I love watching your videos and have a 1963 morris minor that my grandad bought me to restore, we are nearly done and I LOVE it. I’m only 13 and I will forever have that morris xx
Hi Steph, great video as always. I left England in 1963 with my parents We moved to Australia from the North of England. I have lovely memories of England, being a ten year old when I left But these time capsule memories are of a 1950's- - early 1960's England, when it was so different. It was an olde world sanctuary, where the butcher had a Morris Travelle and always gave the kids a taste of ham. A posh neigbour had a new Austin 850 Mini. Another neighbour had a Vauxhall Cresta Velox. I love these cars and this gentle era where everything was under control. People had manners and cared for each other. Terrorism had not yet been invented. In my new home of Australia, my Uncle had a Hilman Minx Wagon. He was a small plane pilot and loved to frighten all the locals townsfolk with his 'Pre Flight Rouine,' in the Hllman. 'Clear Prop!, ignition on ! Etc.' The country townsfolk would jump out of the way, as we gently drove home, in the Hillman with a gaggle of cousins. Bliss ! Iremained in Australia and have a long term Mercedes Benz 380SEL, which I love. Its highly specked and glorious. I am also, a life long devote of motorcycles, with a HD Heritage Classic 103 - like an Wmerican Cop Bike. Love it! Life is better with a classic. I have owned a Ducati Darmah SD900 motorcycle for 44 years! Love my Vee twins! Cheers, Australia.
Additionally: On a Vanguard, you can whack the panels with a lump hammer and not dent them. Primary safety is off the charts wih these cars. They are made like The Fourth Bridge compared to modern cars. Mind you, in a crash, you are going to 'face plant' the metal dash and Bakelite steering wheel with the steel rim inside. Air Bags are for woosies ! These cars are for real men !
@@colnuttall9035 As long as you had a properly adjusted seatbelt, you stood half a chance in a crash. I used to feel the same in my Austin A60. Solid steel unitary construction. 😊👍
Hi Steph - what a beautiful car ! Our neighbour years ago, had the saloon version of this in that exact green colour. Sadly, I never had the chance of a ride in it, but loved them even then. what a rare car in the estate version - so much load space too - what's not to like. The owner of this car must be so proud, and you did it proper justice with this review. Thanks Steph - take care 🙂 X X
Had the saloon version in exactly the same colour in 1971. I replaced the clapped out 1670 engine with a 2 litre from an old Vanguard but kept the original smaller flywheel so that the clutch would fit. Also replaced the engine and gearbox support cross member with a u shaped centre support from the same old Vanguard. The increase in power was immediately noticeable. It was a very attractive and smooth riding car and seemed quite powerful for its time.
My first car I had was a 1959 Vanguard estate 358 BKF, that had been given to me by my dad’s boss at Liverpool Uni in 1968. One of the rear springs was broken and the gearbox was held in position by a scaffolding pole! I learnt to drive with it and subsequently drove around France, Spain and Portugal for three years running as well as being my daily runner for nearly five years. I now play with a 1972 TR6 and 1988 XJS convertible.
The Royal Air Force were big purchasers of the Ensigns and Vanguards back then, which must be a tribute to their sturdiness. Standard Triumph certainly made the right call engaging Michelotti as a body designer -he never failed to deliver outstandingly elegant cars.
Good girl Steph. You've found one of my very favourite classic cars of the 1960s, a Standard Ensign deluxe estate car. I understand there was a road test somewhere with the Ensign pit against the Ford Cortina Mark 1, Vauxhall Victor 101, Hillman Super Minx & Austin Cambridge A60 Countryman. Can't quite remember which one won that five car needle match, but they're all my favourite cars and worthy of more than just a gold medal. I'm deffo looking forward to meeting you at the forthcoming Classic Motor Show at the NEC on Saturday, November 9.
Another great edition of I drive a classic, what a terrific car driven in such a lovely part of the world, I do enjoy the narrow country lanes, I'm in Australia, our country lanes are dirt and dust and not so lush. I do enjoy your commentary, and love your enthusiasm.
