Standard Flying 8s in Australia

Standard Club Member Chris Cansdale, writes from Australia:

The following are my 2 Flying 8 Standards.

I'll preface this by stating, that in 1947, Standards in Australia were still advertised and sold as Flying Standards. ( I have a print copy of the Modern Motor Ad)

The tourer is a 1939 and was fully restored in 1990 before I bought it.

The second owner purchased it and has photos of it as it was supplied when sold, surprisingly as a white car with a 'salt & pepper' hood. I was fortunate to also get several documents including registration papers from 1946 onward. It also came with an extensive supply of NOS and used/salvaged catalogued spares that I cherish.

I have owned the car (and been a club member) for the last 19 years and early on in 2006, completed a week-long 1500-mile tour of the mountain areas of Eastern Victoria.

Fast forward 2 years and the 1947 Saloon 'found' me when a friend of a friend asked if my friend knew anyone who might be interested in a Standard... he knew just the person...

The photo you see here is where the car sat somewhat dry stored for 40 years, last registered in 1968 when the starter motor failed. It was a completely original, unmolested example with very minimal rust for its age, the worst being the rotted sills, but, had been infested with rats that unfortunately have made keeping the upholstery unviable.

She has been sitting patiently waiting to be restored ever since. I have recently retired early and have made a start on the essential rust repairs before deciding whether I want to attempt to lift the body off, with the car stripped to its shell and mechanicals.

In around 2010, I managed to get the car to run and drive for the first time since 1968 using a jerry can of fuel to avoid the original tank, a 6v battery from my Model T Ford, some additional wires to get power to the coil (rats chewed right through the loom at the regulator), a quick file of the points and the starter handle from my 1939 car.

After some initial quick checks to ensure no risk of damage, it fired straight up after a couple of hand cranks! I did also think to video the first drive up my driveway and have preserved that brief footage on YouTube.

LINE OF C

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Phil Homer

Historian

Standard Motor Club