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Looks to be a genuine little car, with no major issues. I've always loved these because of their simple mechanics, and parts availability. Look forward to seeing how things go.
Jeez , I used to have one of these . It was my grandfathers . I got it when he died . I remember going downhill and overtaking a truck . As I pulled back in the car went on 2 wheels , I steered into it and it went on 2 wheels the other side . Transverse springs , the dodgiest things in the world :)
The Ford Prefect 1948 was my first car which I learned to drive on. My Reg No was CHV500. They were a nice little car with cable brakes side valve engine 3 speed box etc the small switch on the right of the dash may have been for the instrument lights? I repainted the car with Dulux coach finish paint , it looked a treat. The wiper system performance was improved by installing a small air cylinder off of a lorry. No heater, no radio, very basic. The auto electrician where I worked changed the electrics over to 12 volt, this made the lights much brighter. Best wishes with this brings back many memories
Love this little car, I owned one when I lived in NZ years ago. A 1946 model, it had a soft roof, when it rained I would put the umbrella up, worked well.
Wow this is a lovely project for the winter. I like the shape of those Ford's. The running boards look solid as doesn't of the bodywork. Being a former upholster o have to congratulate the previous owner on his seat repair. I have seen people tackle that sort of job with disastrous results. I would keep all the lights as they are, it's all part of the history of the car. I hope all goes well with the 'revival' of this car. Thanks for the introduction and the video, the dog seems to approve as I didn't hear any barking !👍
Really enjoyed this video. My father had a "sit up and beg" Prefect as a firm's car in about 1953 which took us on holiday from Chesham Bois to Cornwall. I took my driving test in one of similar age in 1966. The examiner was rather alarmed when the car veered to the right during the emergency stop but was impressed by a double declutch into first. Great to drive with the windscreen open!
Nice introduction to your Prefect . I love they way that you are so positive about everything that may need doing on it. The earlier ones ( to me) are better looking with the separate headlamps. Good luck with it and I look forward to see how you get on with it.
Thanks David, well I hope that as the engine and running gear are already fairly familiar to me, and I have various parts already here to suit it, it won't turn into too much of a nightmare :) Time will tell, thanks for watching
A wonderful little Ford. It brings back so many memories. My uncle lived in Crewe and owned one of these for many years. He eventually traded it for an A30 but I always loved the Prefect. Many thanks for sharing.
Nice to see a similar ford prefect to the one I had as my first car when I was 21. It was a four door ford prefect saloon de-lux (what memories 56 years ago)
What a Lovely old car! I like the old side valve Fords as well, they're cute, quirky and sometimes quite handsome and who cares if they're slow. I thought the 90 MPH speedo was, well truly optimistic and I couldn't help but smile. Good video, thanks for showing.
Just great memories for me. My uncles both drove, and loved, Prefects and Pops back when I was a lad. Thanks for all the videos, thanks for keeping these great classics alive.
Thank you, Sir. that was interesting for me as my father had one exactly like yours out here in what was once called RhodesiaSouthern Rhodesia...now Zimbabwe!
To apply the choke, just pull it out and while out twist it about 90 degrees not sure if clockwise or counter clockwise). The choke will then stay out until you want to disengage it by twisting it in the reverse order. No need for a peg to hold it open. I found that my old ford needs a good old cranking with the choke fully applied before it would start. It doesn't seem like you can flood the engine. Once the engine starts running with the choke engaged, leave it for a while to warm ( a minute or so) up, then release the choke (by twisting it again) it so it goes back to normal. The engine will be running smoothly by then. The main point of doing it this way is that you dont have to crank it multiple times until it starts running. This saves wear and tear on the starter motor and ring gear and of course spares the battery from becoming flat by over cranking it. I speak from experience as I have owned my 1952 Ford Prefect since 1974.
I've had plenty of chokes on old cars, some do stay out as you suggest while others need a little help sometimes. My Anglia starts up really quickly if I prime up the fuel pump first, sometimes I don't prime it up just to give the engine a few turns on the starter before it fires up. Thanks for watching.
