Descripción
TODAY'S offering from Martin Howey Classics (Est. 25 years) is a truly delightful 1947 Standard Eight. Known before the war as the "Flying Eight" and then called simply the Eight from 1946 onwards.
The Standard Motor Company had been one of the leading players in the British car scene and the origin of choosing Standard as the name had arisen not from their vehicles being what you might call standard fayre, but indeed quite the opposite. The name Standard stood for flying the flag, being a standard bearer, being in the very Vanguard of the British motor industry. Hence, just about to appear on the scene when this lovely little Eight was born was the Standard Vanguard!
The Standard Eight, which we see here, was a super little car. A compact car you might say. And looking at it now, it offers an appealing alternative to the sit up and beg Ford Anglia (soon to become the Ford Pop) and both offerings from Austin and Morris with their 8 and 8 Series E models respectively.
Clearly a cherished car, the Standard is anything but. It would have been more like a trendy vehicle in its day with that neat back end, comfortable seating in leather for four people, a four-speed box and of course - at the top of the radiator grille - the Union Jack. Once again, flying the flag.
She is in super condition with lovely panel work and paint and really solid underneath. She runs beautifully with her engine idling like the proverbial sewing machine. The previous owner tells me that when he bought it in 2014, it had been with just three owners from new. The original owner and than, after that, father and then son. He also said that he believed the mileage of 62, 000 to be correct. In recent years she has had carb and petrol tank cleaned, new fuel pipe and hoses and new battery. Then there was a new regulator and a road test showing excellent oil pressure at 70 psi.
This really is a gem of a 40s car. Light grey with contrasting blue leather interior. And the smell of that leather! How can it be after 76 years?? I have applied for the V5 in my name as the owner had mislaid it.
This description is based on my opinion of the vehicle, the paperwork that comes with the car and anything I have been told about it. The vehicle is 76-years-old and this cannot be taken as a definitive statement for obvious reasons. As with most classic cars, there may be faults and quirks whilst, almost inevitably, some degree of tinkering and care will always be called for. I cannot guarantee that you won't find work once you take the old girl on, such is the nature of the beast. How long is a piece of string? Different classic car owners will always have differing ideas on the level at which they require their vehicle to be. Such are the joys of owning an antique vehicle and they must be taken within their own context and not compared to modern day cars. They are sold as old, mainly out-dated machines and come without any comeback whatsoever. They are my terms and conditions. Viewing is always welcome and then you may form your own opinion as opposed to reading mine.
My classic cars are motoring antiques. This car, for example, is 76-years-old and so will have quirks and faults in there somewhere. These are not always apparent when buying and selling classics which is what I do. I do not restore them, nor do I pretend that they are concours cars. The majority of them go out as they came in, and I continue to enjoy finding more - a skill which is becoming increasingly difficult as many of you will be aware. They deserve to be taken on as "family pets" and cared for through thick and then. They don't make them any more and demand now out-strips supply. Please bear all this in mind, and enjoy your classic car. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote.
I have now been established as a one-man band classic car dealer for 25 years and pride myself on my buying prowess and - due to small margins - my prices which I firmly believe are up there among the very best in the UK classic car marketplace. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote.
Thanks, Martin. the details below.
