Having celebrated its 100th birthday last year, the Austin Seven holds a special place in the hearts of motoring enthusiasts. Produced from 1923 until 1939, with almost 300,000 made, the ‘Baby Austin’ was marketed as an affordable family car, and it’s believed there are still around 11,000 on the road today.
On Sunday afternoon more than 30 of the cars were on show at the National Trust’s Newark Park, near Wotton-under-Edge, along with a wide range of other classic cars.
Ben Amor, Rally Secretary, told Stroud Times: “This year’s rally is again organised by the Bristol Austin Seven Club. We’ve returned to Newark Park and I think this is our 34th or 35th year. It’s primarily organised for local Austin Seven owners, the majority of which are members of the club.
“We’ve had a good turnout of cars from Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and quite a few over from South Wales. We’ve got about 70 or so cars on display here today, the vast majority have driven here, we’ve had a couple of cars driven from South Wales and a couple up from Devon as well, so some good distances, but quite a few local ones as well, including some from Wotton and Stroud.
“Reactions to the show have been great. People love seeing the cars, and they like coming together and talking about them. It’s nice to meet up with friends again near enough a year since we last met.”
Ben, who owns an Austin Seven that has been in his family since 1960, is involved in the organisation of the show: “I’ve taken over from Gordon Phillips this year, who after 55 years has decided that he’s had enough of doing the rally, but he’s still here today as our honorary judge.”
Pictures by Matt Bigwood