Sadly I decided that I had too much going on to really progress the Prefect so it went to a new home, plus I bought the Anglia which was already on the road and did the job that the Prefect would have done.
What a marvellous find. Just how we like to see them. I chuckled at having to wait until 11.22 to hear the term “oily rag”, as that was my first reaction to the cover photo. Not really been a ford fan (owned a 100E and 103E quite a long time ago) but your three make me quite jealous!
What a wonderful car, and that engine runs like a Swiss watch. It always amazes me that cars this original keep turning up. Look forward to seeing the progress on this one.
I have just seen your video on the 1948 Ford prefect .In the early 1950 's i lived opposite to Bells garage In Long lane Blackeath they later went upmarket and opened a dealership in Kidderminster .The Owners were two brothers Walter and Cliff Bell .In the mid 60's I bought my first car from them an Austin A35 four door 1957 saloon For which i paid £125 They Had two garages in long lane .both buildings still remain one as a furniture clearance outlet and the other as kitchen and bathroom sales center (Google Earth.) you could always get a better deal off one of the brothers but i cannot remember which one it was now its so long ago I left the area many years ago and now live in Cornwall .I passed my driving test in my fathers sit up and beg Ford Pop 3 gears s/v engine .Happy days , like your channel and your mend and make do approach !!!!
Sweet little car, I am in the process of bringing back to life a very genuine 65 Morris Oxford and I am hoping to have it on the road for spring, you are absolutely right about hydraulic brakes, all the cylinders on the Oxford are being renewed because they are all siezed and all of the brake pipes have got to be done 😁
Hi great memories for me as my first car was a beige prefect that I bought for £25 and run it until it was no more and remember leaving it outside the gate of the local scrap dealer. Been a Ford man ever since. Great to see.
Thanks Thomas, I think it survived because it had been stashed away in the early 1970s until early 2021, otherwise it'd be long gone. Thanks for watching
What a lovely 'project'. I love this Prefect Model, and look forward to seeing all the work you do on her. I would leave those rear lights as they are - as you said, it's one of her quirks. Shame about the reg number though - maybe something will turn up to help identify her. Good luck with her :-)
That's the aim, with running gear shared (in the main) with the Anglia and E83W, plus I have a cache of spare for the small Fords already, it should be more straightforward than taking on something I'm completely new to.
I remember Bells Garage in Blackheath, in the 80's it was a BL dealer. There is still a Bell's Garage in Kidderminster. Love the idea of these oily rag cars.
I love everything about this car. Wasn’t sure about the rear lights but I think you’re right to keep them.Definitely keep the roof mounted indicators,they’re the same as those fitted to my Grandad’s ‘53 Minor van( not literally). The way the doors shut is amazing. I’d love to see all your sidevalve Fords next to a V8 Pilot,wouldn’t that complete the set?Keep up the good work.Your Mrs must be the most understanding woman on earth.
My father owned this car in 1948. He stayed in Kutch, where there were hardly any roads. He had told me he had paid Rs 7000 then. We had this car upto 1970, but as spares were not available that time, he had to sale it. But as a boy, I very much liked it
What another cracking little car Richard,I love your penchant for unspoilt original cars like this that can be just ' conserved ' and recomissioned as it is - far more interesting than one restored within an inch of its life !.Just might be worth consulting the Gloucester Borough Council archivist just in case the original registration ledgers were not destroyed after the 1983 D.V.L.A call for unregistered vehicles to be collated onto the National computer.I have saved 3 ' hopeless ' cases like this with amazing stories being revealed, as if it happanes to be one of the few registering councils that saved the records , the mark should be able to be re-allocated.Love your term for red Hermatite - ' gloop ' , used profusely not so long ago .Good luck with the car , a tribute to a ' cheap ' soundly made and well engineered car from nearly 75 years ago but leave the ' odd ' lights !.
Sidevalve Fords, you either love 'em or hate 'em. They do rather get under your skin, which is why I keep coming back to them. The switch marked D is a dimmer for the panel lights. There are some fantastic looking period 'horrors' there, the 'washing line' wiring for the pigs ear indicators and the roof insert 'repair' strip screwed through the roof made me wince! Huge potential in that Prefect though, good luck.
