Photographs of a Standard Vanguard Phase

Source - http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/vanguard.htm

Firstly, a Standard Vanguard seen parked in France, with a period roofrack fitted on top.

Quite why this black Vanguard is photographed outside a Gendarmerie Nationale (police station) is anyone's guess, although judging by all the closed shutters on the ground floor it is either their day off, or not used too often! The furthermost window has some sturdy bars at the window, so presumably the local mobsters get thrown in their to cool off. The Standard looks to be in jolly good, and clean, condition. Auxiliary fog/spot lamps are fitted to the front, as are one or two motoring organisation badges. Also visible is an optional rearview mirror fitted to the passenger's front wing, and one of those smart directional spotlamps fitted to the scuttle on the drivers side, that can be angled to illuminate roadsigns at night. I think the registration is JWK 246. What is really weird is that I bought that photo with a collection some time ago, and more recently I purchased another batch, and a photo of what looks like the exact same Standard Vanguard was included, and now shown below. Everything seems to match - roof rack, extra lamps including one fitted to the driver's screen pillar, and even the small part of registration plate that is visible, seems to be the same. The style of photograph, with the crinkly edge, also matched the first photograph.

Background to the Vanguard Phase 1. The Phase 1 first saw light of day in 1947, just two years after WW2. Its distinctive styling echoed shades of American design thinking, with its swooping tail and front end chromework. Standards were not yet using monocoque construction, but other elements of the car's design were up-to-date, including a fully synchromesh 'box and hydraulic braking system (rivals such as the A40 from Austin were still hydro-mechanical at the time). The replacement Phase 2 Vanguard came along in '52 and had a more conventional 3 box saloon body (there is also a publicity photo of a Phase 2 here).

Estate & light commercial versions of the Vanguard were also available, again powered by the 2088cc engine. A diesel-powered car was also introduced.

2. Another Phase 1 Vanguard, this time in New Zealand. Hans sent me some old photographs, including this one that shows an early (1952) Vanguard parked alongside an old caravan: "This pic is of my wife's grandfather's 1952 Vanguard. He was a mechanic for the local Vanguard agents, and bought the car when it was just a year old off a customer. He kept it right through to the early 70's, and replaced it with a Herald. The caravan was also his, and my wife and I actually used this for our honeymoon."

3. Phase 1 Standard Vanguard reg. JTR 467. David emailed over some great black and white photos, and amongst them were these two cracking images, both showing a "beetleback" Phase 1 Vanguard that his father owned. The photos were taken in 1954. Thanks David :-)

4. Standard Vanguard Phase 1a. The next Vanguard photo to materialise is this period shot of a Phase 1a Vanguard of 1952. The 1a differed from the Phase 1 in a number of ways, most obvious being the revised grille treatment (similar to that seen on the Phase 2 of 1953). The revised bonnet line, and enlarged rear window, were also modifications introduced with the Phase 1a. This one is registered FJN 541, a Southend-on-Sea number, and has been treated to a large pair of auxiliary front lamps, and a roof rack not unlike that shown on the car at the top of this page. Note the radio aerial above the car's windscreen, turned to the passenger side to avoid the material sat on the roof rack.

5. A Phase 1 parked near a Ford lorry. The photograph of SXA 730 turned up in June 2009, and like most photos on this page features a Phase 1 Vanguard rather than the 1a. The chrome bumpers and overriders on this car don't look particularly good, so I'm guessing it was a few years old when the photo was taken. In the background is a Thames Trader.

6. A Phase 1 parked in a field. HDU 404 is another Phase 1 Vanguard, this one captured in a field with many other vehicles (cars, motorcycles and sidecars) parked in the distance. A "PRESS" pass is just visible on the passenger side windscreen, but I've not been able to make out the remainder of the writing. Comparing the various Vanguard photographs, it's interesting how many variations of bonnet mascot were fitted - and the car below has none at all! I suspect this is quite an early example, as there are no small sidelights either. The HDU registration code was used in Coventry from 1948 onwards.

