The Standard Motor Club will be back in force with a fine display of historic British cars at this year’s Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show, due to take place between 20 and 22 March 2026 at the National Exhibition Centre.
The Club tells us:
(All words and photographs from The Standard Motor Club).
The Club will have four cars on its stand in Hall 5:
XD 9979 – Standard SLO, new in 1921
This stunning early Standard is being presented on behalf of owners Philip and Lynda Homer by Shaun Russell of Swadlincote as a restoration project. Regardless of the speed the car can achieve, the SLO designation actually stands for Short wheelbase, Long stroke and Overhead valve. It was the first Standard to feature an overhead valve design but was based on the pre-war (and that’s the First World War we’re talking about) Model S with a larger 1600cc engine in a larger chassis and body with a folding dickey seat. Though in working order, this SLO was last restored sixty years ago and is now in need of a further restoration which is being carried out by Shaun to his usual amazing high standard. His aim is to complete the work in time to present the fully restored car on the Standard stand at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show in November this year.
DYN 943 – Standard Flying 12 Drophead Coupe, new in 1937
This beautiful drophead coupe is also owned by Philip and Lynda Homer. This car was a prototype and is now the oldest known example remaining. It was originally offered by the Standard factory to an engineering supplier in lieu of an unpaid debt. The Homers bought it in 1983 from the first owner’s son and it was returned to the road for the Standard Motor Company centenary celebrations in 2003. It was further restored in 2024.
KOR 394 – Standard Vanguard Phase 1A Estate, new in 1952
No stranger at all to the NEC shows, Standard Motor Club chairman Peter Lockley’s Standard Vanguard Estate will have just emerged from major works on its steering and front suspension, and is planned to fulfil its usual workhorse role of transporting the club’s benches, tables, display stands, etc to the exhibition.
XHA 696 – Standard Basic 8, new in 1955
This gorgeous little car was once owned by Alan Withey, a late vice chairman of the Standard Motor Club, having been bought new by his father in 1955. After Alan’s death his daughter Janine entrusted the car to Mathewsons and it was bought last year by Lance Forty of Tewkesbury. An amusing story in the car’s past arose from it being invited to appear on an episode of a BBC2 series ‘The Car’s The Star’, hosted by now sadly-missed Quentin Wilson. Alan Withey duly agreed and took along his pride and joy, but when he tuned in to watch the broadcast programme Quentin Wilson described it as ‘ditchwater dull’. Alan was incensed as he felt that this insulted Coventry and all the people who had worked at the Standard works in Canley. The matter was taken up by club chairman Peter Lockley, himself a Standard 8 owner, and his letter was read out on the BBC’s ‘Points of View’ programme, the feeling being that this somewhat redressed the balance!
Visitors can find these fascinating vehicles and the Standard Motor Club stand in Hall 5, located between displays from two other fine old Coventry marques, the Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club and the Riley Motor Club.
For more information about the Standard Motor Club, including how to join, for those who may wish to become members, please visit the organisation’s very comprehensive website: https://www.standardmotorclub.org.uk/