Much has been written about the Austin Seven, which provided a certain level of transport, in various shapes and sizes, from 1923 to 1939. The diminutive 747cc side valve engine, driven through a 3 or 4 speed manual gearbox, produced enough power to carry up to 4 persons with luggage. The varieties on offer included Saloons, Tourers and Commercials, and some with sports and racing pedigrees.
DLO 410 is for the person who cannot quite decide whether to have a saloon or a tourer. Being close to the popular Ruby saloon in concept and sharing the same drive train, the Pearl Cabriolet allows the roof to be folded right back to the bottom of the rear window, yet the sides are preserved to provide some protection from the elements, complete with normal wind up windows.
The Pearl has been the subject of a photographed restoration, probably in the late 1990s. It has been dry stored since 2008 and it is thought that recommissioning should be a relatively straightforward task. Certainly the paintwork looked quite promising under the years of dust in evidence when inspected. We know it appeared in an episode of ‘Midsomer Murders’ on 6th August 2010; it was not required to be running. A charming little motor car, well worth a little fettling and quite a rare exhibit at Shows and Rallies
A V5C registration accompanies the Austin, together with a RF60 registration book and various photographs, as mentioned.