***Regretfully Withdrawn*** 1930 Austin Chummy

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The Austin 7 was produced in many guises from 1922 to 1939 and was the first truly affordable mass-produced vehicle of British design and manufacture. The importance of the heritage of the Austin 7 cannot be overstated as without it the Austin company would have financially failed and the inter-war population would have been deprived of the chance of owning their first motor car. In fact, several well-known companies might not have succeeded if they had not been able to become licensed manufacturers of the design. The first BMW was an Austin 7, known as a Dixi in Germany, and in Japan, Nissan based their first cars on it. The Swallow version of the Austin 7 laid the foundations of the Jaguar Car Company.

So with the formalities over with, please allow us to introduce Bluebell. Her birth certificate has her registered on the 28th March 1930, giving her age as a, not inconsiderable, eighty-five. In keeping with many starlets of the inter-war era Bluebell was beginning to show her age during the 1990s and her family decided, that after a couple of decades of ownership, she should get the restoration she deserved. They embarked on a thirteen year, full body off, journey of restoration using the best Austin specialists available including Roach Engineering. The engine and running gear were worked on by Mac Bonar working with Sutton Rebores, who re-bored the engine and fitted new pistons, new valve guides and valves and a high volume oil pump. The radiator was re-cored by Anglia Radiators, the chassis components were shot blasted and the wheels were rebuilt and zinc coated by James Wheldon, using new rims and spokes.

In keeping with cars of this vintage the electrical components required upgrading to 21st century demands. A 12-volt conversion was skilfully carried out, enabling Bluebell's re-silvered headlamps with original glass to shine brightly. The 12-volt conversion was so skilfully done that only an expert can tell it has been done at all. Bluebell also features many period details such as an extra wing-mounted Shell livery can, a spare Shell liveried oil container, a bulb horn, a genuine baby Klaxon horn, wing mirrors, luggage rack and fire extinguisher among many others. Of particular note is the spare plug container made of solid brass that holds a set of Lodge plugs and carries an inscription of the car's name and restoration details.

When Kevin took ownership in 2008 he wanted to improve Bluebell's interior, and although the PVC interior was skilfully done, he wanted a touch more luxury to complement the extraordinary bodywork. Commissioning renowned upholsterer Kerry Colson, the interior re-trim took a month with a final bill of £4,000. Bluebell now has one of the finest Chummy interiors, if not the finest available. Bluebell's history file has been carefully collated by her family of forty-five years, and contains among others, a 1945 logbook, a raft of old MoTs and extensive invoices. When the restoration and full engine rebuild was complete the odometer was zeroed, as is common, and at the time of consignment it reads approximately 4,100 miles. A memorable occasion early on in Kevin's custodianship of Bluebell, was the Austin Seven London to Brighton Run in 2009, and the car is ready and willing to join future rallies. Bluebell will be presented at auction freshly serviced and with a clean bill of health, otherwise known as an MoT.

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