Standard Vanguard Phase 2 - the forgotten 1950s British classic car!
Today's video is about the Standard Vanguard phase 2 - let me know what you think and don't forget to like and subscribe for future videos on mid-century cars
To offer your classic vehicle for a test please email idriveaclassic@gmail.com
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Standard Vanguard Phase 2
The Vanguard when it came to market with the phase one was sold with the strapline ‘made for Britain, designed for the world’ and as we explained in the phase one video, it really was a car which went worldwide - partially due to the quality and partially because what was then the British empire allowed for selling favourably into markets across the world with relative ease.
However, there might’ve been advantages to market entry, but the car deserved the success it received and on the back of the success of the phase 1, Standard came to market with the phase 2, which is what we’re driving here today.
The car was made from 1953 to 1955 and in those few short years, around 81 thousand cars were sold worldwide and those sales were probably helped somewhat by the easing of the steel shortages and UK home market wait times for new vehicle purchasing. Those who had lusted after a Phase 1 had much more chance of getting a Phase 2.
The phase 1 had benefitted from a facelift in 1952 and badged as the Phase 1a - the phase 2 saw the front end not receive too many changes but the real styling updates were to be found to the rear of the vehicle.
The new back end of the car meant the boot space now offered 50% more room - which you’ll see in today’s video the owner has utilised for all his camping and rally supplies.
You’ll probably also note the back window is bigger than the Phase 1, which really does improve the driving experience, visibility wise. The styling of this back end is referred to as the Ponton three-box notch back styling.
However, this wasn’t the biggest scoop of all for the Phase 2 - it was actually the addition to the range in 1954, which was the diesel engine option.
This made the Phase 2 the first British car to be offered as both a petrol and diesel and this was made possible by the Ferguson tractor side of the business. Standard took the 20c Ferguson engine and removed the limiter and gave Standard buyers something new.
If you’re wondering how that panned out performance wise, the diesel variant got a top speed of around 66.2 miles per hour against 80 odd for the petrol variant and the 0-50 for the diesel cars was around 10 seconds slower. The MPG was noticeably different however, with the diesel offering 37.5 miles per imperial gallon against 23.5 for the petrol cars.
The petrol engine, the 2088cc Standard engine, was the same as the phase 1. It was an entirely known unit as it had also been used in the TE20 tractors and other Standards of the era. In fact, it’s worth mentioning this engine was so hardy, it even won Standard the 1955 Redex 10,500 miles round Australia test - the world’s longest and toughest car trial of the era.
The car was replaced by the Standard Vanguard phase 3.
Today, these Standards are still fondly thought of by many who remember them and they’re well represented at today’s rally. However, for a car manufacturer which was once respected worldwide, it seems such a shame the name was phased out and is not more commonplace in the classic car world today.
Пікірлер: 95
Very good video Steph. These were excellent cars. This drive has also demonstrated how unnecessarily over complicated modern cars are. You have everything you need to drive the car without useless gimmicks we get inundated with in modern cars. I really believe that so much stuff now distracts the driver rather than helps.
The Vanguard engine was a tough cookie, used by Morgan and Triumph as well as Ferguson in their tractors.
We used to visit an aunt in Yorkshire around 1960, and she would sometimes insist on ordering a taxi to collect us from the station. It was usually a Phase 2 just like this, but in a metallic silver-blue colour if I remember correctly. There were some steep hills involved and I don't think we saw third gear much....
When I was young I used to bum around in an antiquated Vanguard Phase 3 - which was quite a handsome car with its Itailan styling, and certainly very useable and reliable.
I must say the Vanguard looks much better today than I thought it did when I was a kid, if that makes sense. As for column changes, they're easy enough, I've owned two cars which had them, a Mk3 Zephyr 6 and a Renault 16 and both were lovely
@adoreslaurel
28 күн бұрын
I remember as a kid when they were new on the road in Australia, one I remember has a column shift but the shift lever was on the right hand side which made it look as if it had been intended to go to a LHD country but someone put the steering column on the right.
