Visiting Enjoying everything Coventry Transport Museum has to offer. Opening Hours & Prices Getting Here & Parking Access Information Exhibitions Cycle Pioneers 1868 to 1900 A New Industry 1900 to 1914 First World War 1914 to 1918 The Growth of the Motor Industry 1918 to 1939 Second World War 1939 to 1945 Rebuilding Coventry 1945 to 1950 Motor City UK 1950 to the present Workdays and Holidays Model World Transport Technology Future Technology Jaguar Heritage Coventry Champions Biffa Award Land Speed Record Exhibition Star Vehicles Sky Blues Bus Ferguson TE20 Daimler Wagonette Ariel Cycle Standard Roi de Belges Standard Fulham Daimler Armoured Car Humber Super Snipe Queen Mary's Daimler Humber Imperial 5 Series Reliant Scimitar GTE Triumph T140 Bonneville Singer Gazelle Series V ThrustSSC Rover Safety Cycle Ted Simon's Triumph Tiger 100 Stanley Glanfield's Rudge Group Visits About Coach Parking Guided Tours Shopping Refreshments Make your visit a success Food & Drink Guided Tours Also In The Area Car Clubs Photography and filming What Our Visitors Say 4D Simulator Standard Roi de Belges Name: Roi de Beiges Make: Standard Year: 1907 The Standard Car Company was founded in Coventry in 1903 by Mr Reginald Maudslay, with the first factory in Much Park Street. By the end of the First World War, they had acquired a much larger factory in the Canley area of the city. During the 1950s Standard Triumph became one of Coventry’s largest companies, with the Canley factory employing thousands of people. This car is believed to be the oldest surviving Standard and for this reason has been given the number plate SMC1 (Standard Motor Company 1). It was originally exported to Australia in 1907 and was rediscovered in a barn on a tobacco farm in the 1950s. It was restored by Standard (Australia) apprentices and exported back to Britain in 1959, when it was presented by the Standard Motor Company to the City of Coventry. This vehicle is a fine example of the opulence associated with motoring in the Edwardian period. The Roi de Belges' hand-built wooden body work is complemented by the leather upholstery, artillery style wheels and elegant brass work. The large headlamps are powered by acetylene – a gas made by mixing carbide and water; you can see the reservoir for the carbide and water mounted on the running board, which runs along the side of the car. The engine has six cylinders with a side valve configuration. It is very large, rated at over 3000cc. This means the vehicle runs very smoothly and will cruise at up to 40mph, but only having drum brakes to the back wheels makes it difficult to stop. This vehicle was presented to the Museum by Mr Alick S. Dick, Managing Director of the Standard Motor Company, in 1959. Don't miss out on the latest from the Coventry Transport Museum Schools Bring the curriculum to life! Coventry Transport Museum's interactive exhibitions make the perfect venue for school visits in Coventry. We offer a wide range of sessions for school groups, all 'Learning Outside The Classroom' quality assured. MORE Join and Support Join us in celebrating a unique transport heritage. There are lots of ways for you to get involved, from supporting us with a financial donation to volunteering your time. MORE Home of the fastest car on Earth! Coventry Transport Museum is home to Thrust SSC and Thrust 2, the world's two fastest cars. When you visit the Museum, not only can you marvel at these spectacular feats of British engineering, you can experience travelling through the sound barrier on our all new 4D Land Speed Record Simulator! MORE