Austin Seven Swallow

Key facts

Year

1932
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

747cc
Cylinders

4 cylinder
Valves

Side valve
Output

10.5hp @ 2,400rpm
Performance

50mph
Price new

£187
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Austin Motor Co. Ltd, Longbridge, Birmingham

As well as building complete cars, Austin made the chassis of its popular small car, the Seven, available to specialist coachbuilders. By the end of the 1920s this market was a significant proportion of overall production. Probably the best known of these coach-built cars was that by Swallow of Blackpool. A two-seat tourer was introduced in 1927, followed by this curvaceous saloon a year later. This car is almost entirely original and had only one owner from new. It will not be restored.

Swallow was founded in 1922 by William Lyons and William Walmsley as a manufacturer of motorcycle sidecars. The company later built bodies on Morris, Swift and Standard chassis as well as for the Austin Seven. Production moved to Coventry in 1928. From 1931 Swallow manufactured cars under the SS brand, eventually becoming Jaguar Cars Ltd. in 1945.