Standard Big Nine Four-Door Tourer

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If you were launching a new make of car today you might think twice about calling it Average but back in 1903 the word Standard had very different connotations – a height to be maintained, a flag to be flown.

True, there was nothing fancy about the brand RW Maudslay established in 1903, but his Coventry-based firm proved so successful at turning out durable, well-engineered machines at modest cost that they were soon among the top six manufacturers in the UK. In fact you get the impression that Maudslay didn’t put much stock in names – there was no Nippy, Rapier or Vitesse in his catalogue, and Standard’s best-selling model of the early Twenties was actually the 13.9hp SLO4.

Whatever the name, the quality was not in doubt, a fact not lost on William Lyons who seized on the excellent Standard Nine of 1928 and clothed it in his own Swallow body to lay the foundations of what would soon become one of the most exalted names in motoring: Jaguar.

Cheap, cheerful and effective, the Nine allowed Standard to ride out the Depression and by 1931 it was selling so well that it morphed into the Big Nine, a roomy and dependable saloon for less than £200. Powered by a rugged 1,287cc four-cylinder side-valve, it could plod along at 50mph all day.

Dating from the last year of production, this 1933 Big Nine is the MkIV version with sensible features like enclosed wheel nuts, sprung steel bumper bars and large side lights. The sharp-eyed among you will have noted that it does not have the roof gutters that were another sensible feature of the Nine because it doesn’t have a roof. Which makes it extremely rare. So rare in fact, that it is believed to be the sole surviving example of the Big Nine Four-Seat Tourer.

Our vendor acquired the car five years ago and immediately set about a thorough restoration which has resulted in the fine specimen you see today. Inside, outside, underneath – it is all in fine order with a rebuilt gearbox, new wiring loom, new tyres, stainless steel exhaust and notably light steering. In fact the only thing left to do is the engine – although it runs and drives well, we are told that it has slightly noisy valves which would benefit from attention. Not that you should need it, a spare engine is included in the sale by separate negotiation if desired.

Supplied with a V5C, sundry invoices and a large framed maintenance chart, this unique survivor has room for all the family and is sure to create a lot of interest at any Standard gathering.