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Photographs of a Standard Vanguard Phase 1Firstly, 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.
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. 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. Estate & light commercial versions of the Vanguard were also available, again powered by the 2088cc engine. A diesel-powered car was also introduced. 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."
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