1924 AUSTIN 7 SALAMANDA SPECIAL

KEY FACTS

• A well-known and truly elegant Austin 7 special, which has been described as being a work of art as much as it is a car.
• Created by renowned custom builder Oliver Way Design in 2008 for Amanda Fane de Salis, reportedly at a cost of more than £40,000.
• It is powered by an uprated 747cc inline-four fed by twin carburettors, coupled to a three-speed close-ratio manual gearbox.
• The car is now located in Germany, where it has full TÜV approval and wears a H (Historic) plate.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• While many Austin 7 specials have bodies designed solely with function in mind, the Salamanda sports genuinely eye-catching coachwork, fashioned from riveted aluminium and laminated birch wood ply in the style as a First World War aircraft.
• There are simple aluminium mud guards over all four wheels, a metal end plate over the aerodynamic tail section, a mesh ‘aero screen’ for the driver, and a leather strap covering the bodywork underneath the fuel filler to protect the wood.
• An access flap on the bonnet provides easy access to the top end for quick maintenance during competitive events.
• At the front are genuine Marchal headlamps that give the Austin another dash of authenticity.
• The simple and very snug cockpit has lightweight metal seat frames with brown leather covers over the base pads and as binding around the backrests, and a detachable steering wheel to ease getting in and out of the car.
• Its 747cc inline-four has been modified with a pressure-fed performance crankshaft, upgraded pistons, rods, cams and cylinder head, plus a high-flow Don Rawson oil pump, Magneto ignition, electric water pump and electric fan. The engine is fed by twin carburettors, and is coupled to a high-specification close-ratio transmission, along with a low-ratio rear axle geared for optimal acceleration.
• For lightness, there is no automated fuel pump, so the entire fuel system is pressurised by a hand pump.
• It has a 12-volt electrical system with a bespoke build dynamo and regulator, along with a super-light Varley red top battery.
• For road usability, the current owner installed an electric fan and a Davies Craig water pump – though this can be removed in order to comply with VSCC rules if needed.
• Weighing only around 350kg, this Austin 7 special boasts sprightly performance on both the road and track, making it a truly competitive machine.
• Accompanying the car is a set of spare parts, an additional set of wheels, plus numerous documents.

CONDITION

• Its paintwork presents in good order, with a handsome ‘patina’ throughout, and only minor marks from competitive use as you would expect.
• With the time passed since the build, the laminated ply rear bodywork presents beautifully, with a charming, weathered appearance.
• The interior is in good condition for its age, with the leather seat pads now having a distressed look, but with all of the switchgear and gauges working as they should.
• It is fresh from a TÜV inspection carried out in July 2021, so if the car stays in Germany or the EU it will not require another inspection for two years.

SERVICE HISTORY

• The car was last serviced around 100km ago by the current owner. The engine and gearbox oils were changed, the engine was resealed, the clutch was repaired, and the radiator was refitted.
• It has received annual oil changes over the last few years, along with regular greasing and frequent coolant water changes.

SUMMARY

This Austin 7 Salamanda Special is a truly bespoke vintage sports car; purpose-built for sprints and hill climb events, and which has been driven at Prescott, Wiscombe Park, Mallory Park, Goodwood and Donington. It is a head-turning custom machine, which always draws a crowd and admiring glances wherever it goes, and represents a great opportunity to acquire a fast and fastidiously built Special. Described by some as “steampunk on wheels”, this little Austin is ready to relish on the road or at numerous historic events.

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