Agreed, on paper they're nothing to write home about but I keep coming back to them. I quite like the period roof repair, in the day there were companies that would sell pre-cut pieces of aluminium to fit over the Rexine roof panel. As a period mod I'm perfectly happy to retain it. Thanks for watching it
@@oldclassiccarUK Isn't the 'washing line' looped through the eyelets in the headlining the pull cord for the rear window blind, and nothing to do with the blinker wiring? Or are we talking about two different things? This model Prefect was the first car my father bought new, when they became available after the war. It was black with red upholstery, like yours. He kept it until it was replaced by a Vauxhall Wyvern in 1957. I have happy memories of the whole family piling into the Prefect to go on holiday to the south coast of England. Since the rear suspension was virtually non-existent, any sudden vertical movement (e.g. as caused by a hump-back bridge) resulted in the back seat passengers banging their heads on the roof. Ah, happy days! :)
I grew up surrounded in the sidevalve Ford as my Dad had a supply of them as works cars. He worked for South Western Electricity board. The oldest was MAE 663 which was a 1949 Anglia and was joined by OHU 144 which was Ford 10 Utility van…that was rough and the seats were not fixed to the floor but it went well. In 1952 PHT 13 arrived which was a 5 cwt van and was a favourite because it was unstoppable in almost any weather..snow and mud were laughed at as it simply ploughed its way through, much the same as any of these variants. In 1955 two brand new Populars arrived, UHU 78 and UHU 79 which were notably different..79 was much the quieter and smoother of the two. Then the final two were 965 AHT and 631 AHW from 1957…631 was fast and noisy but 965 was destined to be my first car and when it was due for sale in 1964, it oddly gained a new engine, new roof fabric and headlining, a full repaint, set of tyres and a complete brake overhaul. Sadly, another of the drivers was jealous of my Dad because he was give a new 105E Anglia Deluxe 808 UAE so fearing that he would be left with 965, he drained the engine of oil and water then drove it all day until it seized solid…and then it was scrapped! Your car…is carrying a Gloucestershire registration number so odd if supplied in Halesowen hence was that the stamp of a later secondhand garage? The rear lights…the right hand one is from a 1955 onwards Popular and the roof indicators were a huge success after market fitment for many cars in 1958/59 onwards..usually made by Lucas. Good luck with the restoration work..new fuel, lines, a tank replacement to cope with E10 fuel and general servicing should work wonders!! 😀😀😀😀
@@oldclassiccarUK They we’re a big part of my life and I learnt to change gear on UHU 78/79 when I was only 9/10 years old…don’t tell anybody! If yours has a heater or the remains of one, when fitted and working properly, it should give out loads of heat…they were always warm cars when fitted with heaters. In period, the 1955 cars had door trim panels that tended to melt in hot sun and start to leak black bitumen from the seams…I remember the aroma of “plastic tar” on hot Summer afternoons! I have always said that they were basic transport at a low price but always dependable, very capable and they have a big part of my memory. I went on to own many later Fords, the best being my 1979 Granada 2.8i GLS and the last was a new 1983 Sierra 2.3 Ghia…then I moved to BMW and Mercedes. I found your video by chance today…well done for looking after two old but good cars..I hope you can enjoy them for many years to come! 😀😀😀
Thanks, please keep an eye on the channel for future updates. If you look at my lad's CarTraction channel you'll notice that he too has been behind the wheel of various jalopies from a similar age, I think the Prefect so far is his favourite.
@@oldclassiccarUK Our neighbour Mr Wood had a gleaming Prefect OLY 917 which he polished every month…then in 1956 swapped it for a new Morris Minor four door deluxe..WHW 404….that lived under a carpet (!!) in the local coal man’s yard…I guess he was in failing health as I think he rarely ever used it. I will shut up now…your video released a host of memories!!! I will look through your channels next! 😀😀😀
My dad's first car was a 1950 E493 Prefect. That's the one with the later wings and the faired-in headlights. I think they came out in 1949. You're right about the looks, the later wings are a bit cumbersome looking like they were cribbed from a larger car. I still like the E493 though. That's a lovely little thing and with very little wrong. It's the sort of car that needs a bit of tinkerage but you're not married to it! Thankfully it's not a full-on 5 year marathon project. I'll be watching this one with great interest.
