Further to earlier EYE stories about very special company cars used by estate agents, we thought we would introduce our own.

It is the . . .

(wait for it, sit down if you are vintage car enthusiast, apply brakes to blood pressure)

. . . an 1934 AUSTIN 7 SPECIAL.

EYE is of course very proud of our company car, although we note its spectacular lack of branding.

So, despite our car’s ability to get around and visit clients,  we don’t think Foxtons will be looking to add it to its fleet any time soon.

However, if you have a better company car that is in the, er, running for what looks like an annual award, please do let us know.

Details: First registered on 1st January 1934, as a saloon car. At some point in time, perhaps in the 1950s, someone converted the vehicle into a two-seat sports car.

Years later it was found pushed in behind machinery on the third floor of a Lancashire textile mill and lowered to the ground on the end of a rope.

By the 1980s it was alive and well and living in the Midlands, before passing through several hands, including Franco Fiumefreddo, a well known motor sport photographer.

When I (that’s Nick Salmon, by the way, EYE’s managing director) bought the car in 2004 it was in a very sorry state, robbed of parts and with the aluminium bonnet so tarnished it looked as if it was painted matt black.

Much fettling took place before the car was ready for its first outing, the London to Brighton Austin Centenary Run in 2005.

Since then it has been taken on rallies in Europe and displayed at many shows in the UK.

Engine: 747cc sidevalve. Slightly larger than a sewing machine and a lot less complicated.

Power output:  A thundering 17 brake horse power. An Aston Martin Vantage has around 400bhp. If the Aston goes wrong it will automatically empty your wallet. The Austin can usually be fixed at the roadside.

0-60mph time: How long have you got?

Cruising speed: 45mph. Sufficiently sedate to ensure that those in the long queue of modern vehicles following along behind have plenty of time to appreciate the charm of the Austin and to show their appreciation by means of a wide variety of hand gestures.

Gearbox: Four forwards, one reverse. Faced with an exceptionally steep incline which cannot be negotiated even in first gear, the received wisdom is to turn around and carry out the climb in reverse gear.

Top speed: The greater of either: The foolhardiness of the driver divided by the screams of the passenger or the speed obtained by full throttle, downhill, with a very strong wind behind it.

Brakes: Cable operated drum brakes. In the event of an urgent need to stop quickly the correct procedure is to apply the brakes as forcefully as possible and make every effort to steer round the obstacle. Should that fail, aim to hit the cheapest possible thing in sight.

Stopping distance: Actually rather better than you might imagine. Unless going downhill, on full throttle, with a very strong wind behind…

Wheels: Held on by three brass nuts in such a way that when the nuts are slightly loosened the wheel will rotate on the hub and come off. Very handy for a quick wheel-change. Less handy if it happens whilst driving along. Which it can. I am told that it is disconcerting to see your back wheel overtake you, outpace the car, and bury itself in the grille of an oncoming vehicle…

Roof: None

Hood: None

Protection against bad weather: An old-car man once told me: ‘There’s no such thing as the wrong kind of weather. Only the wrong kind of clothes.’ So during inclement conditions motorcyclist lightweight waterproofs ensure dryness about the person, whilst the rain that falls into the car conveniently exits through the large holes in the floorboards. A flying helmet and goggles complete the sartorial elegance.

Driving position for anyone over 6′ (1.8m): Knees either side of ears.

Driver happiness: Measured by the quantity of flies stuck to teeth.

Events of 1934

Stanley Matthews debuted for the England football team.

Germany and Poland signed a ten-year ‘non attack’ treaty.

Shirley Temple appeared in her first film ‘Stand Up and Cheer’.

54-year-old grandmother Mrs G.E. Alington became the first woman in Britain to parachute jump.

Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ was published.

Racing driver/rider John Surtees was born.

Composer Edward Elgar died.