1932 | Austin 7 Tourer

This charming ‘time warp’ Austin 7 PD Tourer has just arrived with us as part of a small Isle of Man collection now for sale due to bereavement.

Originally UK registered on November 12th 1932, the PD followed the original P series launched in 1929 when Austin added this first open two-seater to their Austin 7 range. The model sported a distinctive ‘boat tail' rear end. For 1932 the PD was introduced with a more squared-off rear end and was based on a slightly longer wheelbase chassis which usefully increased the luggage carrying capacity. This was accessed by simply folding the front seats forward, the spare wheel being externally mounted at the rear.






This great little Seven is going to be a really exciting purchase for a practical buyer who knows how to ‘fettle' an old car. On arrival with us the car had not been used for two years. We replaced the battery, cranked it over a few times to get some oil pressure, then added some fresh fuel. It started instantly, with good oil pressure, a working charging system, and within minutes we were off on a first road test. The engine is lively and the gearbox is quiet. The car doesn't smoke and although the engine is a bit rattly, we suspect the coil ignition is slightly too far advanced and the engine may not have had any adjustments since the cylinder head was replaced and new valves fitted some years ago. The car needs a bit of cleaning and tidying but will reward it's new owner's attention with a refreshed patina that money can't buy. There is a buff log book which shows ownership mainly in London from 1946 to 1976. There is also a fantastic service history with a pile of old-fashioned service job cards, from ‘The Garage and Motor Agent' in West London going back as far as 1962! There is also a record of the engine being replaced. It should be possible to obtain its original mark DG 5472 and a letter is in the file specifically advising the DVLA that the car would return to the UK and that the original registration number should not be sold or re-allocated.






We just love cars with this sort of history and one could spend hours reading it. There's an interesting advertisement booking form for the International Herald Tribune, putting the car on the market in March 1973: ‘Austin Seven 2-seater 1932. Present owner 21 years. Winner Many Concours. Any Examination. $2485 UK, 61, Ladbrook Grove London. The owner clearly hoped for an export sale but the car stayed here. A later advert from June 1991 reads: ‘1932 Austin 7 two seat tourer, totally restored in 1988. New hood, screens, upholstery, tyres, brakes, bearings, repaint etc. MOT's Space needed.