From: Bruce White ([email protected])
Date: 28 Dec 2000
Time: 21:43:05
Remote Name: 129.96.230.236
Hi Martin,
The 59096 chassis number would be about March 1928 according to my information?
One reference you could check is the Australia magazine – Motor, October 1982, page 100 and 101. There is a lovely photograph of a 1929 Holden bodied Chummy. I have had a look at the photograph on your website and it does look very similar. The back shape (or rather lack of shape) of the guard is one of the indicators. One of the UK Association “Grey” magazines also shows a 1929 Chummy photographed by Peter Fry, VAR (NZ) but it is listed as a Properts of Brisbane body. The two cars look VERY similar and confusion over the models is very common.
This information may also help you.
Title - Statistics on Motor Cars Sold in Australia 1923-1957
Source - Restored Cars (year??)
States the following on Austin Sevens, I am unsure as to the accuracy of this information.
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1927 Australian and English bodies in touring models. Local touring bodies by Holden. Sports and saloons by Propert. Coupes by Agate. Enclosed hubs. Speedometer on the left of instrument board. Three hinges in bonnet. Chassis nos. prefixed by A3 on side of scuttle.
1928 Australian and English bodies. Local bodies assembled from Holden panels by Sweeney and Propert. Fabric saloons by Holden. Sports by Green and Propert. Speedometer in centre of the instrument board. Large type spokes. Chassis nos. prefixed by A5, A6 and A7on dash under bonnet.
1929 No English touring bodies. Local bodies assembled from Holden panels by Sweeney and Propert. Battery ignition introduced about March. Large type radiator fitted about April. Large gauge spokes. Fabric saloon by Holden, sports coupe by Green: all sports by Green. Chassis nos. prefixed by A8, A9 and B on dash.
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Hence you can see Propert seemed to use Holden body parts anyway. Are you totally confused now? I think the rule for restoring Australian bodied Sevens is to keep things “period” as much as possible and enjoy the project and your fellow Austineers. It’s very hard to find any two Australian models the same!
Cheers
Bruce