1926 Standard Model V4 “Stratford”

Ian Homer's page
Aug 28, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Jul 14

KA 5539 was presented at the Daventry Standard International Rally in 2025 for the first time since 1961.

This is the history we have for the car.  Built in 1926, 3 speed gear box, 1944 CC, the Standard 14/28hp V4 chassis was fitted with four-wheel drum brakes. The list price at the time being £295. First registered on the 17th December 1926, KA 5539 was supplied by Liverpool dealer C.A.Britten and Co. The brass plate is still on the dash.  

A Mr. Philip Francis in Merseyside owned it 28 years later. 

The car turned up in the mid 1950’s when it was owned by Cuffs Garage, Frome, Somerset. They sold the car to A.B Price Ltd, Automobile Engineers, Studley, Warwickshire who in turn sold the car to Geoffrey Edward’s Ltd, in Hertfordshire on the 26th September 1958. 

They did not keep it long and sold to Mr H.B. Marslen, Pulborough, Sussex in Jan 1959. He did a complete restoration taking two years, and the car attended the 1961 Standard car Rally at the Montague Musuem, Beaulieu. I understand Mr Marslen kept the car in the 60’s and 70’s. We are not sure where it was in the 1980’s but it was sold again in 1993 (not sure to whom). 

Then to Mr Bill Summerell from Teeside in July 2007. It was again treated to a full restoration and painted blue over black. The upholstery was replaced in June 2014.  The car featured on series 4 episode 5 of Bangers and Cash at Mathewson’s Auction and sold for £6000 to Mr and Mrs Whittaker of Congleton in November 2019.  We purchased it at Astle Vintage Fair in August 2024, the car is now in Mid Wales.

Kevin and Penny Ingram

Historical Note: The following advert is for a slightly later “Wellesbourne” – bodied car on the same V4 chassis. As well as differences to the windscreen and side windows, the 3 speed gearbox of this later car allowed the Wellesbourne to be offered at a more competitive price than the preceding SLO4.