Ford 103E Popular.
Well into the 1950s there was still a demand for back-to-basics motoring, one that enabled families on regular incomes to afford a new car. Despite being based on archaic pre-war undergarments, the 103E Pop, ultimate development of the pre-war 8/10hp sidevalve Fords (such as the 7W Ten and 7Y), still found many eager buyers in the Ford showrooms. Ease of maintenance, excellent (and cheap) spares availability, and decent reliability meant that these old stagers were regular sights on Britain's roads throughout the 50s and into the 60s, as old examples were kept running thanks to their owner's ingenuity and indifference to newer car designs.
The engine fitted in the Pop was a 4 cylinder 1172cc unit, rated at 10hp (RAC), driving the rear axle via a 3 speed gearbox. There was a slightly plusher version, known as the Anglia, but the car shown here is definitely a Pop, thanks to the small Butler headlamps fitted to the front wings. The dash was a basic metal affair, and even the front bumper is painted rather than chrome plated. Alongside the Pop is another identical model, but finished in a darker colour - probably black! To the other side, and nearest the camera, is an early P4 series Rover, with a roof-rack fitted.
Ford Pops have a loyal following today, with survivors being split between original-spec examples, and those heavily modified by the hot rod brigade. Many customised Pops have V8s squeezed under fibreglass flip fronts, bolted down onto specially-built chassis, leaving little of the original Ford bar it's basic body profile in place. I suppose we'll never know what happened to the Ford Popular shown in these photos - where is 228 CHK now?
Due to their popularity, I have a number of Pop items on the site now, including the screensaver and a regalia section.
Return to the Old Photographs of Cars - Page 4.
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