Thanks Paul, a pal of mine has an E493A (that's how we got to know each other c1991, he with his Prefect as his daily car, me with the A40 & Spitfire).
1948 ford , made the year i was born . I remember when most of these cars were new models . When family and friends bought a car for £25 quid in the 50s . Now i think of when they were new at less than 300quid . Now they are big money and very sought after . my first car waski consul in 1965 for 15 quid . Happy days indeed .
You have clearly acquired a very rare and original gem. I recently bought a 1946 example from a well known classic auction house in Norfolk, which has had a lot of money put into its restoration over recent years. A slight correction, I believe the model changed to the later body with the headlamps in the wings, in 1948, to be replaced by the 100E in 1953. A slight note of caution with the 17" wheels, I have found difficulty with fitting the larger wheels in the spare wheel compartment, but as I write I cannot say what size tyres are fitted on my car. Great video, I look forward to seeing more.
Luxury! I like the colour matching fog lamp (or is it a spot lamp)? The 'amber ears' don't look so good, but maybe they are best left alone in case you end up with holes in the roof?
True I'm slowly climbing the ladder of social acceptability, yes if the lamps were removed they would leave holes, they might as well remain as they've been there for 60+ years. Thanks for watching
It looks to be an all original car.A time capsule.My cousins first car back in the fifties was a Prefect,the headlights were flush with the wings.Im not sure what year it was.
Hi, what a lovely car and what I really like are some of, as you describe them, quirky bits such as the indicators, the AA badge with the membership number engraved on it and those upgraded brake lights the modified gear lever which I recollect was quite common if you couldn’t reach the standard one. That’s probably why your son (name?) was able to drive it really easily and by the way it’s really nice to see him with an interest in your hobby , I hope he continues it. My son and daughter both have and they will each inherit one of my two cars although it does mean that at some stage I’ll have to arrange to export Monty the Midget to what will be his new home in Western Australia with my daughter. A lovely video keep us up to date. Thank you.
hi there. great video.the dog seems very happy today with something in his mouth, the car is in not to bad a shape, i would change the oil in the g/box and engine and rear axle, i used to use Millers classic oils for my old series2 l/rovers. again with this car it is necessary to double-de- clutch going down the gears and i expect going from 1st to 2nd gear,good luck
My dad has told me that in Sri Lanka, his father during his career as a Rural Develpment officer for the government has owned a couple of cars such as a: - Alvis (early) - Hillman(early) - Ford Anglia (late 40s) - Ford prefect (just like this one) and lastly a Austin A40 Devon.
Hi, the e493a was from 1949-53. The front grille on the e93a is chromed brass, Mazac on the e493a. I own exact same car. The small Ford emblem/badge on the rear is correct but not found on the e493a Prefect. The choke, if you pull it then turn to the right you wont need the peg. The D switch is dash lights.
Congratulations 👏 she looks and sounds wonderful, what a great quick project. Love the side valve engines, great idea keeping the side valves and off loading the others. Be sad to see the Volvo go as it is a sweet car.
very interesting. thanks. i love these old cars. glad you're just doing the 'oily rag' treatment on the paintwork. it would lose it's charm if it was all shiny and 'new 'looking.
Thanks, sometimes things get so bad that the only option is re-paint etc, but when the old paint is still hanging in there I much prefer to leave it alone, after all a bloke in overalls and a flat cap put that paint on at Dagenham in 1948. Can't re-create that :-)
my first car in New Zealand was a 1946 Ford 10. Cross verse leaf spring suspension, dodgy lever (alegded) shock absorbers. Mechanical brakes and six volt electrical system that the lights needed you to strike a match to see if they were on. ( if the lights were in fact on, because they were on weird ball type mounts meant they could be pointing anywhere.) The vacuum windscreen wipers would stop if you were driving up hill, and beat themselves to death going down the other side. After having it fall over on me twice ( once to the right once to the left) (I won’t say it rolled on me )I survived.) (Took up motor bikes as they were safer.) To it’s credit it it was very reliable (would fire up and be ready to kill me anytime.) A question, what is the story with the air cleaner? I don’t remember the set up.
