• Solid rust-free example

• Rebuilt and serviced by an ex-Standard mechanic

• Back seats fold down to extend boot space

• Interesting alternative to a Morris Minor or Ford Zodiac

• Low-ownership car

The Standards of the Fifties were often overshadowed by the Morris and Ford rivals, but they were worthy and well thought out cars. The Eight, Ten and Pennant were the product of a hefty £6million-worth of development and tooling - most especially for the new engine.

The  new cars’ specification was progressive,. Standard’s all-new 803cc ohv, four-cylinder engine was coupled to a four-speed gearbox (ith synchromesh on the top threegears), which was itself also completely new.

Styled by Vic Hammond, the unitary body featured bolt-on front and rear wings and was produced by Fisher and Ludlow. 

The Pennant was totally different to the Eight and Ten. Powered by the Ten's 948cc engine, it offered an increase of some 37bhp and was launched more as a luxury/sportier mode. It also boasted its own individual different body shell with the rear wings redesigned to give a very contemporary ‘finned’ look.

Only produced between 1957 and 1959, the Pennant gave way for Standard Triumph’s new model; the Triumph Herald.

The Pennant has had only three owners across its entire lifetime, and lived most of its life down in the milder climbs around Exeter. The current keeper is a life-long Standard and Triumph enthusiast, owning many of the marque’s models since his apprenticeship and work as a Standard mechanic (from 1957). He bought the car in 2015.

Almost immediately, he set about a long process of renovation and recommissioning of the Pennant (which had been little used over the previous few years), rebuilding the brakes, replacing fuel lines and fettling the suspension. He moved on to decoking the head and fitting a new fuel pump. A Waxoil anti-rust treatment and a fully stripped-down repaint followed the same year.

More mechanical rebuilding would follow; the carburettor in 2019, as well as a second repaint - this time in the (BMW) red you now see - in the same year. The car was once again rustproofed.

The Pennant has led a pretty sedentary life of late - partly due to the pandemic - coming out for shows and the odd weekend jaunt. Though the owner confesses that the Standard is still capable of 70mp on motorways (SatNav confirmed), so is still a capable of covering some miles.

Apart from the V5, the Standard’s service ‘records’ come more in the form of a journal, hand-written by the owner. All the work mentioned about is logged - along with descriptions of where parts came from and some details of the work. Costs are listed in the right-hand margins. 

Some parts were new and some reclaimed, while others such as the door seals from ‘Woollies’ make interesting reading.

All in all, it is a through account from an obviously knowledgeable owner.

The red interior is the one originally supplied with the car. Although showing the patina of the years - faded and scuffed in places - the vinyl still retains a good colour with panels of complementing patterns and textures. The piped edged remain crisp. 

The door cards too retain all of their colour - both red and cream sections - ans  the ribbing in the lower sections remains well defined. Edges are a little bent in places, but the bright trim still looks smart and the handles and winders retain all of their chrome.

Carpets are a little inconsistent, some a original and some new. As such, some edges are worn, but everything appears very clean. The fabric and rubber door seals follow a similar pattern; the former quite worn and the latter quite new looking. The fixing of the rubber seals is a little messy in places, but they look healthy and obviously do their job well. 

The headlining is tight and clean, though does show some wear around its lower edges where it has been removed for respraying.

All in all, a gently warn cabin that throws up no serious worries and enjoys all of its period character.

Looking pretty jazzy in its red over cream, the Standard wont feel outdone should it come up against a Fifties Ford Zephyr…or maybe even a Thunderbird. The paint is only a couple of years old (the red is a BMW colour by the way) and retains a good gloss all round. There are some slight ripples or drips in the paint finish - this was a ‘home’ respray - but you have to look closely to see them and they in no way detract from the overall impression of the car.

The brightwork makes for a nice feature. Those chrome strips along the sides are follow their lines across some quite tricky angles and line up neatly with their counterparts on the next panel. Bigger features such as the bumpers and radiator grill look very good, as do the headlight surrounds, but there is some pitting in smaller parts such as the bonnet hinges.

Still, overall, the Pennant makes a smart and striking impression.

The robustness and well-sorted nature of this example are what make it worthy of any potential buyer’s consideration. A look underneath or under the bonnet sums up the character of the car.

The engine bay is utilitarian and its components; engine and ancillaries slightly weathered in places, but they are very clean with virtually no signs of corrosion. Everything looks as if it has been noticed, inspected and checked on a regular basis. No bolt or screw looks as if it would protest at the sight of a tool kit. The car starts readily with no signs of blue smoke or uneven running.

Engine fluids are clean and at their correct level, and there are no signs of leaks or overheating. The minimal wiring appears healthy, with leads and hoses also good. No accumulated grim has been allowed to gather in corners and crevices.

The underside of the vehicle is likewise very clean, and, remember,has been vigilantly Waxoiled. There is no sign of any significant corrosion - the sump/bell housing/transmission look very good, with no signs of leaks. The underside of the body appears sound, and the chassis members/crossmembers robust.

Suspension components also look strong and in good condition.

The modest family saloons of the Fifties are never going to grab the limelight from their more dramatic contemporaries, but they have a charm and a character, and a way of doing things that separates them from modern machines and makes driving an engaging activity again. They can be the focus of a day out for four people. And don’t forget the extra fold-down luggage space if there’s just the two of you.

This particular car also appeals because it is so well sorted and ready to go - no questions to ask and nothing unclear about its history, condition and upkeep. And doesn’t it just look a bit more zippy than a plain blue Morris Minor?