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Opens new window with French translation (Traduction Française)| Opens new window with German translation (Deutsche Übersetzung)| Opens new window with Italian translation (Traduzione Italiana)| Opens new window with Spanish translation (Traducción Española)| Opens new window with Portuguese translation (Tradução Portuguese)| D|
Image of Standard Logo[D]
Photograph of 1936 Standard Flying 12
1936 Standard Flying 12 [D]
Photograph of 1959 Standard Vanguard Estate
1959 Standard Vanguard Estate [D]
Photograph of 1928 Standard 9
1928 Standard 9 [D]
Photograph of 1936 Standard Flying Light 12
1936 Standard Flying Light 12 [D]
Photograph of 1957 Standard 10
1957 Standard 10 [D]
Photograph of 1935 Standard Avon 20hp Coupé
1935 Standard Avon 20hp Coupé [D]
Photograph of 1953-1955 Standard Vanguard
1953-1955 Standard Vanguard [D]
Photograph of 1910 Standard 30hp Model G Cabriolet
1910 Standard 30hp Model G Cabriolet [D]
Photograph of Standard Pennant
Standard Pennant [D]
Photograph of 1960 Standard Companion
1960 Standard Companion [D]
Photograph of 1952 Standard Vanguard Phase 1a
1952 Standard Vanguard Phase 1a [D]
Photograph of 1954 Standard 8
1954 Standard 8 [D]
Photograph of 1914 Standard Rhyl Roadster
1914 Standard Rhyl Roadster [D]
Photograph of 1948 Standard
1948 Standard [D]
Standard
British Leyland UK Ltd. (Triumph Motors)
Canley
Coventry
Warwickshire
1903-1915;1919-1960+

The original meaning of the word "Standard" in the motoring world was "a height to be maintained", "a flag". It's more modern meaning being "less than de-luxe".

Reginald W Maudslay first registered his company on the 2nd March 1903 with premises at Much Park Street, Coventry. Alexander Craig joined him and by the end of the year they had built three cars. Craig had also worked for the Maudslay Motor Company of Coventry, which was run by the same family; Craig left the company in 1906.

In 1908 Standard adopted the Union Flag as part of their identity.

Standard built their first commercial in 1912.

Prior to the First World War Standard marketed a range of six and four-cylinder cars. Production ceased in May 1915 to restart in 1919 when only the smaller models were revived.

Standard acquired the car assets of Triumph in November 1944 for £75,000. The company was renamed as The Triumph Motor Company (1945) Ltd.

William Lyons used the Standard 9 chassis in 1930 with bodies by Swallow to produce the SS, eventually to become Jaguar.

In 1935 a series known as the Flying Standards ranging from 9 to 20 hp was produced and continued up to the start of the Second World War.

A one-model policy was adopted in 1948 with the Vanguard. These cars sold well in Britain and abroad. The Phase 2 series of 1953 was larger and also offered a diesel engine in 1954. Prior to 1955 the Vanguard had a separate chassis, but the Phase 3 models were of integral construction. In 1961 a cheaper version of the Vanguard was sold as the Ensign.

Standard ceased production in 1963 although Standard engines were used to power Triumph models. Standard engines were also used in some Jaguars up to 1948 and the Phase 1 Vanguard unit was used in the Morgan Plus-Four.

The photograph of the blue Rhyl Roadster was kindly provided by Ross G Frater of Brisbane.