AUSTIN SEVEN 'CADET' SPECIAL RACER BY SYD HAMBLIN 747CC

                            1960 Austin Seven "Cadet 750 " Special  built by Syd Hamblin Reg OSJ 390(formerly WJB 359)This is probably one of the rarest cars advertised today on Ebay and is a museum/concours quality vehicle after restoration work totaling over 12. 00 pounds.  THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THESE CARS ANYWHERE ON THE WORLD TODAY.
It is a Syd Hamblin Austin Seven "Cadet" 750 Racer. of which about 500 were built in Sherborne. Dorset UK in the late 1950's and early 1960's. The Hamblin Cadets were built  using 1930's Austin Seven Chassis. engines and running gear and a specially manufactured fibre glass bodyshell in the style of the famous 1950' racing cars .  The 747cc engines were fitted with SU carbs and a modified cooling system . plus many other specialities which made the cars capable of speeds of over 70 mph on racing circuits such as Castle Combe and other venues for 750 Special category races. This was partially achieved using larger wire wheels at the rear which you can see are fitted to this car. The  vehicle was finished with leather seats and "Brooklands" aero screensThis car was saved from extinction by its 2nd owner. and was totally rebuilt in 1989/90 by the professional restoration company "Major Marques" also of Sherborne. and was inspected by the then retired Syd Hamblin himself when completed (see "Western Gazette" newspaper article of 25th October 1990  which is too big to copy and download here). I have the complete photographic record of the rebuild. plus the original handwritten invoices (11 sheets) of the job which cost a total of over 7200 pounds in 1990 (equivalent to well over 15. 00 pounds today). The invoices run to 11 pages and detail every nut and bolt and every hour spent working on the car. The "Western News" article describes how it was inspected and road tested by Mr Hamblin at the end of the job and pronounced to be "better than when I built it" !! Absolutely everything was replaced/renewed/restored at that time. and the car remains in this condition today. Unfortunately however. the quality of the engine rebuild was not as that of  the chassis/body restoration. and in 2011 a complete overhaul of the 3 bearing crank engine was undertaken by Allan Carrington . a specialist in Kent for the 3rd owner. The engine was completely rebuilt and. together with some other extras and modifications(eg quick release steering wheel. new battery a new set of tyres and brake cylinders) a total of 5500 pounds was spent on this work. bringing the total spent of the car over a 12 year period to 12. 00 pounds. all of which is fully documented and can be checkedAs a result. the car is in superb condition and would be suitable for concourse or a museum exhibit.  Potential bidders are urged to inspect the car . photographs and documentation themselves in Bristol (by appointment). There is really too much to describe and detail in this advert and bidders are urged to inspect if possible.  The car is now offered for auction. It is not advertised elsewhere and will be sold to the highest bidder beyond the reserve price (which is significantly less than what has been spent by the way).  PLEASE TELEPHONE ME ON 44 (0) 1179671030 OR 1179324572  AND/OR MOBILE 44 (0) 7527242859 FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW OR DISCUSS IN DETAIL. SHOULD YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION. THE CAR IS LOCATED IN BRISTOL. ENGLAND AND IS AVAILABLE ANYTIME FOR INSPECTION. I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL ANY BIDS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN MADE WITHOUT PRIOR CONTACT AND REFERENCE. THIS IS A SERIOUS AUCTION FOR A UNIQUE VEHICLE AND IF YOU ARE NOT 100% SURE ABOUT THE AUTHENTICITY.  PROVENANCE OR CONDITION OF THIS CAR THEN PLEASE DO NOT BID. OVERSEAS BIDDERS ARE WELCOME  TO BID AND SHIPMENT FROM BRISTOL OR SOUTHAMPTON CAN BE ARRANGED IF NECESSARYPLEASE TO SEND ME ANY QUESTIONS BY EMAIL AND ALL QUESTIONS WILL BE POSTED AND ANSWERED IF POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR READING AND GOOD LUCK IF YOU WISH TO BID FOR THE CAR-  I DOUBT YOU WILL EVER SEE ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT !!!!

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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