Just to add to what has already been said about the car, I'll chime in on a few things. As far as its history, there was some speculation initially from the fellow who found it, that it may have served as a recovery vehicle. This was assumed because of the AAA decals on the doors. However, this, I think, is highly unlikely as it is so small. There was also a story that the people who had it, were wealthy and had brought it from the UK as a toy to drive on their estate and finally gave it to the fellow who owned the filling station. That seems a bit unlikely as well. The car shows no signs of ever having been registered in the UK, nor in the US. Our license plates are considerably different and there is no indication that one was bolted on to the rear plate of the car. There are holes on the front plate of the car which may indicate a plate was affixed there. But with US license plates, it is the rear that is most important and a front plate was not required in period. I run only a rear license plate on my Ulster Rep here in Washington. We do know that Gordon England exhibited cars in the US, including the car that became the MacLachlan Special. So I would posit that the Stadium likely was imported as an exhibit at an auto show, possibly the New York Auto Show. That might explain the AAA badges. We know that American Austins and Bantams appeared in Hollywood movies and so there was a certain fascination with these diminutive cars as compared to even the standard Ford Model A's, let alone Cadillacs and Packards and the like. It is certainly a rare car and its overall condition indicates that it was probably relegated to the shed with very few miles on it. Its more recent history is that a fellow was tearing down the shed(and I think the filling station) and found the car in about 2010. Through several people, Murray Smith was contacted, who some may know and who has raced for many years, starting with an Austin Seven Ulster in the late 50's-early 60's in the UK, before moving to the US.
A truly lovely little car.
Erich in Seattle
A truly lovely little car.
Erich in Seattle