Any Special projects for sale?

[andrewc]

Hello,

My Dad never quite finished a Hamblin Cadet back in the 1960's, but he would always rather have built a more traditional bodied special, but he tells me he couldn't afford a Cambridge body.

Tales of this plus a copy of Bill Williams book got me interested in cars in the 1980's and between us we've gone on to build a couple of kitcars and two scratchbuilt three wheelers - Dad's still got his 2cv based trike.

Anyway, as I push 50 and Dad pushes 80 I've decided I would quite like to have a go at building a proper Austin 7 special, partly to let Dad contribute to finishing what he started.

If there are any Austin 7 special projects for sale at pretty much any stage of completion I'd be interested to here about them

Ideally would be VSCC eligible, but don't have money to burn, so failing that pre-war Austin 7 eligible - at some point I'd like to try the odd trial

Thanks,

Andrew

[Mike Costigan]

There's a pretty crude special on the market at the moment which might provide the basis for a reworked VSCC-eligible car:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C918523

[andrewc]

Hello Mike,
I had seen that ad and its also on Ebay and a few other sites. I don't know enough about Sevens to know how much of it would be re-workable - its got a Reliant engine for example. I had emailed the vendor asking how much original Seven exists, but he knows less than I do.

I also saw this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-7-chas...1438.l2649

But there seems to be quite a bit missing, and the body looks quite Cannon-trials like rather than Austin Seven. It looked like the front suspension was modified with angle iron, and again the seller doesn't know much about it. Cheap to start but looks like it could get expensive though

Any comments on the viability of either appreciated

Thanks,
Anrdew

[JonE]

Hello Mike,
I had seen that ad and its also on Ebay and a few other sites.  I don't know enough about Sevens to know how much of it would be re-workable - its got a Reliant engine for example.  I had emailed the vendor asking how much original Seven exists, but he knows less than I do.

I also saw this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-7-chas...1438.l2649

But there seems to be quite a bit missing, and the body looks quite Cannon-trials like rather than Austin Seven.  It looked like the front suspension was modified with angle iron, and again the seller doesn't know much about it.  Cheap to start but looks like it could get expensive though

Any comments on the viability of either appreciated

Thanks,
Anrdew

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/austin/7/231580

this one at least looks its had an Austin 7 owning owner, if you know what I mean. Not a looker thought, but might be good value if its got a lot of parts and a registration?

[andrewc]

Yes I've contacted him as well.  He's in Holland, so I'm trying to get an idea of the price to import.  He does have some kind of registration/taxation document which was last filled in around 1966.  But whilst the chassis number matches the vehicle details are for a black saloon.

One problem is that being new to Austin Seven's I'm not sure what a fair market price is for this kind of project.

Does that look a better deal than the other two cars?

[JonE]

I suggest you look through all of the A7 club classifieds online..there must be a link to the sites from the association website perhaps.
one on here looks interesting.. http://www.da7c.co.uk

[andrewc]

Thank you, have made contact

[Derek Sheldon]

It will cost you £50 to register it in the UK as long as the paperwork is complete. Your local DVLA recognised rep will have to be on board. I have imported two Rosengarts with no problem. The registration documents must read Sports, special or something on that line, stating that it is a Saloon could give you problems if you want it to be a road car
Good luck

[andrewc]

I spent yesterday spectating on the Honister section of the VSCC Lakeland - it confirmed I need to step up the search.
I think the project in Holland may have sold as its disappeared from the website it was on. I am in contact with the owner of the car in Dorset though.

[andrewc]

The Dorset special sold as well.  Thinking back on the Lakeland I think I need to widen my criteria - I'd consider anything open and slightly tatty thats VSCC eligible.  So Chummy, 2 and 4 seat tourer etc. come into play.