Standard Avon Special Coupe

Sir John Black joined Standard as Managing Director from Hillman and came in with a new broom. By 1934 he had swelled the Standard Range dramatically and in that year the company produced 20,000 cars, a production record with 100 cars being produced in a single day. Things were looking good.

One of his first ideas to boost sales and the company’s image was to offer a full running chassis to coachbuilders, a plan which met with considerable success. William Lyons was perhaps his most famous customer, with the Swallow Coachworks in Coventry producing the SS Jaguar built on a lowered Standard chassis. Another beneficiary of this new policy was Avon Coachworks. They had been producing in limited numbers a most attractive Standard Avon Special as early as 1929 based on the excellent 9hp running gear.

In 1932 Charles Beauvais took over as Avon’s chief stylist and introduced some contemporary designs and dual colour-schemes. His range topper was the pretty Standard Avon Coupe based on the excellent 2133cc 16hp model. Beauvais’ previous role had been as art editor for ‘The Motor’ magazine and so it is not surprising that when they tested it in November 1932, ‘The Motor’ went to town – referring to Beauvais they stated “He therefore combines an eye for beauty with a full appreciation of the requirements of the practical motorist”.

The wheels were described as “genuine Rudge-Whitworth wheels with knock-on-type racing hub caps” and they confirmed that the engine had “received attention in other ways tending to increase performance”. Definitely the stuff to make the reader's pulse quicken!  In any event the £315 asking price was very reasonable for the time, especially given the exotic looks and brisk performance and it sold well.

The story of Manchester-registered JA 3813 picks up in a barn in Cumbria where it had lain since the mid ‘50s. Fitted with a Ford front axle, it was purchased by a garage in Liverpool for its number, however in the early 1990s the vendor spotted the car behind his office and managed to persuade the owner to part with it before the original number had been transferred.

He set about a full chassis up restoration. The car was completely stripped and the chassis shot blasted. He was fortunate in finding an original Standard 16hp front axle, which after a full overhaul including king pins, wheel bearings and brakes was re-instated. The springs were re-set and the Luvax shock absorbers re-conditioned.

Attention was then turned to the body. Mr. Plunkett of Automobile Services Ltd replaced all necessary woodwork and re-skinned the car. The correct beading and roof gutter was repaired/replaced, the sliding sunroof replaced, the vendor advising us that the “doors fit very nicely”. The original front and rear wings were repaired as necessary with bills from 1994 on file totaling £7,295.

The opening front and twin rear windows were restored, as were the original headlights, Raydot driving light, Lucas Alto horn, door handles, five wheels (with new tyres) and spinners – correctly engraved with the Rudge Whitworth logo - whilst instruments were repaired by Vintage Restorations. Much of the car has been re-trimmed, including the front bench seat and door check straps. The dickey seat and door cards still require trimming, although the leather is present along with the woodwork, the majority of which has also been restored. The original door sill plates have also been retained and the Blumels steering wheel was replaced with a new coloured rim type in 1993 at a cost of £188.

The engine rebuild was entrusted to professional motor engineer James Baxter of Liverpool Engine. It was linered back to standard and the crankshaft re-ground with all new white-metal bearings. The rear crank seal was modified to a modern lip-seal, whilst new pistons, valves and guides were also fitted. The dynamo and starter were also overhauled as was the clutch whilst the gearbox was thoroughly cleaned and inspected, the vendor believing it be in working order.

As can be seen, this major project is now very nearly complete. The car has been a popular exhibit in the Mouldsworth Museum for many years as a lack of space at home called a halt to the restoration project. This very rare, distinctive and lively performer just requires the final push, with the vast majority of the expensive and time consuming work done.