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That was pretty much as it was - just a pile of bits, the ash frame was totally rotted so could not support the body at all. It was last taxed in 1957, when it fell to bits is something I don't know, but in the early 1960's, but someone appreciated the car for what it was and it was spared the scrap man!

Sounds like that was the same as mine, on the Austin 7 chassis they made either the saloon or the open two-seater. About 3,500 were made on the A7 chassis and around 150 survive, they built cars on Standard chassis (see my other videos), Swift, Morris, Fiat and Wolseley Hornets.

Nope, it is a 1958 Standard 8 - made in Coventry, UK.

I matched the paint to an original sample on the back of a door hinge, so as close as it could be to how it left the factory. I have that card! The car was my regular driver and racked up thousands of miles each year - that will now fall to the Austin Swallow!

Yes, Standard supplied the chassis and mechanical parts together with the instruments, the rest was fabricated by Swallow - check out my other videos to see what the car looks like!

That came out in May 2023! They did two articles - one for each Swallow, but holding the Austin Swallow back, so I don't know when that will be published!

@@austinswallow It's in my Feb 2024 edition mentioned in the "Next Month" Column for March 2024. It says "...saved his Austin Seven Swallow from conversion into a replica two-seater...." I always read the magazine on my once a week, hour each way, train journey into the city.

@@asciimation Oh! I did not know this!!! When they featured the Standard Swallow last year, Zack told me when it was going to be in and as both Swallows were photographed & inspected at the same time, he said the Austin Swallow would be on the back-burner! Particularly as Austin 7's had a lot of coverage in 2022. I had not got around to reading my magazine, hopefully, they will send me an extra copy like they did last time, then I can keep one with the car! Thanks for the heads-up!

@@austinswallow I have a subscription so they just turn up for me but I am never sure exactly when. I haven't got the March one yet.

@@asciimation I do too, but it takes me awhile to get to read them!!!

Wade Springs are the manufacturer, but a nightmare to deal with, starts off ok, then they just ignore you! I went to a supplier instead & bought a standard product & took it apart & then altered to fit mine, worked well & probably a lot cheaper than have Wade do it! Here's the link: www.jamiltonupholstery.co.uk/product/mesh-top-spring-units/

since made the leather covers and fitted in position, fits perfectly! Satisfying!

@@austinswallowDid you do the covers yourself? That's something I need to start looking into.

@@asciimation Yes, I did, it is not difficult to do, I did it in the traditional way of "tuck & roll", this is how it was done at the factory, is quite forgiving of mistakes AND, most importantly, it can be done on a domestic sewing machine! The modern way of sewing pleated leather with a foam backing is way to thick for a house-hold machine to cope with!

Always envious that it is nice your side of the world when it is grey & dreary here, but I can say we have summer to look forward to and the days are starting to get longer, so there is hope ahead!

I was cautious and went down a few unmarked pot holes, at night it could have been a big problem.

Swallows were the very first Jaguar cars!

I see.... that would explain all the aluminum..😁@@austinswallow

The plungers were missing, as were the springs, so it was a bit of guesswork, springs just need enough tension to engage, too much and the assembly twists around! Not enough they move together! Austins used a different arrangement on their cars to Standard, but achieved the same result, the Standard has a more engineered fell to it, it was afterall a much more expensive car. I am sure you will do a better job with Gladstone than I did with the Standard! I am trying and your work inspires me to do better!