypes. Not an enhanced cyclecar, the new vehicle was a "proper" four-passenger motor car with a four-cylinder, water cooled engine, albeit a small one, three-speed sliding gear transmission with shaft drive and four-wheel brakes. Put into production in July, the tiny car was priced at 225 pounds and promptly became a hit. Called Austin Seven for its taxable horsepower rating, the open car was officially called a tourer. It soon gained the nickname "Chummy", for the closeness of its passengers, a name that has stuck ever since. By the time production ceased in 1939, nearly 291,000 had been built.
Imported to the U.S. in 1970 by an expatriate Briton, this Austin Seven Chummy has recently been repainted in British Racing Green with black fenders and black wire wheels. It has a tan canvas top and black leather seats in the front, black vinyl to the rear. It has cowl-mounted headlamps and a folding windscreen, and as on all Austin Sevens, the spare tire is mounted at the rear. It runs and drives well and will provide much pleasure to a new owner.
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RM - Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook
8:00 AM PT - Aug 2nd, 2008
offered by
RM Auctions
5 West Forest Ave
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