Great review steph👍 when i was 7 or 8 i used to be allowed to shift the column gears in our old holden, my dad would put his foot on the clutch and i was expected and did indeed know which gear to chage into, all from the safety of the middle front seat.
That’s one nice looking car! Reminds me of a micro Hudson hornet… Great video Steph! Keep up the great work!
@idriveaclassic
Ай бұрын
Thank you!
@lennyh500
Ай бұрын
Think it was "inspired" by a Plymouth. Post war Standard had no money so a delegation was sent to the Earls Court Motor Show for a design to rip off.
@briandawkins984
Ай бұрын
Actually the design crew went to the American Embassy in London to look at early ‘50’s Plymouth cars to copy the design.
My Dad had the Diesel Estate version of the Vanguard. I remember it had 2 batteries. One was in the boot. I was born in ‘55, and remember sittingbon the arm rest in the front. (How safe was that !)
Loved my 1960 6 cyl. Vanguard back in 1975. Wish I had it now.
On my late Phase 1 the overdrive was only on 3rd & was switched by pulling the column shift towards you.
Starting a classic British car from the 1950s is such an occasion and my memories from the 1960s our next door neighbour had a Standard Vanguard station wagon it is when l lived in Dubbo N.S.W and our neighbour worked in a Tyre shop and he had to travel down to Sydney probably on business and coming back from Sydney and around Wellington N.S.W he hit a horse he wasn't injured and he would have not have been wearing a seat belt and the only damage to the Vanguard station wagon was a broken windscreen they were solid cars do that in a modern car and it would have been written off and probably un drivable
6:40 that radio is for VHF/FM and Medium wave, Steph - it looks to be a German-market Blaupunkt (the 'U' denotes 'Ultra-Kurzwellen')
@gustavoangelero4068
Ай бұрын
Y esa is a German made Blaupunkt. Blue dot.
The Vanguard diesel engine was used to convert all the London taxis btw. I was an apprentice at Standard Triumph back in 1973, doing a stint in the engine shop. I was amazed to see a run of cylinder heads without combustion chambers. I was informed these were for the spares department some 20 years after initial production ‼️
My dad bought a new one of these in about 1955 reg RTJ162 when I was a small child. I think it was blue metalllic. He did many business miles in it and kept it till 1957 when the Suez crisis and petrol rationing forced a change to a new Standard 10 reg TVR402 to get more miles from his petrol coupons. And of course he always wore his trilby when driving.
Fifties cars are a bit before my time, but I do remember Standards growing up in the sixties though I don't remember specific models. I know a mate of mine had a father who swore by Standards and probably owned one of these even into the 70s. Great video again, very entertaining.
Deffo agree with your words Steph...sedate is the wrong place for a classic vehicle. They belong on the roads, you've just gotta spread the word to the people of Britain who ignorantly and carelessly turn their heads away from those classic vehicle buffs like you and me who have these expensive books that there are many old classic car brands out there-not just Volkswagens.
I was a passenger in one of these cars on a rural highway in Southland, New Zealand when the lady driving got distracted by the 10 year old boys squabbling in the back seat and turned slightly to look at them...drifting the car over the centreline and hitting a Mk3 Zephyr coming in the opposite direction. It was a glancing blow that carved a groove in all the right hand side panels and doors of the MK3 from front to rear shouldering it off the road and into a ditch. The Vanguard rocked a little and returned to it's side of the road...of course stopping to render assistance.... I examined the Vanguard for damage. There was a 2 inch scuff in the paint on the front right wing.....
@johntaylor8822
26 күн бұрын
Yes they were built like a tank!
Been watching your videos for a while now Steph and never disappointed.
@idriveaclassic
Ай бұрын
You’re too kind. Thank you!
Apparently USA market viewed the term "Standard" as "basic", hence Standard was dropped for the Triumph branding.
The Standard name was phased out in Britain but remained in India until 2006.
