Standard Eight

Standard announced a new economy saloon in 1953 to compete head-on with the established Ford 100E, Morris Minor and Austin A30 models. All three rival cars had strong followings so the new Standard Eight would have to be something special to pose any threat to the "Big Three".

The Standard Eight featured a new 803cc four cylinder engine (identical capacity to both the Morris and Austin A-series engine!) and four speed gearbox (unlike the Ford's 3-speed unit). The Eight came only as a saloon with four doors, although there was no external boot lid! Early basic models had few "frills" and in order to keep costs down made do with fixed rear door windows, no hubcaps and a single windscreen wiper. The later Super Eight had quarter lights and winding windows, and a Smith's heater which the original doesn't.

Unfortunately despite various changes the Eight sold in relatively small numbers, production continued until 1959.