[karlosdeville]

I recently was lucky to get myself an interesting project - a 1958 Standard Vanguard Phase III. While I was always fond of the smaller Standards like 10s and Heralds, of late the appeal of a bigger car (though actually just mid-sized) began to grow - especially since we have started to do more long distance driving. The Phase III was an all new car introduced around 1955. No longer a body on chassis construction, the all new styling aped the latest American trends.



Standard Motors' Madras facility was well established, selling the 8 and 10 in the past, and even the Vanguard Phase I and II. I must confess, I am not sure on the degree of assembly, and haven't been able to see the VIN plates of earlier cars to confirm. The Phase III however clearly states "Standard Motor Products of India Madras". Here is a period ad that Harit shared earlier, dating to 1956/57



A car from KPS's archives KPS - anyone remember what colour your car was? I was told available options included White, Black, Winchester blue and apple green.



What I thought was a pretty cool photo on eBay some time back



Here is a pretty car I had seen at a Delhi event a few years ago





While I wasn't particularly chasing one, I jumped at this car when offered to me since it was a single owner, complete car with a nice number. Even though condition was somewhat rough, I couldn't resist. Picked up the car in May earlier this year. Special thanks to Mr. Ananth for sharing the lead.

[karlosdeville]

Since the car is in Calcutta, and not in running condition (probably not run in a couple of years, maybe more), we decided to start work on the car in Calcutta itself. As I have come to learn, Calcutta has very skilled workers, and still a large number of older cars. Spending a day in the city and one immediately realises that the city isn't letting go of its colonial past anytime soon - its simply gorgeous, even if crumbling. The job was entrusted to Shrivardhan Kanoria and his team. Shrivardhan is the third generation of vintage car collectors/restorers after his late father and grandfather before him, and has an enviable collection of his own.

We started work earlier this month, and here is the sequence of events. I do urge fellow readers to share any detailed pictures of original reference cars if possible, especially the dash, interiors, engine bay etc.

8th - 11th September 2015

The teardown begins.





A complete rebuild is in order, including the engine






Luckily a portion of the original interiors were still intact, so that's a big relief for me for patterns.


After cleaning up

[karlosdeville]

12th - 15th September 2015

The teardown continues. Interestingly the pistons are still on standard size.















17th September 2015

The car is down to bare metal. As expected, lots of rust!





















I didn't realise that the door glass frames could be dismantled. The door construction is actually pillarless.

[karlosdeville]

18th September 2015

Work proceeds, here is the gear box being stripped.



22nd September 2015

Suspension, brakes, front sub frame - everything stripped bare. Probably for the first time.









23rd September 2015

The body is sprayed in a temporary coat of protective primer while work proceeds



28th September 2015

Gearbox being assembled.



The rear end is dismantled.



1st October 2015

Engine spares come streaming in.


2nd October 2015

Work proceeds on the diff


Samples of what is probably the original colour surface


Almost 60 years of dirt and grime.


Parts start trickling in, these from the always helpful Jalopy Shop in Bangalore




5th October 2015

More parts come in.


Everything is carefully cleaned, documented and stored - always a good practice.


6th October 2015

More NOS parts.


The team certainly has their work cut out - years and years of shoddy repair work and poor maintenance.









7th October 2015

More horrors surface as we get deeper into the project.







An original spares catalogue lists these as the colours offered. Not sure if for the Indian market colours differed slightly. I guess our car would have been beige going by this list.



14th October 2015

[karlosdeville]

17th October 2015

The engine is back from the machine shop





20th October 2015

The back axle is ready, small bits and bobs are primered










21st October 2015

Engine assembly in progress.


28th October 2015

Assembly of the new wiring loom begins


Bits and pieces go into final paint. I'm told that for the vanguard all the under carriage is black, which makes life easier for us.








Assembly continues

[karlosdeville]

3rd November 2015





4th - 5th November 2015

Tin work continues





7th November 2015

The front end is given first round of finishing before the subframe goes in. The lower edges where the fenders meet the bulkhead with welds visible are still to be worked on. Any thoughts on the colour?