7. A Phase 1a Vanguard. Les kindly emailed over this next shot, featuring a Standard Vanguard in facelifted Phase 1a guise. The registration LUF 558 suggests that this car's early motoring career was spent in and around the streets of Brighton. The owner would appear to have been a keen motorist. Not only does it sport extra lamps and a conversion to flashing indicators (supplementing the original semaphores), but there are also badges for the AA and The Company of Veteran Motorists (or CVM, later known as GEM - Guild of Experienced Motorists). A wireless and aerial have also been installed.

(Please click the thumbnail to view full-size image.)

8. Standard parked in London. This next photo, taken in London, features a Phase 1 Vanguard and a real assortment of pre- and post-war classics. The Standard is parked behind an unidentified pre-war car, and behind it is a (now-scarce) Bedford PC van. Behind the van is, I think, a Mk1 Consul, and an E-Series Vauxhall. A similar Vauxhall is parked on the opposite side of the road, along with an Austin A40 Somerset, and a 1937/1938 Ford 7W "Ten".

9. 1950s suburbia. Gregory posted a number of older photos onto his Facebook page, this being one of them. In it, a light-coloured Phase 1a Vanguard stars, in a typical suburban street of the 1950s. The grille confirms that it's a Phase 1a rather than a 1. Other than the presence of an AA badge, a pair of wing mirrors and a spotlamp, it's in factory-original condition. Great photo, thanks for allowing me to share it here.

10. A re-painted (two-tone) Phase 1 Vanguard. My thanks to David Hunt, who hails from Severn Beach, for providing this next batch of Standard Vanguard photographs. The car, registration ZJ 5339, was bought and subsequently modified, by his father, who was very much a hands-on car enthusiast. The first photograph though is of the family cat, Pickles, perched upon the Phase 1's bonnet. The original style of grille is clearly visible here, something that would go on to be altered by David's father, as later photographs will demonstrate.

Here's the proud owner, stood alongside his prized motor-car.

A rear three-quarter view of the car, note the GB badge affixed to one of the rear bumper overriders.

David's father was a plumber and decorator by trade, but could turn his hand to many practical projects. Apparently he always re-sprayed the cars he owned, the Vanguard included. Firstly, he re-sprayed it in a two-tone colour scheme, then had much of the brightwork re-chromed, and removed every other horizontal bar in the grille, to aid cleaning and polishing. The finished result is shown below. Thanks for the photos David.

While serving in the RAF, David had chance to drive a number of Vanguard pickups. Photos of these RAF vehicles may be found here.

11. A Phase 1a parked in an English street. Keith provided this next photo. In it, his father's Phase 1a Vanguard (MHP 267) is shown parked at the side of a quiet road. This classic example of 1950's family transport shares the roadside with two other stalwarts of the post-war British motoring scene - a Ford 103E Popular (note the period windscreen demister fitted), a car produced throughout the 1950s but with its roots firmly implanted in the pre-war era, and a Morris Oxford MO.

12. To Belgium, and an early Phase 1. My thanks to Bruno for this next Vanguard photo. The story behind the car, and the people shown with it, isn't known sadly. The grille confirms that it's a Phase 1 Vanguard, and the addition of two spotlamps, plus a roof-mounted radio aerial, suggest that the owner liked to add a few personal touches to their car. Apparently these LHD, Belgian-market, cars were assembled at the former Imperia Automobiles factory, until Standard built a dedicated factory for the purpose. Very interesting to see, thanks for sending it over Bruno.

13. A Phase 1 in July 1949. Mike kindly provided the next brace of Standard Vanguard photographs. He took them in July of 1949. Given that the bulk of production was destined for export at the time, anyone in the UK lucky enough to be able to buy a shiny brand new Phase 1 was fortunate indeed. What a belter. Note the roof-mounted radio aerial above the (split) windscreen, pointing downwards between the two panes of flat glass. Thanks for the photos Mike!

Return to Motoring Photographs Page 2.

An interesting account of a Vanguard subjected to a gruelling trial in the Swiss Alps, to promote the car'srugged and reliable design, can be found on this page in the collectables section.