The Standard Motor Company was founded in Coventry, England in 1903 by Reginald Walter Maudslay.

During World War I, the company produced a number of aircraft including "Sopwith Pups" and "Bristol F2-B's".

By 1924 the company had a share of the market comparable to Austin, but by the late 1920s profits had fallen dramatically due to heavy reinvestment, a failed export contract and poor sales of the larger cars.

In the 1930s, fortunes impoved with new models, the "Standard-nine" and "Standard-ten" which addressed the low to mid range market.

During World War II, the company produced "mosquito" aircraft.

Standard acquired Triumph Motor Company in 1945.

The company was eventually taken over by British Leyland and the last Standard produced in 1963.