Highlights
- Engine and mechanicals appear to be in good order
- Reupholstered interior presents very nicely
- Some interesting automobila included with the sale as well as a number of spare parts
The Appeal
This charming example of a late-model Standard Eight would make a fantastic classic for an enthusiast who enjoys tinkering in the garage or is just starting out in the world of classic car ownership.
It is an honest car with some pleasing interior and exterior patina that can be excused given the mechanically sound engine and gearbox that make it an enjoyable car to drive.
The History and Paperwork
- Actual mileage is unknown but it has covered around 3,000 miles in the last 10 years
- MOT exempt
- Original registration document from 1957 is included with the sale
- 2x Standard Eight Instruction Books (owners manuals) are also included, one in very good condition and one in average condition
- Various invoices for parts and maintenance work from specialists
- V5C logbook present
This Standard Eight was inherited by the vendor after the passing of a family member who had owned the car since 2018. With no real personal interest in classic cars, the family has decided to look for an enthusiast owner to take the car on.
The Interior
- Reupholstered seats and door cards present very nicely from the front but do bear some signs of ageing on the seat backs
- Carpets appear to have been replaced and are in good condition
- Steering wheel, dashboard and single dial are all very nice
- Boot area is reasonably clean and houses the spare wheel
- Wind-down windows function correctly
Sitting behind the wheel of this Standard Eight is a smile-inducing experience; the recovered seats are relatively comfy and the cockpit is generally nice and tidy.
The headlining does have some clear signs of ageing and would perhaps benefit from being replaced, but overall the interior wears its patina with pride.
The Exterior
- Exterior is in reasonably good condition for the car’s age with no major dents or damage
- Has been repainted at some point in its life; the engine bay is a slightly different shade to the rest of the exterior
- Chrome bumpers are nice and shiny, as are the mirrors and other brightwork
- Wheels, tyres and chrome wheel caps are in very good shape
- Windows, windscreen and all lights do not have any cracks or damage
The car presents reasonably well from the outside, with nice clean body lines that are mostly damage-free. As with most cars of this vintage, there are some blemishes on the paintwork in the form of small paint chips and scratches.
There are some tell-tale signs of corrosion in certain areas, most notably the passenger side sill and lower parts of the doors - please refer to the photographs for a detailed depiction.
The underside appears to be in decent shape and has been previously treated with a rustproofing product.
The Mechanics
- Engine starts and runs very well, purring away at idle and revving freely under acceleration with no smoke
- Said to willingly accelerate as well as an 803cc car from 1957 can do with the four manual gears operating well
- Unassisted brakes and steering are also in keeping with the car’s vintage but reportedly perform as originally intended
- Various spares and consumables included with the sale
The vendor informs us that the car drives nicely no with no untoward noises from the suspension, brakes or steering components. The engine starts up well and sounds as it should do, the exhaust is visually in good condition.
There does appear to be some minor oil leaks from the engine, which is generally expected with cars of this age and they are not considered to be serious.
Summary
This Standard Eight is mechanically in good shape, running and driving as it should. The interior is clean and tidy and while there are some bubbles on the paintwork, it clearly still has a lot of life left in it.
Notice to bidders
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