Fab '50s Fords

The Good Old Days when Ford actually made cars we wanted to buy

Let’s do some history. I might run this every week or split it, but at a time when Ford seem to have made some monumentally stupid decisions, here are reminders of just how accomplished they were at making cars in Blighty.

Stupid? Well that would be cancelling the Fiesta so that they could build more battery cars and bringing back the Capri as an SUV with batteries. I won’t go on.

Back in time though and we will be focusing on the 1950s, Ford’s association has been a long and very fruitful one. Especially for Ford who made loads of money by understanding the British car buyer better than anyone. Certainly far better than the British Motor Corporation. As they faffed around with multiple marques and competing models, Ford offered value for money, quality, small medium and large cars for the masses. They were built and designed here too.

Just to annoy everyone, let’s go back to the beginning and cover the really ancient stuff from before the First World War. You may not care about the Model T, but it is a vitally important part of the Ford story. Also several models made a return to the car market after the Second World War, so there is a direct link from the ‘30s to ‘50s.

Here is the point at which Ford made it deservedly big in Britain and if you were around in the ‘60s and ‘70s, quite a few of these were still street furniture.

Ford Model T

Years of manufacture 1911-27

Engine 2890cc

Power 20bhp

0-60mph 0-95km/h n/a seconds

Top speed 42mph/68km/h

Production figures 300,000

The legendary Model T made sense in Britain because it was tough, reliable and affordable. Assembled in Britain from 1911 onwards at Trafford Park in Manchester parts were imported direct from America. Indeed Trafford Park had a key role in Ford production before the advent of the moving production line. A moving line was introduced first for assembly of the Model T's flywheel generator in 1913 at the main Ford plant in Detroit and line assembly began in Manchester within a year.

The Model T was a reassuring basic car with a strong four-cylinder side valve engine. This 3.0 litre engine produced 20bhp and had pedal operated epicyclic gears, making it easy to drive. Two forward gears and one reverse was simple enough as was the transverse semi-elliptic suspension front and rear, although there was only two wheel brakes which proved adequate enough. There were a number of bodystyles available including a Roadster, Tourer, Tudor, Fordor and Town Car. Many companies took advantage of the chassis to build their own coupes and convertibles based on the straightforward running gear. No wonder that in 1919 41% of all vehicles registered in the UK were Fords.

Ford Model A

Years of manufacture 1928-31

Engine 2043/3285cc

Power 40 bhp

0-60mph 0-96km/h n/a seconds

Top speed 65mph/105km/h

Production figures 14,516

The Model T could not go on forever, even though old Henry took some convincing. Now the Model A may have been a sales sensational in the USA, but it was not a car that translated easily to Europe. That was because the A came equipped with a large four cylinder side valve 3285cc engine. Fine for America such a large engine could never survive in the UK where cars were taxed on the size of their engine.

To counter this a small 2043cc unit was fitted to what was known as the Model AF. It cost £5 more than the 3-litre but it did not really solve the problem of high fuel consumption. Nevertheless with proven transverse springing, plenty of ground clearance and a smooth three-speed gearbox this car proved durable and unstoppable. Available as a roadster, two-door touring, 4-door touring, fixed coupe and cabriolet and various saloons, there was a model for everyone. However, this was still the wrong sort of car to be selling in Europe and the newly opened Dagenham factory in Essex apparently built just five Model A cars in its first three months of operation in 1931 because demand was so low.

Ford Model Y

Years of manufacture 1932-39

Engine 933cc

Power 23.4bhp

0-60mph 0-95km/h n/a seconds

Top speed 60mph/96km/h

Production figures 157,668

Ford had to move fast to cope with the demise of the Model A, so the Y was developed in record time and got from drawing board to production line in the UK within a year. Without the arrival of the Y, the Dagenham factory could have been shut down, such was the crisis. Almost overnight though the Y gave Ford almost half of the crucial 8hp market. Part of its appeal was the bargain basement price as the Model Y Popular retailed for just £100, undercutting major rival manufacturers like Morris at a stroke.

