Sold for £18,562
(including buyers premium)
Registration No: FE 9107
Chassis No: M2192
MOT: Exempt
Arguably the forefather of mass motoring 'giants' such as the Volkswagen Beetle, Citroen 2CV and BMC Mini, the Austin Seven was launched in 1922 and quickly went on to become the epitome of economic small car family motoring. An extremely versatile design, its simple but well-executed A-frame, leaf-sprung chassis also played host to a bewildering range of derivatives from Brooklands single-seaters to two-speed tractors (all powered by the ubiquitous, four-cylinder, side-valve 747cc engine) though, it is perhaps in the guise of a 'Chummy' tourer that the model is most fondly remembered. Continuing spares availability means that owning a Chummy in the 21st Century is still a practical proposition as well as being a great entry into the Vintage Sports Car Club where its ability on driving tests and trials in the correct hands is second to none.
This lovely Austin Seven ‘Chummy’ was first registered on the 21st of April 1927 and delivered to Dr D.M. Band Senior. He later gave the car to his son to go to college. After Mr Band Junior broke the back axle he decided to completely strip the car with the intention of rebuilding it. However, he soon started medical school and finally ended up becoming one of London’s top cancer consultants. This meant that the car lay in pieces on his garage floor for over thirty years. Dr Band Junior was a good customer of Mr Paul Sparks, who had looked after all the Band family’s motorcars. They were chatting one day and Dr Band asked if Mr Sparks would be interested in purchasing the ‘Chummy’ and putting it back on the road. Mr Sparks agreed and became the car’s second registered keeper in December 2000. He finished the restoration project in 2004 and then drove round to Dr Band’s house, picked him up and took him for a drive. Dr Band was very happy to see the car back together and on the road again before he moved away. As is so often the case, history repeats itself and in May 2021 Mr Sparks and the current vendor were chatting about cars and Mr Sparks asked if he’d like to take over the custodianship of the Seven. In fact, he virtually insisted on it! And, as it was for Dr Band Junior, our current vendor finds himself with too little time to properly enjoy the car, so it is with a heavy heart that the car is now offered for public sale for the first time in its 95-year history.
Although the ‘Chummy’ was restored in the early 2000s, it still presents exceptionally well and it wouldn’t take much effort or expense to bring it up to a concours standard. The paintwork is still deep and lustrous, the leather is virtually unmarked and the car starts and runs nicely. It comes with an as-new hood, hood cover, full tonneau and full side screens. Accompanying the car is a history file containing a V5C documenting just two(!) registered keepers from new, old and recent invoices, old MOT’s, correspondence from Mr Sparks, an Austin Seven owner’s manual and workshop handbook and various Austin Seven Club magazines and spare parts price lists. It even includes an old photograph of a young Dr Band Junior alongside the ‘Chummy’, presumably just before he broke the rear axle which would take the car off the road for several decades.
For more information, please contact:
Julian Pinkster
julian.pinkster@handh.co.uk
07889 223 904
Auction: Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 15th Mar, 2023
Established in 1993, H&H has sold some of the world's most significant motorcars and motorcycles over the past 30 years. Trusted by over 75,000 clients worldwide, we are the longest established auction house of our kind in Europe.
An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars to be held at the iconic and visually stunning Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Cambridgeshire.
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