1927 Austin Model 7 Coupe

This Austin 7 Coupe wears custom coachwork by Maythorn & Son. It may seem odd that such a small and utilitarian vehicle be given custom coachwork, especially one from a company noted for their work on Rolls-Royce chassis. Maythorn & Son bodied a handful of Austin 7s, with the majority being delivered in England. This example, however, was sold in the U.S. to the Pulitzer Family, for their home in West Palm Beach, Florida.

It was purchased by Mr. J.C. 'Jim' Ohmer, also of West Palm Beach, from the Pulitzers on March 1, 1935. It encountered a minor engine fire in 1947 and was then put into storage until 1969, when it was acquired by Marjorie Greene, its third West Palm Beach owner. Mrs. Green and her son, Dick, began working at restoring the little car, a process that would continue through three relocations and nearly 20 years.

The restoration was completed in 1987, with the body refinished in blue with a black top, fenders, hood, and wire wheels. The car was refitted with its original custom bumpers, made for the car by the Elephant Motor Company, and features a small 'dickey' seat that, like the interior, is upholstered in Bedford Cord.

The car was properly maintained and shown by Mrs. Greene at shows all over Florida, including at the first Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in 1996.

The car is currently in the care of its fourth owner, who has continued to maintain and fix the car as needed. This Austin 7 has its original tools, a 747cc four-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2015