The Madras Cutie: Standard - Herald
Introduction:
The Herald’s story portrays an exciting period in India’s automotive growth. Its successor, the Gazel, was the first car that is totally remodeled and engineered in India. Despite intense competition from Hindustan Motors and Fiat, the Herald created out a space for itself.
About ‘Standard’ Company:
Well, the name was not only ‘Standard’ the full name was ‘Standard Motor Products of India Limited’ (SMPIL). The Standard Motor Products of India Limited established a joint venture with United Kingdom’s Standard – Triumph. This joint venture was known by the short form ‘STAMPRO’ which incorporated in 1948 by C.V. Karthik Narayanan.
The factory was in Madras (Today’s Chennai), Tamil Nadu. ‘Standard’ was 1 of the 3 companies that existed in the post independent day of socialism. The first car that came out from this establishment was Standard – Vanguard.
The Herald:
As we have discussed earlier Standard Motor Products of India Limited was a joint venture. For this specific reason Herald was initially launched under Triumph badging, mostly known as Triumph – Herald. It had 3 versions. The Triumph Herald was designed by Giovanni Michelotti in the year 1959. Most people say that the design and styling was based on the 1955 Ford – Thunder Bird.
The 3 versions of Herald are Mark – I, Marks – II, Mark – III.
Mark – I:
In 1960s herald was launched under the name British company Triumph. That time Herald was heavily equipped with British parts. Soon all parts were replaced by Indian parts. Herald had a 948cc engine. It was 2-door car. Standard also had a convertible variant.
Mark – II:
In the year 1966 Standard introduced Herald Mark – II. It had the same 948cc engine. But the front of Herald Mark – II was mostly inspired by Triumph – Vitesse. I am saying this because it seems that the outer pair headlights of Vitesse was replaced by parking light and indicators in the Herald.
Also, the late models of Mark – II had modified the rear body work with different roofline and a new boot lid. But still it was a 2-door car.
Also, the late models of Mark – II had modified the rear body work with different roofline and a new boot lid. But still it was a 2-door car.
Mark – III:
Very soon in 1968 Standard introduced Herald Mark – III. It still had the same old 948cc engine. But this time Herald had a new body and 4 – doors. The new body was completely designed and developed in India as per the needs of Indian customers. Herald Mark – III had pinion steering & floor mounted gear shift. This car was in production till 1971.
Competitors of Herald:
The main competitors of Herald were mainly HM – Ambassador & Fiat – 1100D (or Premier Padmini). Hindustan Motor’s Ambassador was big heavy car which was mostly used by the politicians. And had a big – boy attitude. On the other-hand Fiat – 1100D or the other cars of Fiat was small but peppy. Standard was not able to break that duopoly. As a result, soon Herald disappeared from the Indian car market.
You can read about them in the following blogs.
Successor of Herald:
In 1972, Standard remodeled and redesigned the Herald with all indigenous product and named it Gazel. The Gazel got a new suspension on two leaf springs that copied from Triumph – Toledo. Gazel was the first car to be remodelled & engineered in India.
Conclusion:
Standard – Herald was not as famous as Ambassador or Padmini. But it was ahead of its time with perfect power and body design. It was always the 3rd choice for the Indian customers. But for some unknown reason this madras cutie wasn’t able lift its position to 1st or 2nd in the heart of Indian customers. So, eventually it got disappeared.
But as a Car & Bike enthusiast it is my duty to make people aware about this car.
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