Standard Eight
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Standard Eight | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Standard-Triumph |
| Production | 1938-1959 |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | Triumph Herald |
The Standard Eight is a small car produced by the British Standard Motor Company from 1938 to 1959.
The car was originally launched in 1938 as the Flying Eight. After World War II the Flying range of Standards was dropped but an updated car called the 8hp was re-introduced in 1945. In 1953 a completely new car, the Standard Eight was launched sharing virtually nothing with its predecessor. In 1959 the car was dropped to be replaced by the Triumph Herald, as the Standard brand was being phased out.
Contents |
[edit] Flying Eight
| Standard Flying Eight | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1938-1939 production - not available |
| Body style(s) | saloon, tourer, drophead coupé |
| Engine(s) | 1009 cc Straight-4 |
| Transmission(s) | Three speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 83 inches (2108 mm) [1] |
| Length | 139 inches (3531 mm) [1] |
| Width | 56 inches (1422 mm) [1] |
The Flying Eight was the smallest member of the Standard Flying family with a side valve 1021 cc long stroke (100 mm) engine to keep it in the British 8hp taxation class which calculated the annual licence payable according to cylinder area. A single Solex carburettor was used and the engine could produce 28 bhp at 4000 rpm. [1]. Drive was to the rear wheels through a 3 speed synchromesh gearbox. The suspension was independent at the front with a transverse leaf spring. A top speed of around 65 mph was attainable. Brakes were cable operated using the Bendix system.
The car had a separate chassis and initially saloon and four seat tourer bodied versions were produced joined by the drophead coupé in late 1939. Very few coupés were made before the outbreak of World War II halted production.
[edit] 8hp
| Standard 8hp | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1945-1948 53,099 made [2] |
| Body style(s) | saloon, tourer, drophead coupé, estate car |
| Engine(s) | 1009 cc Straight-4 |
| Transmission(s) | Four speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 83 inches (2108 mm) [1] |
| Length | 139 inches (3531 mm) [1] |
| Width | 56 inches (1422 mm) [1] |
The 8hp model, without the Flying name now, was rapidly re-introduced after World war II with the first models appearing within ten days of VE day. The only major update from the pre-war model involved the fitting of a four speed gearbox. A few estate cars were made in 1948. The tourer could be distinguished externally from the coupé by having cutaway door tops.
The car was firmly pitched by Standard against the Austin 8 and Morris Eight rivals and was keenly priced at GBP314.
[edit] Eight
| Standard Eight | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1953-1959 136,317 made [2] |
| Body style(s) | saloon |
| Engine(s) | 803 cc Straight-4 |
| Transmission(s) | Four speed manual optional overdrive |
| Wheelbase | 84 inches (2134 mm) [1] |
| Length | 144 inches (3658 mm) [1] |
| Width | 60 inches (1524 mm) [1] |
The 1953 Eight was a completely new car with unit construction and an overhead valve engine. Only saloon models were made. The new engine of 803 cc produced slightly less power than the outgoing larger sidevalve unit with 26 bhp at 4500 rpm but this was increased to 30 bhp at 5000 rpm in 1957. The four speed gearbox, with synchromesh on the top three ratios, was available with optional overdrive from March 1957. Girling hydraulic drum brakes were fitted.
To keep prices down, the car at launch was very basic with sliding windows, single windscreen wiper and no external boot lid. Access to the boot was by folding down the rear seat which had the backrest divided in two. The 1954 De luxe got wind up windows and the Gold Star model of 1957 an opening boot lid. From mid 1955 all the Eights finally got wind up windows. At launch the car cost GBP481 including taxes on the home market.[3]
An example tested by The Motor magazine in 1953 had a top speed of 61 mph (98 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-50 mph (80 km/h) in 26.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of 43 miles per gallon(imperial) was recorded. [3]
The Standard Ten of 1954 shared the bodyshell and running gear and would outlast the Eight by continuing until 1961.
[edit] Replacement
The Eight was replaced in 1959 by the Triumph Herald, which used a slightly enlarged version of the same engine, as the parent company of both Standard and Triumph, Leyland Motors, was phasing out the Standard name from the British market.
[edit] Running them today: Common Problem Areas
After almost half a century some problems are only to be expected. Engine core plugs corrode, but an old-fashioned English Penny can be used as a replacement if you are really stuck. The starter motor/flywheel gears can strip their teeth - luckily the car has an old-fashioned starting handle. Wear in the rear wheel hub bearing, built into the axle, is expensive to fix. The chassis members are likely to rot through. The bodywork is of relatively thick steel, the main problem area is the front wing, lower rear portion, which collects mud and debris and rots through, as does the area around the headlamps. The car's handling - the infamous 'Standard wander' -which gets worse on wet roads. Modern tyres may improve this.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ a b Robson, G. (2006). A-Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge Books. ISBN 1-9541063-9-3.
- ^ a b "The Standard Eight saloon Road Test" (September 16 1953). The Motor.
- British Family Cars of the Fifties. Michael Allen. Haynes Publishing. 1985. ISBN 0-85429-471-6
