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The Sierra project was instigated in 1983 by the head of Ford Motorsport to create a competitive competition car. Ford then engaged Cosworth, who had developed the likes of DFV engines for Ford in the sixties and seventies (Cosworth-Ford were very successful in Formula 1 at this period). The Sierra 3-door was selected as the base vehicle, and they improved the Sierra’s performance by fitting a turbocharger and twin overhead camshafts, along with other modifications to achieve a much greater performing Sierra RS Cosworth. The car also featured lowered suspension and aerodynamic aids such as the strategically placed rear spoiler, with comments on the car saying it had an adequate aerodynamic drag.

The RS Cosworth helped to improve the poor, and somewhat undeserved, reputation that the Sierra had earned since its introduction in 1982. It was identifiable in difference to the standard Ford Sierra family saloon thanks to its RS body kit, large rear-spoiler and modified front grille and bumper. Initially 500 cars had to be manufactured for homologation purposes, relating to Group A racing. Production spanned 1986 to 1992 with further models such as the Sierra Sapphire 4-door RS Cosworth and the more powerful Sierra RS Cosworth 500. The car was only offered in three exterior colours (black, white and ‘moonstone’ blue) and one interior colour (grey). The Sierra Cosworth was highly successful car both in rallying and racing, providing a ‘Halo’ effect for the rest of the Ford range.

The Sierra RS Cosworth on display at Dundee Museum of Transport is a 1st generation 3-door model with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Its layout is a front longitudinal engine, which drives the rear wheels. A Cosworth 4-cylinder YBD 1993cc, Garrett Turbocharger, twin camshaft engine develops 204 bhp. It performs 0-60 in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 149 mph.

Founded in Coventry in 1903 by R.W. Maudslay, the Standard Motor Company was financed by Sir John Wolfe-Barry through a £3,000 gift.

Their first car was in production by the end of 1903 and featured a single cylinder engine. Production had increased thanks to expansion into larger 6-cylinder engine cars by 1906. To accommodate this, a new factory was moved in to; though the company had switched to aviation production during the First World War and manufactured over 1,000 aircraft.

The post-First World War era saw vehicle production resume, with 10,000 cars manufactured by 1924. Smaller and more streamlined vehicles were being produced by the late 1920s: such as the fabric bodied 9hp Fulham. Other manufacturers including Jensen, Avon, and Swallow were to purchase Standard Motor Company chassis.

The rear-wheel drive 1933 Standard Little Nine had two main bearings, coil ignition, 12-volt electrics, four speed silent third gearbox, and a cart spring frame. It had a 1,005cc/1,006cc 4-cylinder side valve engine producing 22bhp with a top speed of 54/55mph. Weighing 16cwt, the Standard Nine was the smallest and cheapest car available from the Standard Motor Company in the early 1930s (costing around £145 at the time). This was regarded during the period as expensive for a ‘family car’, though this model sold well with the ‘upper echelons of society’.

The saloon was available in several colours. It featured fine quality leather upholstery, with matching head cloth and pile carpet. Front seats were independently adjustable, and the four doors feature wind-up windows. All doors feature a locking device, and room for maps and other driving articles (including dashboard space for parcels). Other objects of the car include a rear vision mirror, protection glass, screen wiper, speedometer, clock, oil pressure gauge, electric horn, tool kit, licence holders and luggage grid (with spare wheel when new).

The Dundee Museum of Transport’s Standard Little Nine is the final production year MK II Ordinary model; though a ‘special coachbuilders saloon’ was manufactured too. Around 5,680 saloons were manufactured in total. A small amount of 2 door convertibles were produced to special order, though this made the convertibles very rare (with as little as 12 ever made).

References (all accessed on 10/01/2019):

Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.

https://www.standardmotorclub.org/post-vintage-commission-numbers.html

https://www.classicandsportscar.com/guides/classic-cars-a-to-z/standard-little-nine

Today we celebrate the 50th birthday of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

Released on the 17th December 1968, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has become one of the most well-known British musicals. We are so lucky to have ‘Gen 22’, a MGM licensed replica, on loan to us from a private collector.

To mark the occasion, museum volunteers have decorated Chitty for her birthday! Come see her before the end of December during museum opening hours of Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 3:30pm (closed Boxing Day). The museum will be closed throughout January, re-opening for 2019 on the 2nd of February.