What an absolutely gorgeous car! I love the lines and how its appointed inside is just luxury for the day.....and you can't beat having an overdrive on the open road! The only issue I had with some of the Standards and early Triumphs was the seemingly random placement of the various knobs and switches. The BMCs of the same era (1955-62) had them mostly arranged in a row or two or centralised and getting out of a 1957 A55 and into the Ensign or a Phase III, it took a couple of minutes to suss it all out....and try to remember them on the fly later on. However, quirkiness is also very endearing and if driven often, it wouldn't pose a problem.....and like you, I could see me driving one of those Ensigns on a daily basis - what a lovely car!
Now that is a very nice car and I agree on the colour although green would not be my first choice usually. There is quite a bit of space in there with the 'secret compartment' on the tailgate giving you a bit of extra storage. It is great that it has quite low mileage but the Isle of Wight is very small so that has helped a lot. Thank you Steph for another great review and yet another Standard car. 👍👍
What a great video Steph, thank you. Of all the classic cars I want, the Standard Vanguards and Ensigns are at the top of my list - if only I could find a nice one. In fact, I'm just off to join the Standard Motor Club now🙂
Very pretty estate Steph! Love the recent content, you always tell us so much about these nice old cars, it’s so interesting! Keep up the great work! ❤
hi i was in Australia in the 70s i am sure their were similar vanguards still knocking about and were they just imprted from uk or were they assembled as kit form would be interesting to find out my memory is not playing tricks on me could they have been panel van models or utes love your channel .my mates mum had a morris major they looked a bit like an a50 or 55 is it
Excellent review of such an appealing car. As you said, good looking, so practical and solid as a rock. My father always spoke very highly of the Vanguard but never owned one sadly. I even like the previous Phase II as well, I think they are fab. 😊✨
Hi Steph, look forward to your videos and this one must be one of the best. The sound of the engine and transmission on the road was almost reassuring! Your driving and road manners are a really good example. Keep making these videos and very best wishes. Peter
The Ensign was always a pretty car especially in duo tone, I knew the estate existed but I'd never seen one until today so thanks for that. It's a real beauty but the mpg would have put me off, the 10 Companion was definitely the pick of the road tests as a car to suit my needs, smart looking, spacious and frugal....right up my street.
Dear Steph, Every vid you make is a masterwork! I remember Standards. Not many compared to Austin-Morris and Ford or even Vauxhall, but always had a reputation for solidity and reliability. I have never seen an estate version Standard, but that should be no surprise in rural Herefordshire! Best wishes from George
@@keithhooper6123 My best friend's parents had a Hillman Husky, which was a lovely little family car but with estate practicality! I doubt any still exist of these! Thanks for your reply, and best wishes from George
As well as a basis for the Triumph TR sports car engines the 2.2 4 cyl. engine was the basis for the petrol/TVO units in the 'Little Grey Fergie' farm tractors. Early Scammell Scarabs used the engine as well.
Fantastic video, Steph. What a beautiful car. Just lovely. I do find the fuel consumption shocking. 6 cylinder and even 8 cylinder cars here in Canada at the time match or beat the mileage on the Standard.
Terrific car. I'd guess it was just at that stage at the start of the 60s when car styling rapidly 'modernised' from the round sit up shape to square and sharp like their own Heralds.
That is a very nice example of an Ensign, no doubt due to the light use it’s had. When I was 8, 9 or 10 though, in the early 70s, I used to walk past one on the way to school, either this green colour or grey (it’s hard to remember) but the paint was completely flat. I also used to walk past a Rover 90 in similar condition. To me then, these were old unattractive cars. Over time the Rover P4 has gone up in my estimation if an example is nice, but the Standards still do nothing for me. They look basic, and personally I think the Ensign and Phase 3 Vanguard have something of the ungainly Nash Ambassador about them. It seems to me back in the early sixties, many car buyers were also looking for something more stylish, which is why Standard was dropped and Triumph took over with the Herald and 2000 saloons.
