Preserved Swallow Back on the Road

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Whenever a forlorn old car is unearthed these days, the question which immediately gets asked is whether to restore or preserve it? Usually, an element of both is necessary so the question is really where does one draw the line? Of course, when a car is uncommonly rare, original and historic, the correct answer is almost certainly to restore the bare minimum and preserve the rest.

This Swallow-bodied 1931 Standard Big Nine is certainly rare. Only six are known to remain. As found, it was also undeniably original, with enthusiasts agreeing that it had the most complete and correct interior of the six. Unfortunately, it was in a terrible state, with many people writing it off as beyond salvation.

Fortunately, one enthusiast recognised that it was invaluable as a historical reference point and vowed to revive it. Four years later, the Standard Swallow is driving around just as if, scruffiness aside, it had never been off the road. Some further work is going to be necessary – the body will have to be painted if it is to be adequately protected from the elements – but it demonstrates precisely the right balance to strike between restoration and preservation.

It isn’t going to be stuffed away in bubble-wrap, either; the owner intends to drive the car as originally intended, to the benefit of all who set eyes on it. Zack Stiling tells how it was put Back on the Road in the May issue of The Automobile, available now.

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