1935 Austin 7 Ruby – Bernard Emm

Bernard rescued this Austin 7 Ruby about 35 years ago from a scrapyard. He went to the yard to collect a second-hand part of another car when he spotted the Austin 7 in a line of cars waiting to be crushed.

He did a deal with the scrapyard owner, borrowed a trailer and brought the car home to restore in his retirement.

The Austin 7 Ruby, produced between 1934–1939, was a refined version of the iconic Austin 7, featuring a more streamlined body, improved comfort, and a four-cylinder 747cc engine. It was an affordable, practical car for 1930s Britain, helping to popularise motoring for the masses with its compact design and reliability.

Shortly after buying the Austin 7, Bernard spotted the 1958 Morris Oxford that you can also see on the Footman James Barn Find display at the show. The two cars have been garaged together ever since.

“These cars have been locked away in my shed ever since and hidden from the general public – even my neighbours are probably unaware of their existence,” Bernard tells us.

“I’m now in my 70s and don’t think the restoration of these cars is going to happen by myself. However, it has given me great pleasure looking at them over the years and will continue to do so in the years ahead.

“I hope others will enjoy looking at them in the Footman James Barn Find display at the show too.”