Description

1937 Standard Flying 10

Lovely low mileage example; one owner for 70 years; older repaint still in very presentable order; highly original example

If you were launching a new make of car today you might think twice about calling it Average but back in 1903 the word Standard had very different connotations – a height to be maintained, a flag to be flown.

True, there was nothing fancy about the brand RW Maudslay established in 1903, but his Coventry-based firm proved so successful at turning out durable, well-engineered machines at modest cost that they were soon among the top six manufacturers in the UK. Inexpensive though they were, the quality was never in doubt, a fact not lost on William Lyons who seized on the excellent Standard Nine of 1928 and clothed it in his own Swallow body to lay the foundations of what would soon become one of the most exalted names in motoring: Jaguar.

In 1937, the Flying Ten replaced an earlier Ten horsepower model, introducing the new semi-streamlined look which sat across the Standard Flying range.

The side-valve 1,267 cc long stroke (100 mm) engine had a single Zenith carburettor and could produce 33 bhp (25 kW) at 4000 rpm. Drive was to the rear wheels through a 3-speed synchromesh gearbox all of which gave a top speed of around 65 mph given a long enough piece of road. The effective brakes were cable operated using the Bendix system.

This smart Flying Ten was first registered in October 1937 and comes with a generous document file which includes original advertising, an original lubrication chart, hand books, instruction manuals and a spares catalogue.

We are led to believe that its first owner kept the car for 70 years, owning it from new until 2007! The indicated mileage still reads under 50,000 miles from new which is thought to be correct. In 1991/2 the car was given a comprehensive restoration and repaint, a job which entailed fitting new plywood floors and partially stripping the car for a professional repaint in Allard Grey. The wings came off and the front end was stripped and carefully prepared – supported by photos on file.

As can be seen, the upholstery is nicely patinated original and the car has been starting and running nicely while it has been with us.

This charismatic Flying Ten is only on offer due to sudden lack of storage.

For more information – contact matthew.parkin@brighwells.com