The Standard Flying 8 D/H Coupe

The Standard Motor Co.Limited was the brainchild of R.W. Maudslay and started in a modest way in 1903 with a single cylinder vehicle which had an oversquare underfloor engine of 5" by 3". A twin was also available and likewise a four.

In 1906 the Company were offering Britain's first low cost 6 cylinder side valve engined cars with three speed gears and shaft drive. The attractively designed and stylish radiator first carried the Union flag in 1908 and was to become a well known trade mark of the Company.

The Standard Company was able to ride out the years of the Depression with increasing sales under the control of Captain J.P. Black.

Prior to the outbreak of war in 1939 an extensive model range was available, the 8, 9, 10, 12 14 and 20 with respective cubic capacities of 1021, 1131, 1267, 1609, 1776 and 2664, all having 4 cylinders with the exception of the last which was a 6 cylinder unit. After the War only the Eight, Twelve and Fourteen survived to 1948 when a new unitary construction model was introduced.

The 1939 "8" was available for just £129, and was the first small British saloon with independent front wheel suspension by means of a transverse leaf spring. The four cylinder side valve engine was fitted with an aluminium cylinder head with a compression ratio of 6.7 to 1. At peak engine revolutions of 4,000 the unit developed 31 brake horsepower, power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a three speed gear-box with syncromesh on top and second gears. Standard engines were capable of revving very fast, although the cars were capable of higher speeds the manufacturer recommended that they should not be driven continually in excess of 55 m.p.h. in top gear, 35 in second and 15 in first.

The Drop Head Coupe differed from the Tourer model insofar that the former had normal glass wind down windows to the side of the front seats, the Tourer having cut away doors with side curtains instead of glass. The interior seats were trimmed in leather, being only two door the back rest folded forward to allow access to the rear seats. The rear seat was really best suited to children but four adults could be carried if necessary. The rear seat squab was of leather with a rubber interior cushion which one blew up with air. The back rest was near vertical and was hinged at the bottom to allow access to the rear storage area. The car jack, grease gun, wheel brace, tyre pump and starting handle were clipped to the inside of the rear back rest. Side panels were trimmed in "Rexine", a man made "nitro-cellulose" material which simulated leather. The spare wheel was carried at the rear on the exterior sloping back and covered with a metal cover the same shape as the wheel.

The folding mechanism for the hood was exceptionally well made and designed, one person on their own can easily drop or erect the hood in less than 15 seconds. Many modern convertibles have vastly inferior tops when compared to a 60 year old Standard.

These pre-war models were very pretty little vehicles with their fencers mash grill and horizontal louvers in the bonnet side panels, post war cars did not have the side louvers and in addition were fitted with a four speed gear-box.

The brakes were of the "Bendix" cable type, you will hear many people complain of their efficiency, saying they will pull to the left or right and do not work at all when reversing. This is entirely due to them being incorrectly set up, when adjusted by someone with good experience of their working they can be very good indeed.

Very few of these drop-head coupe models exist today, your editor knows of only two 8 h.p. models and one 14 h.p. The tourer is however more numerous. For some reason Standards of the pre and early post war period are not particularly popular amongst car collectors and excellent examples can be picked up for very little money. The twelve's and fourteens are very comfortable and usable cars and in my opinion very underrated.

As always, I will be delighted to hear from any owners of drop-head models.