The finishing touches included period looking registration plates.
BHPian karlosdeville recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
This thread has been a long time coming, though better late than never. In a quest to save as much as possible of India’s unloved automotive heritage, an India specific 4 door Herald was on the cards to be acquired. Over 10 years back I had documented the restoration journey of our 1966 Herald Mark II here – in which I recorded as much as I could find on various model changes for the Standard Herald in India. We focus here on the 4 door Mark III.
By the time the Standard Herald was launched in India in 1961, it was the only 2 door family car being sold – competition was now reduced to the Fiat 1100 and Hindustan Ambassador. The Austins, Morrises and Hillmans (Hillmen?) were now obsolete. It was clear that Indian families preferred a 4 door family car, and work began on producing one. Michelotti was already working on the 1300 saloon, but to introduce an all-new model to India perhaps wasn’t cost effective.
To the best of my knowledge 2 prototypes were built in England, numbered X696 and X706. Design was credited to the legendary Michelotti, and was a particularly harmonious conversion.
Here is a rare sketch by Michelotti kindly shared by the club. It shows a different bootlid design which didn’t make it to production. 
Chassis X696 survives in England now with the Triumph Sports Six Club. 
Chassis X706 thankfully survived in India, owned by Standard Motor Products of India till Febuary 1972, when it was sold to an employee who retained it till a few years back. It naturally shows years worth of upgrades as expected in any factory mule, but for the most part all period. Even the 1147cc engine is still fitted, as recorded by the club. The car is now part of Diljeet Titus’s enviable collection.
The car was finally launched around 1969 (can anyone confirm exactly when?). Advertising showed the doors open to highlight the new feature.
A copy of an original brochure 
Extracts from the owner’s manual…
…and Parts Catalogue
Mechanically the car remained largely unchanged, with the same 948cc engine and independent rear suspension. The dash too carried over more or less unchanged, with the exception of the slide out ash tray moving from the centre of the dash to the top, changed to a hinged type. The gearlever knob changed to a ball design.
There was also a short lived station wagon version called the Companion, with a fibre glass roof and hatch. I know of just one survivor, currently in the UK.
The parts catalogue lists the changes.
By around 1973 the car would be replaced by the Standard Gazel, documented in detail here.
In 2016 a car came up for sale, a 1972 model (last of the production) in original but poor condition. Finished in the original powder blue paint shade, the car still had its factory black interiors, though in tatters. A deal was made, and the car was purchased.
While there was loads of corrossion, Hyderabad’s climate is kinder on such cars. 
The first registration AAY 915 still on the car.
The crumbling dash thankfully retained most original fittings. The missing horn button and gear knob were sourced thanks to Standard guru Stanher.
Here is a glass logo I haven’t seen before.
Factory upholstery thankfully there for reference. Note the white door beadings, I assume original, though perished.
Auto Chenoy was the Standard Motors dealer in Hyderabad.
The engine turned freely, and was void of any alterations. I am unsure on the air cleaner though.
Factory tag intact
Loaded for Mumbai! Note the roof gutter trims, added to the last of the Mark II models, but deleted for the Gazel.
The documents showed the car belonged originally to a parsi lady doctor in Secunderabad.
Continue reading BHPian karlosdeville’s thread for more insights and information.
