I bought a secondhand Vitesse,” says Clive Berg-
man, who added the 948 to his fleet in 2004.
“The visibility is superb, and the gearchange is
lovely provided it’s properly maintained.”
The specification included a heater, wind-
screen washers, adjustable steering and front
seats that could be arranged in 72 different
positions. The 948s also featured a folding rear
bench and a ‘chip basket’ parcel carrier beneath
the glove compartment, and such details justi-
fied the Herald’s comparatively high price. By
1959 it would have been an error of marketing
to sell it as a Standard: the Herald was transpor-
tation for the sort of person who aspired to
a lifestyle that was above the norm.
The original post-war small Triumph was the
Mayflower, but that was for retired Majors and
anyone who regarded Juke Box Jury as proof that
the country was going to the dogs. The Herald
was for the driver who was (moderately) with it,
and the marque name bestowed a sporting image
on the Herald – even if the 948cc engine was not
really associated with high-performance motor-
ing. The Coupé at least boasted twin carbs,
but while the saloon looked fit and ready for the
new M1 its 71mph top speed was better suited
to B-road motoring or the town centre, where
the 25ft turning circle came into its own.
The Leyland Corporation acquired Standard-
Triumph in 1960, which permitted the funds to
develop the improved 1200 of 1961. “The differ-
ence in performance is relative,” says Bergman,
“and I’ve properly rebuilt the engine on my
Herald, so it gives its full 34½bhp! I enjoy the
948 because it’s the genesis of the Herald family,
September 2019 Classic & Sports Car 163From top: Herald’s plastic
bumpers were finished in
body colour; stylish cabin
is very ’60s in feel; famous
Standard-Triumph crest
adorns grille; separate
chassis allows for a huge
front-hinged bonnet that
affords exceptional access
to compact 948cc ‘four’