The digitised Austin 7 Clubs Association (A7CA) archive is a gem, with many brochures available here. The December 1933 brochure “The Little Friend of all the World”, Austin Publication 1034, features the first showing of the 65:
In 1934, the car, same price, in “The Famous Austin 7” (Austin Publication 1060). Now sporting the indicator units:
Later in 1934, 1206, Britain’s Dependable Car (Publication 1206) brings in the cheaper Nippy, complete with wing mounted sidelights – and the Speedy:
By 1212, the Nippy image has a driver’s side mirror and what appears to be more minimal indicator boxes on the screen sides. Prices as the previous brochure:
By brochure 1290 (October 1935), the £142 Nippy does not appear in the main listings, relegated to a small position on the summary. It is an old model, at odds with the new Jewel series cars. Note the proper hood design here, with a flat top to the door aperture rather than a full curve adopted by later aftermarket sidescreens:
Brochure 1292 has a sylised image with the smooth-lensed rear light, driver’s mirror and indicators visible:
By late 1935, brochure 1297 has Nippy still at £142:
The August 1935 1311A handbook for Salesmen confirms the Nippy “5.6” back axle:
In 1402A and B, Austin just features their closed models. By 1447E in 1936, the Nippy features, with 5.6 back axle and specially tuned engine noted:
By December 1936’s publication revision 1472A, the Nippy has a lower spec engine available at £130 with the pressure fed continuing at £142. The back axle ratio is now noted as 5.625:
By publication 1539 in July 1937, The Nippy is gone from the Austin 7 and Big 7 catalogue. By publication 1574 in September 1937, it has no mention in pricelists. Austin News (1581) from late 1937 features a US Nippy and a Grasshopper but there is no inclusion in the pricelist.
By publication 1614 (1938, reviewing 1937), Grasshoppers are wholly representing the road-registered Austins:
Congratulations to the A7CA on the easy to access archive and nicely scanned originals. Make contact if you find other Nippy information which supports the Austin publication thread.