I had a phase 2 back in the 60s , a 1955 model and it was my first car and I passed my driving test in it . Great car to drive and pulled like a train . Happy memories of a great era . Cheers , Dave H
I never really appreciated just what a great range of nicely driving cars Standard made before these review videos, I was aware of them but had no experience of them. Thanks Steph, back then I would had the Companion, that's a lovely little car, the Vanguards are too big for my needs.
Another terrific informative video Steph.
@idriveaclassic
Ай бұрын
Thank you!
A good solid family car the Standard reviewed here. Plenty of boot space unlike the early Standard 8 Which didn't even have a boot lid this is more the top end if you like and with overdrive. One thing you need to remember is there were few motorway miles to be had when this car was new but I think it would hold its own against other cars of the time. Thanks to Bob for lending you the Car Steph and thank you for doing this review. 👍👍
As a rule, Standard seem to be pretty forgotten full stop - which is a pity. I would love a boot-less 8. You mentioned waiting times for new vehicles - I have some electrical trade magazines of the late 40s/early 50s where dealers/traders were mentioning having finally got their new van after a three year wait...
@KiwiCatherineJemma
29 күн бұрын
In New Zealand I remember old people telling how previously there was a 2 to 3 year waiting list for new cars, back in the 1960's or so. No colour choice or choice of sedan or station waggon model either. If the new car dealer phoned up and said he had a car for you, you got that car, or went back to the bottom of the waiting list. A person could short-cut the years long queue if they had a substantial portion of the purchase price in "overseas funds" which could not be bought easily locally. But if a person had say an inheritance from a British relative, for example. As a young adult in the 1970's just before restrictions were removed, Kiwis travelling overseas were limited to changing into foreign currency the equivalent of NZ $1,000 per month they would be away. And that money had to pay for overseas hotel and rental car etc. So most folks tried to pre-book those costs through the travel agent when they bought their ticket, so they could keep the whole $1,000 worth of exchanged spending money while away. Early 1980's I wanted USA $ 15 money order to pay for an annual membership and newsletter to a specialist plant growers club. I had to fill out both sides of a full page document at the post office and never saw the actual money order. They would send it directly to a post office "somewhere near" the club's mailing address in USA and I had to write to them and ask them to check out their local post offices for a money order, payable in US dollars, on my behalf. I always wanted a US one dollar note for my children's hobby, ie not really valuable, foreign coin collection. But banks refused to sell me even one USA dollar note unless I showed them air tickets for travel to America ! Those were the days.
Very nice car Steph and I feel I need to compliment you on your excellent push pull steering 👍🏻
Lovely car Steph, thanks for sharing 😊👍
@idriveaclassic
Ай бұрын
Thanks!
Lovely video Steph, I've got to say the cars from new 50's have something modern cars lack, personality and style something lacking in modern cars
Luvly motor, I'd need a trilby though
@philhawley1219
Ай бұрын
And smoking a pipe!
Beautiful location and roads and no hat required!
Steph checked for gears in neutral incorrectly, On a column change, you ensure its in neutral by moving the lever toward and away from you, not up and down. This guarantees you are in neutral. Steph's method could leave you in a gear, depending on how worn the linkages and gears are.
I remember at school a teacher had one of these and what a robust car it was .
I had a P2 in Wellington in the mid 60s. Superb motor that could go anywhere. Friend of mine in Newcastle, NSW also had one that he used to tow his trailer off-road.
That's the fastest-responding overdrive I've ever seen. Every other video of a car of this age where it's fitted and working, there's a half-second or so delay before it engages. One day I'll find out what the last car available in the UK to be fitted with an overdrive was. I suspect it was an early 1980s Volvo 200 series with the push-button on top of the gear lever. One of my teachers at kiddie school had one. And no, I'm not counting the Mitsubishi Super Shift, that gets lumped in with 4×4 low-ratio gearboxes (even if it's a high-ratio in this case) rather than overdrive.
As I was driving around NSW Australia recently I came across a Black Vanguard with all the members badges. And took a photo as they were Filling Up.
