[karlosdeville]

We recently bought another project car - a 1966 Standard Herald Mark II. Inspired by a couple of excellent resto threads elsewhere on the forum, here is the story of ours.

First a brief introduction to the car itself. Standard Motors began selling the Michelotti designed stylish two door saloon (the Coupe name was reserved for a more rakish-roofed 2 seater version) in India around 1960 or 1961, from their premises in Madras. India was the only country to continue using the Standard name for the Herald (I guess given its positive brand equity with the preceding 8 and 10, as well as the more premium Vanguard range). Elsewhere in the world the car was badged a Triumph. Of course, we only got the entry level 948cc version. Still, the car was well received with its modern looks (compared to contemporary Fiats and Hindustans) and sporty handling. While it was still a traditional body on chassis construction, it sported independent suspension and a tight turning radius of just 25 feet.



Here is a list of changes in the model lifecycle - to the best of my knowledge, I could be wrong.

The initial models were offered in attractive two tone colours like signal red, conifer green or Winchester blue over sebring white. They also had plastic/fibre (?) dash boards with a large Jaeger speedo (usually light grey faced). The earliest cars had the boot lid 'Standard' script above the number plate light, later moving to the right side, diagonally. I call these models the Mark 1 A

A page from the owner's manual


They really looked smart in these colour schemes. Note the dual bulb park light.


The earliest dash boards


The 'mesh' vent on the early cars


The rear view - note the badge placement.


I guess around 1963 a few changes were offered with further localisation - namely a wooden dash with smaller Yenkay gauges and smaller parking lights. The two tone options were probably discontinued. Steering wheels were now black from the earlier grey. I call these models the Mark 1 B.

A page from the owner's manual


This is a 65 Mark 1 in Hyderabad, originally from the royal family of Dharampur. Completely original and preserved (including Phatom Grey paint), it has run only 5000kms, and is the best car for reference.


Note the badge placement moved to the right.


New dash with local instruments.


The ventilation grille at the top of the bonnet (base of the windscreen) was now a new louvered design


In 1966 (ish) came the first major facelift - the introduction of the Mark II. The front bonnet was now carried over from the six cylinder Vitesse, but with redesigned headlight clusters. The dual headlights gave way to a standard headlight, flanked by a parking light (to the Lucas L691 design) and a tiny indicator light. Badges at the rear now included 'Mark II' script (a part shared with the Amby Mark 2). The spare wheel earlier mounted in the boot was now probably mounted below. I don't think much else changed. Lets call this model the Mark II A.

A page from the owner's manual


The new front end on this lovely example. The smaller indicators should probably be tiny round white lenses. Power blue was a typical colour for these models.


Note the new Mark II script badge. Also note the accessory bumpers - Indian buyers have always loved extra chrome, and painted bumpers on the Herald would have not been that well received.


Here is a superb period photo showing the car with the hardtop removed (easy since it was fitted on bolts). Note the original small indicators.


Then came some more changes. In 1966 itself at some point the rear bootlid lost its recess, giving it a much more plain, unadorned look. The badges position moved to either side of the number plate light. The meter faces were now black from the earlier silver grey. The roof badges were deleted, and was replaced by a pressing. The Amby type hubcaps were probably replaced by the dimpled ones seen on Triumph cars. Lets call this the Mark II B.

New bootlid and badges placement


Deleted roof badges replaced by a pressing.


New black faced meters


New dimpled hubaps probably made their debut.


The final iteration of the Mark II got a new design roof (mainly the C pillar). No longer the slender design, this fat pillar combined with the flat bootlid really took away from the good looks of the Herald. Lets call this the Mark II C - I would date it around 1967.

Note another type of accessory rear bumpers.


Next came the biggest change - the introduction of the 4 door Mark III. Sold only in India, it makes this a somewhat rare model in the global scheme of things, though not really popular in India. I would love to have one though I guess these were introduced around 1968/69, and continued to the early 70s before they were replaced by the Gazel. Other changes included new design parking lights (incorporating the indicators), carried over from Mark 1 B. Also the bonnet badge was a new pressed aluminium design, and the Mark III script was now finally matching the 'Standard' script. The grille was also new, with a finer mesh design. Trim was introduced around the taillights (also seen on some Mark II Cs), and a new steering wheel was introduced, less dished.

