Researching my cars past.

[zook63]

Attachment DeletedHi all,I recently bought a post war eight tourer,reg no is JLH647 about ten miles outside Belfast and about fifteen miles from where I live.I was wondering if the car is known to any club members and if so would they be happy to share any info they might have about the car,as I would love to know more about its past especially where and when it was first registered and how it ended up in Northern Ireland.Here Is a photo of it.Kind regards ,Peter.

[Darrell publicity SMC]

Please quote commission number Have you joined the Standard Motor Club.https://www.standardmotor.club/membership-services/new-membership-valid-for-12-months
This will help you understand your Motor and gain parts.

[magnet]

Hello Peter,
Pending the club hopefully coming up with something for you:-
The car was first registered in the London area at some date from August 1947, but unfortunately, you are unlikely to gain any information regarding first registration records from London archives since records were not retained.
It might be worth trying the archives at Kithead Trust (contact details via. Google). They might (just might) have a ‘Change of ownership’ card for it. Worth giving them a try, but realistically unlikely.
Is there any reason why you cannot at least obtain its NI history from the person you bought it from?
All on-line indications point to the car not having been ‘registered on the DVLA system’ until May of 1995, and it’s possible that it was exported over to you around that date, since the DVLA system here shows it as being last taxed in 1995, and never having had a mainland MOT - certainly since 2006.
Not sure if the NI DVLA system is showing something different - are you able to check!
Colour show as Black yet appears green and black?
Not sure if any of this is of any help Peter, but might be a start.
Kind regards,
Gareth,

[zook63]

Hi Gareth thanks for your prompt reply.The man I bought the car from has no information about the car,apparently he bought it locally quite a few years ago but doesn't remember who from,he can not find the v5 as his wife died since he bought the car and he does not know where she may have put it,so I currently have an application for a new v5 retaining original registration number being processed at DVLA.We don't have a DVLA In Northern Ireland anymore so no chance of any help from that quarter.Swansea tell me the car was "exported" to Northern Ireland in 1996,but apart from that they have no further information on its past.I will see if Kithead can offer any help,but in the meantime thanks for taking the time to reply.Regards,Peter.

[magnet]

Hello Peter,
I could well be barking up wrong trees here, but as much as tourers are now admired, it must be kept in mind that when new, they were the considered to be the ‘cheap end of the market’ models.
Having said that, purchasers in this immediate post war period had to have reasonable justification to be allowed to buy a new vehicle - in an export-only market - so thereby may hang a set of conflicting circumstances.
Darrel’s request for the Commission no. may throw some light on this.
Was this car new when it was first registered in 1947, or was it possibly released from say military service in 1947 and entered the secondhand market at that time?
The DVLA used to operate a service where registered owners could apply (for a modest charge) for an historical check on all information held by the DVLA including information passed to them when the system was set up in the mid 80s. Unfortunately, this service is no longer available.
Again, not sure how much of this is constructive, but....
Kind regards,
Gareth.

[zook63]

Hi,Gareth,I was not aware that there were restrictions on buying new vehicles post war,in fact I would have expected the government at the time would be actively encouraging people in Britain to go out and buy all types of new goods in order to boost the economy,but I suppose they thought differently back then.Anyway,back to the present !! My commission number isNA 33340 T4 which dates the car as being built in 1947 ,but perhaps somebody else can come up with some other information from the commission number,here's hoping! Thanks again,Peter.

[magnet]

Hello Peter,
It was all about satisfying an export drive priority. There is no doubt there was a sufficient home trade demand, but sales of new vehicles was restricted to ‘essential need’ customers only.
Kind regards,
Gareth.

[herald948]

Peter, I think I speak for many folks here in hoping you can post more pictures of your car; it's lovely!

[magnet]

Hello Peter,
Apologies for hogging this thread, but I feel the essential next move is for you to establish whether the club knows anything about the previous history of your car or not.

Whether this means you have to join the club to get a simple yes/no, or if understandably, if it boils down to ‘yes we do, but you will need to join the club to be given access to the detail’ then you will at least be able to positively move on from this, or eliminate it, and move on in other directions.

‘Other directions’ (if it’s a no from the club) could include a request for articles in the popular classic car press etc.

Kind regards,
Gareth.

[webmaster]

The Club's database has no record of JLH 647.
It has therefore not been known to us over the last 35 years, because that's how long our records have been computerised. I suspect it has not been on the road during that time. Due to its excellent apparent condition I suspect it is a recent restoration and this is the first time the car has been offered for sale in the 21st centaury.

Nice car!

Phil

[magnet]

Although ‘negative’ news Phil, I’m sure that will allow Peter to move on.
I concur with you, and suspect this car had been in long term storage pre c1995, at which time it was renovated and possibly quickly ‘exported’ to NI.

Seems strange that the seller has no recollection of any of its history, or knowledge of where he bought it. It’s quite likely that some useful pointers would have been at that stage.
Perhaps Peter can now progress his researches via. the classic publications.
Kind regards,
Gareth.

[zook63]

Hi Gareth,in response to suggestions I should join the club,can I point out that I have been a club member on and off since 2010,having owned a 1936 Flying12,a 1937 Flying 10,a 1948 Standard 14CD,and now my current Standard,the 4/8A,so I am not a stranger to the club.Unfortunately living in Northern Ireland the only direct benefits of club membership is access to parts,as I am unable to participate in club meetings or club outings.It is for this reason that I have let my membership lapse from time to time,in fact I was a fully paid up member until September this year,and no doubt I will take up membership again in the near future as there will always be a need for certain items which only the club can supply,but you will understand that as a pensioner I sometimes have to prioritise which expenditure is most important each month!!! As an aside,the guy I bought the car from is 89, and it was difficult to even get him to sell the car,never mind getting any history from him,but I will keep on trying.Thanks again and kind regards,Peter.

[webmaster]

And of course you have forgotten the "Standard Car Review" that the Club supplied you with every month. Glad the spares service is of help to you though
Regards
Phil

[zook63]

Of course,Phil,I had not forgotten about the magazine,and I am very appreciative of the fact that the club is able to supply much needed spares to members.I merely pointed out the disadvantages to members not living in mainland GB who are unable to fully participate in all the club meetings and outings.However I fully intend to renew my membership in the near future.Kind regards and seasons greetings to all.