Hi
Phil,
A
friend and neighbour happened to mention recently that she and her
husband owned what seemed to be an unusually interesting car during
the 1949/50 period. She said that she had some photos which were
taken at the time, and would dig them out so that I could look
at them. The photos of this early car, although I have
never been a Standard owner myself, I found of considerable
interest, since its similarity seemed to suggest that it is
part of the development chain for the later, and better known, SS 1.
The car spent all its war years in a garage.
Having
thus interested myself in this particular car, I searched the web
and came up with your very interesting and informative site. However
the only vehicle I could find which sported the same type of
mudguards and looked anywhere near similar was the 1932 Avon
Standard 9 Sports Tourer that one of your articles covered; the one that
lived in Iowa.
We
both thought that the car might be of interest to your members
and my friend was quite happy for me to contact you with a
couple of photos. I must, however, apologise for the
quality of these attachments, but they were blown up, and
slightly enhanced, from the original 3.5 x 2.25 inch
snaps.
Details
that were written at the time of ownership were as exactly as
follows in no particular order:
1932
Avon Special; Special little 12; Straight
six, side valve; 1 1/2 Morris Minor; Ash body;
Aluminium panels; Price when new £375 compared to Austin 7 at £100.
The
entries in italics I don't understand, but assume that the
first refers to a similar model on which it was based, and the
second, presumably it was powered by a Morris engine. There are no
details of engine or chassis numbers.
The
number plate is clearly visable and we wonder whether the car may
still be around somewhere in the world. If anybody knows, please let
us know.
Now
we know about it, we'll keep an eye on your web site.
Yours
Truly,
Malcolm.
A. Knapp
Thanks Malcolm,
You are correct, this is an
extremely interesting car. - thank you for sending it to me.
Almost without doubt, it is a
Standard Avon Special on the Little 12 chassis. Avon were
commissioned around this time to produce sportscars, using
Standard chassis and mechanicals to which they added their own
bodywork. This car was based on the 1932 Standard Little 12 which
had a six cylinder side-valve engine of just 1337 ccs. Standard
only produced it for that one year.
The body was designed by Charles
Beauvais and the new Avon Body Company was an early venture run at
that time by the Jensen brothers, Alan and Richard, who later
found considerable fame as Jensen Motors.
So, all the description you have
given me, except 1 1/2 Morris Minor, is correct. I can not
explain why there is a reference to Morris.
The result is this very pretty
car that is very desirable today.
As you note, Standard also
produced Chassis and engines for William Lyons's SS Cars but that
development line is separate and quite distinct from the Jensen
story.