A Mark III brochure.



Note the colours offered - Sebring White, Pwder Blue, Phantom Grey, Black and Confier Green. Also note standard tyres were 5.20 13, with optional 5.60 13 offered.






Here is a nice example with period accessories, hopefully being restored.




Note the Mark III script now matches the Standard script.


Interiors

[karlosdeville]

Our family has always been associated with Heralds starting with my grandfather who bought an early Mark 1 in Madras around 1961/62. It was Winchester Blue over Sebring White, and registered MSW 7662. I don't think they had it too long, and the car was soon sold, probably when they relocated, or maybe they got a hefty premium for it considering the waiting period.

My grandfather proudly posing with his Herald. All we have left of the car is the AASI badge and a custom gearknob we fabricated. And the tie he is wearing


The whole family - faithful companions included - of the canine and automotive variety. Note the broad white walls. The car must really have looked great when new.




My dad striking a pose. He would often switch the tyres inside out for a new look.


He went on to buy his own Herald later on - his first car infact. It was a 1966/67 Mark II that he bought used in 1983 or so, in trademark powder blue.




Needless to say, he treasured his own first set of wheels.


This was also the first car I rode in. It was sold around 1986, and we did see it once in the 90s, painted white and run down. Tried very hard to trace it down but no luck.

I always longed to have a Herald again, though they eluded me for the longest time. Even when nice cars could be had for 10-15,000, I simply couldn't afford one. I had one of stanher's cars with me for a while, an early 62 Mark 1, which gave me some ownership experience in the mean time.

Sometime last year through a common friend I heard of a Mark II for sale. I was told it was owned long term, and the owner had passed away and the family wanted to dispose of the car. I was also told it was stored in a closed garage unused for a few years. I did follow up but got no response and then forgot about it. Earlier this year I was close to buying a nice restored Mark 1, though missed out on that as well. Finally around March this year I was offered another car, which turned out to be the same Mark II I mentioned earlier.

Bought new in Nagpur, and registered MHN 3999, the car was soon brought to Bombay, and was always parked in a closed garage (a luxury in Bombay), so was very well preserved. The owner must obviously have been very fond of the car. The roof was removed early on and replaced by a soft top (unfortunately the hardtop was discarded early on). Accessory bumper covers were fitted (ugly ones if you ask me), and a few extra gauges were fitted, but other than that everything was in place and original. A deal was struck and the we towed the car out on the 4th of April this year.

The car had probably been off road for 10years, give or take (there was a PUC sticker plus old petrol receipts dating to 2003).


Fortunately the brakes were not too jammed, and only 1 tyre was flat, so we could push the car out without too much trouble.


The car was painted in a metallic gold - obviously a fairly old paintjob, maybe period Krilo metallic paints. The local soft top frame also had side screens.




Some additions were done to the dash, but nothing that we can't reverse.


The car got a lot of stares as we pulled her out.




She was towed straight to the workshop where we would start a frame off restoration. The facility chosen is Niki Garage, Lamington road, run by Kaizad Engineer. Kaizad has years of experience with working on older and high performance cars (many will remember his souped up drag racer Fiat). He has put in a huge effort on the Herald, and a big thumbs up from my side.

Over the coming weeks I'll put up detailed information on the restoration process, and look forward to any feedback.

[karlosdeville]

8th April 2014

We started to strip the car, and take stock. There was more corrosion than what met they eye, but still nothing too daunting.





Traces of the original Conifer green shade was found inside the bulkhead. I had originally planned to paint the car powder blue, now this was another option.




The battery tray is always a common rust spot




10th April 2014

The dismantling process continued







14th April 2014

The bodytub was off the chassis





15th April 2014

The bulk head was off as well. We clearly had a lot of work cut out.







Noticed the radiator cap was an UCAL unit, probably original.



17th April 2014

The body parts were hung to save space - quite a sight!







18th April 2014

The chassis was now fully stripped and ready for prep.

