I started to build four 1/10th scale models of my 1930 Austin Seven special several weeks ago. This is my progress so far.

A side view of one of the cars. All the green parts are resin 3D prints, the grey bits are pla. The wheels have the correct number of spokes and the spokes are in the right place. I have used a bit of plasticine to hold the front side light on the front wing, just for the photo you understand. All the lights will work and will be fitted with very small LEd's. The woodgrain is printed onto photo paper and is a scan of part of the body on the real car. I did think of using real wood veneer, but at the moment I prefer the photo.

The radiator shell and headlights which will be painted with a chrome type paint made by Allclad which looks like real chrome, almost. The wings and temperature gauge on top of the rad is a separate print and will be painted with a brass or gold paint also by Allclad. The headlights will have LED's. I bought some clear casting resin today and I have cast the lenses for the headlights, not set yet.

A general view of all four cars with a few bits at the front of the image. A 50p is used for scale.

Two photos of the real thing.

I hope to start getting some paint soon. The bonnet and wings will be painted in DAF (the car maker, not the van) marina blue, the same as the real car.

I did base the design of the car on Chitty! Just a bit smaller.

I don't think I ever had a passenger whos knee needed interfering with. Actually, there wasn't enough room in the car.

Two of my sisters stayed with me last week and they saw the model car for the first time. I hadn't told them I was building it and that they would be getting one of them. I put one together as best I could with sticky tape and white tack. Still a lot of work ahead, but getting there. Three pictures with a 50p for scale.

The whole car, apart from the klaxon, was drawn in DesignSpark Mechanical. The klaxon was drawn in Solid Edge. The body and front axle were printed in pla on an Ender3, the green and grey parts were printed on an Anycubic Mono 4K resin printer using water washable resin. Virtually no smell from the resin, but the isopropol alcohol cleaner whiffs a bit!

I wish I had the skill to have made them by hand. I am just glad that 3D cad software and 3D printers are available.

The best thing about owning an Austin Seven is meeting people who used to own one. To see their memories flooding back never gets dull. My Dad used to say to me that one day even a mk3 Cortina would be a collectors car. I laughed of course, but now they are. How often do you see one?

Hi Russell,

My boat tail A7 looked a lot like yours when I bought it. But being me I had to make a new body. I also own another 1930 based A7 special left to me by a friend. She bought it in 1958. The owner/builder told her that he got the aluminium for the body from a local RAF base that was scrapping a Spitfire. It could be true! My third A7 is a 1933 saloon. It too was left to me by my friend. She bought it in 1960-61 because the special was uncomfortable during the winters. The special was her first car, the saloon her second. Many other A7s followed, but she kept these two. Now I am looking after them. I hope to get the saloon on the road soon-ish.

Your A7 is perfect just the way it is. Someones pride and joy and I bet it still turns heads today.