1928 Austin

1928 Austin Seven Swallow Tourer

Fuel: Petrol
Gearbox: Manual

Description

This is an exceptionally early example of the car that launched William Lyons into coachbuilding. Chassis 70802 was built in 1928 and registered on 31 December 1928. It is recognised as a 1929 model. That makes it the fifth-oldest surviving Swallow and the second-oldest 1929 car. Only 851 Austin Seven Swallow two-seaters were produced, and around 60 are recorded in the Swallow Register. Just 17 of those are 1929 models, and only three 1928 two-seaters are known to survive. The oldest Swallow of all is in the care of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust.

The car was known to the Swallow Register for some years. It had been off the road since 1965, when the previous owner put it aside for restoration, and progress was minimal. The current owner bought it in 2024 and restored it over some 1,000 hours. The original wings and tail section were badly damaged and corroded, so four new wings and a new tail were fitted. Period photographs were studied to ensure accuracy. Much of the internal woodwork, including the floors and inner wheel arches, was saved and reused.

The engine had been renovated in 1985 but never ran afterwards, so it was stripped again and rebuilt. The gearbox was also attended to. Paint, wiring and trimming were completed during 2025. Gary Hugh Wright Coach Trimming invoiced £4,800 for a new hood, hood bag and side screens in black mohair, together with foam front seat squabs and sprung front seat cushions. The restoration cost around £40,000.

The owner is a competitive VSCC driver and considers the car too good to use himself. It is ready to be enjoyed among Austin Seven enthusiasts and in the wider vintage car movement.

The history file includes the current V5C, the 2013 Austin Swallow Register car list, photographs taken before and during the restoration, invoices, and the January 2025 issue of Swallow Ramblings.

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