I’ve never actually seen one of these in the metal, but I have seen them in family photographs taken from Lyme Regis in the 60s two of them parked up both the states One with round rear lights
I grew up in the 60s and 70s when they were used cars that cost 50 quid or less dad had a hilmsn husky I have fond memories but have yet to own a 50 or 60s. Car
I have known about these Standard Vanguard station wagons since the 1960s because our next door neighbour had one and these are extremely solid because he hit a horse and the only damage to the Vanguard station wagon was a broken windscreen and l don't think the horse faired to well and the neighbour was uninjured and he wasn't wearing a seat belt
Modern motorists may well be shocked by the poor performance, constant maintenance demands, and rapid deterioration of the engines in cars like this, but that's because an entirely different ethos surrounded vehicle ownership back then. Drivers EXPECTED to spend their weekends in overalls, tinkering under the bonnet with spanners and spares from the local scrapyard. Greasy hands were the norm. The biggest difference between now and then was that cars were relatively simple and entirely analogue. Working on them was tiresome but well within the capabilities of many owners - and certainly of all the self-taught mechanics at local one-man-band garages. In comparison, today's cars - whether ICE or EV - are far more durable and reliable, but they're also enormously more complex, expensive, and either difficult or impossible for the home mechanic to work on without specialist tools and training. Some modern owners (literally) never lift the bonnet of their expensive, monthly-leased techno-cars. Ownership is a clean, hands-free business. A dashboard display instructs them when and what the thing wants, and all the owner has to do is deliver it to the dealer who'll put things right. For a price. The needs of a modern car dominate the relationship in a way that those of earlier models didn't. Older cars depend on their owners much like a working horse would; it's nice to feel wanted and involved. Modern cars merely tolerate their users; I never want to become a slave to that kind of machine. Simpler times, simpler problems, simpler cars. Sigh...
Which classic estate would be recommended for genuine every day use, i find modern cars very boring and i can live without DAB and all phone connection stuff.
I love watching your videos and have a 1963 morris minor that my grandad bought me to restore, we are nearly done and I LOVE it. I’m only 13 and I will forever have that morris xx
Hi Steph, great video as always. I left England in 1963 with my parents We moved to Australia from the North of England. I have lovely memories of England, being a ten year old when I left But these time capsule memories are of a 1950's- - early 1960's England, when it was so different. It was an olde world sanctuary, where the butcher had a Morris Travelle and always gave the kids a taste of ham. A posh neigbour had a new Austin 850 Mini. Another neighbour had a Vauxhall Cresta Velox. I love these cars and this gentle era where everything was under control. People had manners and cared for each other. Terrorism had not yet been invented. In my new home of Australia, my Uncle had a Hilman Minx Wagon. He was a small plane pilot and loved to frighten all the locals townsfolk with his 'Pre Flight Rouine,' in the Hllman. 'Clear Prop!, ignition on ! Etc.' The country townsfolk would jump out of the way, as we gently drove home, in the Hillman with a gaggle of cousins. Bliss ! Iremained in Australia and have a long term Mercedes Benz 380SEL, which I love. Its highly specked and glorious. I am also, a life long devote of motorcycles, with a HD Heritage Classic 103 - like an Wmerican Cop Bike. Love it! Life is better with a classic. I have owned a Ducati Darmah SD900 motorcycle for 44 years! Love my Vee twins! Cheers, Australia.
Additionally: On a Vanguard, you can whack the panels with a lump hammer and not dent them. Primary safety is off the charts wih these cars. They are made like The Fourth Bridge compared to modern cars. Mind you, in a crash, you are going to 'face plant' the metal dash and Bakelite steering wheel with the steel rim inside. Air Bags are for woosies ! These cars are for real men !
