Phil Homer, Historian of the Standard Motor Club, was fortunate enough to be offered a drive in a Standard Beaverette. So he went on a trip to Holland to enjoy this rare treat!
The Mk IV is the last and most sophisticated of the Beaverette range. This example has been restored by Martin Ijdo at Historic Engineering b,v. in the Netherlands. As a complete and running vehicle, it is quite rare; a number of Mk IV survivors have been cut down by the Irish Army and subsequently used as scout cars. However, I do not know of another that is currently running and on the road, except this restoration.
Background to the Beaverette
The MK I was put together in pretty short order and consisted of a steel-plated hull mounted on the Flying 12 chassis but fitted with the Flying 14 engine. The 12Hp chassis was chosen over the 14Hp because it had a simpler frame supported on semi-elliptical springs all round, rather than the more complex Independent Front Suspension. The body used left-over front wings from car production. It was charming but pretty ineffective as a fighting machine.
The Mk II was much as before, this time the front panel was armoured to prevent bullets entering the radiator, a noted deficiency of the Mk I. There was no roof on either model and there was no door, the occupants having to exit over a lowered rear panel. As before, the steel armour was backed by Oak planking
The Mk III was shortened, and, having run out of car chassis to use, the factory devised a new arrangement of steel pressings to carry the four springs. It also had fully armour-plated wings. The vehicle was now totally enclosed and carried a gun turret. The 14 Hp engine and gearbox was retained but the oak planking was dispensed with.
The Mk IV that is pictured here is the last and most sophisticated of the range, in comparison to the earlier versions, the main difference over the Mk III being the re-designed Glacis armour to improve visibility for the driver - and this is the example that Historic Engineering has completely restored.
Around 2,800 Beaverettes in total were built at the Standard Works at Canley in Coventry
We would like YOUR car to appear on this Website.
Please write a piece about it and send it with some good photos using this contact form. We do hope that you would like to participate.
LINE OF COPY IN BLACK FOR SPACING
A line of Black copy to space out the page.
Commenti