LLJ 61 – 'Humphrey'- is a Standard Vanguard Phase 1 and it was first registered on 2nd July 1951 in Bournemouth. Launched in 1948 this would have been one of the first released for the UK market, the initial production being for export.
When I bought it in April 2020 it had already had a lot of restoration work done to it, so was in good running condition. The original build records show that it was built with overdrive and painted black, but it has lost these features at some point over the last 70 years and is now grey with a normal 3-speed, column change, gearbox.
Since I’ve had it the following work has been done:
· Electrical overhaul, including replacement of the offside trafficator
· Restoration of the boot lid, including moving the rear number plate back to the correct position on the bumper, repainting and fitting a new lock barrel.
· Repainting of the doors which had been excluded from a repaint by a previous owner
· Sourcing and rechroming replacement hubcaps and badges
· Removal of a bootful of broken glass and acorn shells and re-upholstery of the fabric parts of the back seat – I think in its recent past it had been parked up with a broken window and lived in by squirrels!
· Replacement of head gasket and king pins
· New battery and control box
The most recent work has been resealing the windscreen – the ancient, perished rubber surround let in water like a biblical flood – and restoration of the rear offside wing.
It passed its first MoT test in 9 years in April 2021, having done less than 1,000 miles in that time. It is now tested annually and used regularly.
My grandfather (of W Shadbolt & Sons garage in Thrapston) had a 1951 Phase 1 in blue from 1958 until 1967, and I have many very happy memories of idyllic family picnics in it, hence the emotional link to this car!
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