Hoping someone can assist ?

My 84 year old neighbour is looking for some one to restore his first car - a 1933 RP Box saloon. Peter, who is based just south of Derby, bought the car in 1956 and learned to drive on it. He would like to drive the car one more time and be able to pass it on to his children as a runner in due course.

The car is basically complete but has been dismantled into its major component parts. It will need a full body and mechanical restoration.

Any suggestions welcome as to an individual or company who could assist with restoration please ? ( I have details and some photo's of the car if that helps ? )

Many thanks, David Shepherd

Location: Derby

Hello David,
What a lovely story, I'm sure we would all be very pleased to see his wish to drive the car again come to fruition. I'm afraid I, and I assume most of the other people that have read your post, do not have a specific recommendation, however this WEBSITE has a list of most Austin Seven specialists, with detail of the work they do, including some who undertake restorations.
I hope this is of some help to yourself and Peter and I'm sure we would all love to hear of any progress.

Location: New Forest

Hi Timothy,
Many thanks for your kind reply.
This gives us a few new leads to follow up - much appreciated.
Will keep you posted on our progress.
Best regards,
David

Location: Derby

Hi David

If Peter can establish who did his and if Andy gives his email address, you might have two more leads.

Location: Auckland, NZ

David, has Peter thought about a budget for the work?

I've had cars that have been laid up for four decades and have got them back on the road for under £1,000 (excluding labour).

On the other hand, we recently supplied a full set of woodwork for an RP to a customer who has a £25,000 budget for a car that he knows will be worth no more than £10k - £12k when finished!

Location: Herefordshire, with an "E" not a "T".

Hi Bob, Many thanks for your suggestion.
Best regards,
David

Location: Derby

Hi Martin,
Many thanks for your response.

Yes I have given Peter the reality check and some insight into likely restoration costs Vs. market value after restoration. Peter is not looking for a concours car, but wants it to be presentable and reasonably safe to drive. He is still keen, and able, to proceed if we can find someone to take it on.

For him the priority is to save the car from being broken up in the future, have a bit of nostalgic fun with it while he still can, and to pass it on to his daughter who could also enjoy driving it but who couldn't possibly restore it herself.

The car had a later (Ruby) 2 bearing engine fitted when he bought it in 1956, Butler headlights, and Bowdendex front brake conversion so not fully original by any means and Peter would be happy for it to be restored with these features rather than go for perfect originality.

The car is complete but dismantled. I have inspected it and can confirm some basic details :

Engine and gearbox turn but haven't run for 30 years.
Chassis & Front axle assembly are remarkably rust free.
Half shaft key ways worn in each side of the axle.
5 good 19 inch wheels - rims and spokes fine.
Body shell & doors will need most woodwork replacing.
Front wings are very sound as is one rear wing. The other rear wing is bad pattern part that will need to be replaced.
Rear floor pan is not too bad - may need a little welding at the corner joints to the rear arches, tunnel is ok, the flat sections of both front foot wells will need replacing but the toe boards are in tact.
Sunroof, dash, and instruments all present.
Steering wheel will need recovering or replacing.
Bonnet sound
Radiator shell sound - core in unknown condition.
Rist horn restored and working !

So will not be cheap or quick to restore but is very saveable.

If anyone wants any further information or has any other suggestions please feel free to get in touch.

Best regards,

David

Location: Derby