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November is Military Month at www.standardmotorclub.org
Military
Feature - 12 Hp Light Utility Vehiles.
published by kind permission of
"After the Battle". This article first appeared in
Wheels and Tracks Issue No 46.
Amongst the British Cars, '4 x
2, Light Utility' of WWII those produced by the Standard were
the odd ones out. The "Tillies" from Austin, Morris
and Hillman were direct derivatives from their makers' 10Hp
monocoque-bodied saloons; the front half essentially the same,
the back an integral pick-up type box.
The Standards were based on the
somewhat larger 12/14Hp chassis with a separate frame and military
pattern bodywork from the scuttle backwards. Like the others, they
were used for carrying passengers and light cargo, running errands
and other general-purpose work. In those roles they were more
spacious and comfortable (and economical) than the jeep, but with
a minimum of off road capability.
Upon the outbreak of the war, The
Standard Motor Company had a full range of family saloons in
production at its Canley, Coventry works: the Flying Eight, Nine,
Ten, Twelve, Fourteen and Twenty ( ie 8 to 20Hp). In addition the
company had started operating a highly automated so-called Shadow
Factory for manufacture of aircraft engine parts ( later also
complete aircraft) for the Air Ministry. Private Car output was
soon halted, but not before the AM had taken delivery 0f 150 10 Hp
saloons for use as staff
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