Welcome to our all new pre-appraised classics for sale.  Offering buyers fully inspected vehicles with total transparency. 

Buying a classic unseen can be risky and disapointing, especialy when buying long distance as its not always easy to travel to see vehicles in person. And cars can sometimes be nothing like the vendor has advertised.

Our cars are correctly described, fully appraised and any known faults are clearly outlined within the report which is provided to each and every buyer. Giving you the piece of mind that regardless of distance, your purchase will match your expectations. 

Welcome to the sale of this 1955 Standard 8 which is being offered as pre-appraised with a full detailed report. 

Before I go into detail about the car itself, let me just take you back to 1955 and set the scene for when this little motor car left the factory.  The RAF had just formed the first nuclear bomber unit, flying out of Warwickshire, and the country had a severe winter with over 70 roads completely sealed off due to extreme snow. And in April of this year, 18-year-old Duncan Edwards became the youngest England national in a 7-2 win over Scotland in Wembley. In the world of Music, Rock N Roll was making its mark and Elvis was taking the U.S by storm. 1955 was also the year that Winston Churchill resigned as Prime Minister due to ill health at the age of 80. 

So, onto the car: 

This charming little gem has covered what is believed to be only 38222 miles and considering the structural condition, I would assume that this is correct. According to HPI, the Standard was originally exported and first registered in the UK during June 1969 and with the lack of corrosion underside, I'm assuming she was one of a batch of cars that were sent to a RHD drive country and a warmer climate. From the period of 1953 to 1957, 136,317 Standard 8's were built with a large % going overseas. 

This example has lasted well and looks great considering she is now over 65 years old and although she isn’t perfect, there is nothing that would deter her next owner from using, showing and coveting whilst her minor imperfections are addressed.  This morning I took her for a run in the sunshine and this lovely lady did not miss a beat, whilst whisking me off to a period in history when life was colourful, simple and exciting. 

As I have advised at the start of this advert, a full appraisal report is being provided to all interested parties as I believe that with all long-distance selling, transparency is the only way to protect buyers. Therefore, the report will provide buyers with all the facts, warts and all. 

EXTERIOR INSPECTION – PAINTWORK & BODYWORK 

 ROOF

Good condition with some minor imperfections 

 BONNET/HOOD

This panel is in good condition but has some minor grazing to the 0/S edge and some minor bubbling below the badge 

 BOOTLID/TRUNK PANEL 

This panel is in good condition 

 REAR PANEL

This panel is in good condition but has 3 small circular indents and evidence of possible reflectors removed.

 REAR BUMPER

Good condition

 FRONT BUMPER

Good condition

 O/SF WING

This panel is in good condition with only a few minor imperfections 

 N/SF WING

This panel is in good condition, with exception to some bubbling approx., 4 inches from bottom of fixing

 N/S DOOR

This panel is in good condition 

 O/S DOOR

This panel is in good condition 

O/S/R QUARTER

This panel is in good condition 

 N/S/R QUARTER

This panel is in good condition 

 N/S/F WHEEL

Good condition 

 O/SF WHEEL

Good condition 

 O/S/R WHEEL

Good condition 

 N/S/R WHEEL

Good condition, however 

 BOOT/TRUNK INTERIOR 

Good condition, with spare wheel, tools and cover  

 UNDERSIDE  

The underside of the vehicle is in good condition with no signs of serious corrosion and has been well looked after. There is evidence of a small patch being welded on the nearside outer sill at the very bottom and appears to have been there many years. The outer sills also appear to be the factory fitted panels. 

The bodywork on the Standard is in very good shape for a 65-year-old car and overall can be described as in very good condition with only a few minor issues which can easily be rectified without any sense of urgency. Structurally the car is excellent, and it is clear that although the shell has been repainted during the last 10 years or so, it still looks bright shiny, clean and presentable. The only area requiring attention is the nearside front wing and a new panel is provided and will be fitted as part of the sale.  The underside is very clean and would benefit from some wax treatment to provide further protection. 

INTERIOR INSPECTION

   O/S/F SEAT

The offside front seat is in original condition but has faded with some areas of the material becoming thin

N/S/F SEAT  

The nearside front seat is in original condition but has faded

REAR SEAT  

The nearside front seat is in original condition but has faded

 CARPETS

The carpets are in excellent condition and appear to be new 

    STEERING WHEEL  

The steering wheel is in excellent condition

DASHBOARD PANEL 

The dashboard trim is in excellent condition

 N/S DOOR CARD  

The nearside door card trim is in excellent condition

 O/S DOOR CARD

The offside door card trim is in excellent condition

 N/S/R DOOR CARD  

The nearside door card trim is in excellent condition

 O/S/F DOOR CARD

The offside door card trim is in excellent condition

 N/S/F KICK PANEL

The offside kick panel is in good condition

 O/S/F KICK PANEL

The offside kick panel is in good condition

 DASHBOARD TOP  

The dashboard top is in excellent condition.

 HEADLINER

The headliner is in good condition but faded 

The interior on whole is in good condition, with exception to the driver’s seat which has some wear, fading and a few small splits. All controls work as they should there is evidence of some retrimming, including new carpets throughout. The sliding windows, trafficators, door locks and dials all behave as you would expect with no obvious problems.  

Mechanical condition

 ENGINE

The 803 cc engines start perfectly every time and once warm, idles very quietly with no rattles, smoke or unusual noise.  

 CLUTCH   

The clutch operated very well with no issues 

 TYRES  

The tyres were all in very good condition, including the spare 

 BRAKES  

Good working order 

 GEARBOX 

The gearbox worked very well with no obvious issues 

 STEARING  

Good working order 

 SUSPENSION 

Good working order and condition 

 ELECTRICAL ITEMS  

Good working order and condition

 EXHAUST 

 Good condition and appeared to be new 

ROAD TEST 

During a 20-minute road test, the Standard behaved very well and was very nippy for such a small power unit. The clutch, brakes and suspension have all been well maintained and the ride was smooth and comfortable considering the cars age. During the drive there was no issue with the cooling and considering how sparce the interior is, the power train is relatively quiet. Above 30 mph to 40mph, there is a small amount of transmission noise, however this disappears above 40 mph and the car appears to be very happy at around 55 mph. Road holding was good, and the steering felt smooth and precise. 

TRIM & GLASS INSPECTION

   REAR SCREEN

The rear screen is free from defects. 

FRONT SCREEN

The front screen is free from defects. 

 O/S/F DOOR GLASS

The offside door glass is free from defects. 

 N/S/F DOOR GLASS

The nearside door glass is free from defects.

  O/S/R DOOR GLASS

The offside door glass is free from defects. 

 N/S/R DOOR GLASS

The nearside door glass is free from defects

O/S/F HEADLAMP

The offside headlamp is free from defects

 N/S/F HEADLAMP

The nearside front headlamp is free from defects

 FRONT GRILL  

N/A

SUMMARY

This 1955 Standard 8 has been well looked after and overall is in good condition. There are a number of minor flaws which could be addressed over the winter period without any trouble and this would certainly take the car to the next level. Looking at the V5, the DVLA have placed the registration year as 1983, however HPI state the car was first UK registered in June 1969 and the car was previously exported when new. The registration number OWW848 

Please contact me with any questions on 07895 636045. 

I can also export this car to the United States and I'm more than happy to make all such arrangements working with my colleagues in California. So maybe is she doesn’t find a UK home, the little lady may retire to the sun.