By Maz Woolley
Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.
It has been a long wait for this model from BHM. Problems at the small Chinese producer used by BHM to make their 1:43 resin models created delay after delay despite the trial bodyshell had been seem many months ago. I had almost given up expecting to see this model but it has now shipped in two different colours with small differences between them. The model shown in this article is the green and white one that I chose to buy.
The Standard Pennant Companion was the last version of the Standard 8/10 chassis launched in 1953 to be produced. The Standard 8/10 Companion was introduced in 1955 and the modified rear end was created by Mulliners of Bordesley Green in Birmingham. It’s main selling point over its rival small estate cars was the fact that it was a five door when most of its competitors only had three.
The Pennant was introduced in 1957 to bring the small Standard up to date whilst they were waiting to bring the new Triumph Herald into production. The Pennant gained a modified front end with hooded headlights and a slightly extended rear light cluster high up on the rear wing. as well as a new wide grille and an uprated version of the 10 engine closer in tune to the version to be launched in the Triumph Herald. Inside the basic 8/10 interior was made more attractive with a remote gear change, and a dashboard and glove box rather than instrument pod and open shelf amongst other changes. The saloon’s production ceased in 1960 following the launch of the Herald the previous year.
The later version of the Standard Companion had the front end from the Pennant but the rear end was unchanged from the earlier version. It lasted a little longer in production than the saloon staying on sale until the Herald Estate was launched and then it quietly faded into history leaving only the Phase III Vanguard and Ensign in production bearing the Standard name.
The Standard Pennant has been seen in 1:43 scale before as a 1959 saloon produced by Pathfinder in white metal. Long obsolete, the Pathfinder model seems to be offered at very high prices on auction sites. It was also produced some time ago by BHM and was reviewed here in MAR Online in 2022, the review may be read here at https://www.maronline.org.uk/bhm-standard-pennant/. It is understood that some of these saloons are still available from BHM.
It would appear that the Standard Companion has never been modelled in any scale. Either in it’s early 8/10 form, or the with the later Pennant front end. If it has I am sure that a reader will correct me. So I believe that this BHM helps to fill the gap in British motoring history in model form.
The overall shape of the Companion is well captured with the rounded body sides pleasingly shaped. The side windows do look a little shallow compared to photographs. This version of the model comes with several period extras like the colour coordinated sun visor and an aerial for an optional radio. Two fog lamps are also fitted which a cautious driver of the time might have had fitted to the car.
The headlight rim and the ‘hood’ over it seem a little over scale to me as does the Standard badge on the bonnet. However, not so much that they spoil the model. The grille is well shaped but seems a little too heavily moulded and lacks any sign of the vertical bars fitted to the rear on the real car . Sadly the windscreen wipers are flat etched items which are parked at an improbable angle and the blades seem rather too long for the Standard’s small windscreen – a mistake often seen on resin models from other manufacturers too
The duo colour paint finish used on the Companion has been nicely created here and is generally masked well if not perfectly. The window openings seem a little ‘wavy’ at points to me but again liveable with for a model of such a rare car. The painted wheels, hub caps and tyres are all nicely done
The rear end could as well be that of the earlier Companion as Mulliners carried on building it in the same way even on the Pennant version. Indeed that would offer BHM an opportunity to modify the front end and interior to create a Standard 8/10 Companion from the earlier 1950s.
The rear shape is good with separate rear lights neatly modelled as well as the door furniture and a little GB badge in case the owner wants to venture overseas. The number plates are not to my taste as they are just a statement of the cars number in the BHM Majesty Classics range. I would have much preferred a real UK number plate from a preserved car, or one seen in period advertising
Although not a perfect model it is a creditable attempt by a small outfit to portray a car once familiar on the streets of Britain and around the world and which is rarely seen today. It makes a nice partner for the BHM Pennant saloon or the Pathfinder should you have one. It is also made in Blue and White with a roof rack, lowered aerial and without the fog lamps. For those wanting one of these models patience is needed as the first batch of the model sold out immediately and more have had to be ordered from the factory in China.
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