Where to start? New (old) Austin 7

[Parazine]

Also, I couldn't seem to find a body number anywhere.

Should be stamped in the transmission tunnel, between the seat box and the gearbox opening, assuming the floor/tunnel is original.

Also, search for my thread "Restoring a Top Hat", detailing an R saloon rebuild across 4 yrs or so. You may find the chassis bit illuminating!

[Tony Griffiths]

Welcome to the mad world of the Austin 7. As you are new to the car, here's some background that I hope you'll find useful - there is, of course, even more to be found if you search online:
CLUBS:
There are so many Austin 7 clubs that, in 1969, an association of them was formed in the UK - and this is now the go-to place that hosts a mass of important data: https://a7ca.org/ It's a very large site with lists of clubs, a superb archive of historical data, reproduction handbooks, chassis and car registers, A7 history, A7 model identification, events, etc, - explore the A7CA website: https://a7ca.org

The page that links to the most important sections is: https://archive.a7ca.org/

DIRECT LINKS to HANDBOOKS, PARTS MANUALS, and SALES CATALOGUES
A comprehensive collection can be downloaded as PDFs: https://archive.a7ca.org/collections/han...rts-lists/
Sales brochures can be found here: https://archive.a7ca.org/collections/show-brochures/

The Pre-War A7 club has a very useful Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pwa7c .... with other enthusiasts forming groups for specific models or regional interests.

As a club member, you will receive not only the club's magazine but also the Association Magazine, published quarterly since 1970 https://a7ca.org/about-us/magazine/

BACKGROUND and BOOKS:
To read the fascinating background to the car - with reproductions of the notebook by Stanley Edge the design draftsman see: https://a7ca.org/austin-seven/the-people/
Austin 7 books can be bought from: http://www.pwa7c.co.uk/bookshop.php This is a very useful collection of material including historial and technical literature and material on specific models such as the Type 65 and Nippy, Grasshopper and Ulster, etc.

For engine, other mechanical work and restorations one highly recommended business with personal attention and much helpful advice is: http://www.albaaustins.co.uk

IS YOUR CAR ALREADY LISTED?
To see if your car is listed or to add it (that would be very useful) the A7CA provides a list of known vehicles: https://a7ca.org/chassis-register/ It includes versions by English Austin, American Austin and Bantam, German Dixi and BMW, and French Rosengart. You can search by Model Type as well as chassis, car, and registration numbers.

For new Austin 7 parts try these links:
David Cochraine at: https://www.a7c.co.uk/aboutus.php
Jamie Rogerson at: https://www.theaustinsevenworkshop.com/
http://austinrepro.com/ This company offers standard and also beautifully made, difficult-to-find reproductions of headlamps, speedometers, rev counters and various items for standard cars and also the Swallow, Nippy, Ulster, etc:
For both new and used parts try: Tony Betts at http://www.7ca.co.uk/ and http://www.southernsevens.co.uk
Another link with details of restorers, gearbox, suspension and bodywork experts, etc: https://oldcarservices.co.uk/austin-seven-specialists/
If you want to know about 'Technical Data & Specifications', thread sizes, etc, this page will help: https://www.austin7.org/Data%20Pages/Tech%20Data/

INTERESTING ODDS and ENDS
For 25+ pages of digitally restored, interesting and high-resolution Austin illustrations (that you can download and print out) see http://www.lathes.co.uk/austin7
Fitting indicators, a guide is available here: http://www.lathes.co.uk/austin-7-indicators
Improving the lights: http://www.lathes.co.uk/austin7-2/page18.html
For the 100th anniversary of the Seven's introduction in 2022 - which a thousand cars attended - watch the film here: https://a7centenary.com/

[Athanasius Santamaria]

Hi Adrian,

I live just outside Paeroa and would be happy to help out with body work guidance or just point you in the right direction. I am not often on here but Ian Williams alerted me to your project. I'll PM you.
Regards,
Athow

[Mike Costigan]

Well done Athow! A classic example of the benefits of Austin Seven ownership - the community is second to none.