The Standard 2000 - the Big Daddy of 'modern' cars!

I have always loved the Standard 2000 for its looks. For me its still the most beautiful car to be ever sold in india! 

The Standard 2000 was launched here in April 1985, a time when there were only 8 cars in the market. The 2000 with its Rs 2,12,000 price tag, was conceived to be the car for the rich. The car looked awesome from any angle. With the Ferrari Daytona inspired front end this car would sure have got second glances!

The 2000 looked visually similar to the Rover SD1, infact it was the Rover SD1 itself! except for the engine and the gearbox. The Standard 2000 used a reworked version of an ancient standard engine (developed in 1948!) that produced just 83bhp. It had a four speed locally designed gearbox that replaced the Rover unit.

The ancient engine and crude gearbox spelt pathetic performance. Performance did'nt match the looks! And it was quite a gas guzzler returning a fuel efficiency figure of 6Kpl! 

But the 2000 had a generous list of equipments. For 2 lakh rupees, it offered all the creature comforts that a present day car offers. It had an Air conditioner, power steering, power windows and even central locking!

The Standard 2000 faced dismal sales and was finally discontinued in 1988, just three years after its launch. It was purely the engine that killed what could have been a very successful car. A nice turbo diesel engine would have done the car a lot of good! 

I still mourn your death, 2000...!