Louis Frankel
Specialist
LOT 504
1937 Austin Seven Ruby Saloon Registration no. CCG 420 Chassis no. 272440 Engine no. M273605
Sold for £5,175 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 504
1937 Austin Seven Ruby Saloon
The Beaulieu Sale Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia|10 September 2022, 14:00 BST|Beaulieu, National Motor Museum
1937 Austin Seven Ruby Saloon
Registration no. CCG 420
Chassis no. 272440
Engine no. M273605
Registration no. CCG 420
Chassis no. 272440
Engine no. M273605
• Long-term previous ownership of 40 years
• An older restoration
• Restoration bills on file
• Said to run and drive exceptionally well
• An older restoration
• Restoration bills on file
• Said to run and drive exceptionally well
Footnotes
A huge success from the moment deliveries commenced in January 1923, the Austin Seven remained in production until 1939. Simply constructed, economical and easily maintained by the home mechanic, the Seven brought motoring within the financial reach of the man in the street, who hitherto would probably have settled for a motorcycle combination. Its introduction helped save the ailing Austin concern and by the mid-1920s the Seven dominated the light car market in Britain. In essence the Seven changed little in the course of its 17 years in production, retaining the 'A'-frame chassis, transverse front spring, rear quarter elliptics and four-cylinder sidevalve engine to the end. There were, of course, numerous detail improvements along the way, a longer wheelbase, roomier bodies, coupled brakes and a three-bearing crankshaft to name but four. The sole version available when production commenced was the 'Chummy' tourer. Saloon, fabric saloon and coupé models, plus a roomier tourer, were on offer by 1929. One of the first Austin Seven saloons was the 'Top Hat', so called because of its upright, formal-looking, straight-sided coachwork, which was panelled in aluminium to save weight and boasted elaborate cloth interior trim, and unusual feature in a British car at the time.
The introduction of the Ruby in 1934 marked an important step in the development of Austin's ever-popular light car. New body styles featured flowing lines, valanced wings and taller, cowled-in radiators; the wheel size was reduced from 19" to 17" diameter, flush-fitting self-cancelling trafficators were fitted and synchromesh was now present on second as well as third and top gears. Alongside the two Ruby saloons in the new-for-1935 range were the Pearl Cabriolet, the Opal two-seater (the first £100 Austin) and the Open Road Tourer.
A recent acquisition by the vendor, this Austin Seven comes with numerous bills testifying to considerable expenditure over some 40 years with the previous owner. The Ruby was restored around 20 years ago by a firm in the South of England, with over £11,000 being spent (see bills on file for parts supplied by Holmesdale Sevens). Said to run and drive exceptionally well, the car is offered with an old-style logbook, a V5C Registration Certificate and some old MoTs.
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