Car

Read the context overview (menu, above left) on Austin 7 utility vans and the discovery of this one in 2019, now unearthed and being restored. As much as possible of the original structure has been kept where practical. Whilst the car is essentially a special, it has a considerable social history as well as being one of the few survivors for the utility farmer’s goods body on an Austin 7.

Likely timeline:

1937 van registered in Guildford, Surrey

1940s new utility shooting brake constructed on a pre-steel body

1952 ash body poorly re-used with locally-constructed wooden subframe/floorpan and ’34 scuttle on present van; possibly by Mitchel Troy garage in Monmouthshire

1956 Abandonment? Use up until this time by the Pickett brothers at White House on Great Doward, as a farmer’s goods vehicle.

1960s change of ownership to Patrick Ford, Abergavenny. Van stored unused until 2019

2000 change of ownership; continued storage, treatment of wood frame.

2019 change of ownership; start of restoration

2020 re-assembly with recreated rear ash work by Priors and conserving the front sections of wood and steel as much as possible without too much intervention. Doors to be Chummy -style and no present intention for window coverings in sides or rear.

See the Gallery for completed images.