Lot Ended
Description
In the current ownership for 54 years; fully restored in
2010 including rebuilt engine; only 700 miles since; driven to the
sale from Hereford; a super example of this lovable little
saloon
Simply yet
brilliantly engineered, the Austin Seven was an unprecedented success which not
only saved Austin from financial ruin when it came out in 1922, it also quite
literally put Britain on the road, remaining in production until
1939.
Introduced in 1934, the Ruby was markedly
different from the preceding saloons with an enclosed radiator, a longer bonnet
with hinged vents at the side, downswept tail with enclosed spare wheel, hinged
rear windows and a Pytchley sliding sunroof as standard. It shared the same
747cc four-cylinder sidevalve engine and three-speed manual transmission as the
other models in the range.
First registered in
Breconshire in April 1935, this super little Ruby has spent its whole life in
that locality, our vendor buying the car way back in 1971 when he was living in
Brecon himself. Used occasionally throughout the Seventies, it was laid up in
1980 and then brought to Hereford when our vendor moved there in 1990, remaining
tucked away in his garage for another 20 years along with several other nice old
cars that he also owned.
In 2009 our vendor
decided that the time had finally come to get it back on the road and commenced
a ground-up restoration that ultimately took three years to complete, the whole
process being meticulously documented in a diary and copious invoices on
file.
The bodywork was completely restored and
repainted in its original Royal Blue; the interior was professionally retrimmed
with new leather upholstery where required, new carpets, doorcards and
headlining. All mechanical aspects were restored with many new parts fitted and
the engine was rebuilt with new pistons, bearings etc.
The brakes
were uprated to semi-Girling MkII spec (this car is a MkI). It has modern
flashing indicators but the original semaphores are still present and still work
when connected. The vendor also made a luggage box which attaches to the luggage
rack on the rear and is included in the sale if desired (not with us yet but
should be here in time for the sale).
Finally
back on the road in August 2011 and flying through its MOT with no advisories
recorded, it has been in light regular use since, covering just under 700
miles, the diary continuing to record all journeys made in the car and all work
carried out.
As you can see in the
photos, this Ruby looks very pretty indeed and has been starting
promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, with healthy oil
pressure. Driven to the sale from Hereford, it now only needs an enthusiastic
new owner who can continue to cherish it as our vendor has for the last 50+
years.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com