The Austin 7 has been described as Britain’s equivalent of the Model T Ford – like the Model T it brought car ownership to the masses together with the promise of the freedom of the open road.

Introduced in 1922, and in response to the impending bankruptcy of his company, Herbert Austin determined that there would be a future in motor car manufacturing with the introduction of a small, inexpensive but ‘proper’ car, which was affordable to a middle-class market. Vehicle manufacture at the time was pretty much limited to large, expensive automobiles or small, rudimentary cycle cars.

Sales began in 1923, the car having a diminutive 4-cylinder, sidevalve engine; 3-speed gearbox and basic braking system. Over time and as sales picked up, there were mechanical and performance improvements and the 7 was produced in a number of different body styles – 2 & 4-seater open Tourer; saloon; Sports; cabriolet and van. Such was its widely-recognised suitability that it was manufactured under licence all over the globe – France; Germany; America and Japan.  

The Austin 7 remained in production in its home country until the beginning of the Second World War in 1939, by which time well over a quarter of a million had been built. The model can also lay claim to being the first mass-market car to be fitted with what is now the conventional pedal control layout.

The type ‘R’ saloon was introduced in April 1926 and was the first saloon to be designed and built solely by the Austin Motor Company. The coachwork consisted of a lightweight ash frame, panelled in aluminium and earned its nickname of ‘Top Hat’ owing to the tall and upright, formal-looking appearance. First registered in November 1928, this example has a split windscreen, sliding windows and the early, smaller, rear-hinged doors found on the first models, but has the headlamps mounted on the wings and plated radiator cowl of the last examples made.

In the hands of a long-term owner from 1978, this ‘Top Hat’ underwent restoration works with the Austin Seven Centre Ltd, Bristol in 1984 (at which time the speedometer was reset to zero miles). Acquiring an MOT certificate in November 1984 - at 15 miles recorded - the Seven has subsequently been stored, unused for many years. Acquired recently by ourselves, we have completed recommissioning and service works.