The models that left Dagenham were two and four door saloons with a so-called 'short radiator look' and straight bumpers. By 1933 though the radiator shell was much longer and the bumpers dipped attractively in the middle. Instruments were now moved from the middle to where the driver could actually see them on the right. A foot operated dipswitch and central opening windscreen were other improvements. Capable of almost 60mph it was a swift enough motor car at the time. Not surprisingly the Y is credited with giving many in the UK their first taste of motoring.

Ford Anglia/Prefect/Popular

Years of manufacture 1939-59

Engine 933-1172cc

Power 30bhp

0-60mph 0-95km/h n/a seconds

Top speed 60mph/97km/h

Production figures 701,553

The Anglia name makes its debut in 1939, a restyed version of the old 7Y unfortunately the war got in the way of full production. However, Anglias rolled out of the Dagenham factory again in 1945 as soon as hostilities finished. There were no high specification De Luxe models, but the brakes were bigger. In 1948 Ford took the unusual step of effectively reintroducing the pre-war 7Y, except with a new grille and more pronounced boot. Overnight the Anglia became the cheapest car on sale even though buyers did not get much more than four wheels for their money.

The more luxurious four door Prefect, the first Ford with a name rather than a model number arrived in 1938 and was based on the 7W it was facelifted with updated a streamlined grille and so called 'crocodile' bonnet. Like the Anglia it was reintroduced after the war and updated in 1948 with big front wings, integral headlights and upright grille. From 1953 the Ford 'Pop' took over from the Anglia and Prefect as the most basic transportation. Essentially a 1949 Anglia with a 1172cc engine and no other specification to speak of, not even indicators. Even so motorists on a budget kept on buying it right up to 1959.

chapsemporiumnw on Ebay is offering for £5,995 for this 1954 Ford Popular. A rather lovely thing described as being pretty perfect and that’s a jolly good price considering that nothing seems to need doing. A Ford Five Slogs.

Ford V8 Pilot

Years of manufacture 1947-51

Engine 3622cc

Power 85bhp

0-60mph 0-95km/h n/a seconds

Top speed 83mph/133km/h

Production figures 35,618

Ford UK's first model launch into an expectant market after the war was the Pilot. Taking the body of a pre war V8-62, there were a few important that saw a new high front bonnet and radiator. However, if the body was not exactly new the 2.5-litre engine certainly was. Unfortunately the unit was sluggish and Ford were forced to quickly switch to the classic 221 flathead 30hp V8 that had been built in huge numbers for military vehicles. Although not a frugal car in an era of petrol rationing, for those in certain professions such as Doctors who could get regular supplies it was a refined, robust and utterly reliable choice.

Rod operated Girling brakes were something of a throwback and the column gearshift was the most obvious indication of American influence. Interestingly the Pilot had built in hydraulic jacks, which were never featured on any other UK Ford. Although it proved very popular as a saloon and a useful Police car, its chassis lent itself to other commercial applications. A rare pick up was built by Reynolds in Dagenham and there were also wood panelled shooting brakes and all-steel estate models. V8 engines though never had a long-term future in the UK.

Ford 100E

Years of manufacture 1953-62

Engine 1172cc

Power 36bhp

0-60mph 0-95km/h 29 seconds

Top speed 70mph/112km/h

Production figures 626,453

The Anglia/Prefect range represented Ford's departure from dated construction methods, as this was their first small car with a one-piece body and chassis. The entry-level Anglia was a two door only model, whilst the higher specification Prefect had four doors. Under the bonnet was old technology in the form of a 1172cc-side valve engine, although it was an all-new rather than carry over unit with adjustable tappets. MacPherson strut suspension first seen on the Consul/Zephyr range meant that handling was assured and turned the little car into a competitive racer.