G'day to again to you Steph! REDEX now your Talking, when Rallies were Rallies, dont know if you have seen Footage, well worth it ,there is a lot on YT! Perth West Aust.
There were a lot more phase:1's in New Zealand, didn't see a lot of phase:2's as I recall. Both lovely cars 👍.
I miss a column change transmission Love you vids keep up the good work
Excellent commentary on the Vanguard and great video footage.
Hi Steph, nice car, my dad had one when I was a kid, so quite nostalgic! My only criticism is, many of us came up with column change and are very familiar with it. It does sound a bit patronising… other than that, nice car, nice video👍
They look a strong car. I wouldn't say its pretty, but it looks great, family transport . Thanks Steph for taking us around in it....
Vanguard in Australia was underrated , even though it proved itself in the early Redex around Australia trails. One problem with the first Series was that the valve stems and heads were made in two pieces. So at about 90,000 miles one would seperate and embed itself in the head. An easy fix with the wet cylinder bore. The solution was to fit three series 2 valves ( named a Spacemaster in Australia). But a great solid car overall. But had to compete against the recently released all Australian car the Holden. Originally the Standard name was used as something to achieve toas in high standard, but in later years it was thought of as only a standard quality that needed improvement.
Very interesting! I couldn’t help but notice a couple of quirks… the near-inaccessible glove bin, and the keys hanging into the ash tray. But I suppose that’s part of the Standard’s charm. 😊 Thanks as always!
You must come to Australia and try the GMH 48/215 ( FX ) and the FJ. FX was not the official designation. Great videos of great cars. Mom's dad had a Ford Pilot V8 would love to see a review.
Nice car and suits you. Very stylish
Hello Steph, what a great car to review! Smooth ride and what an easy gearchange! Best wishes from Lincolnshire
I really love when you drive the cars, Steph. Saludos desde Montevideo.
Laurie Whitehead in a VW won the 56 Redex Trial. A Vanguard may have been a class winner. We never got diesel Ghansvards here in Oz. Petrols only over the whole range, Our family cars over most of the 50s early 60s were Ph1 sedan and ute. Spacemaster sedan and ute. All quite rusted by 10 y/o[ and bought very cheaply] and generally falling apart. Still worked ok except for mums favourite!! problem the jamming gearshifts. She had a hammer under the seat to unlock it! The Ph1 ute ended up as my first car,, paddock basher only. The overdrive was an option, rare in Oz. We ended up with one less gearbox which was taken for the overdrive. Mounted a tramcar compressor in it and used it to blow water out of a bore. Worked well though it boiled dry a few times running overnight watering vines. Best to be a little cautious in someone elses car! I am never likely to buy one but from my memories of 50 years ago those things would be acceptable in modern traffic. As would Zephyrs, Vauxhall 6s, etc that were around in my youth,
@idriveaclassic
Ай бұрын
I think I said 1955? I’m pretty confident this information is correct because I got it from a standard motor group brochure covering the range. Brochure was from 55/56. Hope this helps 😊
Great video Steph !!
My first car was column-change - a Renault 16. I really miss that car and I find column change really easy to use. As regards trafficators, you can now get flashing orange LEDs for them which may help the more cerebrally-challenged drivers out there.
Your reviews / tests are well produced and interesting. Thanks!
Lovely mellow exhaust note.
It's interesting with even post war 40's and 50's US cars, the Independents, Fords offered Warner Overdrives. Chrysler offered them Pre-War but didn't pick them up again in Dodges and Plymouths until 1952. My 1949 Studebaker Commander 6 Sedan has Overdrive and it was implemented to nearly eliminate gear changes once going. I can stay in top gear 3 and accelerate from 10mph back to 30 without shifting out of top gear then at 30 go into overdrive and cruise up to 70mph no problem. When you drive one of the old US cars with Overdrive in the city you realize that the rear axle gears and overdrive allowed you to drive without clutching and shifting unless you dropped below 10 mph! It was kinda like Automatic before it was commonly available! It looks like the British cars with overdrive were of similar performance. I have learned the UK built Ferguson tractors with the Standard Vanguard engines were actually better engines than the US made Fergusons with the Continental engines which tended to develop cracks in the heads and blocks!
