James Harris writes:
Good morning, I am trying to identify a car that I believe to be a Standard 14 but not entirely sure. It appears in two very old family photographs and belonged to my grandfather. I have compared the photos to the image of a Standard 14 shown HERE: and it looks very much like it, except the car in my photos has either an air vent pressed into the side of the engine compartment or it could be a raised chrome decoration of 7 thin horizontal lines stacked one on top of the other with the middle one being longer than the other six.
I could email them over if you let me know the best address to use. It is hard to see enough helpful points in these very old pictures. I believe the wipers are mounted at the bottom of the windscreen rather than the top. It looks like the windscreen may be hinged at the top and pushes out to allow air circulation through the bottom.
The front doors are "suicide" doors hinged at the back of the door. Unfortunately, there is not enough in the picture to see the profile shape of the rear.
I am fairly sure it is the same car in both pictures. I have zoomed in and out of both to try and pick out as much detail as possible but they are very old photos and the clarity is not good. This would be the early fifties.
Any thoughts on which model this may be?
I appreciate your help.
I do know that I am asking a favour. I don't know who else to ask. All of the family that knew the car are unfortunately no longer with us. I hope you may be able to help me.
Sincerely, James Harris.
Hi James,
It is almost certainly a 1937/8 Standard Flying 12, called the 12AL of 1608cc. It could possibly have the 10 engine (1343cc) in the 12 body, which was called the Flying 10AL but was much less common. The only distinguishing feature is the badge on the starting handle hole cover, which either says 10 or 12.
My identification is confirmed by the small difference in the radiator side grille which distinguishes it from the earlier 1935/6 Flying 12. That earlier car came with 4 suicide opening doors and in two-tone colours from new Your car was originally just a single colour but both doors hinge open off the B post. However, your car also appears to be 2-toned which implies it has had some paintwork later in life. I would guess that the colour scheme was two-tone grey, but this does not extend to the bonnet sides which appear to be the same as the bonnet top.
The small view of the front of the car is consistent with my identification, but in my opinion, the bumper appears to have been replaced with a smaller one from the Flying 8.
Though the views are both restricted it's surprising what can be identified. It's made easier by the fact I own the Drophead Coupé version of the same car.
Hope that helps.
Kind regards,
Phil Homer
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