Member's Cars
a selection of our active 'Sevens'
Our member's cars represent the whole range of 'Sevens' manufactured
at Longbridge, Birmingham with a few built by specialist coachbuilders.
Most of them like to keep their 'Sevens' as near to the original
specifications as possible. We are pleased to say that CA7C is a
club which encourages members to drive their 'Sevens' throughout the
year. To preserve a 'Seven' you have to use it!
It is not possible to include every member's 'Seven'; this section is
just to show a selection of the 'Sevens' which are, or have been, owned
by our past, and present, members.
As of October 2022 our members own 155 Sevens, with 11 members who
don’t own a Seven. The oldest Seven in the Club was registered in March
1925 and the youngest in October 1938. The oldest Big 7 was
registered in May 1938 and the youngest in February 1939. By far
the most common cars are the LWB Box saloons (34) and the Rubies (29).
Within our numbers we have a few representatives of most models but only
in low numbers.
Many of these cars have now been sold,
but are still known to exist,
as our Members have ceased their interest in Sevens
or sadly passed away, having enjoyed many years of 'Sevening'.
An AC Tourer, the 'Chummy'. This car, first registered in
September 1925, was for many years the oldest 'Seven' on the road in Cornwall and
was
regularly used on Club holidays and runs. Two North Devon members each
have a 'Chummy' that were first registered in March and April 1925.
The Chummy was sold in January 2022.
This 1928 AD Tourer is also regularly driven. The 'Chummy' is adored by
all small children who immediately see it as
'Brum' from Children's TV.
A 1928 R Type which has the doors hinged to the rear.
A 1928
Mulliner Fabric Saloon.
A 2½cwt van built in the style of the1929 Van Type AD, originally manufactured by
Thomas Startin Ltd. of Birmingham, with the livery of a well-known
Cornish Clotted Cream Company (with permission) and milk churns.
The van has been sold.
An immaculate replica 2½ cwt Van Type AD, originally manufactured by Thomas
Startin Ltd. of Birmingham, which was first registered in 1929, and owned by one of
our regular
lady drivers.
The Saloon Type RK appeared in September 1928 alongside the Type R and this
RK was restored from
'very little' into a car that is used almost
daily, and been taken on
most Club runs and holidays. (
Road
Test)
A
1930 Swallow Saloon manufactured by The Swallow Sidecar and
Coachbuilding Company, Coventry.
A 1930
'Boat Tail' Two Seater
A superb 1931 Mulliner owned by one of our
lady
drivers.
Several members have the 'Box Saloon' models of which the RM
from 1931 is quite popular. This SWB 'Seven' has external vertical
seams on the rear quarters and curved doors to fit the rear
wheel arch profile.
(Road
Test). This car also belongs to one of our
lady drivers.
The1932 RN has external vertical seams on the rear quarters.
It has the longer wheeelbase so the doors are not curved to fit
the rear wheel arch.
(Road Test).
The vertical seams on the rear quarters have been removed and the
waistline remains. This 1933 RP Saloon which is regularly
driven
on Club runs and holidays.
The last of the 'Box' Saloons, the 1933 De Luxe RP. This one
has optional extra factory fitted bumpers.
(Road Test)
Ulster Replica, the original car was first registered in 1933 and modified
by various owners. Now used regularly for holidays in France and was a class
winner on the Rally Historique Monte Carlo 2000.
A 1933 Austin Seven
Special
rebuilt in 2019/20.
A 1934 Arrow 'Foursome' built by Arrow Coachworks Ltd,
Hanwell, London, a rare 'Seven' variant.
The 1934 Nippy Type 65 is a 'classic' 'Seven' if ever there was just the
one built by the Austin Motor Co.. (
Road
Test)
A 1934 AH Tourer is all very nice but rather draughty and prone to a few
leaks on rainy days, but the joys of 'top down' motoring has to be
experienced.
This car has completed the 'London' to Brighton events as well
as several Club holidays and runs.
One rare 'Seven' is a left-hand drive version and this 1934 AJ Tourer is
often out on runs driven by one of our older
lady drivers.
There are not many 5cwt 1934 vans about but this one is regularly driven
on Club
runs and holidays and has now covered many miles since
restoration. Now sold.
A younger person's car, the 1934 PD 2-seat Tourer regularly driven to
up-country Club's rallies, club events and a few tours across Europe.
It
also completed the 90th Anniversary JOGLE.
(Road
Test)
A 1934 Rosengart, the French version of the Austin Seven,
re-registered for the UK.
No Austin Seven Club can fail to have a Ruby or two, or more,
amongst the membership. This is the 1935 MK 1
(ARQ)
(Road Test) which has
been owned by the same family for
nearly 70 years.
This 1934/5 Open Road Tourer Type AAK is a rare interim model
between the Box style up to 1934 and the Ruby style from 1935 with a Ruby front
and Box Saloon rear with the spare wheel exposed.
Another rare Seven is this1935 Ruby Open Road Tourer Type AAL. The front and rear end
show the Ruby features.
The later Ruby MK 2 (ARR) was introduced in 1936 with
subtle
changes having a curve
at the base of the front pillars, wind down rear windows and a 3-bearing engine. (
Road
Test)
A 1936 registered 'Pearl', the cabriolet
version of the Ruby.
There are a few Opals in the Club; this one registered in 1936.
A well restored
1936 Military Tourer Type APD complete with
a replica rifle mounted in the cradle above the propshaft tunnel.
A very distinctive van based on a 1937 Ruby
An original Type AVJ van registered in 1937 is based on a Ruby chassis
with a front mounted fuel tank.
The Big Seven 'Sixlite' (CRV) was launched in July 1937 without running boards, but these were
re-introduced in July 1938.
The two-door Big Seven (CRW) was introduced in March 1938. This
is the only
Big Seven
'Forlite' in CA7C and was first registered in May 1938. It has been in the
same family for
over 75 years and restored
in 2003. (
Road
Test)
A Cambridge Special
One past member built this truck as a one-off project from spares.
Paxton
Special built on a 1932 Chummy chassis and designed by Colin Westwood in 1985.
Technical details and specifications of the many models of Austin Sevens
are in 'The Austin Seven Source Book'
by Bryan Purves, pub. by Haynes Publishing, Re-issued 2004.
See also:
'Austin Sevens; the joys of being a Sevener' and then follow the links
to have a look at some of the stories from our members about their first
Austin Seven or the restoration of one.