MR M WHITFIELD, Director and General Manager of The Standard Motor Co. Ltd., on retiring from the Chairmanship of the Standard Motors Branch British Legion, which he has held for the past five years, is succeeded by Mr. George Wheatley, who is himself a life member of the British Legion, and Mr. Bernard Grady as his Vice-Chairman. Continue reading “George Wheatley – Chairman Standard British Legion”
Sir John Black (Obituary)
Black, Sir John Paul (1895–1965), motor vehicle manufacturer, was born on 10 February 1895 at Kingston upon Thames. Black was educated locally and studied law, which brought out an aptitude for clear-cut decisions that was further developed in the First World War, during which he attained the rank of captain. In 1919 Black was recruited by the Hillman motor car marque in Coventry. He soon became joint managing director, with Spencer Wilks. Their success led to Hillman’s being taken over by Rootes Ltd, a move which prompted both to resign in 1929.
Black joined the Standard Motor Company the same year, at the invitation of its founder, Reginald Maudslay. The marque was in dire financial straits and Black, who became general manager in 1930, set about restoring the company’s fortunes. He ended the costly in-house manufacture of components and started to introduce mass production techniques. Black also brought in Edward Grinham from Humber as chief engineer; he was able to interpret Black’s ideas for stylish and competitively priced models, especially in the Flying Standard series. By 1939 total car production had reached 50,000 units a year, making Standard Coventry’s largest motor car manufacturer and earning the marque a place in the ‘Big Six’ league of leading British-based producers. Although Black did not officially become managing director until Maudslay’s death in December 1934, he was effectively in command from the start.
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Work’s Football Competition
Tommy Bunt races in to crack the goal home for the Final Finish Department in the final of the Work’s Football Competition. Continue reading “Work’s Football Competition”
A Visit Back To Standard Triumph, Canley
A Visit Back To Standard Triumph, Canley.
It has always been on the ‘bucket list’ to visit Coventry and, in particular, the site where the Standard Triumph factory once stood. The site is now a retail park with a large Sainsburys, fast food outlets and offices however, amongst the newer builds one original feature still remains – the Standard Triumph Recreation Club – and it was this we wanted to see.
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Val Porter – Sewing Machinist in the Trim Shop
Val Porter, a sewing machinist in the Trim Shop, Canley, for ten years, received nursery gifts presented by Frank Mullis, foreman, No. 15 Shop, who thanked her for her work, and wished her well.
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I Remember Cash’s Lane
In the ’20s, I remember the Standard Motor Company being situated in Cash’s Lane, bordered by the canal, O’Brien cycle factory, Foleshill Road, and Cash’s Lane, where Kwikfit tyre fitters is now.
I was born and lived in Arthur Street which at that time was a cul-de- sac. Test drivers from the Standard used to drive a chassis with only an engine, windscreen, and seat, out on the roads, and several of them used to come to Arthur Street to make adjustments, to brakes, etc.
I remember the smell of the new exhaust pipes, and when we inquisitive kids asked what they were doing, they used to explain to us instead of telling us to clear off.
They also told us to buy Standards when we were old enough because we knew they would be good, having seen how good they were before the bodies were put on. This ended when the Standard moved to Canley.
After I left School, I worked for a small engineering firm which made components for the bigger car firms, and I machined brake shackles, and also made brake abutments for Standard.
Years later I drove Standard 12s, Standard Roadsters and Vanguards, they were indeed, like the test-driver had said, good cars.
I hasten to point out that they were not my cars, I drove them in the course of my job.
William H Underwood, Shilton, near Coventry.