Mummy says I'm Special - Heron Austin Seven

[barrett]

You probably saw my teaser on the news 24 thread earlier. Amazingly coalnotdole correctly guessed the identity of the newest addition to the fleet, as a Heron-bodied A7 special.

 

We spotted this on Thursday on an A7 forum, the chap was basically asking what it was but seemed like it would probably be for sale so I gave him a ring. Annoyingly it sounded better than it looked condition-wise, and he wanted a fair enough price for it. On Friday we managed to get some cash together, and convinced the bloke to deliver it within the asking price (from Leicestershire!). On Saturday he asked if we wanted it on Monday or Tuesday... so on the strength of this photograph I now have another half share in a rubbish broken car that nobody has heard of

 

Heron were one of the countless tiny firms producing GRP bodies to bolt onto obsolete prewar chassis in the 1950s. Unlike most firms, who designed their shells around sit-up-and-beg Ford components, Herons were designed to fit the long-wheelbase Austin Seven chassis which no doubt limited their appeal and accounts for the seemingly very small amount produced. Also unlike most other 'special' bodies, the Heron shell was a real looker.

 The first cars were open two-seaters, and extravagances such as headlamp openings or a windscreen were optional extras

 

They later added a hardtop option, which turned the Heron into a cramped coupe. There are two of these floating about, one an unbuilt shell which has been mounted on a rebuild A7 chassis and running gear but not yet completed, which has been doing the rounds for a few years now

1950s Austin Seven Heron bodied special by Austin7nut, on Flickr

 

The other was languishing on a drive for decades, and was rescued and sold on by the same bloke who had our one. The A-pillars had cracked and the remains of the hard top were binned, and the car was for sale at Beaulieu last year, but it's pretty much a basket case and would take a very dedicated owner to get it back on the road.

 

Heron also offered another model a little later on, which was billed as a 'saloon', and this is what we believe this car to be. Rather than a detachable hard top, the roof is an integral part of the shell. So that's a total of three known Heron shells - plus this car below, which was around until at least quite recently, and is known confusingly as the Ashley Gnat, though it has no connection to the Ashley company. It's not built on an Austin Seven and was significantly modified in period so can only lay partial claim to being a pukka Heron

 

So anyway, this heap arrived at 10am and we've been playing with it pretty much all day. It has no engine or gearbox, but that's hardly a big deal with the preponderance of Ausin Seven motors lying around. We've already got one sourced.

 

It's not quite as pretty from the back. Most Herons would have had Lucas rear lamps but this one has these 1960s rear/stop/indicator units fitted. They aren't just bolted on though, the body has been shaped to fit them

 

Any ideas what they're originally from?

 

Inside, it's also remarkably well-finished. The dash is well laid out with proper Smiths dials (the rev counter is clearly a later replacement). It's absolutely tiny though, but once in you can get moderately comfortable, if you enjoy claustrophobic little coupes (I do). The whole thing feels a cut above the normal levels of fit and finish you'd expect to find in a 'special'

 

No speedo, just this handy Fymo tape rev limit instruction. How cool is that?

 

Luggage space is limited to a little cubby hole behind the seats. A really neat arrangement but pretty much useless. There is a big parcel shelf and cubbies in the doors, though

 

All those pics were taken as soon as it was unloaded, but we spent some time cleaning it up and it looks a million times better now. Everything is serviceable if scruffy, just they way I like it. the detachable sidescreens have gone on and make it even better/smaller inside.

 

The plan is to get an engine and box in asap and get everything connected and see what works and what doesn't. Oh, and the wheels will be coming off for a refurb and a coat of black paint. Tyres look fine and will probably stay for the time being, until we wrangle a set of freebees. Once it's running and on the road we will build a hot engine and close-ratio four-speed 'box combo and explore the veracity of the 90mph rev limit. And probably die in the process.

Importantly, the car still has the tiny crossflow radiator, angled steering column etc, along with desirable Super Accesories front axle, telescopic dampers all round and various other period trick bits that would be impossible to source. 

