1933 Austin Seven C-Cab 2/5 cwt Van Registration Number: JL...

Hammer

£6,250

1933 Austin Seven C-Cab 2/5 cwt Van

Registration Number: JL 671            
Chassis Number:  163936
Recorded Mileage: N/A

The Austin Seven was an instant success from the moment it was introduced in 1923, employing beautifully simple construction, offering frugal running costs, and easily maintained by the home mechanic, the Seven brought motoring within reach of the man in the street. Its introduction helped save Austin, and by the mid-1920s the Seven dominated the light car market in Britain.

There are only a handful of genuine vans in existence, this is a fine Seven-based replica. This 1929 inspired C-Cab van was adapted from a 1933 short chassis model, the current owner purchased the Seven over 30 years ago as a donor car and new Ash-framed van body from respected coachbuilder and marque specialist John Barlow. Over the course of a decade, he proceeded to lovingly assemble and restore this icon of Great British motoring history.

The little van has some interesting early features like scuttle-mounted front lamps and a deep-dished steering wheel. It also benefits from some useful upgrades such as the later Austin Seven four speed gearbox, Chummy electric foot operated starter (also with hand start), Bosch/VW distributor with advance/retard and gravity-fed front petrol tank. Front and rear brakes have been coupled to make modern driving less stressful and fear-inducing! The engine runs sweetly with good oil pressure, we’re assured the momentum of its 7HP engine keeps up well with modern traffic.

After being restored the van’s sign writing was painted by hand in the livery of the current owner's former hotel business (changing the livery would be relatively simple if required). The wheels were stove-enamelled during the restoration and present smartly. 

Ready to enjoy, the van is accompanied by a fascinating and comprehensive record of the restoration, with extensive receipts, historic MOTs and photographs, original buff log book and current V5C document matching the (non-transferrable) registration.