Ok, I caught a bit of a cold with my Ebay purchase, but being bored this lunchtime I thought I would have a browse. Found a couple:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-7-Special-/253023729216?hash=item3ae963b640:g:tegAAOSwPWRZWOtF

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUSTIN-SEVEN-1931-SPECIAL/112458854692?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D43782%26meid%3Da79b352c935243af93537bed5b202511%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D253023729216

I like the blue one but once bitten etc.

Location: Essex/Suffolk border

Looks like the first one didn't get the car SOS from Fuzz!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GThh62hxaF0

Location: Reading

Interesting to see GP 7403 for sale: it apparently sold last week for £6,500, but now it's back on the market - same seller!

I don't think you can apply 'once bitten..' to the blue one, surely?

1. it's registered
2. it's been used and fettled in the past, so has a history
3. it's lovely...

If it gets much more expensive though, why bother having a special at all?

I agree with everything you say, Jon; I was all set to put a bid in, but it's gone beyond what I am prepared to pay ...

Location: Essex/Suffolk border

Location: Suffolk/Essex border

Having just found this forum it was too late to stop me bidding and winning on the blue car. Now I am concerned about the "twice sold" ! It was a rush of blood moment and you never know it might turn out ok.

If anyone has any info on the car it would be great. How do you go about insuring modified 7's ? Is there a specialist out there?



Cheers

Chris

Location: Wiltshire

well done - looks good. And it's only money! What else can you do with it?

Join your local Austin 7 club and then lots insure through Richardson Hosken (RH) - should cost you about 50 quid if its valued under 7500 or so.

Its a nice Special - lovely shape. You might find you get irritated with non-standard approaches that have been adopted on them, but that's part of the fun. It can be the first of your new fleet of Austin 7s.

Hi Chris, welcome to the dark side, no escape now! Seriously though I think you have brought a good example of 60's special building, there may be some fettling to do but a nice looking and probably well built special.

Location: NZ

Chris Roberts

Having just found this forum it was too late to stop me bidding and winning on the blue car. Now I am concerned about the "twice sold" ! It was a rush of blood moment and you never know it might turn out ok.

If anyone has any info on the car it would be great. How do you go about insuring modified 7's ? Is there a specialist out there?



Cheers

Chris

Location: Suffolk/Essex border

£7652 for the blue special. Nice though! May look strange with a tallish person in it, a bit like wearing a large blue carpet slipper. (Only joking)
Dave.

Location: Sheffield

I think that depends on how well reclined the seat position is, I agree if it is too vertical in any special you tend to wear the car rather than sit in it.

Location: NZ

Fortunately I won't have to worry about height. Width.... well that's another matter!!

I hope to pick up tomorrow and see what I have actually done

Location: Wiltshire

If you find you hate it you can always swap it for my Gauld special!!!

Somehow I don't think you will though!

Location: Suffolk/Essex border

Another one!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-Seven-Special-1936-Nut-and-Bolt-Rebuild-Chassis-number-N1-Superb-Detail/232376172033?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D44760%26meid%3D80947697930c4eaf9206e80144e90e9f%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D112458854692

Location: Suffolk/Essex border

Location: Suffolk/Essex border

I picked the car up and it looks all good so far but I haven't had much time with it yet and have not even sat in it yet! I have a feeling it's going to be quite a learning experience and I am starting by joining a club and getting a book! At the a week now but when I am back I will do photo.

Location: Wiltshire

Which book Chris, remember some stuff was written a long time ago so consider the context of when written, for example the Companion and Bill Williams, both have plenty of good stuff but also some questionable advice and what we know know are errors. Woodrow is probably essential if you are new to Sevens, and if you can be bothered trawling through the forum there are some absolute gems on here if you can find them. I believe you have brought a good car, one that recommissioned properly will give you a lot of pleasure. Remember some things said about sevens is simply folk law, Argumentum ad Ignorantiam

Location: NZ

I am starting with the 750MC companion in the hope that it will contain some basic clues as to what went where and how it joined up . The car I have has been altered all over the place ( although cos I don't actually know what it started like I am only guessing) so I am expecting that the bok won't be too much help. The doesn't seem to have any water pump or cooling fan (I see fan blades on ebay so I guess at least some had some forced air cooling) there is no hand crank just a stubby shaft with no obvious slots or cuts for a starting handle (I reckon it was cut off fir the body to fit but it foes seem a very good clean cut) no oil dipstick ( that I can find) and of course it has a pair of SU carbs. i have no idea if/how the bakes or chassis have been modified but the wheels look smaller diameter than the ones on standard 7's but wider.

I think I am going to be asking some very very basic questions before I actually get much further. I will keep an eye out for the book you recommend

I think this could be fun (or not!)

Chris

Location: Wiltshire

If you can post some photo's of you car someone on the forum will identify what you have built in ,or not to your car.
One thing with a special is you don't have to worry about originality issues,Just concentrate on making a car that pleasing on the eye and fun to drive.

there are a good load of photos in the second link down in the first very first post.
Bowdenex, Cambridge head, West London wheels.

Just change the oil and try and start the darn thing... and get it to your local A7 club meet as soon as possible and let them answer all your questions in return for halves of bitter....