The Austin Seven, built between 1923 and 1939, was a hard act to follow and as the Ruby model disappeared at the end of the 1930s, a replacement was offered in the form of the Big Seven.

The Big Seven had much of the Ruby’s style in a larger form with more passenger space and a larger engine of 885cc.

The Seven was very popular but sadly the Big Seven never seemed to have the same cache.

This is a pity as the motor car is more comfortable and drives better so it should be on the same popularity scale as its sibling.

FLC 986 was its late owner, Mr Bernard Griffiths’, very first car, passing to him in 1969 after his father, a vicar, purchased it in 1966.

The Austin took Mr Griffiths through his teenage years and he flatly refused to ever part with it, preferring to put it on blocks in his barn for the rest of its days and there it has remained since about 1990.

Access is somewhat restricted at present and we are unable to comment on more than the general condition which appears to ...