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Ford Pilot
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Norseman



Joined: 09 Jan 2019
Posts: 114
Location: Essex UK

PostPosted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 7:06 am    Post subject: Ford Pilot Reply with quote

I'm tempted by a Ford V8 Pilot that's for sale at a local dealer. Back when I was a teenager one of my neighbours had one of these cars & I have loved the style ever since.

I've browsed the search facility for any comments but found it utterly useless.
Any Pilot owners here that would care to offer a review/experiences of their car's?

Comment good/bad would be appreciated.
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1987 classic Range Rover Vogue auto
1998 E39 523i SE auto sedan

A great many models have served me well since the 'sixties, all of them old & some even older than me.
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V8 Nutter



Joined: 27 Aug 2012
Posts: 602

PostPosted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 3:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Back in the early sixties I owned three Pilots. When they were set up properly they were great cars
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Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22790
Location: UK

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 8:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

We enjoyed owning our Ludlow Green Pilot. Quite low geared steering as is common on cars of this era, the distributor is a fiddle to get at being on the front of the engine otherwise not bad to work on. I have a playlist on my Youtube where all the Pilot-related videos are to be found https://www.youtube.com/@oldclassiccarUK/playlists

RJ
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4866
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 4:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Were all UK built Ford V8s, Pilots.

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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10
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bjacko



Joined: 28 Oct 2013
Posts: 527
Location: Melbourne Australia

PostPosted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 8:05 am    Post subject: V8 Pilots Reply with quote

The local taxi service had a ford V8 with wire wheels, so I presume it was early 30's model similar shape to the Ford 8 of 1934 (and Morris 8)but much larger.
I remember just after the war there was a bell ringing and it was a V8 Pilot Ice Cream van owned by Granneli's of Macclesfield who used to come around prior to the war. It was a similar Green to the one Rick had. Maybe they still own it, they still own their Morris J van as I have seen it at Tatton Car shows. I expect they still come around selling ice cream but in a more modern van.
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1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP
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alastairq



Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2121
Location: East Yorkshire

PostPosted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 9:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ford Model 18, followed by the Ford Model 40, both had V8 flathead motors.
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4866
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 1:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was told that the Blue convertible, in my picture, was originally owned by a gentleman who had all his cars in that colour and named some of them Bluebird.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10
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V8 Nutter



Joined: 27 Aug 2012
Posts: 602

PostPosted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 1:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pre World War 11 American Ford V8's were assembled at Dagenham, they had the 30H.P. engine. In 1935 a new smaller 22H.P. engine was introduced. From 1936 to 1939 the 22H.P. V8 was used in a unique British body, this car was known as the Model 62, a similar car was also produced in France and Germany, but with local variations. The body was used during the war for staff cars, but it was fitted with the 30H.P. engine. After the war the same body with a re-styled front end was used for the Pilot. An updated 22H.P. engine was originally planned but in test it wasn't very successful, so the old 30H.P. was used instead. Legend has it a few of the 22H.P. Pilots were released to the public for test purposes
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Norseman



Joined: 09 Jan 2019
Posts: 114
Location: Essex UK

PostPosted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

V8 Nutter wrote:
Pre World War 11 American Ford V8's were assembled at Dagenham, they had the 30H.P. engine. In 1935 a new smaller 22H.P. engine was introduced. From 1936 to 1939 the 22H.P. V8 was used in a unique British body, this car was known as the Model 62, a similar car was also produced in France and Germany, but with local variations. The body was used during the war for staff cars, but it was fitted with the 30H.P. engine. After the war the same body with a re-styled front end was used for the Pilot. An updated 22H.P. engine was originally planned but in test it wasn't very successful, so the old 30H.P. was used instead. Legend has it a few of the 22H.P. Pilots were released to the public for test purposes


A very informative reply to my post, thank you for that.
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1987 classic Range Rover Vogue auto
1998 E39 523i SE auto sedan

A great many models have served me well since the 'sixties, all of them old & some even older than me.
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