1. Ford Anglia 100E sidevalve.
First up, a colour photograph sent over by Alan, with Anglia registration TRY 43 parked at the kerbside, with typical suburban semis in the background.
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The 100E - Ford's new saloon for the 1950s.
Alan says: "The Ford Anglia was our car before the Cambridge, photographed at Millmead Road, Cliftonville in 1963, the registration is now on a Honda I believe."
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This is a super photo - thanks to Alan for sending this and the others in. In the foreground is the family Ford 100E Anglia, with a BMC 1100 (Wolseley?) parked on the other side of the road, with another 100E rear-end-on in the distance. What I like about these old photos is the lack of road furniture, I bet if you revisit this road now there would be speed humps, signs, poorly refinished road repairs (I don't remember the last time I saw such a smart road surface!!), litter, and probably lots more cars, either parked or racing by. A bit of research tells me that Millmead Road is down in Margate, Kent, and still very much in business (you can even see a map of the road here if you really want to!).
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But back to the 100E Ford. The New Anglia and Popular were launched in the early 1950s, and were a breath of fresh air in the small-car market for Ford. Hitherto the Dagenham car maker could only offer warmed-over versions of their pre-war 1172cc sidevalve cars, either rated at 8hp or 10hp. What they needed was something altogether more modern, to take on fresh designs such as the Austin A30 and Morris Minor. The crisp 3 box styling was bang up-to-date, although it did hide some throwbacks to the older upright Fords.
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Anglias, Populars and other 100Es (they also came as a van and estate car) were again powered by a sidevalve engine, still of 1172cc, and a derivative of the older 10hp engine. It did feature some updates to the old design, but was still outclassed by the modern OHV units that appeared in A30s, A35s and Series 2 Minors. It also had a 3 speed gearbox, when 50s new-car motorist was really wanting 4. Despite the mechanical side of the car being a little 'old hat', buyers looking for a cheap new car flocked to the Ford dealerships and bought 100Es in large numbers. Production continued through the 1950s, until the 105E came along. Towards the end of 100E production, a special version called the 107E Prefect was marketed. Visually it looked similar to the 100E Prefect, but had the benefit of the 105E OHV engine, and 4 speeds, which made a huge difference. I owned a 107E for a while and it was definitely an enjoyable car to bowl along in.
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As mentioned, there was also a van version, rated at 5cwt or 7cwt, and called the 300E. There were two estate car versions of the 100E saloon - the basic Escort estate (first time Ford used this model name I believe), and the Squire, early examples of which had wooden styling trims tacked onto the body sides.
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2. A 100E Prefect parked outside the Manor House Inn pub.
Since publishing the 100E photo above, I stumbled across this neat old photograph. Seen from behind is a basic 100E Ford Prefect, registration SUV 613, parked with two chaps outside the Manor House Inn, a Starkeys Ales public house it would seem. Initially I thought this was a Pop, but I'm told the 4 doors on this car means that its the Prefect version.
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A little detective work confirms that this establishment, which dates to the 16th Century, is still in business, and still called the Manor House Inn. It is located on St Mary's Road, Croyde, Braunton, in Devon. Their website is currently being built but will hopefully contain some photos showing how the building looks now. A small photograph showing the Manor House Inn as it is today features on this Devon food website.
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3. Ford 100E Anglia & Prefect press photographs.
David B emailed these two photographs over for use on the site. They were both issued by Ford at the launch of the respective models, ie the 100E Anglia and 100E Prefect.
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A typewritten note that came with the photographs reads as follows:
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"The New Anglia and New Prefect bring to the motoring world an unprecedented combination of stylish appearance, roominess, performance and economy at prices which symbolise Ford "Value for Money" policy.
Many mechanical features, which have received universal praise in the famous Consul and Zephyr Six, such as the unique I.F.S. and hydraulically operated clutch are to be found with similar standards of comfort and safety in these latest additions to the Ford range. Both cars are powered by an entirely new 1172cc engine developing 36 bhp @ 4,400 rpm."
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4. A 100E alongside an E493A.
The next snapshot shows a Ford 100E Anglia parked in a field. Registration LUH 911, a Cardiff series first used in 1955, it isn't hard to imagine what car would now be wearing that registration had the Anglia survived into recent times. It looks to be in pretty standard condition, other than twin wing mirrors, an AA badge, a steering wheel glove, and a suction-fit demister fitted to the rear window. Parked alongside the 100E is an E493A Prefect from the same stable.
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Back to Car Photographs Page 3.
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If you're thinking of buying a 100E as a classic today, this 100E buyers' guide may come in handy. If you'd lived in Co. Kerry in 1957, and a 100E appealed, then perhaps you'd have entered this prize draw to win a brand new 100E Ford Prefect!
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The main owners club catering for the 100E is the Ford Sidevalve Owners Club (visit their site here).
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