[karlosdeville]

19th April 2014

The chassis was taken down to bare metal, and rusted/worn sections were replaced







21st April 2014

The weld marks were ground down where possible


The brakes were being refurbished alongside.


22nd April 2014

The finished chassis got its first coat of primer





25th April 2014

It was found that the headgasket had blown and there was sludge all over, so we decided to overhaul the engine completely. Dismantling started.







28th April 2014

Final coat of black paint was applied to the chassis.

[karlosdeville]

14th May 2014

Assembly of the axles/suspension






15th May 2014







20th May 2014

We now had an assembled rolling chassis.





Work progressed on the engine.

[karlosdeville]

22nd May 2014

The engine was assembled and painted black (I assume that was the original, can't say for sure). Final detailing will be attended to later.







Work started on the body, first stripping the bulkhead section.


White the tub looked clean enough, there was plenty of work needed on the flooring and mounting points.




23rd May 2014

The completed engine was mounted back on the chassis. The gearbox, differential etc were also given a service as and where required.

[karlosdeville]

26th May 2014

Work commenced on the other panels. The tub, doors, and bootlid were removed of all paint. The bootlid was in surprisingly good shape, not needing a bottom patch.









29th May 2014

The engine was fired up and ran well

[karlosdeville]

04th June 2014

Tin work started on the tub.





17th June 2014

Tin work started on the front section. One side flooring was poorly replaced in the past - this had to be corrected.





26th June 2014

The new floor pan was grafted in.


The battery tray needed to be rebuilt.


07th July 2014

Battrey tray being finished - keeping the original pressings where possible.


A new floor section being created


17th July 2014

Work on the tub continues






More traces of the Conifer green paint

[karlosdeville]

24th July 2014

The finished tub was mounted back on the chassis for trial fitting


A roof was procured separately, though in pretty bad shape and from a Mark 1 (almost identical)


07th August 2014

Mock fitting continued as work progressed on the roof




The bonnet was in very good shape, needing minimal finishing


The line-levels were checked, and pretty straight. A big challenge for Heralds.






Luckily I had an NOS front headlamp valence, in original conifer green paint. We decided to stick to the original colour, and looked at upholstery options to complement.

[karlosdeville]

20th August 2014

The body was off the chassis for the paint process. Here the tub and bulkhead are being primered




21st August 2014

The lambi work progresses



In the mean time work starts on the lower bumper panels. Since I don't plan to fit the extra chrome covers, the mounting holes were filled in.




The welds were covered up as best we could so as to give a clean final finish







23rd August 2014

A coat of old fashioned zinc primer was also applied

[KPS]

Congrats Karl. This thread is a major Herald reference point. Thanks for explaining the evolution of the Herald. I am sure this car will come out well. Considering the ground up restoration, looks like you are planning some long drives in this car

Quick question, when were the station wagon and 4 door Heralds introduced?

Cheers

KPS

[karlosdeville]

26th August 2014

We sprayed a rubberised stone chip compound from Wurth to areas like the underbody, boot and floor


















The ready chassis was wrapped for protection since fitting would begin soon




A coat of body colour was applied over the black finish

[karlosdeville]

02nd September 2014

And now the fun part - paint!

















And after applying lacquer













04th September 2014

The body back on the chassis and fitting begins

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by KPS

Considering the ground up restoration, looks like you are planning some long drives in this car

Absolutely - which is the final test for the car. I look forward to your Dodge giving me company.

Originally Posted by KPS

Quick question, when were the station wagon and 4 door Heralds introduced?

I completely forgot to add details on the Companion, though I don't know much about them. I believe the hatch was made of fiber, and it got a recess like early Heralds. They also had 'quad' headlights like the Vitesse. Stanher would be the best to tell us when they were introduced. I guess around 1970.

[srs_shetty87]

Wow!
That's one real simple car, the simplicity of this car is mesmerizing.
Recollect an old shoe advert in which probably Kapil Dev used to say "Simplicity mai mera adbhut vishwas hai"

Were all the cars then were made similarly?

The suspension both at the rear and front are all so neat .

Good work there .