Yes good ideas from someone on Council archive records and I hope you succeed with the registration. I recall re-establishing an FH number on my ex Gloucester Council Dennis lawnmower with the DVLA around 1985 without a V5. That exercise involved the manufacturer confirming originality and volunteering information that I had a "rare pre Z-type" engine that seemed to suitably impress the DVLA. Your patinated number plates are self-evidently original and maybe the AA have membership records also that might help you establish authenticity?
The Prefect has gone to a new home now (see later videos), hopefully it'll be returned to its correct plate but it'll only happen if documents turn up confirming that it's correct to that particular vehicle.
The mickey mouse winkers were available as an after market kit in early 60s . A lot of moggie van owners put them on . In those days most things like this were just coming on the market as extras , fog lamps and such were only on up market cars but were made available when shops like Halfords came on the high street
I had a few issue's with registration's due to the cherished /private plate I had to get age related but lost the original plate as it had been transferred off,the age related plate is not transferrable .
Thanks for posting this Rick, I was wondering how you were getting on with the old girl! Keep up the good work, an excellent channel, well done. Best regards Robin
My dad had one of these- a 1947 banger. This actually looks in better condition. My feeling is that the badge on the back is an addition, but I couldn't be certain- it was a long time ago. Sad to hear that you're getting rid of the Commer.
Delightful little car, well worth getting back on the road. Engine sounds silky smooth. Hopefully it will not jump out of 2nd gear like my E493A does. For my tastes the E93A looks better than the E493A.
I can remember seeing lots of old cars on the road when a was growing up in 50s and 60s I one think that has stock in my mind I think it may of been an old rover but some gave us a lift and It was raining I sat in the front the the wind screen wipers were not working properly but there was a nob inside so you could move them manually the driver asked me to turn the passenger one I love the job but I don't think I would have liked to travel to far I also remember people buying brand new cars and within about 3 or 4 years they were full of rust
Yes the vacuum wipers are notorious for doing that, the Anglia's are demonstrated slowing down in one of the vids I posted about it earlier in the year (I think on the tip/waste oil run vid)
Always enjoy your videos , I need to post old motoring photos to you, for future videos. How do I go about it? Please? Computer technology is a no no lol. If anything happens to me my family will throw them which would be a shame. Cheers!
Lovely little project. I prefer the Prefects to the other models. As a thought regarding the Volvo which you bought to give comfort on longer journeys; how about replacing it with maybe a Consul/Zephyr/Zodiac? That would keep it in the Ford family
Those big Fords are very neat but strong ££££ for a decent one, more than I'd want to shell out for a longer-distances car. No firm decision made yet on that front anyway. Thanks for watching
What a beaut ! Personally, not keen on the indicators on the roof. I find that they take your eye away from the gorgeous lines of the four door, just my opinion though. Please share some updates regarding the TLC.
Will do, the indicators can stay for now (while I focus on the important stuff) but maybe I'll also re-awaken the pop-up trafficators, for old-time's sake :-)
Since I have couple of E493 Prefects, projects that is - I am going to need some new glass cut. It seems to me that the door glass in the front door is identical to the rear door, just reversed. Do you agree?
Another little beauty. I looks to be in amazing condition for it's age. Is that some sort of period heater pipe attached across the top of the radiator? I think the earlier front styling looks prettier than the later integrated headlights although they are both very good. 😊
Yes I think it must have played a part in some form of heater or otherwise, perhaps similar to the factory-approved arrangement I mentioned in a previous vid about the Anglia
Another real gem - where do you find them?! IIRC, the 'D' switch is for turning on and off the dash lights. I also think that the clock may not be electric but a mechanical one with a winder behind the dash and therefore independent of the battery. Looking forward to it's return to the road. Regards, John.