@@colnuttall9035 As long as you had a properly adjusted seatbelt, you stood half a chance in a crash. I used to feel the same in my Austin A60. Solid steel unitary construction. 😊👍
That’s great, I’m also from Blighty. ….What State are you living in ? Im in the ACT
Hi Steph - what a beautiful car ! Our neighbour years ago, had the saloon version of this in that exact green colour. Sadly, I never had the chance of a ride in it, but loved them even then. what a rare car in the estate version - so much load space too - what's not to like. The owner of this car must be so proud, and you did it proper justice with this review. Thanks Steph - take care 🙂 X X
Thanks for sharing this lovely old Standard! What a delightful car.
Had the saloon version in exactly the same colour in 1971. I replaced the clapped out 1670 engine with a 2 litre from an old Vanguard but kept the original smaller flywheel so that the clutch would fit. Also replaced the engine and gearbox support cross member with a u shaped centre support from the same old Vanguard. The increase in power was immediately noticeable. It was a very attractive and smooth riding car and seemed quite powerful for its time.
My first car I had was a 1959 Vanguard estate 358 BKF, that had been given to me by my dad’s boss at Liverpool Uni in 1968. One of the rear springs was broken and the gearbox was held in position by a scaffolding pole! I learnt to drive with it and subsequently drove around France, Spain and Portugal for three years running as well as being my daily runner for nearly five years. I now play with a 1972 TR6 and 1988 XJS convertible.
Another lovely video Steph
I wish modern cars had this simplicity and functionality that these classic Standard cars have.
Thank you for sharing
You bring out some beautiful cars. When growing up in the early 60's Ceylon Sri Lanka now was all British cars. They were so well made and styled.
The Royal Air Force were big purchasers of the Ensigns and Vanguards back then, which must be a tribute to their sturdiness. Standard Triumph certainly made the right call engaging Michelotti as a body designer -he never failed to deliver outstandingly elegant cars.
Good girl Steph. You've found one of my very favourite classic cars of the 1960s, a Standard Ensign deluxe estate car. I understand there was a road test somewhere with the Ensign pit against the Ford Cortina Mark 1, Vauxhall Victor 101, Hillman Super Minx & Austin Cambridge A60 Countryman. Can't quite remember which one won that five car needle match, but they're all my favourite cars and worthy of more than just a gold medal. I'm deffo looking forward to meeting you at the forthcoming Classic Motor Show at the NEC on Saturday, November 9.
What a truly gorgeous video Steph ❤ million thanks
What a lovely find ….Steph !
Another great edition of I drive a classic, what a terrific car driven in such a lovely part of the world, I do enjoy the narrow country lanes, I'm in Australia, our country lanes are dirt and dust and not so lush.
I do enjoy your commentary, and love your enthusiasm.
Wow high praise indeed Steph. Another great video. Really interesting and informative. It makes me want to go out and try one!
Isle of Wight registration number! Lots of classic cars survive on that southerly island!
What an absolutely gorgeous car! I love the lines and how its appointed inside is just luxury for the day.....and you can't beat having an overdrive on the open road! The only issue I had with some of the Standards and early Triumphs was the seemingly random placement of the various knobs and switches. The BMCs of the same era (1955-62) had them mostly arranged in a row or two or centralised and getting out of a 1957 A55 and into the Ensign or a Phase III, it took a couple of minutes to suss it all out....and try to remember them on the fly later on. However, quirkiness is also very endearing and if driven often, it wouldn't pose a problem.....and like you, I could see me driving one of those Ensigns on a daily basis - what a lovely car!
Bravo de la part d'un admirateur français !
Des vidéos toujours aussi intéressantes.
Votre nouveau "look" vous va à ravir de plus ❤
Amitiés de France
What a lovely car. I love the almost musical noise from the drivetrain as you pootle along.
Now that is a very nice car and I agree on the colour although green would not be my first choice usually. There is quite a bit of space in there with the 'secret compartment' on the tailgate giving you a bit of extra storage. It is great that it has quite low mileage but the Isle of Wight is very small so that has helped a lot. Thank you Steph for another great review and yet another Standard car. 👍👍
We had one these when I was a kid. My Dad loved it and kept it going for many years. It carried us all over Europe on summer holidays. Great memories.
