The article below is from the latest Bruce McLaren Trust newsletter, which also includes a showcase of Kiwi motorsport design, the 1972 McLaren M22 F5000 car, a profile on Classic Cover insurance, a tribute to George Begg, general news and an events calendar. To get your copy which contains 12 pages of interesting and compelling information about Bruce McLaren, and the Trust, all you need to do is become a member of the Bruce McLaren Trust - click here for more information.
When we say Austin 7, usually everyone immediately thinks of Bruce’s Austin Ulster. However, whilst all the rebuilding and racing of the Ulster style Austin 7 was going on in the McLaren family household, up at the Service Station there was another Austin 7. This was a “sporty” little soft top two seater and the lads at the Service Station used this for many years as the ‘Company vehicle’ for picking up parts, driving out to repairs, etc. Whilst little of it’s history is known, we have been fortunate enough to catch up with one of the old mechanics who actually used to drive this Austin 7. Ron Howell (now in his late seventies) regaled us with many a tale about it’s existence and use and also told us that this Austin 7 was the inspiration for him to get a similar one – a four seater tourer with soft top and convert it to the sporty look by taking out the back seat, thus leaving the small tray like the workshop one. Maybe this is what was originally done to the workshop Austin prior to Pop McLaren buying it. Ron also confirmed that by the time Bruce and Pop were rushing around in the rebuilt Ulster, the little workshop hack had been retired to the back corner of the Service Station. One of the main reasons for this was probably the purchase by Les of a much grander workshop vehicle, an International Flat bed truck and then a V8 Tow truck – business was obviously booming.
The little Workshop Austin was owned by the Service Station/Les McLaren for nearly 12 years (from 1945 to 1957) so one can only imagine that it was well used and could tell a lot of stories - it is very likely that the young Bruce probably cut his teeth in this Austin as well and it also might well have been the donor for some of the Ulster work or parts. We’ll never know. The International truck had appeared around the time that Bruce was in the Wilson Home as a flat bed truck was needed to transport Bruce around on the bed frame – what an exciting way to travel and one can only imagine the young Bruce, on the frame, tied to the back of the truck. I don’t think this would be allowed today!
By November 1957 Les decided to sell the workshop Austin and it was sold to Merv Hubber in St Heliers. It stayed with that family, transferring from father to son and a restoration was always contemplated. Some of you may recall seeing this car on display at the Service Station on the weekend that the Trust moved in back in 2001.
Well, last year the owner decided it was time to sell, as is, as was, unrestored and thanks to the very generous donation by our Trustee, Graham McKenzie, a deal was done and we are now the proud owners of this special piece of McLaren Service Station history. Where to now? A full restoration is needed and possibly a donor car to assist with the rebuild. We will look to secure grant funding to do this rebuild, but if any of you Austin 7 aficionados out there know of any parts or have knowledge that would help us, please get in touch with us. Ken Croskery is helping us champion this project and has been compiling the research files on both Austins for the last few months and any information and help would be most appreciated.
We know heaps about McLarens but not a lot about Austin 7s!!
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