Hi, thanks for watching, a full list of the videos on the channel is here:
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Sehr schöne Oldtimer. So ein Wagen hab ich in 70 Jahre nie in Deutschland gesehen. Dankeschön!
Love the shapes of these beautifull old british motors .👍
Looks to be a genuine little car, with no major issues. I've always loved these because of their simple mechanics, and parts availability. Look forward to seeing how things go.
Jeez , I used to have one of these . It was my grandfathers . I got it when he died . I remember going downhill and overtaking a truck . As I pulled back in the car went on 2 wheels , I steered into it and it went on 2 wheels the other side . Transverse springs , the dodgiest things in the world :)
The Ford Prefect 1948 was my first car which I learned to drive on. My Reg No was CHV500. They were a nice little car with cable brakes side valve engine 3 speed box etc the small switch on the right of the dash may have been for the instrument lights? I repainted the car with Dulux coach finish paint , it looked a treat. The wiper system performance was improved by installing a small air cylinder off of a lorry. No heater, no radio, very basic. The auto electrician where I worked changed the electrics over to 12 volt, this made the lights much brighter. Best wishes with this brings back many memories
Thanks Bruce!
She's gorgeous, a pleasure to work on. Good luck with her. Many thanks. Gérard lacey in Ireland.
Thanks Gerard
Love this little car, I owned one when I lived in NZ years ago. A 1946 model, it had a soft roof, when it rained I would put the umbrella up, worked well.
Wow this is a lovely project for the winter. I like the shape of those Ford's. The running boards look solid as doesn't of the bodywork. Being a former upholster o have to congratulate the previous owner on his seat repair. I have seen people tackle that sort of job with disastrous results. I would keep all the lights as they are, it's all part of the history of the car. I hope all goes well with the 'revival' of this car. Thanks for the introduction and the video, the dog seems to approve as I didn't hear any barking !👍
Really enjoyed this video. My father had a "sit up and beg" Prefect as a firm's car in about 1953 which took us on holiday from Chesham Bois to Cornwall. I took my driving test in one of similar age in 1966. The examiner was rather alarmed when the car veered to the right during the emergency stop but was impressed by a double declutch into first. Great to drive with the windscreen open!
Nice introduction to your Prefect . I love they way that you are so positive about everything that may need doing on it. The earlier ones ( to me) are better looking with the separate headlamps. Good luck with it and I look forward to see how you get on with it.
Thanks David, well I hope that as the engine and running gear are already fairly familiar to me, and I have various parts already here to suit it, it won't turn into too much of a nightmare :) Time will tell, thanks for watching
We owned an Austin Somerset 1951 in absolutely immaculate and original condition. Just memories now.
What an absolutely lovely original condition car! 👌🏽 Excellent 👍🏼
A wonderful little Ford. It brings back so many memories. My uncle lived in Crewe and owned one of these for many years. He eventually traded it for an A30 but I always loved the Prefect.
Many thanks for sharing.
Nice to see a similar ford prefect to the one I had as my first car when I was 21. It was a four door ford prefect saloon de-lux (what memories 56 years ago)
Love the Dalek inspired roof indicators!
Another time warp treasure, thanks for showing it off !!
What a Lovely old car! I like the old side valve Fords as well, they're cute, quirky and sometimes quite handsome and who cares if they're slow. I thought the 90 MPH speedo was, well truly optimistic and I couldn't help but smile. Good video, thanks for showing.
Just great memories for me. My uncles both drove, and loved, Prefects and Pops back when I was a lad.
Thanks for all the videos, thanks for keeping these great classics alive.
Thanks Keith
Just get it road past and take it to vintage car shows it would help you bring customers and information in about your car
Another wonderful time warp piece for your fleet, love it, just as it is. Definatly an oily rag restoration.👍👍
Thanks, yes scruffy original paintwork seems to be a running theme with me, & junior too :-) thanks for watching
Thank you, Sir. that was interesting for me as my father had one exactly like yours out here in what was once called RhodesiaSouthern Rhodesia...now Zimbabwe!
Great little Ford!
