Why you’d want a Triumph Herald
Losing Fisher & Ludlow (which had made monocoque bodies for the Standard 8 and 10) to the British Motor Corporation led Standard-Triumph to choose separate-chassis construction for its next small car.
Harry Webster made a virtue from necessity, designing a sturdy but light double-backbone frame with outriggers and side rails; a compact, unboltable independent front suspension with coil spring/damper units and twin wishbones; rack-and-pinion steering with a very tight turning circle; and an independent rear when most rivals were still on live axles.
Engaging the brilliant Giovanni Michelotti to style the new car was a masterstroke, and he, too, took advantage of the stiff chassis to design a car with outstanding all-round vision that soon became a driving instructors’ favourite.
The separate chassis increased flexibility to build different bodies, so the range expanded to include saloon, coupé, convertible, estate and Courier van. In India, a four-door saloon was also built as the Standard Herald and Gazel.
Use of the word ‘standard’ changed post-war from ‘maintaining a high standard’ to ‘ordinary’ or ‘basic’, so the firm began to use the Triumph name on all its products.
