Deep pockets not required for in-depth book

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I am delighted that at last the Pre-War Austin Seven Club has been able to reprint the Motor Sport Book of the Austin Seven which I edited in 1972, but which has been long out of print. Because, in spite of the innumerable excellent books covering every conceivable A7 aspect, this one contains some ‘new’ material which should be of interest to all A7 enthusiasts, it is now called The Austin Seven. For instance, I was delighted when I was able to include Charles Metchem’s account of his attempts to get an A7 to the Le Mans finish in 1933 and ’34 (the first with a cut-down Chummy). I think this alone justifies republication.

There is Holland Birkett’s ‘paper’ about how to make your A7 cling better to the road and go a bit faster, George Chaplin’s two Chummies, ‘Mr and Mrs Flea’, one of which would exceed 70mph, and descriptions of many of the Specials of 1944-45, including Gordon Brettell’s and Maclachlan’s single-seaters. Capt Waite describes the 100mph racers; there is Harold Biggs on the `Grasshoppers’; and my summary of the A7 in racing, experiences with a Nippy and a description of the Jamieson racers.

There are the reminiscences of drivers Driscoll and Goodacre and my later interview with Driscoll. Our road tests on Ulster, Brooklands Super-Sports, Boyd Carpenter and the 65 are featured, as is the description of the Austin Seagull boat, some trials experiences with a Cup Model in the 1926 Land’s End and a report of the first 750MC trial in 1939.

The big shock comes at the end — all this for only £8, including p&p.

I am told that it is selling very well, so you must apply quickly to Chris Gamer, 9 Queensway, Old Dalby, Leicestershire LE14 3QQ if you wish to avoid disappointment