Registration No: Unregistered (Formerly JA 3813)
Chassis No: 201/91
MOT: Exempt

• Very rare Standard Avon Special with elegant Coupe body
• In current ownership the last 34 years
• A charming project, with much of the hard work finished awaiting an enthusiast to complete

Founded in 1919, Avon Coachworks morphed into New Avon three years later. Based in Warwick, the company spent most of the 1920s clothing Lea-Francis chassis and the occasional Austin. However, when LeaF’s fortunes began to flounder New Avon cast around for new clients. Attracted, like William Lyons at Swallow, to the Standard Motor Company’s low-slung chassis and robust running gear, New Avon sought to develop its own “elegant sporting models” and exhibited alongside the Standard Motor Company at Olympia. The 1932 Standard season included two 16hp Coupés. These had New Avon coachwork and were promoted as “dashing models for the discerning motorist looking for a car giving economical fast transport with compelling beauty of line and finish.” Built on the previous 16hp chassis, the two-seater Standard Avon Coupé, was said to offer value for money at £315 and described in The Motor, as possessing ‘pleasing modern looks.’ Designed by C.F. Beauvais, who actually served in the art department at The Motor, the Avon Coupé was sporting in performance and specification, with ‘sporty’ Rudge Whitworth wheels with racing knock-ons hubs and bodied without running boards. The 16hp engine had a high-compression cylinder head and down-draught carburettor for performance. The sweeping bodylines enveloped seats at floor level with a raked steering wheel to make this work. The windscreen is made to open fully and there’s a sliding sunroof. Bumpers are ‘short’ and sporty, simply protecting necessary areas. There are very few examples of this model surviving today.

Purchased by the current owner in 1989 in ‘barn find’ condition, this example has slowly and carefully undergone thoughtful and painstaking restoration, which has yet to be completed. The ash frame has been largely reconstructed and this work is said to have been expertly carried out by a master craftsman. Comprehensive work on the body has been undertaken, including repairs to the woodwork, roof gutters, and windows before a respray in the Silver it wears to this day. The process continued with the installation of new components, such as the 'sporty' Rudge Whitworth wheels with racing knock-on hubs, and the installation of bespoke elements faithful to the car's original design. The engine was overhauled by a qualified and experienced engineer familiar with Vintage era cars, but please do note the car has not run in some time.

The brakes await attention for improvement to modern standards, and It is worth noting that the registration number, ‘JA 3813’, is presently a number with the DVLA and one-time belonging to this Standard Avon Coupé. It is now for a new custodian and enthusiast to complete. Included with the vehicle are two boxes of parts, a box file containing a large collection of photographs from before the restoration began, when the car was found in a ‘barn find’ state, photographs during the restoration, a printed and ring-bound Standard instruction book, Standard instruction manual, Solex manual, various literature relating to the car, various wiring diagrams, parts catalogues, a number of copies of ‘Practical Classics’ magazines with articles relating to a Standard Swallow restoration and further sundry documents. There are also various invoices from the current ownership, dating back as far as 1990.

For more information, please contact:
Andreas Hicks
andreas.hicks@handh.co.uk
07943584762