1929' Austin Austin 7 Seven Sports

1929 AUSTIN 7 Batten Special
‘BEN’
DS 8890



Offered for sale a superb, 1929 Austin 7 special, one of six specials constructed by the late Engineer Bert Batten and nicknamed ‘BEN’.

In lovely condition and with a pleasing patina, this Austin delightfully imitates a contemporary Frazer Nash in style and design, a pleasing example of Bert Battens expertise in constructing a really special ‘Special’.
Bert started his working life as an engineer in the merchant navy, allowing plenty of time for private engineering, he owned a number of vintage cars including many Austin sevens, Riley, sunbeam and Bentley, indeed his 1926 3 litre Bentley RM 2216 christened ‘Lorna Doone’ could often be seen towing the little black special, humorously named ‘Ben Doone’ to various events.

Originally starting life, perhaps as a Chummy or top hat model, by 1985 the rolling chassis of this car, already somewhat modified at the front and with a Ford engine fitted, was found on a Rubbish dump by John Newton. Originally purchased for its back axle and radiator for his chummy restoration, John; who knew Bert Batten very well, sold the chassis to Bert in 1989. Bert purchased the chassis as he liked the front axle arrangement, which was already quarter elliptic, and proceeded to beef these sections up to eliminate axle twist, the front of the chassis has several sections of Austin 7 chassis to replace the front forging, allowing the quarter elliptic springs and Frazer Nash style front axle to be fitted.
The idea of this modified suspension was to both lower the centre of gravity and lengthen the wheelbase, a proven design arrangement used by G.N., Frazer-Nash and others, this has also enabled the use of a really nice tubular front axle beam.

The rest of the chassis and components are of Austin manufacture, the Austin hubs and brakes are operated by Bowdenex cables ensuring good braking and an extra ratchet handbrake is mounted on the driver’s side exterior. Hartford shock absorbers do as the name implies! The rear axle is of 3-piece construction and is thought to date from 1929-30 and the 19inch wheels are shod with triple stud tyres from Blockley.

The engine is a later two bearing, 1934 crank-case with the ubiquitous Phoenix crank, sports profile camshaft, high compression head, Superalloy tappet cover and tubular exhaust manifold fitted along with a 1 ¼ inch S.U. carburettor, ensuring this little car goes as well as its sporting looks might suggest!

The body is constructed along period lines and to my eyes lends the car a rakish look, not unlike that of the famous Frazer Nash TT cars, finished in gloss black the car has a pleasing patina which compliments the dark green interior trim.

The focal point for any driver is the dashboard and DS 8890 has a typical pre-war lay-out, it has a really nice selection of proper period gauges by Smiths, the highlights being a 0-100MPH speedo and matching Smiths Rev-counter along with a delightful Aric temperature gauge.


With various works being attended to by the current owner and running and driving very well this rare and well-built special is now reluctantly offered for sale due to the owner’s commitment to other projects.

An ideal car for fast road work, 750 trials or the plethora of VSCC events for which this car is highly suited, the car comes with current V5 registration document and VSCC Buff form.