What a nice car! I didn’t know there were Texaco stations overseas.
Good video. I've never liked Standard's styling though
There appears to be a knob to the left of the added-on looking ash tray. Sadly doesn't look like a lighter. I don't smoke but once started a fire with my car lighter when the matches got wet or camping! Now I keep one plugged into the boot socket just in case. I think it's from my Renault 16, which if course definitely had a lighter. My 1962 Lincoln had four of them.
Oh my, it means it takes around half a minute to get to highway speed with the diesel!
Excellent really.
Love van guards x
Love it
Forgotten? Not by me, but then , I remember" Fabian of the Yard".
Good video 👍👍
Worse thing car manufacturers did was stop fitting the gauges you mentioned on this video 🇬🇧🇮🇪.
Lovely tail lights, pity about the orange trailer indicator lights. I bet the reversing lights weren't wired in?
Please steph. You should make a video for the fiat 600. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE
The radio is a German Blaupunkt.
Looks like the rear wheels are about six inches too far forward. Less noticeable in the Phase 1 with full skirts.
you didn't sound too well steph in the vid? did you have a cold? I hope you get better soon x
Dont you need to put the clutch in selecting od on/off?
@idriveaclassic
Ай бұрын
No you don’t
@KiwiCatherineJemma
28 күн бұрын
It's actually smoother if you don't. Just partly letting off the accelerator pedal momentarily helps the upshift, in my past experience (of more years ago than I'd care to admit LOL).
Is it me, or should you turn using hand over hand technique and not feeding hand to hand? Maybe a US thing,love the English countryside with the narrow roads and tall hedgerows my Dad always had Britsh motorcycles BSA ect love your videos it allows to to experience English motoring
@stephenricketts7764
Ай бұрын
No, driving instructors will teach you to feed the steering wheel here in the UK. You would probably fail your test if you did hand over hand. My Dad had many BSA motorbikes in his younger days. He was born in the area of the factory as was I. You probably know this but BSA stands for Birmingham Small Arms hence the three rifles on the crank case. 👍
@danjacobs418
Ай бұрын
@stephenricketts7764 Yes, but I did think it was British small arms, but I learned later the correct name.we are taught hand over hand here in the states I do both but if I need to quickly maneuver its hand over hand. I'm envious. I wish I lived there
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I wonder how successful the diesel variant was.
@JohnSmith-pl2bk
Ай бұрын
Very for travelling salesmen that had to use it courtesy of the boss.....
So did Standard/ Triumph merge with Rootes Group or later with BMC or even later with BL?
@philhomer3563
24 күн бұрын
Standard bought out Triumph in 1944 and all postwar Triumphs were built by the Standard Motor Company, until Standard were bought out by Leyland lorries in 1961. Leyand became part of BLMC in 1968. BLMC became British LeylAnd and the rest is history. NOTHING LEFT.
@49commander
24 күн бұрын
@@philhomer3563 really sad story cause as a US car guy it seems like Standard / Triumph built even better cars than Austin and Morris. Plus they didn't fight with each other like Austin and Morris did as BMC? Too bad Standard/Triumph and the Roots Group didn't get together. Triumph cars are highly respected in the US too. In the US our worst merger was when Packard bought Studebaker. Due to stock distribution the old Studebaker board ended up controlling the company and quickly killed Packard after they took Packards cash to keep Studebaker afloat! Seems like short sighted management is a disease at car companies.
Looks American but it's British
The Vanguard was a very poor and unreliable car. My uncle had one and he had nothing but trouble with it
Ahead of its time for looks very American looking indeed like the ford anglia 105 e and the vauxhall pa velox😊😊😊 the phase 3 was a looker had a great looking front grill .