Standard Vanguard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Standard Vanguard | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | Standard Motor Company |
| Production | 1947-1963 |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | Triumph 2000 |
The Standard Vanguard was a car produced by the Standard Motor Company in Coventry 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. It was also the first model to carry the new Standard badge which was a heavily-stylised representation of the wings of a Griffin[1]. The styling of the car resembled the pre-war Plymouth with a sloping "beetle-back". Russian media claimed that styling of this car had been in part influenced by Russian GAZ-M20 Pobeda, which had been in development from 1943 and went into production in 1946.
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 (3.3 in) bore and 92 mm (3.6 in) 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.
In Scandinavia Standard marketed the Standard Ten saloon as the Vanguard Junior.
Contents |
[edit] Vanguard Phase I
| Standard Vanguard Phase I | |
|---|---|
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| Production | 1947-1953 174,799 made |
| Body style(s) | saloon, estate car |
| Engine(s) | 2088 cc Straight-4 2092 cc Diesel from 1954 |
| Transmission(s) | Three speed manual Overdrive optional from 1950. |
| Wheelbase | 94 in (2388 mm)[2] |
| Length | 166 in (4216 mm)[2] |
| Width | 69 in (1753 mm)[2] |
| Height | 64 in (1626 mm)[2] |
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. The Vanguard was intended to achieve export sales- with a particular focus on Australia. During the immediate post war period, cars were in short supply, creating a "seller's market." The availability of the Vanguard meant that it had willing buyers.
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.
A Diesel option was introduced for both the saloons and estate cars in 1954 fitted with a four cylinder 40 bhp engine. This was the first British private car to have a factory Diesel option.[3]
A car tested by The Motor magazine in 1949 had a top speed of 78.7 mph (126.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 21.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.9 miles per imperial gallon (12.3 L/100 km/19.1 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £671 including taxes. [2]
In 1954 the same magazine tested the Diesel version and recorded a top speed of 66.2 mph (106.5 km/h) acceleration from 0-50 mph (80 km/h) in 31.6 seconds and a fuel consumption of 37.5 miles per imperial gallon (7.53 L/100 km/31.2 mpg US). The test car, which had overdrive, cost £1099 including taxes. [4]
 'Beetle-back' Standard Vanguard Phase 1A |
[edit] Vanguard Phase II
| Standard Vanguard Phase II | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1953-1956 81,074 made |
| Body style(s) | saloon, estate car |
| Engine(s) | 2088 cc Straight-4 2092 cc Straight 4 Diesel |
| Transmission(s) | Three speed manual Overdrive optional. |
| Wheelbase | 94 in (2,400 mm)[5] |
| Length | 168 in (4,300 mm)[5] |
| Width | 69 in (1,800 mm)[5] |
An extensive re-design making the saloon into a traditional three-box "notch-back" design was announced for the Phase II first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1953[5]. Mechanically there were few changes but the clutch changed from cable to hydraulic operation and the engine compression ratio increased to 7.2:1. The previously fitted anti-roll bar was no longer used. Wider 6.00x16 tyres were fitted to improve road holding.
A car, without the optional overdrive, that was tested by The Motor magazine had a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 19.9 seconds. A fuel consumption of 23.5 miles per gallon(imperial) was recorded.[5]
A car tested by The Motor magazine had a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 19.9 seconds. A fuel consumption of 23.5 mpg–imp (12.02 L/100 km / 19.6 mpg–U.S.) was recorded.[5]
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 (105 km/h) about the top speed. Like the petrol engines, the diesel was a Standard-built '20C' engine developed for the Ferguson tractor. Whilst diesels fitted to the tractor were restricted to 2200 rpm and developed 25 horsepower (19 kW), road-going engines in Vanguards had no limiter and so produced 60 horsepower (45 kW) at 3800 rpm. However, they retained the tractor's 'Ki-Gass', de-compressor and over-fuelling systems, all of which had to be manually operated when starting the engine from cold. 1973 diesel Vanguards were made.
[edit] Vanguard Phase III, Sportsman and Ensign
| Standard Vanguard Phase III, Sportsman and Ensign | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1955-1958 37,194 Phase III, 901 Sportsman, 18,852 Ensign and 2318 Ensign de-luxe made[3] |
| Body style(s) | saloon, estate car |
| Engine(s) | 2088 cc Straight-4 (Phase III) 1670 and 2138 cc (Ensign) |
| Transmission(s) | Four speed manual Overdrive optional automatic from 1957. |
| Wheelbase | 102.5 in (2604 mm)[6] |
| Length | 172 in (4369 mm)[6] |
| Width | 67.5 in (1715 mm)[6] |
| Height | 61.5 in (1562 mm)[6] |
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 2088 cc engine with its single Solex downdraught carburettor produced 68 bhp. The front suspension was independent using coil springs and was bolted to a substantial sub-frame which also carried the recirculating ball steering gear. Semi elliptic leaf springs were used on the rear axle. Lockheed hydraulic brakes with 9 in (229 mm) drums were fitted front and rear. The four speed gearbox had a column change and the optional overdrive was operated by a switch on the dash.
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 in (203 mm) giving much better passenger accommodation. The heater was now a standard fitting. Bench seats were fitted in front and rear with folding centre arm rests. They were covered in Vynide with leather available as an option.
The car was lighter than the superseded model and the gearing was changed to deliver better economy with performance virtually unchanged.
A car with overdrive was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956. It had a top speed of 83.7 mph (134.7 km/h), could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 21.7 seconds and had a fuel consumption of 25.9 miles per imperial gallon (10.9 L/100 km/21.6 mpg US). The test car cost £998 including taxes. [6]
[edit] Vanguard Sportsman
A performance model, intended to be badged as the Triumph Renown until shortly before launch, the Vanguard Sportsman was announced in August 1956 with a tuned 90 bhp 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 and larger 10 in (254 mm) drums fitted to the brakes. The standard version had a bench front seat but separate seats were an option.
Just 901 examples of the Sportsman model were made up to 1958.
A Sportsman with overdrive was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956 and they recorded a top speed of 90.7 mph (146.0 km/h), acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 19.2 seconds and a fuel consumption of 25.6 miles per imperial gallon (11.0 L/100 km/21.3 mpg US). The test car cost £1231 including taxes. [7]
[edit] Standard Ensign
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(s) | saloon, estate car |
| Engine(s) | 2088 cc Straight-4 |
| Transmission(s) | 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(s) | saloon, estate car |
| Engine(s) | 1991 cc Straight-6 |
| Transmission(s) | 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 subsequently fitted to the Triumph 2000. The compression ratio was 8.0:1 and twin Solex carburettors were fitted giving an output of 80 bhp (60 kW) at 4500 rpm. Externally the only differences from the Vignale were the badging but the interior was updated.
[edit] The End
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] Models
- Dinky Toys made a model of the Phase I.
- Corgi Toys included a model of the Phase III in their early range.
[edit] References
- ^ The Standard Car Review January 1947
- ^ a b c d e "The Standard Vanguard Road Test" (1949). The Motor.
- ^ a b Sedgwick, M.; Gillies.M (1986). A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-39-7.
- ^ "The Standard Diesel Vanguard" (November 10 1954). The Motor.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Phase II Standard Vanguard Road Test" (March 11 1953). The Motor.
- ^ a b c d e "The Standard Vanguard III" (June 20 1956). The Motor.
- ^ "The Standard Sportsman" (September 5 1956). The Motor.
- British Family Cars of the Fifties. Michael Allen. Haynes Publishing. 1985. ISBN 0-85429-471-6
[edit] External links
