1950s Standard Ten saloons.
Firstly, a black Standard saloon parked with its happy owner.
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The scene looks like it dates to the 1950s, and shows a lady stood proudly alongside their Standard 10 - it may be an 8 but with its wind up windows it could only be a late example, or else a 10 which is more probable. The car would date to the mid 1950s. The lady's dress is very flowery and distinctly 1950s in style and design, so the Standard was probably quite new at the time of the photograph.
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Also it's interesting to see the houses in the background - probably built in the 1920s and typical of British suburbia even today, although now they may well have UPVC windows, and a satellite dish nailed to the wall by now.
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The engine fitted to these small cars was 948cc in size, and went on to be used (in this size, and larger versions) in all future Heralds and Spitfires, right up to 1980 by which time it was 1500cc in size. The engine first appeared in the Standard 8 in the early 50s, at which time it was (just like BMC's A Series) 803cc. The engine was an overhead valve design, all iron. Unlike most small Fords of the day, these compact cars had a four speed gearchange. The 8 and 10 were available as 4 door saloons (no 2 door saloon was marketed), a compact estate car (called the Companion), or as a light commercial (van or pickup). The final incarnations of the 8/10 design were called the Pennant, and featured a revised front & rear wing line, in an attempt to modernise the design. The model died out altogether in 1959 with the launch of the Standard-Triumph Herald range (which reverted to a separate chassis design, unlike the Standard's monocoque construction).
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2. A brand new Standard 10 on trade plates.
Next, two photographs showing a smart shiny new Standard saloon being delivered to its new owner(s). Note the trade plate attached to the front bumper, and 50s-style Commercial 'C' licence included with the trader's registration number (650 PE).
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3. A 10+ year old Standard parked in suburbia, 1967.
The following two photos in suburbia show a Standard Ten in September 1967, by which time it was over ten years of age. The car, reg UTC 449, was registered in Lancashire, some time after November 1954.
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4. Two children and a 1950s' Standard.
This photo shows a young lad - and his sister most likely - dressed as a county Sheriff, stood with a typical 1950s' Standard Ten.
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5. A Standard 10 parked outside The Victoria.
A gathering of retired ladies and gents seems to be taking place at The Victoria pub. The rear of the Standard 10 - a booted version - can clearly be seen, as can its registration: MCO 930, a May 1956-onwards series used in the Plymouth area. Was there a pub called The Victoria in that area? I can find mention of a modern-day hotel with a similar name, but this definitely looks like a watering hole to me.
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6. An Irish-registered Standard Ten of 1955.
Ian kindly sent this next pair of Standard Ten photos over. The car belonged to this father, and regarding this car he notes: "The dark green 1955 Standard 10 bears a TZ Belfast registration. Both photos were taken in front of my granny's old cottage on The Hill, Groomsport, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1961. That same year she took us 200 miles to Galway, a trip that took about 10 hours!"
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The first picture shows the car from a front three-quarter angle. This example was fitted with small headlamp "peaks", a driver's side wing mirror, and shiny wheel embellishers, the bonnet mascot was a feature of later Standard Tens.
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The second of Ian's photos shows the rear three-quarter view of this great little car. Thanks for the photos Ian!
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I've owned a pair of 8s and a Super 10, the latter fitted with 2 pedal Standrive transmission - see more on my Standard 10 page. Some photos showing another Standard Ten, taking part in 1950s autotesting, can be seen here, and you can read about a preserved Ten, living in Australia, here. If you like all Standards, and not just the 8s and 10s, this screensaver might be right up your street!
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