Good Companion was Standard

Nov 16 2009 Ian Johnson

Good Companion was Standard

FUEL economy is a vital factor these days when buying a car, the top 40s in mpg is a figure that would be quite acceptable from a modern petrol engine.

But back in the early 1960s when many cars were returning early to mid-30s in terms of mpg, Standard Triumph was trumpeting 42-47mpg for one rather dated design, the Standard Companion.

The Companion was based on the Standard 10, which from 1955 to the early 60s gained many friends because it had one up on its rivals - the Ford 100E Squire, Austin A35 Countryman and Morris Minor Traveller - because it had four doors.

The Ten Companion used an all new 948cc version of the four-cylinder engine already in use in the Eight. Like the Eight the Ten engine also featured overhead valves and a four speed gearbox. The Ten Companion was also much better equipped than the woefully spartan basic Eight model.

The Ten Companion came with a full-width chrome grille, hub-caps, wind-down windows and a wide side-hinged van type rear door which gave access to 50 cubic feet of loadspace. It usually came in cheerful two-tone paintwork and its hallmark was a smart white steering wheel.

The Companion may not have had the charisma of the Morris 1000 Traveller, but its four doors and economy were positive factors in what was a remarkably competitive marketplace.

It was one of the most practical small estates of the classic years and yet many have forgotten it. Granted the spotlight at the time was on cars like the then modern Herald from Standard Triumph and the more powerful new Vanguard Luxury Six, but the unassuming Companion remains a milestone of of design in practicality and ease of ownership.

But could it achieve the mpg figure quoted in the early 60s motor show adverts? Standard Triumph qualified the claim by stating 'depending' on conditions.' I never got to drive one so I have to surmise that the gap between the manufacturer's claim and an archived claim of 39mpg was dependent on driving style.

Either way the Companion was a remarkably economical car when you think that the 948cc four-cylinder engine used was based on a rather old design. But the price you really paid was in performance. The Companion could only achieve a maximum speed of 66mph which made it somewhat pedestrian.

But it was a relatively cheap car for its time . Not so now because I have seen one of two Companions on sale for some hefty sums. One original and beautifully preserved example recently carried a sky high pricetag of £4,995.

There is a very active Standard Motor Club which does some fantastic work in keeping these wonderful British cars on the road and its activities are to be congratulated.

Companion slipped away from a showrooms a year or two before the Standard badge said a sad farewell in 1963. India continued to fly the Standard flag and there are still many of the 60s models to be seen on the roads there, including, I am sure, many Companions.