1935 Austin 7 Twin Cam

I took this photograph on a visit to the Donington Park Museum in September 2014.

It's one of the two remaining very successful Austin 7 single seater racing cars that were built in 1935, and the board next to the car reads as follows:

'1935

Austin 7 Twin Cam

 

These lovely little single seaters were Sir Herbert Austin’s reply

to the successful M.G. Midgets fielded by Sir William Morris in

the 1930s.

Designed by T. Murray-Jamieson, well known for his work on

super chargers, and assisted by W.V. Appleby & T. Brown, the

cars had a troubled debut in 1936, with most of the testing and

development carried out here at Donington Park.

With teething troubles rectified, these cars went from strength

to strength during the 1937/38/39 seasons. Usually driven by

L.P. Driscoll, C.L. Goodacre & “Bert” Hadley they competed in

everything from speed trials and hill climbs through to 500 mile

races at Brooklands. The two “twin cams” made many

appearances at Donington Park winning, along with numerous

sprints and handicap races, the Coronation Trophy here in 1937,

the British Empire Trophy race here in 1938 and the Imperial

Trophy at Crystal Palace in 1939.

Not only were these cars pretty to look at, the 747cc

Engine was an engineering masterpiece, very highly stressed

And reputedly capable of revving to 12,000 R.P.M.'

I understand that this car is now at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon.