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1934 Austin 7 Pick-Up
| By 1934, when this Austin 7 left the Longbridge works, with a saloon body in all probability, the design of the car had reached a high point in its progression. The chassis, still the high version and still equipped with 19 inch wheels was by now lengthened to 6 ft 9 inches allowing a proper four seater body to be fitted, and recent improvements had included brakes and steering, but a 4-speed gearbox was now employed, and the car now with coil ignition was generally easier to use on a daily basis. The attractive chrome plated radiator was retained but was in its final year; chrome radiator models up to 1934, however are eligible for VSCC events, so this is a huge bonus. Many Austin Sevens found new careers when they became just too old fashioned to perform their original role, and this example is no exception, having been converted many years ago into this serviceable and attractive pick up and pressed into action hauling fruit in an orchard in Mid-Wales, before being purchased by the current owner, a well known local professional engineer nearly 30 years ago. The pick up body was retained, but the car was properly rebuilt, being stripped to the chassis, which was powder coated. The steering and suspension were rebuilt, and the brakes treated to new bonded linings. The engine was rebuilt with liners, new pistons and bearings, so that mechanically the vehicle is in very sound condition. The truck was little used, however, except as an advertisment in the foyer of the owners engineering works, where it became very well known and created much interest. The truck is running and ready to go, and a little gentle recommissioning would produce a reliable and most interesting pre-war vehicle, for which all mechanical spares are now available, or if a more period body were fitted a superb VSCC trials car could be created. It is understood that it would be straightforward to obtain the necessary registration documents and there is a strong possibility of obtaining a period registration number. |
