Family Memories 1960s Ford Thames 800 Van | Season 2 - Episode 29

👋 Hey friends! In this video, we are featuring the memories of Tipperary man John O'Connell for his families 1964 Ford Thames 800 Van.
Welcome to Ireland Made. We celebrate stories of Irish transport past and present. If it has wings, wheels or it floats, we share the story.
⬇️ Do you have a family memory or the Ford Thames van? Comment below ⬇️
🛎️ Subscribe to our channel so you never miss an upload go to RUclips Link: / @irelandmade
for new videos!
John O’Connell from north Tipperary is the proud owner of this 1964 Thames 800 van and enjoys strong childhood memories of his Father and Uncles using these vans for their work.
In the mid-1950s Ford (Europe) found itself lagging behind their opposition in the light commercial van market as their model offering at the time was the antiquated Fordson E83W that had been released way back in 1938.
Ford’s new van for the European market, the Thames 400E was manufactured in Dagenham on the outskirts of London with production starting in September 1957. Initially identified as the 400E and by its load capacity as the 10/12 and later 15 cwt the Thames later became known as the 800 and then the Freighter. Production ran from 1957 until September 1965 and 187,000 units were built, the successor was the mighty Transit, still in production today.
The Thames was available as a van ‘closed chassis’ and pick up ‘open chassis’ along with a 8 to 10 seater estate car derivative and a mini-bus 12-seater based on the 15 cwt model and other coach-built variations.
Up until mid-1962 Ford’s Consul passenger car provided the running gear and a low-compression petrol engine, a 1703 cc OHV 53 bhp (40 kW) with 3-speed transmission. And a less powerful, but more economical Perkins 1.6 diesel engine was offered as the diesel option. This was in turn replaced with a 1703 cc low-compression petrol version from Ford’s Zephyr passenger car.
As John reminisces; “The reason I have this van is in 1958 my Daddy and two of his brothers bought one just like this brand new for their building contracting business. It was purchased from Paddy Reagan, Salesman of Thurles Motors Ltd in The Mall, Thurles a Ford dealership for many years owned by Pat John & his brother Michael and registered as BFI 40.”
The Thames 800 registration BFI 40 served the family business well until 1964, when as a result of being booked in for a full service in preparation for a new contract far from home, Mr Reagan the Salesman offered John’s Daddy and his brothers a great trade-in deal on a brand new van as he wanted their van for another customer.
As John fondly remembers this Thames van was registered FFI 608 and painted the same colour as the previous van in Ambassador Blue and remained in service with his family until mid-1975.
Over the years John held a longing for a Thames van and there was the occasional reminder as well as in his early days in work a regular delivery driver was “running an old Thames camper”. Eventually John was able to travel to the UK to buy his own Thames van and once the necessary paperwork was completed he was able to register FFI 608 with matching engine, chassis and body-colour numbers and all corresponding with the buff-coloured logbook.
On John’s van you will note the hood affixed to the back which attracts attention at classic vehicle rallies.
John’s Daddy and his brothers also used a lorry in their building contracting business fitted with a ‘shade’ on the rear which has now also been mounted on the Thames to shelter the building workers and anyone else who happened to catch a lift as well. J
Engine (petrol): 1703 cc OHV (Consul passenger car)
Power: 53 bhp (40 kW)
Engine (diesel): 1600 cc 4-cylinder (Perkins 4/99)
Power: 42 bhp (31kW)
Transmission: 3-speed column gearchange
****************************************************************************
Do you use a Jubilee clip in your workshop? Check out our downloadable tribute print to this great tool irelandmade.ie/shop/
****************************************************************************
Follow Ireland Made for the latest!
Facebook Link: / irlmade
Instagram Link: / irlmade
Check out the new Ireland Made website www.irelandmade.ie to view our back catalogue of videos.
Do you have an Irish transport story past or present you would like us to feature? Email us here [e-mail]
Feel free to share on social media. This post is copyrighted© to Ireland Made® Not to be copied or reproduced without permission.
Information sources:
1. John O’Connell
2. 1957-1958 Ford Thames 800 Van Owner's Manual Original
3. Ford 400 Owners Club (UK)
4. Ford Owners Club
#irelandmade #tipperarymade #thames800 #fordthames #Ford #classicvan

[@jetsons101]

Just got my morning coffee and found a new "Ireland Made" video waiting just for me.... What a enjoyable watch, as a license mechanic I fine this channel very enjoyable. Thanks to Ireland Made.....

[@martinareid1154]

Beautiful looking van. They don’t make them like they use to. Thanks for sharing Ireland Made.

[@IrelandMade]

Great story from Co Tipperary on the Ford Thames 800 van.