1931 Austin Seven | Chelmsford, Essex

A 1931 Austin Seven, the small British car that put motoring within reach of ordinary families. It is liked for its upright, compact shape, with a headlamp on either side of the radiator. From 1930 the Seven also had coupled front and rear brakes, a sensible touch for a car this size. This car is black with a red interior, a pairing that reads clearly on camera and stands out against brick, stone or greenery. It seats four, and its small footprint leaves plenty of room in shot for the location around it. Film and TV productions set in the late 1920s or early 1930s get period bodywork that needs little dressing. Photography, fashion and editorial shoots gain a pre-war backdrop from its upright lines, and heritage events and parades suit its scale. For a wedding or a birthday, it makes a pre-war arrival. The car is based in Chelmsford, Essex.