Both Anglia and Prefect got a facelift in 1957 with larger rear windows, redesigned tail lights and new grilles. An unexpected touch of sophistication was the availability of a semi-automatic transmission, which was so unexpected that few were sold. The Popular and Prefect's appeal was as basic, no nonsense transportation. The three door commercial Escort van and estate car Esquire widened the model's appeal whilst wooden strips on the Esquire were an interesting stylistic touch. Prefects in De Luxe trim with extra chrome, two-tone interiors and lockable glove proved to be all the growing 1950s family needed to get around. With a new Anglia on the way the 100E was renamed the Popular in 1960.

Let’s go and get an Anglia then. At Classic Automobiles Worldwide Ltd

Here;’s a 1958 Ford Anglia, and just subject to a full engine rebuild to run on unleaded (still under warranty), new carburettor, new braking system, new tyres, new exhaust, electric system gone through, all in all around £10, 000. was spent making this super Anglia ready to go. So £10,950 seems rather good value. That’s a five Slogger.

Ford Consul/Zephyr/Zodiac

Years of manufacture 1950-66

Engine 1508cc-2553cc

Power 109bhp

0-60mph 0-95km/h 13.4 seconds

Top speed 103mph/166km/h

Production figures 942,217

With the Consul/Zephyr range launched at the Olympia Motor Show in 1950 Ford unveiled one of the most advanced designs of the era. It had a combined monocoque bodyshell, Ford's first overhead valve engine and innovative MacPherson independent suspension, which is still in use today. Ford also switched from 6V to 12V electrics, which is still the industry standard. The main differences between the Consul and Zephyr was the differing front end treatments and the Zephyr's 4 inch longer wheelbase to help accommodate six cylinder engines. A higher specification Zephyr Zodiac variant was introduced in 1953.

Rebodied in 1956 with a more spacious and Americanised design, the engines were also uprated. Convertible models were available straight away and a substantial facelift in 1959 saw lower roof lines and revised interiors. In 1966 the whole range moved upmarket when the Mark 2 models were badged as just Zephyr and Zodiac. Rivals to the cheaper jaguar saloons the Zephyr 4 replaced the Consul, whilst the 6 cylinder models became Ford's first models to officially do the 'ton' 100mph. Extra rear seat legroom in 1962 involved major structural changes. In 1965 a top of the range Zodiac Executive indicated just how ambitious Ford's plans were for their luxury models.

Over at Car & Classic a 1956 Ford Zephyr MK 1for £9500. Just under 40,000 miles and as is often the case a private sale due to ill health. Period steel sun visor, whitewall radial tyres, period spotlamps, stainless steel exhaust system, leather interior. Very solid underneath. New battery. New brake master cylinder and slave cylinders recently fitted. The paintwork has some flaking and minor surface rust spots on the doors bottom edges. An honest and reasonably priced old thing which is a solid 5 Slogs.

Ford Anglia

Years of manufacture 1959-67

Engine 997-1197cc

Power 39-49bhp

0-60mph 0-95km/h 21 seconds

Top speed 80mph/128km/h

Production figures 1,083,960

Ford opened a research and development centre in the heart of the British Motor Industry in Birmingham in the middle 1950s. However, only one production model emerged from this creative 'hothouse', the 105E Anglia. It proved to be something of a departure for Ford. Most obvious was the Americanised styling, not too surprising as a visiting designer from Ford USA Elwood Engel was credited with many features and responsible for extensive wind tunnel testing. Rear wings, reverse rake windscreen and hooded headlights made the car stand out. Despite the vague recirculating ball suspension the handling was certainly impressive, as was the performance.

One of the best features of the new Anglia was the engine with what can only be described as an over square, rev happy overhead valve unit which was attached to Fords first four speed transmission. It was no surprise to discover that this drivetrain soon became a favourite of the racing fraternity who installed them in single seat Formula Juniors. Estate cars were added to the range and in 1962 and proved to be very popular. A more luxurious Super model had a longer stroke 1200cc engine and all syncromesh gearbox. This now made the Anglia a great all round vehicle which sold in huge numbers to first time motorists.

See you next time.

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