“The front spring shackles were reversed to make it lower and I love its character. I discovered it was being sold at Anglia Car Auctions and sent my wife to buy it with a strict reserve. The bidding passed my limit but she secretly bought it as a gift.”
Wood’s enthusiasm for Sevens has rubbed off on his family, including daughter Georgina, here with the special she shares with husband Ben
Providing an extreme contrast to the sluggish lawnmower is a very racy special, christened ‘Scorcher’, which belongs to Wood’s daughter Georgina and son-in-law Ben.
“The body was created by Mike Harris in St Albans and I totally fell for the build quality.I remade the dash with new gauges as a surprise Christmas present for Ben.
“Next year we plan to fit a supercharger, but sitting out front just like a ‘Blower’ Bentley. It’s quick and Ben is keen to compete with it.”
The Seven bug has clearly rubbed off on his daughter, who also owns a 1928 Box saloon that she takes on local rallies.
Early indoctrination to ‘crash’ gearboxes driving the family Austins led to Georgina, now MD of the family business, being one of the few trusted to drive such legends as AX 201 and the Napier-Railton.
In period, the Speedy was too expensive to rival Singer and MG
The collection displays the evolution of the sports models, with choice examples of the ‘55’, ‘65’ (also known as the Nippy), Gordon England and Speedy.
“As a kid I always wanted a Speedy, with its claimed 75mph maximum, but they were too expensive. The spec included a 23bhp engine with pressure-fed crank, close-ratio gears and a pointed tail.
“No match for MG, they failed to sell and fewer than 300 were made. I bought mine in Huddersfield and drove it back. I’ve always loved the challenge of sorting problems on the go.”
To complete the sporty set, Wood’s latest project is an Ulster: “Again I struggled to find an original so bought this replica five years ago.
“I love the one in the Brooklands Museum, which this is modelled on. I’m a perfectionist about bodywork so the fit, particularly the bonnet, has to be right. It came with cycle wings but I’ve found an original set of full wings, which look much better.”
Wood’s Ulster replica project will be ready for next year’s centenary
He continues: “I enjoy the challenge of tracking down original bits and love autojumbles, particularly Beaulieu.
“Being dyslexic, computers give me headaches so I’ve never bothered with eBay. I work on the Sevens at home but take parts into work for painting – this will be Rolls-Royce Continental Grey.
“The target was to get it ready for spring, but COVID-19 disrupted that. It’ll definitely be finished for the centenary next year.
“I was recently invited to McLaren and it tickled me that the first car I saw in the classic collection was Bruce’s orange Ulster. So much, including Lotus, started with the Seven.”
The simplicity is part of the Seven’s charm
The little Austin also has key connections with William Lyons and Jaguar, so Wood had to have a Swallow.
“It’s a new acquisition from a doctor in Epping. He found it in a dilapidated state and did all the work himself, including making a new ash body frame.
“They are much heavier than the standard cars and quite stodgy to drive but I love the style, particularly the scuttle vents and the famous mascot.”
As well as the Austins, Wood owns a Peugeot Quadrilette, the Edwardian light car that inspired the Seven’s designers: “It has similar features including a four-cylinder water-cooled engine, A-frame chassis with transverse-leaf front suspension and quarter-elliptics at the rear, but it doesn’t drive as well. It’s windy and noisy, and with tandem seating I can’t hear a word my wife is saying when she’s in the back.”
This packed corner of the barn features (r-l) Nippy, ’55’ and Gordon England Cup Model
Top of Wood’s Seven dream list would be one of the works twin-cam single-seaters.
“Just three were built and two survive; they were beautifully engineered and highly prized. I’d be happy with one of the supercharged sidevalve racers, but only one remains so a good replica would do.”
Also on the wanted list is a Seven tractor. A few were made by the factory for market gardeners, featuring solid wheels with two three-speed gearboxes in series.
Various specialists also built them including Pattison and later Brockhouse for a military contract: “They have turned up at steam fairs but they are scarce. It would make a fun pair with the lawnmower.”
Images: Max Edleston
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Mick Walsh
Mick Walsh is Classic & Sports Car’s International Editor