Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[WAE83W]

Well, I am new to this forum since my dad and I just picked up a "barn find" E83W. It was sold to us as a '54, but I think it is older then that looking at the previous serial number posts. The serial is C-527506, and if Enfo used the same sequences with Anglias and Thames E83W then this would make it a 1950. Is that correct?

I am hoping to post pictures of it next weekend.. Supposedly it was in storage from 1957 onwards, but not too sure about that.

Finally, is the seat generic to any other models or are they specific to the E83W? We are missing the seat, but pretty much everything else is there. FYI - it is a LHD model (I live in Washington, USA).

Oh, and I will try to also post some pictures of our other cars (Anglia Sedan, Anglia Tourer, Anglia Roadster)

Thanks for the help/feedback!

Kyle Kimball

[Les Foster]

Kyle Kimball 's E83W would be a 1950, alright. Bill Ballard's book lists C480776 as Jan.01/50 and C541893 as July 01?50. Thus his was likely built around the Spring of 1950. In any case E83W's were only imported from 48-53. Occasionally one would not be sold and ended up being registered in it's year of sale rather than it's year of production . I have an E83W Estate car like that. It's really a 1951 but never sold until 53- the year it was registered. Remember that this is the Chassis Number (found on the firewall plate and on top of the right (passenger side) frame rail on LHD Thames. Kyle will probably need to scrape the grease and rust off the frame to read it!
The engine number matched the chassis number when built but few Thames still have their original motors so the numbers may not be the same now,
By the way, Kyle, I am located just north of you in Tsawwassen (Delta), B.C.
You can see some of my Thames in the E83W register on this website. Contact me anytime for help. Regarding the seat- it was unique to the E83W and is just a tiny bucket that sits almost on the floor. Do you have a van or pickup or? I may be able to provide a seat, etc. What part of Washington do you live in? -Les Foster

[WAE83W]

Les, thanks for the feedback! I will get down to the vehicle this weekend and hopefully have some more information (and pictures )
I live in the Puyallup, WA area, which is somewhat close to Tacoma. I have actually been through Tsawwassen before when going to Victoria, so I know where that is. If you know of anybody that has an original seat I would be very interested, I am hoping to keep it as original as possible. Oh, which brings up the model, it is a van. Thanks again

Kyle Kimball

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Another E83W project. great, someone else who is in the same boat as me, I really look forward to some pictures, and more details! You can see my truck pics in "what I am up to" in the "your restorations" thread! If you need any help, post here, I am sure one of us will be able to help, and Les has already offered his assistance.

Les can you post some pics of your thames?

Cheers

Dave

[Les Foster]

Kyle: Puyallup is not too far away! I could provide a seat- The frame and tracks ( you may already have the tracks bolted to the floor) at least. Generally they all need new upholstery anyway. They are a simple framework with tubular base and long springs stretched across. You would need to pad it and recover it. My email is leswfoster@hotmail.com. -Les Foster
PS: I'm the E83W advisor for a couple of clubs so if you have any questions I can try to answer them. Also I'd love to see those photos!

[WAE83W]

Les, thanks for the offer! We (my dad and I) are definitely interested in a seat. Is it an original one or something that you reproduce? I will get pictures soon, probably Saturday or Sunday. Thanks again for the help guys!

[Les Foster]

Kyle: I can supply you with an old original seat or the frame work of it at least. You would need to clean it up and re-upholster it. You can email me directly if you wish. I'm not in the business, I'm just a fellow enthusiast! -Les Foster

[WAE83W]

Okay, so I went and took some pictures today, let me know what you guys think. I am looking for some input on what isn't stock, etc.. Also, the list of parts grows, I am looking for a seat, front bumper and mounting system, and any info on where we might be able to get some wood pieces for the rear area (back RH door is loose due to wood falling off). All in all I think it is quite a steal at $1k! Thanks!

[Scotty]

You ain't kidding when you say you "stole" it for a $1000 - that's a killer deal.

