My chosen object is a bonnet mascot that was manufactured
for the Standard Vanguard Phase 2, the car was produced by the Standard Motor
Company in Coventry from 1953-1956. The “Vanguard” took its model name from a
warship and was the first model to carry the new Standard badge, which was a
heavily stylised representation of the wings of a griffin. The styling of the
car resembled that of a pre-war Plymouth with a sloping "beetle-back".
The mascot in my possession was found by my father and his
friend, while in their teens, attached to the bonnet of a Standard Eight, which
was left abandoned in a dilapidated garage behind a boarded shop. After playing
in the unlocked car they attempted to remove the mascot, which had seemingly
been added in an attempt to improve the looks of an otherwise unimpressive vehicle,
after finding that it had completely rusted onto the bonnet they removed the
bonnet itself and had his father help remove the mascot later.
Despite the objects pickled and dirtied surface, the
chromium shine and its sleek rocket-like lines give an immense sense of
movement and power and despite its age, still holds an iconic and impressive
look that evokes memories of a better time, that you need not have experienced
to feel and understand.
Below are images of the object, alongside photographs of the Standard Vanguard Phase II to display the object and its original context.
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