The Austin 7 needs no introduction and has cemented in place as, arguably, the most important and versatile motorcar ever built.

Gordon England was the eponymous British coachbuilding company based in London.

After the war, his interest turned to motorsport and, in 1922, he obtained a chassis version of the new Austin 7 which he then tuned and entered successfully at several events and took a considerable number of 750cc class records along the way.

This led him to make and sell a series of cars to the public based on his racers.

He correctly believed that car performance was being held back by the heavy coachwork and set about designing bodies largely of plywood covered with fabric and fixed to the chassis with three rubber mountings.

The first model to be sold was the Brooklands Super-sports Austin 7 and although his racing version had been fabric covered the production version was aluminium panelled.

Each one was supplied with a certificate stating that it would reach 80mph.

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