Good evening all,

I am now in a position to buy my first Austin. Even the wife is keen!

One has just popped up on eBay that looks like a possibility and I was wondering what your views are?


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253051822031

Also I now live in Aldershot and would greatly appreciate if any of you could point me in the direction of a local club?

Kindest regards,

Alex (and Vicky)

Location: Aldershot

The eBay car is an Opal and looks on the face of it to be an honest car, there will be a fair amount of work to bring it up to scratch but it appears a degree of originality and would probably be a great starting point. Opals are nice cars and provided you have the skills to sympathetically re commission this example then it is probably a good buy

Location: NZ

Hi Alex,

Welcome to the Forum - for starters check out the Austin 7 Clubs Association - Member Clubs List below. Be aware some of the meeting venues or meeting dates may have changed since the list was prepared, so best to contact the various Clubs or Regional Groups to confirm. Most if not all of the Austin 7 Clubs shown have websites - find links to them on Google.

http://a7ca.org/member-clubs/

A quick scan of the above shows the Austin Seven Owners Club (London) Portway Group meet in Wolverton, the Pre-War Austin Seven Club meet in Heckfield and the Solent Austin Seven Club meet in Alresford. There may of course be others taking place in adjoining counties within easy reach of Aldershot.

Jeff.

Location: Almost but not quite, the far North East of England

Alex,
We are members of the Portway section of the London Austin Seven Club and would be pleased to see you , car or no car. I would think though that the 750mc Brooklands Centre would be nearer to you.
The car on EBay that you are interested in is in rather a tatty condition. It would depend on your personal skill levels and how you would like too see the car when finished to your satisfaction. I have what I consider a good example of an Opal and it has cost me considerably more than that to get it in the condition that it is in now , and that is doing it myself, to employ a restorer, double it.
My advice would be to hold off on this one and further research before jumping in.
By the way OPALS ARE A GREAT CHOICE.

Location: Oakley , Hampshire

I would rather buy a tatty but genuine car than a shiny but poorly restored example Derek, so many cars that look superficially good will be no better than this example under the bling!

Location: NZ

Couldn't agree more, just think that he could do better with his money. My comments still apply

Location: Oakley , Hampshire

After buying my first one on ebay, I'd suggest just start going to club meets and find something that is regularly used by someone who know the car and can tell you what to expect. Your wife might tire when she realises that it wont get out of the garage for a year otherwise... that's even before the unforeseens that will inevitably crop up.

Ebay stuff is either going to be cheap for a reason, or will rocket to more than its worth as people can't be bothered to go outside to shop for things these days. If you like risk and the unknown, then you might get a bargain, or a can of worms.

What is your budget though, as we all enjoy looking for things...

All this information is very helpful and much appreciated!

Looking around £5000 which is why the eBay one seemed "buyable" I will of course start going to my local meets and asking around!

Not looking for mint condition but at least a car that's mechanically sound and able to get out the garage!

If anyone has any adverts they think are suitable then please message.

Cheers guys

Location: Aldershot

not suggesting these would be sensible, but interested to find them hiding on David Wilkinson's site... anybody know the cars?

http://www.southernsevens.co.uk/category/vehicles-for-sale/

Hi Alex,

We are members of the 'North Hampshire Austin Enthusiasts Group' we meet at the 'New Inn' at Heckfield on the second Monday of each month, from about 19.30.
http://www.nhaeg.org.uk/
Best Wishes, John Bennett

Location: Fleet, Hants

hi al,

Be careful on your budget, it is in a rang were people are asking to much for cars that will cost you too much to put right.

Not trying to upset any opal owners, but they do tend to sell at the lowest price of all open top 7s. Realy nice ones tend to sell for the £8k bracket.

This one is getting closer to your budget now, and would probably another £6k to make it an £8k car

Most people on here know I supply parts for these cars, and I don't want to see you fall into the same trap as everyone before you. That have paid to much, without knowing what it will cost to put things right.

