This rather flash looking Austin Seven was designed to appeal to the American market.  Compared with the standard Sevens in Britain,  this stylish alternative is attributed to the flamboyantly named Alexis de Sakhnoffsky.

It came about in 1929 when the American Austin Car Company started operations to build modified Austin Sevens under license.  At the time Sir Herbert Austin viewed this as a great opportunity as he had been encouraged by the Seven’s success in foreign markets.  After some trials and tribulations the car was rebranded as the American Bantam in 1936 where it continued until 1940.  The only mechanical difference lay in the full pressure lubrication meaning that the American cousin could make better use of the 20bhp available and therefore,  marginally quicker than a British Seven.

More Interesting Austin Facts here