Although there had been an 11.6hp 1,087cc Standard from 1921 to 1923, and an 11.4hp 1,307cc ohv four from 1923 to 1927, the first 'Twelve' was a 6-cylinder 'Little Twelve' from 1932 to 1933, and also a 'Big Twelve' 1,497cc car. The R12 was launched in 1934 with a 1,608cc 4-cylinder and continued to sell into 1936. Standard gave its models new bodies for the 1934 year, although in fact many of the bodies were shared across the brand with only longer or shorter bonnets to differentiate them. However, Standard launched the 'Flying' Standards in 1935 and included a Twelve in the 3-car spread. This was not successful because the 1,608cc engine was too small for the heavy body. A shorter, lighter Flying Twelve was launched in 1937, now called the 'Light Twelve' and the larger car picked up the epiphet of 'Heavy Twelve'