In my unending quest to make connections with my past, I came across this magnificent machine at Mike Barry’s Motorcycle Museum, Scaleby, near Carlisle, Cumbria. Any time I take a ride out for a chat with Mike is never wasted:
1931 Austin 7
The attraction of this vehicle is that it was probably manufactured around the same time as the one proudly displayed by my paternal grandparents and featured in an earlier post:
My dad will have sat in a passenger seat very similar to this although, judging by his lack of interest in all things mechanical (an industrial chemist by profession), I doubt he spent much time looking under the bonnet:
Austin 7 – the interior
Austin 7 – the engine
Mike has attached the following to the windscreen: This car has been donated to the museum by Dougie Hargreaves from Carlisle and I will restore it when time allows. The engine has been rebuilt and running. I have fitted a new windscreen and the lights and brakes are now working. I have a new clutch to fit and then it will be roadworthy! The car is an Austin 7 – 1931 – 750cc – three speed.
Among the documentation for the car is a 1940 Ration Book for the months of August, September and October 1940. The coupons in this book authorise the furnishing and acquisition of the number of units of motor spirit specified on the coupons subject to the conditions appearing thereon. The issue of the Ration Book does not guarantee the holder any minimum quantity of motor spirit and the book may be cancelled at any time without notice. Any person furnishing or acquiring motor spirit otherwise than in accordance with the conditions on which these coupons are issued will be liable to prosecution … Private Walker, take note.
And for those wondering what else can be found in this ultimate man cave, an image of just part of Mike’s private collection:
Motorcycle Museum – part of the collection
northumbrian : light 
I LOVE vintage cars!
Me too – I almost prefer them in their unrestored state; so many connections with the past.
Lovely reminiscences. My father’s drive was a Morris 8 that I remember fondly.
Many thanks for the kind comment. My dad was a Ford man – a string of Consuls. I am intrigued by your site – we seem to be on a similar ‘mature life’ journey – motorcycles and cars,
What a fabulous collection!
It is – wonderfully ramshackle – no pristine bright lights and designer backdrops and so much the better for it.
What a vehicle, and what a man cave. I imagine yours looks similar.🙂
I wish, Julie 🙂 Not quite as big but a whole lot tidier.
That’s a real treasure trove.
So much history to get lost in,!
Regards Thom
Indeed,Thom – an Aladdin’s cave which I need to spend more time investigating