What a great video Steph, thank you. Of all the classic cars I want, the Standard Vanguards and Ensigns are at the top of my list - if only I could find a nice one. In fact, I'm just off to join the Standard Motor Club now🙂
Very pretty estate Steph! Love the recent content, you always tell us so much about these nice old cars, it’s so interesting! Keep up the great work! ❤
Another great video.
hi i was in Australia in the 70s i am sure their were similar vanguards still knocking about and were they just imprted from uk or were they assembled as kit form would be interesting to find out my memory is not playing tricks on me could they have been panel van models or utes love your channel .my mates mum had a morris major they looked a bit like an a50 or 55 is it
The Morris Major (and stablemate Austin Lancer) were based on the contemporary Riley One-Point-Five and Wolseley 1500.
Lovely old bus. Thanks for making me sunday breakfast fun.
Excellent review of such an appealing car. As you said, good looking, so practical and solid as a rock. My father always spoke very highly of the Vanguard but never owned one sadly. I even like the previous Phase II as well, I think they are fab. 😊✨
Lovely car Steph 😊👍
I absolutely love your videos Steph
Hi Steph, look forward to your videos and this one must be one of the best. The sound of the engine and transmission on the road was almost reassuring! Your driving and road manners are a really good example. Keep making these videos and very best wishes. Peter
Your dress matches the car - very cool look!😂
Thanks for another interesting video. Love the channel, including the work in progress editions .... keep up the good work!
The Ensign was always a pretty car especially in duo tone, I knew the estate existed but I'd never seen one until today so thanks for that. It's a real beauty but the mpg would have put me off, the 10 Companion was definitely the pick of the road tests as a car to suit my needs, smart looking, spacious and frugal....right up my street.
love it Steph
Dear Steph,
Every vid you make is a masterwork! I remember Standards. Not many compared to Austin-Morris and Ford or even Vauxhall, but always had a reputation for solidity and reliability.
I have never seen an estate version Standard, but that should be no surprise in rural Herefordshire!
Best wishes from George
Hillman similarly.
@@keithhooper6123 My best friend's parents had a Hillman Husky, which was a lovely little family car but with estate practicality! I doubt any still exist of these!
Thanks for your reply, and best wishes from George
Never knew they existed, thanks Steph. Beautiful estate.
Superb video of a beautiful car, I have a Volvo V70 and the standard seems as good but very pretty and as practical. Keep up the good work 👍
Very nice! I do love those actually. Thanks Steph...
That is a very nice car Steph
Love this Estate car! Would love driving this car from London to my country house in Yorkshire on holiday (just an American fantasy). She’s a beauty!
"My idea of hell". Made me laugh so hard. Priceless.
As well as a basis for the Triumph TR sports car engines the 2.2 4 cyl. engine was the basis for the petrol/TVO units in the 'Little Grey Fergie' farm tractors. Early Scammell Scarabs used the engine as well.
Fantastic video, Steph. What a beautiful car. Just lovely. I do find the fuel consumption shocking. 6 cylinder and even 8 cylinder cars here in Canada at the time match or beat the mileage on the Standard.
The Ensign was bought by the RAF back in the day as a staff car for middle rankers .
All Vanguard pick ups and vans.
Best of british very indeed steph my brother had a 1958 morris cowley estate years ago all steel miss it.
blinking luvly! look great with a few bikes on the roof :)
Nice car
Terrific car. I'd guess it was just at that stage at the start of the 60s when car styling rapidly 'modernised' from the round sit up shape to square and sharp like their own Heralds.
Great video. Despite wanting to like them, I have never taken to the style of any post war Standard except the 8/10.
