1934 Austin Seven

Austin Seven (Saloon and more), 1922-1939

The Austin Seven family was in production from 1922 to 1939. Styled in house and by coachbuilders, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive range seating upwards of two adults.

The Seven was developed by Herbert Austin against the wishes of his company's board of directors - a small car for the common man, and one which would ultimately form the blueprint of modern motoring. Designed while the company was in receivership, Austin worked alone save for the help of 18 year old draughtsman Stanley Edge. It utilised a 696cc - later 747cc - engine and an A-frame chassis, which could be clothed in a number of standard bodies or trimmed by outside coachbuilders such as Swallow Sidecars. Cars like the Ruby and the Box saloon catered for basic transport needs, while the Chummy and scores of specials helped foster an interest in motorsport among a nation unused to the delights of the motor car. 2500 were made in its first year - but within the first three years Austin had all but taken over the small car and cycle car market - and Austin would produce 290000 Sevens in the seventeen years that the car was on sale.

Austin had invested his own money into the car, and patents necessary for its production were taken out in his name. He was paid a personal royalty of two guineas on every Seven sold, in addition to the profits generated by his company. To boot, Nissan, Dixi (later BMW), Rosengart and others would license build the Seven, and its influence features heavily in the early days of other companies including Lotus and Jaguar. Austin has repeatedly launched new Sevens - the A30 and Mini being the most notable - but its direct replacement would be the Austin Eight of 1939-1948.

Competitors in period would have been chosen from the ranks of the cycle car, rather than true cars. However, during the 1930s the Morris Eight would offer buyers an alternative at the sharp end of the market. Today, you might consider an Austin Eight as an alternative. However, it's worth remembering that many Sevens today are bought to permit entry into grassroots classic racing, and thus it isn't inconceivable to consider cars like the Lotus Seven or even 2CV based specials as viable alternatives today.