Standard Vanguard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Standard Vanguard | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Standard-Triumph |
| Production | 1947-1963 |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | Triumph 2000 |
The Standard Vanguard was a car produced by the British Standard Motor Company from 1947 to 1963.
The car was announced in July 1947 and was completely new with no resemblance to the previous models and was Standard's first post World War II car. The same engine was used throughout the range until the advent of the Six model in 1960 and was an overhead valve unit of 85 mm bore and 92 mm stroke with single Solex downdraught carburettor. The compression ratio was 6.7:1 on early engines increasing to 7.0:1 on the Phase III and 8.0:1 on the Sportsman. Wet cylinder liners were fitted. The engine was very similar to the ones made by Standard for the Ferguson tractor that they were making in large numbers.
The transmission at first was by a three speed gearbox with synchromesh on all forward ratios.
Contents |
[edit] Vanguard Phase I
| Standard Vanguard Phase I | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1947-1952 174,799 made |
| Body style | saloon, estate car |
| Engine | 2088 cc Straight-4 |
| Transmission | Three speed manual Overdrive optional from 1950. |
| Wheelbase | 94 inches (2388 mm) |
| Length | 164 inches (4165 mm) |
| Width | 69 inches (1753 mm) |
The car used a conventional chassis on which was mounted the American inspired semi-streamlined four door body. Suspension was independent at the front with coil springs and a live axle and leaf springs at the rear. Front and rear anti-roll bars were fitted. The brakes were hydraulic with 9 inch (228 mm) drums all round. To make the most of the interior space a column gear change was used.
In line with the post war British export drive, virtually the total output was exported for the first two years of production and only in 1950 did significant home market deliveries start.
An estate car joined the range in 1950 and, for Belgium only, some convertibles were made by the Impéria coachbuilding company. The body was updated in 1952 with a lower bonnet line and wider rear window.
The car was capable of reaching 80 mph with a 0-60 mph time of 25 seconds.
[edit] Vanguard Phase II
| Standard Vanguard Phase II | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1952-1956 81,074 made |
| Body style | saloon, estate car |
| Engine | 2088 cc Straight-4 2092 cc Straight 4 Diesel |
| Transmission | Three speed manual Overdrive optional. |
| Wheelbase | 94 inches (2388 mm) |
| Length | 168 inches (4267 mm) |
| Width | 69 inches (1753 mm) |
An extensive re-design making the saloon into a traditional 3 box design was announced for the Phase II in 1952. Mecahnically there were few changes but the clutch changed from cable to hydraulic operation and the engine compression ratio increased to 7.2:1. Wider 6.00x16 tyres were fitted to improve road holding.
In February 1954 Standard became the first British car maker to offer a diesel engine as a factory fitted option. The chassis was stiffened to take the weight of the heavier engine and performance suffered with 65 mph about the top speed. 1973 were made.
[edit] Vanguard Phase III, Sporstman and Ensign
| Standard Vanguard Phase III, Sporstman and Ensign | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1955-1958 37,194 Phase III, 901 Sportsman, 18,852 Ensign and 2318 Ensign de-luxe made |
| Body style | saloon, estate car |
| Engine | 2088 cc Straight-4 (Phase III) 1670 and 2138 cc (Ensign) |
| Transmission | Four speed manual Overdrive optional automatic from 1957. |
| Wheelbase | 102 inches (2591 mm) |
| Length | 172 inches (4369 mm) |
| Width | 68 inches (1727 mm) |
The Phase III was a radical change with the elimination of the separate chassis. There was an overlap in availability of the old model with the Phase II estate continuing into 1956. The front suspension was bolted to a substantial sub-frame which also carried the recirculating ball steering gear.
The new body was lower and had an increased glass area making it look much more modern and the old two piece flat windscreen gave way to a one piece curved design. The wheelbase increased by 8 inches (200 mm) giving much better passenger accommodation. The heater was now a standard fitting.
The car was lighter than the superseded model and the gearing was changed to deliver better economy with performance virtually unchanged.
A performance model, the Vanguard Sportsman was announced in August 1956 with a tuned engine having several features seen on the Triumph TR3 sports car. These included an increased compression ratio to 8.0:1, twin SU carburettors and improved pistons. The final drive ratio was lowered to 4.55:1 to give better acceleration. Just 901 examples of the Sporstman model were made up to 1958.
A basic model, the Ensign, with 1670 cc engine was announced in October 1957 and this continued to use the basic Vanguard body shell after the Vanguard itself was replaced by the Michelotti restyle. Many were bought by the Royal Air Force and in total 18,852 were made. A de-luxe version followed in 1962 and 1963 with larger 2138 cc engine.
[edit] Vanguard Vignale
| Standard Vanguard Vignale | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1958-1961 26,672 made |
| Body style | saloon, estate car |
| Engine | 2088 cc Straight-4 |
| Transmission | Four speed manual Overdrive optional automatic |
| Wheelbase | 102 inches (2591 mm) |
| Length | 172 inches (4369 mm) |
| Width | 68 inches (1727 mm) |
| Designer | Giovanni Michelotti |
A face lift of the Phase III was designed by Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti in 1958. The windscreen and rear window were deeper, there was a new front grille and rear light clusters. A floor change for the manual gearbox was now an option.
[edit] Vanguard Six
| Standard Vanguard Six | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1960-1963 9953 made |
| Body style | saloon, estate car |
| Engine | 1991 cc Straight-6 |
| Transmission | Three or four speed manual Overdrive optional automatic |
| Wheelbase | 102 inches (2591 mm) |
| Length | 172 inches (4369 mm) |
| Width | 68 inches (1727 mm) |
| Designer | Giovanni Michelotti |
The last of the Vanguards featured a six cylinder engine as fitted to the Triumph 2000. The compression ratio was 8.0:1 and twin Solex carburettors were fitted giving an output of 80 bhp at 4500 rpm. Externally the only differences from the Vignalle were the badging but the interior was updated.
[edit]
Both the Ensign and the Vanguard were replaced in 1963 by the Triumph 2000 and the Standard name disappeared from the British market after 60 years.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- A-Z of cars of 1945-1970. Michael Sedgwick and Mark Gillies. Bay View Books 1986. ISBN 1-870979-39-7
- British Family Cars of the Fifties. Michael Allen. Haynes Publishing. 1985. ISBN 0-85429-471-6