First thing is those seats look like they need doing, unless you can do them yourself. To have them done properly is £700. Or you will find yourself like the last person here, advertising for seats with good coverings, there are plenty out there needing recovering. But very few ready to fit. And when you find them ready to fit they will probably be £300 to £400.

That's just one job, now start adding up all the others. And there are plenty.

do your homework before you buy, especially if it needs work.

It will save you in the long run.

If you want to know what the new parts will cost you, check all the cherished suppliers websites. there all on the forum.

If you want to know what some of the used parts will cost, call me during the week.

Tony.

Location: Huncote on the pig

Thanks Tony, for reiterating what I said earlier. My first Austin seven was a Ruby bought from a reputable dealer , Unknown to me a complete novice it was a death trap, full of rot and completely knackered. I rebuilt that car to the condition where Robin Lawton stated in his sales spiel when he later sold it ,that it was the probably the best example of a Ruby that he had ever seen. (Robin I do have a copy of the brochure.) It took me ten years , a lot of money and heart ache.
Al, go into this with your eyes open and preferably with somebody who knows what they are looking at.

Location: Oakley , Hampshire

hi derek, been there dont it as well.

ian is correct in his words about the car looking a good start.

but my fears for al, is withe a budget of £5k its looking like the car is going to cost at least that. so there is nothing left for rebuild work.

the wireing looks like someone was trying to copy the london underground map.

a new loom is probably £100+ for a good quality one. some on the market are only part looms to cover more models, so it will then cost more than you think to do the job.

problem 3, how good is the engine, (does it even run). ive seen far to many people on here, after running around getting prices for an engine rebuild. then realising the parts alone come to £1,500 to £3,000 + labour another £1,500 to £2,00. then trying to squeeze a reliant engine into a car just because they can get hold of one for £300.

as i sed, i supply parts for 7s, i cant sell them for nothing or even give them away. just because you blew your full wad on a car that needs thousands spending on it

Location: huncote on the pig

Hi Alex,

I'm sure you'll have already checked this out, but just incase you haven't, here's a few background checks I've done - the DVLA have it as 'Untaxed' (in a red box) the tax having been due on 16th January 2017, suggesting it must have been taxed immediately prior to that date and therefore have a current V5c though strangely the seller doesn't seem to mention that important fact - worth asking if he has the V5c in his name, if not I'd be a bit suspicious.

The 'Untaxed' (in a red box) suggests the current owner who claims to have bought the car 5 months ago has failed either to re-tax it or SORN it as he is legally obliged to do even though it's tax free - a frequent mistake many people make. Date of first registration is given as January 2003 - this is probably the date when it's original registration DOF 563 was reclaimed from the DVLA.

The registration DOF 563 doesn't feature on the A7CA Chassis Register - suggesting the car has never previously been owned by an A7CA affiliate Austin Seven Club member.

The registration DOF 563 was issued by Birmingham between May and June 1937 - if you are going to view the car or contact the seller ask what the chassis number given in the V5c is - as a very rough guide chassis numbers (i.e chassis build dates) in mid March 1937 were around 267000's and by early July 1937 had reached 275000's.

Which ever way you decide, whether to bid or not, the very best of luck.

Jeff.

Location: Almost but not quite, the far North East of England

Jeff, Tony, Derek, John, Jon, Ben and David,

Thank you for all the information, help and advice over the past few days, it's all very much appreciated.

I think instead of rushing straight into a purchase I will go to a few meets, first starting with NHAEG on Mon 14 Aug.

I appreciate the Opal on EBay is not in showroom condition but at present I'm just looking for a mechanically sound 7 as a starting point. If any of you do know of anything suitable then don't hesitate to message!

Hopefully may meet some of you soon.

Kindest regards,

Alex

Location: Aldershot

Hey Al
You sound like a wise person, I would strongly suggest that you get someone who knows their sevens to go and look with you at any potential cars.
As already earlier said an honest scruffy car is a nice start.

All the best with your quest.

Location: The Centre of the Universe

Hi Al
I'm far from an expert but if I can help in any way I have a 1934 box saloon and also live in Aldershot (well within 200 yds!)
Regards Richard

Location: Ash/Aldershot