Still vanguard in Australia at the time. We only got the sedan and ute here
That is a very nice example of an Ensign, no doubt due to the light use it’s had. When I was 8, 9 or 10 though, in the early 70s, I used to walk past one on the way to school, either this green colour or grey (it’s hard to remember) but the paint was completely flat. I also used to walk past a Rover 90 in similar condition. To me then, these were old unattractive cars. Over time the Rover P4 has gone up in my estimation if an example is nice, but the Standards still do nothing for me. They look basic, and personally I think the Ensign and Phase 3 Vanguard have something of the ungainly Nash Ambassador about them. It seems to me back in the early sixties, many car buyers were also looking for something more stylish, which is why Standard was dropped and Triumph took over with the Herald and 2000 saloons.
I want it now because I am a classic man. But my favourite classic cars are thee land rover series.
Remember that Jaguars or rather SS were derived from Standards. The SS1 was based on a Standard Ensign in 1931.
"Road positionong please" is very polite, I'm ususlally "Niiice, niiice, just take your half out the middle ya oaf!"
Beautiful old car ver desirable ❤🎉
I’ve never actually seen one of these in the metal, but I have seen them in family photographs taken from Lyme Regis in the 60s two of them parked up both the states One with round rear lights
I grew up in the 60s and 70s when they were used cars that cost 50 quid or less dad had a hilmsn husky I have fond memories but have yet to own a 50 or 60s. Car
i like all old England made cars 🙂🙂🇬🇧🇬🇧🚗🚗
I have known about these Standard Vanguard station wagons since the 1960s because our next door neighbour had one and these are extremely solid because he hit a horse and the only damage to the Vanguard station wagon was a broken windscreen and l don't think the horse faired to well and the neighbour was uninjured and he wasn't wearing a seat belt
Even in the seventies 125000 was considered high mileage!
Robert Clive used to drive this car.... 😅
👍👍👍
If only all these old cars were around today instead of the modern rubbish that’s on the roads.
I know! I still don’t have my first car, but I’m considering an MGB GT or midget. Maybe something with a bit more class.
Deffo agree more than 100%. Steph's a good girl. She knows a nice car when she sees one.
I couldn't agree more.
Could not agree more
It's over use of electronics that will kill off most modern cars,and stupid ideas , like set belts.
Not sure that is the correct pronunciation of Ensign but an interesting car.
That’s how everyone at the rally pronounced it, so I guess we must all be wrong 😂😂😂
@@idriveaclassicI'm afraid so!
Modern motorists may well be shocked by the poor performance, constant maintenance demands, and rapid deterioration of the engines in cars like this, but that's because an entirely different ethos surrounded vehicle ownership back then.
Drivers EXPECTED to spend their weekends in overalls, tinkering under the bonnet with spanners and spares from the local scrapyard. Greasy hands were the norm. The biggest difference between now and then was that cars were relatively simple and entirely analogue. Working on them was tiresome but well within the capabilities of many owners - and certainly of all the self-taught mechanics at local one-man-band garages.
In comparison, today's cars - whether ICE or EV - are far more durable and reliable, but they're also enormously more complex, expensive, and either difficult or impossible for the home mechanic to work on without specialist tools and training.
Some modern owners (literally) never lift the bonnet of their expensive, monthly-leased techno-cars. Ownership is a clean, hands-free business. A dashboard display instructs them when and what the thing wants, and all the owner has to do is deliver it to the dealer who'll put things right.
For a price.
The needs of a modern car dominate the relationship in a way that those of earlier models didn't. Older cars depend on their owners much like a working horse would; it's nice to feel wanted and involved. Modern cars merely tolerate their users; I never want to become a slave to that kind of machine.
Simpler times, simpler problems, simpler cars. Sigh...
Agree with you. Someone recently compared a modern car to a washing machine, quite bland but does the job. If it breaks you call an engineer!
aku cinta mobil anda
Which classic estate would be recommended for genuine every day use, i find modern cars very boring and i can live without DAB and all phone connection stuff.
The oil was terrible when compared to todays product,
Looks a fiat models from the late 1950's into 1960's
IOW registration number.
Sorry to be pedantic, but it's pronounced " Ens'n!"
Pronounced, Ensun.