Rare 1930 Austin 7 Wood Boat Tail Race Car Showcased at DFW Car & Toy Museum

The DFW Car & Toy Museum has added a remarkable piece of automotive history to its collection: a 1930 Austin 7 Wood Boat Tail Race Car. This rare vintage racer, part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, represents a significant era in motorsport design and engineering.

The Austin 7 is a testament to early automotive innovation, featuring a custom wood and aluminum boattail speedster bodywork that exemplifies the era's racing aesthetic. Powered by a compact 750cc inline-four engine producing approximately 15 horsepower, the vehicle was designed for lightweight performance and agile handling.

Sporting technical features ahead of its time, the race car includes a three-speed manual transmission, mechanical drum brakes, and distinctive yellow-painted disc wheels. Details like the eight-volt electrical system, plexiglass windscreen, and period-correct dashboard highlight the meticulous preservation of this historic machine.

The vehicle's racing pedigree includes competition at Bridgehampton Raceway in Sag Harbor, New York, and subsequent use as a dedicated training race car. Its inclusion in the museum's collection of over 200 vehicles provides automotive enthusiasts and history buffs an opportunity to explore early 20th-century racing technology.

Located in North Fort Worth, the museum offers free admission and a comprehensive automotive experience, making it an accessible destination for those interested in automotive history and classic racing vehicles.