Manufacturer: Standard Motor Co. Ltd., Coventry

Production Year: 1944

Engine: Standard, in-line, liquid-cooled, 44-hp, four-cylinder, 1.61-liters

Transmission: 4F1R

Brakes: Mechanical

Wheelbase: 108-inches

Length: 13-feet, 10-inches

Width: 5-feet, 4-1/2-inches

Height: 6-feet, 8-inches

Weight: Approximately 1.3-tons

Armor: None

Armament: None

Maximum Road Speed: Approximately 50-mph

Markings: British Army green with black “Mickey Mouse” spots

The light utility cars entered service with the British Army beginning in 1940 with production continuing throughout World War II. They were all based on passenger car designs from several commercial car manufacturers. The most common were the Austin 10, Hillman 10, Morris Series M and the Standard 12, as displayed. Early in the war, all the models were used in their standard civilian configurations due to the immediate need for any and all transport vehicles. Early production vehicles utilized the civilian-style cabs and grilles with the addition of pickup-type rear ends. Later model cabs and grilles were simplified with typical military features such as a wire-mesh grille and open cab with a removable canvas top. Early production Standard 12s were used as frontline support vehicles. Many of the “Tillys” (as they were nicknamed by British soldiers) were abandoned during the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. Subsequent production models were almost entirely issued to rear-area units. Several specialized versions of the Standard 12 were produced such as ambulances and light personnel carriers. The Standard 12s were considered the most successful of the “Tilly” designs.