Standard Vanguard Vignale

Vehicle Overview

A face-lift of the Standard Vanguard Vignale Phase III was designed by Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti and coachbuilder Vignale in 1958, and was introduced at the October 1958 Earls Court Motor Show in London. The windscreen and rear window were deeper, and there was a revised grill and trim. A floor change four-speed manual gearbox was now fitted, and the provision of a three-speed gear box with column change offered as an option. An overdrive was also offered an option, as was an automatic. One automatic car is known to have survived – there may be others. The car had front and rear bench seats, which were covered, as standard, in Vynide. Leather was an option on the home market and cloth for exported models. A heater and (unusual for the time) electric windscreen washers were factory fitted, although a radio remained an option. A Standard Vanguard Vignale with overdrive was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1959. It recorded a top speed of 82.8 mph (133.3 km/h), acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 20.8 seconds and a fuel consumption of 28.0 miles per imperial gallon (10.1 L/100 km; 23.3 mpg‑US). The test car cost £1147 including taxes of £383.