With regard to "stock", not that I know a great deal about 83's I've never seen a rear bumper set-up like that on the British versions. Now that's not to say its been added, it may well have been a Canadian / American fitment, but I'm sure the steeped-in-the-wool owners will guide you on that one.
Same goes for the ancillary lights on the front wings, once again I don't remember seeing them on UK versions, but once again the experts will tell you if I'm havering.

And one last thing -

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Great deal, the van as far as I am aware, the uk version anyway, like scotty said does not have the rear bumper, the main lights look ok, but obviously need the lenses etc, they can be quite hard to find. the auxillary lights must have been added as far as I know at a later date.

If the same as the uk trucks, the wings shouldn't have the indicator holes, but most have had flashing indicators added either to the wings or to the bumper vire bracketry, as few people look out for traficators these days! The grille looks straight and intact, these can be hard to find in a good condition, so that is a good thing!

Is all of the engine and running gear/brakes good? Looks to be in a solid condition, are you going to restore it totally or are you going to revamp it. It looks pretty intact, so shouldn't be too hard to get her on the road!

As far as the wood goes, you need to get some ash, and make some new pieces up, you might find some off another van, but they will probably be in a simmilar condition, and making them is probably a better option!

Have you seen one of Ricks sister sites: www.e83w.co.uk lots of pictures and information!

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

Hi

Looks like a great van, as Scotty and buzzy said the back bumper is not a factory fitment. The export E83Ws did have a small sidelight fitted to the front wings below the main headlamps. It looks like it is on 16" diameter rims, which are probably off a pickup - vans usually have 18"s but it doesn't matter really!!

Its quite rare to see the original type of indicator switch on the dash (left most switch in the photo), the side-to-side switch, these usually get replaced with rotary switches like you see on Austin A35s etc.

Great project! do you want me to add you to the Register page on the E83W site??

Rick
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[WAE83W]

Thanks for the feedback guys, so the bumper that is sitting in the back is a stock front bumper? I didnt think that they had that much "curve" in the blade (from what I have seen on the site). If it is the correct one then I am set!

We have a few other Anglias and a bunch of spare parts, so the headlight lenses and such wont be a problem. I was wondering what type of front turn signal lights people usually put on. We have a set of Anglia-style lights (the mini-version of the headlights) that we were thinking about using.

I also noticed the 16" rims, I noticed somewhere else on the internet that it could have been an option, is that true?

Finally, I did check the engine number and all the numbers are matching. Below is a picture of the engine compartment, probably a little work here to actually get it running, also needs new exhaust pipes...

Rick, that would be great to add me to the registry! Thanks

Oh, I also added a sneak peak of the "collection" ('47 Anglia Tourer, '58 Popular, '48 Anglia Roadster, '50 Thames, '50 Austin Ute, '37 Fiat Topolino)

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Looks like a fine collection to me!

Cheers for sharing th pic!

Dave

[Les Foster]

