It wasn't long into 2003 that I decided a replacement for the much-missed Austin A30 was long overdue. In a way it kind
of made sense, as even when I get my current collection of crusty vehicles fettled up, most of them will be high-days-and-holidays
type toys, and not really suited for nipping to the shops or whatever (that's my excuse anyway).
While perusing the Ebay auction site, with just one hour to go, I clapped eyes on this little Standard 10 saloon, built by
the Standard Triumph Motor Company way back in '55, when Buddy Holly was yet to make his mark and John Lennon to get out of shorts. The grainy photos gave it
an alluring air, and I didn't need much persuasion to have a little bid, having had a 'go' for an earlier Standard 8 only a few
weeks before but getting outbid with seconds to go.
I'm sure she-who-must-be-obeyed didn't quite share my glee at winning this auction, but I was confident it's obvious merits would soon
win her over. Only one week later, me and kid brother Phil loaded up the BM with towing equipment, and headed off the 50 or so miles
to go and collect this new steed. First impressions on our arrival were fairly encouraging, there was the little green Standard, in good company, surrounded as it was by other equally forlorn looking classic cars all looking for new homes. There were many Morris Minors, but also examples of Standard 8, Ford 103E Pop, Morris Oxford, and a tantalising pile of corroded metal peeking out from above a wall.
It didn't take long to tackle the Ten up, and we soon set off on our way home, diverting via a nearby aircraft museum to allow
us a quick shufty at the exhibits there.
On getting the Ten home, I had a few minutes to throw a bucket of water over it before 'er indoors gave it her assessment. The water
trick I don't think made much difference, but scathing comments were thankfully minimal. Early assessments indicated that it was
essentially not a bad little car, the engine ran ok and the paintwork would have polished up half decently, the only downer was majorly knackered sills, especially on the drivers side, which the vendor had been slightly less than descriptive about in his Ebay listing. Still, caveat emptor and all that, but after making some enquiries, I decided that it really needed more than I wanted to get involved with (especially as my A40 is in the middle of a weld-a-thon), so was sold on shortly after, at a loss, to make way for a roadworthy example - see my 1957 Standard 10 page for the story so far!
The Standard 8 & 10 were Standard-Triumphs babies of the range, with various Marks of Vanguard supplying the larger-car market. The earliest
Standard 8s were very basic machines indeed, not even having externally-accessible boot areas, with sliding windows and minimal door trim. Chrome and any suggestion of opulence was nowhere to be seen in these back-to-basics economy motorcars. As time went by, the 8 and 10 received subtle updates to the front end trim, with the numerous versions of front grille and moustache featuring. The deluxe came along, and offered a few other creature comforts, and, by the mid 50s, offered a very nice little runabout and more than a rival for Austins A30, offering more interior space and far better accessibility in the engine bay compared to the cramped opening on the BMC product.
Running an 8 or 10 today is a very realistic option for cheap classic motoring. I use my '57 Ten regularly, with only the very vocal rear axle deterring me from venturing further afield. You can fit 4 people in it in reasonable comfort, and the handling is very acceptable. You won't be worrying many speed cameras when driving an 8 or 10, but who wants to rush around everywhere? Engine parts for the 948cc Ten are mostly shared with the 948 Triumph Herald that came out in '59, so can be found quite easily and cheaply. The remaining mechanical parts can usually be found, body parts are tricky to find but do turn up secondhand if you look hard enough. All saloon models were 4 doors (no 2 doors were produced), and also available at the time was a great little estate version - the Companion. I'd like one of these sometime. A van and pickup were also built, but these are thin on the ground now.
The Ten rumbled on to the end of the fifties, appearing in the final couple of years as the revised Pennant version - basically a Ten 'improved' with squared off front and rear wings, and usually a 2 tone paintjob. Not as charming when compared with the normal Ten to my eyes, but what do I know? Most people looking for a little runabout opt for the popular A30, A35 or the larger Morris Minor. Sadly the 10 doesn't get the same level of following, which is a shame. There are plenty of examples around all ready for restoring and running, so forget the usual BMC offerings and buy one of these instead!!
A restoration project car can sometimes be bought for the price of a loaf of bread, such are the low values of these little Standards. A presentable runner should be available for £6-900, with few mint examples creeping over £2000 if in really good nick. Vans and pickups are rarer, but don't sell for much more than a saloon unless in really good order. Perhaps the pick of the bunch is the Companion estate - there aren't too many left now, and make an interesting alternative to other small load-luggers like the Mini Countryman (itself rare) or A40 Countryman (another all-but-forgotten model).
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