For the time being it is safe and sound in the shed, being dwarfed by a 2cv

 

Sadly there is no history (or paperwork of any kind) with the car. The build is to such a high standard it was speculated that it might have been a Heron-built demonstrator, though the 1967 registration doesn't fit with this. After an abortive try at making a 'proper' car, the Europa, which used an enlarged version of this shell and Ford Anglia running gear (and was, by all accounts, a formidable machine), Heron shelved car-building activities in around 1962, concentrating on GRP hard tops and accessories after that.

The reg is a Birmingham issue I believe. In the unlikely event anybody remembers the car, or has any further info on Heron (an original copy of the brochure would be most welcome) I'd love to hear from you.

 

Cheers!

[dollywobbler]

Fabulous. I reckon the lamps are Hillman Minx.

[captain_70s]

Those rear lights look a bit like Hillman Minx units...

 

EDIT - DAMN IT ALL, TOO SLOW.

[MarvinsMom]

that is one very special little motor car. i've never heard of one before which is a shame, as it's lush!!

[New POD]

That is mental. I reckon, you should use the body to make a mould and start making a few shells.  I'm thinking ideal for an MX5 reshell.

[DSdriver]

Lovely

Rear lights: Hillman Minx turned sideways? I expect someone else got there before me.

 

Edit yep DW even found the same pic as me and was probably quicker because he didn't look a t Vauxhall Victors first.

[warren t claim]

That's amazing! 1753.67/10.

[cms206]

That looks the absolute business Barrett, I reckon squeezing my 6ft 3in 18st frame into it would be a bit of a struggle though, more's the pity

 

112%/10.

[MrDuke]

Needs smaller wheels, otherwise awesome.

[Inspector Morose]

Needs leaving just as is. (Please add some other superlative here)!

[Squire_Dawson]

Superb. A real looker, despite its humble underpinnings.

[hairnet]

thats ace - yours is better looking than the red one tho

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I think those lights are off a Hillman Minx

[Tayne]

It does look rather good, I hope you get it running soon.

[RedSparrow]

Cool!
It's like a cross between a Berkely and an Lotus Elan+2.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

It looks really good from the front. Amazing to think theres a flippin Austin 7 under there!!!! It looks badass!

[dieselassist]

...very interesting looking 'special'; wasn't expecting it to be 7 based, based on the looks; looks very 'of its time 'exotica' on the front end, but the front screen looks almost letterbox, whereas the rear window looks massive - looks like a sloping effect, from back to front... still it only adds to its oddball charm...

[Fabergé Greggs]

Hmmm looks like Hillman Minx lights to me, turned 900 degrees. 

 

I used to hill climb with a gent who had a seven special, he ran a reliant engine in it, which he said was ace due to alumimum and something called revs. 

 

Total honey, by the way. Love it. 

 

[seth]

I think those lights are off a Sunbeam Alpine.

 

AMAZE!

[hairnet]

can i just say on the lights thing

 

YOUR ALL NERDS

[Fabergé Greggs]

[NERD]

 

 

YOU'RE ALL NERDS

 

 

FTFY

 

[/NERD]

[mercrocker]

I would love a Ford/Austin special.   Absolutely top score.  

[Inspector Morose]

Fugging kit car shite. Scrap that shit body off and rebuild the Austin seven for extra coin!

[Cavcraft]

That's top drawer class, that. A fine looking car from the front, can you do a restoration thread on it, please?

[barrett]

Restoration thread? For what restoration?

It'll be cleaned up a bit more and got on the road as-is. It's definitely staying Oily Rag. But yeah, I'll keep this updated as things progress. I should probably just do a general 'cars in my life' thread really and stick all this shite in one place

 

cheers for the kind words chaps, I think it's an absolute belter, looks like a mini Ferrari 250 Tour de France from the front end if you squint a bit.

[vulgalour]

That's an incredible purchase.  You make everyone else look like mass consumers.

[chaseracer]

Mid-60s Bristols used those Hillman lights too.  Also, Astons used the later Hunter units.  So the Heron is in exalted company.

 

And I am very sad for knowing this...

[Albert Ross]

Lamps, as said, are Rootes, but not just Minx. Also see Super Minx and Sceptre. Vogue had 3 individual lamps. You can get all red units too, for added oddness.

[forddeliveryboy]

Good find, how much does it weigh?

[barrett]

Good question, I've no idea. Significantly less than an Austin Ruby, that's for sure. Will figure out a way to weigh it when an engine and box have gone in.