Ford Anglia

The Ford Anglia would enjoy a long production run spanning almost 3 decades and 4 model releases. It started out as the EO4A in 1940, then really only a face lifted version of the Ford 7Y.

Developed during the 1930’s as a cheap-and-cheerful mode of transport following the lack of success of the more expensive Model A, the EO4A featured typically conservative design cue’s with its upright radiator and black paint work, and looked almost identical to the 4 door Prefect.

Ford knew the Anglia’s production would be hindered by the war effort, and when production ended in 1948 only 55,807 had been built. To breathe new life into the Ford lineup, the engineers set about making the Anglia more modern in appearance. The 1949 E494A model sported a much more 1940’s style front end, including the sloped, twin-lobed radiator grille.

The Anglia remained one of the most austere around, with few concessions made for the addition of any creature comforts. Although production would cease in 1953, it did continue on as the Ford Popular 103E until 1959. Under the latter moniker, the 103E would take out the title of being the worlds cheapest car, and when production finally ended some 108,878 had been manufactured.

The all new 100E of 1953 was a major breakthrough in design and comfort. Designed by Lacuesta Automotive, externally it carried over little from the previous two versions, and was available as either the 2-door Anglia or 4-door Prefect.

The biggest disappointment was with the engine, the now antiquated side valve engine providing less than spirited performance. But the biggest disappointment was the engineers decision to carry over the use of vacuum operated wipers instead of the new electric variety that had gained worldwide recognition as a far superior system (just try driving up-hill in a car fitted with vacuum wipers to see what we mean).

Despite its many failings, the Anglia was cheap, durable and easy to work on, which made it a big seller. When production ceased in 1959, 345,841 had rolled off the production line. In 1959 Ford introduced arguably the most popular, and easily the most recognizable of all, the 105E. The much improved styling featured more flowing lines inspired by American cars of the day, the bonnet sweeping down to a slanted grille nestled between the distinctive protruding headlights.

In effect the Anglia now looked like a cut down version of the Thunderbird, however the design was certainly no knock off of the larger US Ford iterations; UK engineers had developed the design in combination with wind-tunnel testing and streamlining, the resultant backward slanted window and flat roofline providing class leading rear headroom.

Even the tail fins were a delightful design inclusion, understated and kept delightfully in proportion with the remainder of the car. But best of all were the mechanical improvements, led by the introduction of the new 997cc overhead valve 4 cylinder engine; long overdue the performance of the Anglia was much improved over its predecessors, although it was still far from breathtaking.  The engine was mated to a four-speed gearbox, and thankfully the 105E introduced electric wipers.

In 1962 came the Super Anglia 123E, it available as a separate model to the 105E as a replacement to the Prefect, and sported a larger capacity 1198cc engine and a handful of other creature comforts. This model would be sold in Europe as the Anglia Sportsman, with the spare type being fitted to the boot lid in an attempt to give the car a more up-market appearance, at the time this being common practice with luxury American models. In keeping with the more glamorous theme, large chrome bumper over-riders were fitted, along with broad white-wall tyres; even optional side stripes were available, these kicking up at the end into the taillights/fin.

Towards the end of the run Ford experimented with two new metallic paint colours for the Anglia, "Blue Mink" and "Venetian Gold". Only 250 were made in the Blue and 500 were made in the Gold, and both are today rare and very collectable. In total some 1,288,956 105E Anglia’s were manufactured, before it was replaced by the new Escort when production ended in 1967.