what was it?

[seramsay]

I am from Australia and the first car I remember was a Standard "Baby Standard' which belonged to my mother during the War. It would have been a model produced in the late 1930's. It was a grey single seater with a thingyey seat and red leather upholstery which smelled delicious! I distinctly remember the Standard Union Jack insignia on the bonnet. I have been searching for a picture to show my children, a task made more difficult because I am not sure exactly what model it was. I would be very grateful for any help you could give me. Thank you.

[Ian Leggett]

Hi. Regards to Australia. Have you looked through the photo archives for something similar to your memories. This looks a difficult one to me as all Standard saloons (sedans) had four seats. The tourer (opentop) normally had 4 although the rear was a bit cramped. The Avon body had a thingyey seat at the rear (almost in the boot) so it was a 2 seater with occasional 4.
Some Standards were bodied in Australia by Richards and this may be a model not sold in the UK. We are still coming across photos of small volume production runs of cars not seen over here. Standard did make a 2 seater sports tourer in the early 1930s but this did not have a thingyey seat, but when Avon bodyworks had the chassis they did incorporate one. Hope this helps. Take a look in the photo section. Regards Ian.

[seramsay]

Ian,
Thank you....searching my memory, you are right, the little car must have had four seats....Dad did some times come with us and we most likely wouldn't have fitted into a single seater. 'Baby Car' was used almost exclusively by Mum and me. My father's six foot plus was not a happy fit so when we travelled any distance as a family we went in Dad's Ford V8 Tourer. The little 'thingyey' seat was used as a boot for luggage but was also fitted with a very comfortable leather seat. The door ?lid of the seat opened outwards towards the rear.

You have given me some more things to investigate, thank you for taking the time to reply.

Sallie

[webmaster]

Is it a saloon or an open car ?- that would help. Based on the info so far this is the nearest on the website:
www.standardmotorclub.org.uk/cars/coachbuilders/features/avon_9_feature.htm
Regards,

Phil

[peter]

Hi,

The only model with a thingey seat, which I assume you mean thingyey or rumble, is

www.standardmotorclub.org.uk/cars/coachbuilders/features/amyjohnson.htm

My Avon never had a thingyey seat, although it does have two rear seats they are only suitable for 2 year olds !

Although it was more probably an Australian bodied Flying 8 of some sort, given the union jack on the bonnet and not the radiator.

Peter