North West Casual Classics

New Avon was a British vehicle coachbuilder. The company, based in Warwick, was started when a Ben Tilton and a Captain Philips trading as Avon Coachworks went into business in 1919 to make bodywork for cars.  Following a change of ownership and financial reconstruction it became New Avon in 1922.  For the first few years their main customer was Lea Francis but they also made coachwork for Hampton cars. In 1927 they produced an open two seat body for the Austin 7, followed in 1928 by a fixed head Coupe, which went by the name of Swan, and then in 1929 a “sportsman’s two-seater” appeared. The Swan was the work of Alan Jensen, who had joined the company and would with his brother create Jensen Brothers, which later became Jensen Motors. Alan had come to the attention of New Avon when at the encouragement of Alfred Herbert Wilde (1891-1930), chief engineer of the Standard Motor Company, the brothers brought a new design for a body on a Standard 9 chassis which they wanted on then New Avon to put into production.

This vehicle was first registered on 29^th January 1932 and has had 4 owners in its lifetime.  9hp Standard Big Nine Engine and 4 speed non-synchro gearbox with hydraulic front and rear cable brakes. This car is believed to be the only example of a Big 9 bodywork vehicle made by Avon Coach Company in direct competition with the SS Jaguar.

The original owner was a Lancaster Bomber pilot, and the car was garaged after the war for over 60 years.  The bodywork and paint were restored in the 1990’s and featured in an article in the Standard Car Review in 1993.

James’ bought the car in 2017 and with the help of family it was fully restored over the next two years including using an oak dining table for the interior woodwork and making an exhaust from scratch!  The vehicle made its debut at Newton Town Show in August 2019 and won Best Car in Show.  A very worthy winner.

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