This 1936 Austin Seven Competition Special (chassis 246539) is believed to have been built in 1959 as a one-off, pre-production prototype for a run of additional cars that never came to be. It appears to be in excellent condition, though is claimed to be unrestored and all-original. Sold with a binder full of documentation, we think it’d make a fun vintage hillclimb machine or small-capacity class circuit racer. Find it here on eBay in Lansdale, Pennsylvania for $25k OBO.

​A former Classic and Sports Car magazine feature, we assume that between its print coverage and seemingly extensive but unspecified documentation there should be ample information on construction methods and history, though only very minimal details of either are provided within the ad. What we do know is that it looks really cool and that we want to drive it.

​This interior shot shows a surprisingly full collection of gauges, though being on the small side we can’t quite make out what they all do. Note the interesting gear shift rod arrangement and tiny, neatly arranged trunk with separate compartments for battery, fuel filler access and luggage.

​Power comes from a 750cc Austin four cylinder fitted with a Speedex alloy head, high lift cam and twin SU carbs. Other period hop ups include Bowden independent front suspension, Bowden brakes, and what are believed to be Speedex manifolds as well. Stock output was on the order of 10 HP or so, and we’re guessing substantially freer breathing should easily be able to double that number—not entirely bad for a car which probably weighs about half a ton. Mileage is quoted as 20k and change.

​More than a bit out of its element here in the US—or any modern context, really—we’d love a go along some narrow, early morning, thick forested back roads, the kind the Southeast and parts of the Midwest seem to specialize in. Hopefully it will be put to good vintage race use, too.