1955 Standard Ten 1.5-Litre Competition Saloon
Registration no. UXG 486
Chassis no. CS60572DX

In the Standard Ten's heyday very few competitors would have chosen the car to go circuit racing but, unlikely as it may seem, it was a capable rally car, as evidenced by Jimmy Ray's outright victory in the 1955 RAC Rally and other strong showings at international level throughout the mid-to-late 1950s. However, modern technological developments permitted in today's Historic scene have enabled competitors to extract a level of performance out of unlikely candidates that would have been impossible 60 years ago. Which brings us to the car offered here.

Following a memorable win at the 2001 Goodwood Revival's St Mary's Trophy with the late Gerry Marshall in a Lotus Cortina, classic car restorer Chris Sanders decided to enter the 2004 event in this 1955 Standard 10 and was paired with Barry (Whizzo) Williams for the two-race event. The rules at that time allowed any evolution of the original engine block to be used, and as the original 803cc Standard power unit evolved into the 1,500cc Triumph Spitfire and MG Midget engine, a race version was commissioned from Anderson Racing Engines for the car. The combination proved to be very quick!

In the first of the two races Whizzo (starting from the back of the grid) tore through the field up to 5th position before pulling over with an overheating engine. In the second race the car qualified 3rd on the grid and challenged Le Mans-winner Andy Wallace's Jaguar for the lead before once again succumbing to overheating. A failed cylinder head gasket was diagnosed and sadly the car did not finish.

Since 2004 the Standard has languished in its Somerset garage, but this year the engine was rebuilt including new pistons, bearings, oil pump, and oil radiator. Other notable features include disc brakes, roll cage, limited-slip differential, Triumph alloy wheels, rack-and-pinion steering, race instruments, Dynator, triple-core radiator, oil cooler, laminated windscreen, and Perspex side and rear windows.

The car is now - almost - ready to race in suitable circuit or hill climb events. However, some modification would be required in order to comply with current Goodwood regulations, and some of the safety equipment will need updating.