10th November 2015

Engine fires! So far so good.

[Twinn]

Let me be the first to congratulate at least on this forum. Very nice find karlosdeville. Restoration looks top notch (as usual). I sometimes envy you for the leads that you get.

Regarding the color, I understand you wanted it to be as it did (or better) out of factory specs.. Not sure if the color will do justice for the level of efforts spending on the restoration.

[KPS]

Congrats Karl, You are officially the Bhogilal of Indian Cars

Karl, both Dad and Mum confirm that the colour on the car was beige, similar to one on your car.

Cheers

KPS

[Anwesh]

Fantastic project! Karl is the paint Duco?

Regards,

[Bulldogji]

Originally Posted by KPS

Congrats Karl, You are officially the Bhogilal of Indian Cars

Karl, both Dad and Mum confirm that the colour on the car was beige, similar to one on your car.

Cheers

KPS

Hi KPS,

On a lighter vein, please do not compare Karl with Bhogilal.

Karl goes through a painfully accurate restoration to ensure his cars emerge looking as they should.

The other gentleman, well less said the better for his restorations, if they can be called that.

Having said this, I agree, Karl is emerging as the Indian Car Czar.....

[autocrat]

Dear Karl,

I haven't seen a running Vanguard in decades and here's why I am relieved to see your car being restored:

Myself and BHPian Srinand were smitten by a black Standard Vanguard that was our school car (although he studied several years after me, and we met much later in life). The car was completely neglected after the old principal passed away. The car was pushed out of the garage to make way for a staff room and the car started to rust.

Both of us at separate points in time wanted to get this car, and Srinand did approach the school once and offered to buy it at a decent price, but they refused. IIRC, the very next week, the car was scrapped for INR8000/-, way below what was offered by Srinand. I learnt math in the same school, so I am a worried man ever since

The most interesting parts of the Vanguard for me was the badge on the bonnet, and the rear tail light lenses that were very unique. The colour was black and the black and chrome exterior was simply awesome! The last pic of the car was taken by Srinand, in a very sorry state.

PS: Was the bonnet badge backlit?

[JayD]

Congrats on yet another Prized posession Karl. You really are on a roll now! Going by past trends, I'm sure this car too will be restored to a very high 'Standard'

Here are some pics of a similar car which i clicked about 6 years ago. Hope these help. Sadly, the car had significantly deteriorated, the last time i saw it.

[kasli]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

3rd November 2015

Attachment 1437880

Attachment 1437881

4th - 5th November 2015

Tin work continues
Attachment 1437882

Attachment 1437883


7th November 2015

The front end is given first round of finishing before the subframe goes in. The lower edges where the fenders meet the bulkhead with welds visible are still to be worked on. Any thoughts on the colour?
Attachment 1437884

Attachment 1437885

10th November 2015

Engine fires! So far so good.
Attachment 1437886

Great Work Karl used to see so many of these ply the Mettupalayam Ooty ghats and route when in school . Very Happy to see one being done by someone known

Old times sake will ask for a ride. And surely it's going to be detailed like the other of your prized possessions

Cheers

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by kasli

Great Work Karl used to see so many of these ply the Mettupalayam Ooty ghats and route when in school . Very Happy to see one being done by someone known

Old times sake will ask for a ride. And surely it's going to be detailed like the other of your prized possessions

Cheers

Done - we will drive to Ooty then you take a ride Has been done before!

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by autocrat

Myself and BHPian Srinand were smitten by a black Standard Vanguard that was our school car (although he studied several years after me, and we met much later in life). The car was completely neglected after the old principal passed away. The car was pushed out of the garage to make way for a staff room and the car started to rust.
The colour was black and the black and chrome exterior was simply awesome! The last pic of the car was taken by Srinand, in a very sorry state.

Yes I do remember a pic. posted in another thread by him of this car, and yes indeed in a sorry state!

Originally Posted by autocrat

PS: Was the bonnet badge backlit?

No, AFAIK.

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Done - we will drive to Ooty then you take a ride Has been done before!

A trip to Hyderabad should also be underway!