OLD 7 Special Reg GN312

[Malcolm Parker]

            This thread is taking an interesting turn.  The black and white photo of EU5372 shows a chap in ice skates.  Mention of Blackpool and Nigel Snow.   About 6 years ago Nigel was asked to clear some Austin 7's from a disused ambulance depot in Blackpool.   He invited me to look at the Chummy that had been used as a clowns car.  I spent some time inspecting it and told him that I would like to buy it.  He was unable to tell me how much he wanted which was strange in view of the fact that he lead me to believe that it was for sale.
I did quite a bit of research and tried to buy it but got nowhere.   The car had been used latterly at an ice rink in Blackpool as part of an ice dancing show.  I believe the car was converted to circus use for Charlie Carolli and it was the star attraction of his 1948 season at the Blackpool Tower Circus.   It had been very professiionally modified for circus use.  Features included a smoke generator and back-fire device, a drop down rear body panel, fall away drivers door, scuttle compartment for a dead chicken, etc.  If you know me you will understand why I was so disappointed not to get it!
I subsequently saw the car being used for trialling, stripped of all the wonderful gadgets, all that history lost.  If I had bought it, I would have kept it just as it was and would have loved to demonstrate it at the Centenary Rally next year.  I took several pictures of the car when I was offered it so at least there is a record of it as it was.