Economic progress in any country or region is signified by the change in people's standards of living. For instance, a few decades ago, owning a car was a big deal and only a handful of citizens in the society were able to purchase it. Unlike the modern day scenario, wherein the market is wide and extensive, there were only a handful of models that were up for sale. During times like these, a few cars became popular and left a lasting impression on the history of automobiles in India. One such vehicle that made a mark among critics and customers alike was Standard Herald, a car that earned a lot of acclaim during 1960s in India. Notably, Standard is an Indian automobile brand that was manufactured by Standard Motor Products in Madras, the erstwhile name of Chennai. Models for India were produced in the United Kingdom by the collaboration of Standard and Triumph.
Not many people know that Standard Herald is a re-badged version of Triumph Herald, which was produced by British auto maker that is based in Coventry. It is believed that this car became immensely popular in the global market, especially in United Kingdom, registering sales figures in excess of half a million. Famous Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti was brain behind the body architecture of Triumph Herald, which was made available in saloon, estate, coupé, convertible and van models. In fact, such is the popularity of this model that it can still be spotted in some parts of Britain. Seeing the success of this model in the global market, Standard Motor Products decided to manufacture dedicated versions, especially for India, which were eventually known as Standard Herald. Notably, this car, in India, was sold in four-door saloon and five-door estate versions.
Sources suggest that initially, production of Standard Herald was greatly dependent on parts from Britain. However, gradually, these items were substituted by local items in order to cater to certain specifications. Production of this model achieved a significant landmark by mid 1960s as all parts, including engines, axles and gearboxes, were manufactured in India. This car was appreciated for its classic design that looked really stylish and made it stand out among counterparts. Following the success of the first model, the manufacturer launched Standard Herald Mark II in India in 1966, generating a tremendous response from buyers and critics. Design of this model was largely inspired from Triumph Vitesse, one of the most iconic cars from this manufacturer. Standard Herald Mark II came with bonnet and front end similar to that of Vitesse. However, there was one significant change that distinguished Standard Herald Mark II from the design of Vitesse. The manufacturer replaced pair of outer headlights with parking lights cum side indicators. After the launch of this model, automobile aficionados started anticipating the introduction of Mark III model.
Standard Herald Mark III was produced in India from 1968 to 1971 and earned a lot of recognition from automobile enthusiasts in the country. This was majorly due to its four-door body that was developed indigenously, thereby giving it a distinguished look. It was said, at that time, that this car was suitable for Indian families in terms of space and comfort. Incredibly, Standard Herald Mark III managed to give tough competition to the likes of Hindustan Motors Ambassador and Fiat 1100, which were considered to be two of the best models at that time. This model was capable of reaching a top speed of around 112 kmph and the engine was same as previous versions.
Standard Herald was one of the first foreign made models that achieved success in India. Apart from its design and looks, this car was appreciated for its comfort and superb engine. Although unknown to the modern day generation, people in their 50s and 60s, who owned this vehicle once, have fond memories and often reflect on its performance and style. In a lot of ways, a comparison between Standard Herald and today's models directly reflects the kind of progress the Indian automobile industry has made. Also, it shows how a thing considered to be a luxury at a point can become a normality over a period of time.
