A CAR FOR THE WORLD

Mark Denton's 1952 Standard Vanguard Phase 1A Estate evokes a lost motoring realm of pipe-smoking drivers negotiating fog-strewn B-roads. Arguably more importantly, it is also a prime example of the UK's first attempt at a World Car.

ANDREW ROBERTS

When the original Vanguard Phase 1, named after the Royal Navy's last-ever battleship, debuted in July 1947, it caused considerable interest. The 1941 Plymouth inspired the bodywork, while the engine was related to (but definitely not the same as!) the Ferguson tractor unit. Mark points out that it replaced every previous Standard, and was created for the Export or Die era – in the late 1940s, British car manufacturers reserved the bulk of their production for overseas markets, and to be eligible for a steel quota the government required them to export 75% of their output. Standard proclaimed the Vanguard was 'Made in Britain; Designed for the World.' When production commenced in May 1948, power was from a 2088cc unit. The following year, Motor Sport regarded the Vanguard as possessing…

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Classics World (Digital) - 1 Issue, August 2024

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