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

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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.