"Announced in July 1947, this car was completely new, with no resemblance to the previous models, and, designed in 1945, it was Standard's first post Second World War car and intended for export around the world. It was also the first model to carry the new Standard badge, which was a heavily stylised representation of the wings of a griffin. In the wake of the Second World War, many potential customers in the UK and in English speaking export markets had recently experienced several years of military or naval service, and therefore a car name related to the British Navy carried a greater resonance than it would for later generations. The name of the Standard Vanguard recalled HMS Vanguard, the last of the British Navy's battleships, launched in 1944 amid much media attention permission to use the name involved extensive negotiations with senior Royal Navy personnel. The styling of the car was intentionally modelled on American lines by Walter Belgrave. The Phase II was introduced in March 1953 at the Geneva Motor Show and was the first British car maker to offer a diesel engine as a factory fitted option.
This good 1954 Standard Vanguard Phase II saloon was purchased in 2017 by a specialist hire company who supply vehicles to film and television production companies. Over the following year they checked through the mechanics and overhauled the brakes. In lovely unrestored condition throughout, it still has several original features including a period radio, roof clock and fold down roof radio aerial. Finished in grey with red interior this Phase II Vanguard is supplied with a UK V5C registration document, an MoT test certificate which expires in November 2021, invoices between 2017 and 2018, a handbook and a workshop manual on a CD Rom. A car to look out for in the background when watching 1950’s and 60’s period productions on your television."