When I first got ‘Topper’ I always knew I would be investing in some new fabric. I had in mind a nice 1920’s outfit in keeping with the period of the car. Some knickerbockers, brogues, a diamond patterned sleeveless jumper, a hat perhaps and most definitely a picnic hamper with quaint accessories. Quintessentially English! 

 

Somehow when ever I saw anything that resembled the 20’s style a more pressing urge, or rather a sensible voice in my head would say perhaps you better save your money for the car and so a trip or two later and a visit to Malton to see Martyn Dawson, upholsterer to discuss details, plans were laid to a rather expensive makeover.

 

Starting from scratch I decided that if I was going to have the car re-done then first it would make sense to put the doors back to their original opening style. The doors had been crudely repaired with handles on the inside instead of the chain pulls, which they both now proudly sport. Thanks to Chris Berridge who took the panels off the doors, reattached the window chains, which had slipped off something technical, he fixed new door chains and refitted the correct mechanisms.                                                                                           

 

Next I drove to Kirby Wiske to Austin 7 Wonderland and purchased two new door handles of the correct size and some spokes whilst I was there for later. All this preparation was well worth it as the end result proves. Next time you see it have a good look at the doors.. they are the business! They now lock with a key for the drivers door, and an ingenious Berridge patent screw lock for the passenger door.

 

I planned the timing of the makeover so that the car would be ready for action during the summer. So off I drove to Malton in early April to part with Topper for a few weeks. This was very hard for me, as I do not like to be parted from it for long.  Naturally I went to visit and took a series of photos of the stripping down. It was very sad actually as the materials were original and I suppose part of its history has now gone. However, I did request that material we chose would be as near to the original as we could and Bedford cord was the preferred choice as it was almost identical.

 

I took pictures of everything. It was interesting to see the bare metal and how the car looked without its carpets etc.     

 

Taking the headlining off enabled me to get the dent sorted. We pushed it outwards and it has made an improvement.     This was caused I think by pushing the car up hills. Poor thing!

 

I did not remove all the coverings. For example the wheel arches, covered in rexine stayed, as did the door panels. The only bit that was renewed was the arm rest area and where the chain pulls rest. The nearest colour and fabric match was a blue rexine fabric used in Porsche cars!! Only the best!!

 

A new headlining was fitted and last of all a very fine carpet

beautifully edged around the gear stick, handbrake and pedals completed the very fine restoration. Well worth the money and a very good job indeed.

 

There was one downside though. A problem has arisen which I have tried to address but have found great difficulty in resolving it. Does Charlie my dog really need to come with me on my trips out? He thinks so, quite emphatically, but I am not so sure. Even with a rug over the seats his long black hair finds a way through, and perish the thought if it rains. Perhaps a trailer may be the answer. Here’s one I saw in Cornwall last week at a show. This is a Cornish Austin 7 Club member’s car, which he says he uses every day as his only car!! Bit of a dark picture but it was raining hard!

Anyway I think this is it.        

                       

So to date I now have brakes, indicators and a fine bleeper to draw my attention to the fact I have put the indicator on. Thank you Tony. Incidentally he managed to fit that device whilst my back was turned and only when I was turning left did I realise from the loud noise, which came up from the floor, that I had an alarm. Sat nav next eh Tony?