Kyle: Wow! What a fleet of enfo's you have! I'd love to see it! Your E83W is very good, too. I'd say it's in better condition than most North American Thames, definitely!
The other guys have pretty well covered the items but I'll recap anyway as I am familiar with the export models.
Your van is virtually bone-stock. The front bumper is the correct one- N.A.S.S. (North American Sales and Service) Thames used the more Prefect-like bumper in chrome with two over-riders. It looks good and has the original plate holder.
The rear bumper has been added (a common mod). There was originally no openings for mounts or anything.
The spare tire door is missing. It was a simple fabrication made from one basic panel cut and folded with a couple of triangular fillets to give a flat central area for the license-plate and simple "budget locks" (operated by a square key stock) and covered by chrome "toilet seat " covers (like many British cars such as TR-3, etc) to keep it closed. It pivoted at the bottom on bolts attched to the wooden structure. Most vans lost the door when the wood rotted and they fell off on the road, unnoticed until it was too late.
The rear light is correct. I've seen both the oblong Anglia/Prefect lamp and a (later) round lamp.
The passenger side step is an add-on. They didn't have this except for the Estate Car but you could get either an NASS Estate Car step or (more easily, probably) a RHD driver's step if you want one on each side.
The front fender parking lamps are, as has been pointed out, incorrect. NASS modells had neat little mini-pods with glass lenses for side lamps. The grill is unbelievably good!
The rear door structure rot is typical due to the poor fit and leakage that made the rear wood go first. You'd just have to make your own- everyone has the same problem!
One caution is the gearbox/rear axle/torque tube assembly. Typically water gets down the gearbox dipstick hole when the fabric roof goes and the water fills up to the point at which it runs down the torque tube and begins to accumulate in the rear axle. It plays havoc with the gears and bearings!
One good thing is that your rear diff. bearings, rear axle wheel bearings and axle-end re-sleeving kit, some seals, and front tie rod ends, rear spring shackles, shock links, etc. for the E83W can be sourced from North American old car suppliers as they come from or are interchangeable with 1932-36 US Ford cars. Remember, the E83W came out in '38 so they were dipping into existing English and US Ford parts bins when designing it. It's critical to get a Parts List (book in US speak). They key is the part number prefix. If the number begins with 'E83W' you probably have to have the correct English part. Often, though, you'll see 'B' or '40', etc This means it came from a US model or a US-based British car like the Model 62, etc. Watch out for parts specific to LHD vs. RHD models, too.
I use the local "Old Car Center" in Langley, B.C. (a suburb of Vancouver) to source my US Ford parts. For British stuff I recommend Small Ford Spares (smallford spares.co.uk). They have the Parts List available and provide excellent service. Also try angliaobsolete.com for things like sidelamps, etc. shared by the Anglia. Just be sure you don't mix up the 1/4 ton Thames with the 1/2 ton (yours) as, of course, the body/frame was totally different except for some minor bits.
All NASS Thames came over in the flat green primer (except the Estate Car which was pea-green with silver wheels and brown, rather than black upholstery. Many were painted over here to the customer's specs but many just stayed primered.
Anyway, I think you have found an exceptional example at a decent price considering the average state of old Thames! I can probably help with parts as I am just now trying to cleanup my stuff a bit so as to create more room for my on-going Thames restorations.

[Les Foster]

Kyle: Oops! I forgot a couple of things.
Your van's's dash has some extra non-original knob added between the ignition switch and the trafficator (signal switch). There should be just the (from left to right): high beam lamp, trafficator switch (Tex-Glo-lite, available for replacement if neccesary),combination ignition/lighting switch, fuel gauge, speedo, amp. gauge, and (below the instruments) the choke and stater pull knobs. A tiny toggle switch is on the underside lip of the dash for the instrument lamps. There was a dome light with its own integral switch. mounted on one of the roof bows.
The wiring harness can be had. I got a new one from the North American agents of AutoSparks (UK)- British Wiring Inc. (was in Illinios but has moved) which you can 'google' to find on the internet. This was some years back but they keep their info, I believe. There are a few points to remember! The harness (or 'loom') is basically the same as the British one and is simply flipped upside-down for LHD. The fuel gauge/amp gauge were paced in opposite dash holes for NASS models. The only problem was the horn wire which required a custom extension to reach the LHD column's base. However, there is a difference in earlier Thames. You need to specify that you need a floor-mounted dimmer (dipper) switch harness. Earlier British models had it on the steering column! Also the trafficator harness/dome lamp/rear lamp harnesses are separate and may require examples made unless they kept my specs (or someone else's ) on record. Contact BWI and ask if they have the patterns for Les Foster's 1951 Thames E83W van for which they made a LHD harness about 10 years ago.
I made a good harness by copying an old one and employing a multi-wire trailer wire in a rubber casing. I just tapped-into the wires as needed and used unused portions for other circuits. The end result was very neat and I taped it all over with hockey (Canada, eh!) tape. I had to carefully paint the ends of some wires were they emerged from the harness in the factory colours for ID. I did this to avoid dirtying my BWI harness until my rolling resto is totally finished.
I hope this all helps. Don't hesitate to ask!