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THE AUSTIN SEVEN

"I look back upon the year 1922 as one that marks an important milestone in my life, for it was then that I introduced the now famous Seven which has made motoring possible for thousands who could not otherwise have enjoyed its advantages.
The Seven has done more than anything previously accomplished to bring about the realisation of my ambition to motorise the masses.  Of course, my little car was treated with a good deal of ridicule at first, but it cheers me up to notice that the appreciation which the Baby meets is just as hearty as the erstwhile smiles were broad."

The following information is also available in Bob Wyatt's book, available from

It was evident in 1929 that the Austin Seven had changed the concept of motoring, by providing a practical means of four-wheeled transport at a price low enough to enable a vast new section of the population to become car owners.  There was ongoing rivalry between Sir Herbert Austin and Lord Nuffield, with his Morris Minor.  The Morris was the first car to be produced for £100, in 1931.  That car was a tourer. Saloons proved to be the most popular. The Austin Seven, a real four-seater saloon, was produced in 1931/2, at £128. Times between the wars were economically depressed; nevertheless, between 20,000 and 27,000 Austins were sold between 1927 and 1937. The engine of the Seven was ideal for "tweaking". Success was soon to be seen on the race tracks and in hill-climbs.

It is interesting to see chassis numbers quoted in the story.
My chassis number is 260131.  As you read on, you will see I have a sense of identity. I had other models as friends but none stood the test of time.  A 1935 Cabriolet I knew came to a sad end, with the cam shaft through the side of his engine.  A Cabriolet, with the hood down, was a fetching sight.
The Ruby was fitted with a sun roof.
Go to Page 3 of the Gallery to see what fun that was, on a fine sunny day!

Returning to Mr Wyatt's book, a Nippy sports model was fitted with the first three bearing crank in Dec. 1936 to chassis no. 257842.   Then, a Nippy cost £130. A Nippy with a Sports engine cost £142.10s. There was a £4 increase, pricing a Ruby fixed head saloon at £122 in March of the following year.

All of the Baby Sevens have an established place in the history of the British motor car.  There were tourers; two seaters and even vans.  Production would cease, in 1938. If you are interested in the full history, I can recommend Mr. Wyatt's book.  The Big Seven was an addition to the Austin family and did not nor could not supersede the famous Baby. That's me!