Austin Seven (7) 1921. English Car. Museum Find! Antique! Christmas Special !!

Until the First World War Austin mainly built large cars, but in 1909 they sold a single-cylinder car built bySwiftofCoventrycalled theAustin 7 hp.

In 1920Sir Herbert Austincommenced working on the concept of a smaller car, mainly to meet the needs of young families aspiring to own an affordable motor car. This idea was spurred on by the introduction of theHorsepower Taxin 1921. His design concept marked a departure from his company's conservative motoring past and Austin received considerable opposition from his board of directors and creditors. Because the company was in receivership Austin decided to carry out the project himself on his own account and in 1921 hired an 18-year-old draughtsman, Stanley Edge, from the Austin factory at Longbridge, Birmingham to aid in the drawing of detailed plans. This work was carried out in the billiard room of Austin'sLickey Grangehome.

Edge convinced Austin to use a smallfour-cylinder engine. The original side valve engine design featured a capacity of 696cc (55mm x 77mm) giving a RAC rating of 7.2hp, the cast cylinder block featured a detachable head and was mounted on an aluminium crankcase. The crankshaft used one roller and two ball bearings and the big-ends were splash lubricated.Edge also carried out the design of other mechanical components such as the three speed gearbox and clutch assembly. Austin was largely responsible for styling the Seven's design. The "A" frame chassis design was believed to have been influenced by the design of an American truck used in the Longbridge factory in the early 1920s.

The design was completed in 1922 and three prototypes were constructed in a special area of the Longbridge factory, and announced to the public in July 1922.

Nearly 2,500 cars were made in the first year of production (1923), not as many as hoped, but within a few years the "big car in miniature" had wiped out thecyclecarindustry and transformed the fortunes of the Austin Motor Co.

By 1939 when production finally ended, 290,000 cars and vans had been made.

The original 1922 four-cylinder Austin Seven engine had a bore of 2.125" (54mm) and stroke of 3" (76mm), giving a capacity of 696 cc and RAC rating of 7.2hp.

The side-valve engine was composed of an aluminium crankcase, cast iron cylinder block and cast iron cylinder head. Cooling was bythermosiphon, without a water pump, and the dynamo was driven from the timing gears.

The big end bearings were lubricated by jets from an oil gallery in the crankcase, the oil striking the crankshaft webs which were drilled accordingly. Originally the journal diameter was 1.125"; this was later increased to 1.3125". The three bearing engine (from 1936) used a white metal centre bearing.

The splash-lubricated crankshaft (pressure fed on some sports models) at first ran in two bearings (two ball bearings at the front, roller at the back) changing to three in 1936.

The 3-speed and reverse gearbox was integral with the engine, and had a variety of ratios depending on application.

The back axle was ofspiral beveltype with ratios between 4.4:1 and 5.6:1.

A shorttorque tuberan forward from thedifferentialhousing to a bearing and bracket on the rear axle cross member.

(1) If you are new to eBay or have a less than five (5) feedback score you MUST CONTACT us prior to bidding or your bid will be cancelled!

Call BILL

724 712 3337

Please contact us via the eBay message service with anyquestions or concerns.

(2) This car is being sold AS IS, WHERE IS! Any prospective buyer is welcome to have the car inspected at our facility by an independent third party company.

PAYMENT POLICY

A $500NON-REFUNDABLEdeposit is due within 24 hours of auction close!

High bidder must contact us either via e-mail, phone, or deposit

within 24 hours or car will be given to second chance buyer!

All items must be paid for in full within3 business days,

cash or wire transfer, (wire transfer fee is $22)

unless we are notified to arrangedifferent payment methods!

All car purchases can be stored at our facility for up to 7 days free of charge!

After that a $20/day storage fee will be applied!

NO EXCEPTIONS!!

Title transfer fee IS NOT included in the purchase price.

Please note PA Residence must pay a 6% sales tax.