Thanks William
To apply the choke, just pull it out and while out twist it about 90 degrees not sure if clockwise or counter clockwise). The choke will then stay out until you want to disengage it by twisting it in the reverse order. No need for a peg to hold it open. I found that my old ford needs a good old cranking with the choke fully applied before it would start. It doesn't seem like you can flood the engine. Once the engine starts running with the choke engaged, leave it for a while to warm ( a minute or so) up, then release the choke (by twisting it again) it so it goes back to normal. The engine will be running smoothly by then. The main point of doing it this way is that you dont have to crank it multiple times until it starts running. This saves wear and tear on the starter motor and ring gear and of course spares the battery from becoming flat by over cranking it. I speak from experience as I have owned my 1952 Ford Prefect since 1974.
I've had plenty of chokes on old cars, some do stay out as you suggest while others need a little help sometimes. My Anglia starts up really quickly if I prime up the fuel pump first, sometimes I don't prime it up just to give the engine a few turns on the starter before it fires up. Thanks for watching.
Liking this so much. My Ford is from 1987, XR3i.
Glad you're finding it of interest! thanks for the feedback
Looks exactly like my 1938 Ford ten that I had when I was a youngster, lovely days for motoring.
Great project, look forward to seeing the progress. Cheers Bob
Sadly I decided that I had too much going on to really progress the Prefect so it went to a new home, plus I bought the Anglia which was already on the road and did the job that the Prefect would have done.
What a marvellous find. Just how we like to see them. I chuckled at having to wait until 11.22 to hear the term “oily rag”, as that was my first reaction to the cover photo.
Not really been a ford fan (owned a 100E and 103E quite a long time ago) but your three make me quite jealous!
What a wonderful car, and that engine runs like a Swiss watch. It always amazes me that cars this original keep turning up. Look forward to seeing the progress on this one.
Thanks Neil
Love this car takes me back when my Dad had one will keep on watching thank you
I have just seen your video on the 1948 Ford prefect .In the early 1950 's i lived opposite to Bells garage In Long lane Blackeath they later went upmarket and opened a dealership in Kidderminster .The Owners were two brothers Walter and Cliff Bell .In the mid 60's I bought my first car from them an Austin A35 four door 1957 saloon For which i paid £125 They Had two garages in long lane .both buildings still remain one as a furniture clearance outlet and the other as kitchen and bathroom sales center (Google Earth.) you could always get a better deal off one of the brothers but i cannot remember which one it was now its so long ago I left the area many years ago and now live in Cornwall .I passed my driving test in my fathers sit up and beg Ford Pop 3 gears s/v engine .Happy days , like your channel and your mend and make do approach !!!!
Interesting, thanks for posting, always interesting to read these stories
Sweet little car, I am in the process of bringing back to life a very genuine 65 Morris Oxford and I am hoping to have it on the road for spring, you are absolutely right about hydraulic brakes, all the cylinders on the Oxford are being renewed because they are all siezed and all of the brake pipes have got to be done 😁
Good luck with the Morris!
Very nice little ford nice and clean very enjoyable vidieo thanks
Glad you liked it, I've published a 2nd vid about the car and have a 3rd almost ready to be uploaded. Thanks for watching
My dad had one of these fords it was a great car happy memories thanks great video
Hi great memories for me as my first car was a beige prefect that I bought for £25 and run it until it was no more and remember leaving it outside the gate of the local scrap dealer. Been a Ford man ever since. Great to see.
Thanks for watching, I hope to have more updates on the Prefect before too long
Thank you for your video..I have just bought a Prefect, 1950.
Hope you have fun with it!
Nice addition Richard 👍👍
Thanks Andy, these old Fords appear to be multiplying
You were lucky to find a car in such good condition for its seventy plus years.
Good luck with it.
Thanks Thomas, I think it survived because it had been stashed away in the early 1970s until early 2021, otherwise it'd be long gone. Thanks for watching
Thanks very much for this video. I've always fancied one of these but I've ended up with a Morris minor. !
I think for a daily driver you probably made the right choice :-)
What a lovely car, ideal winter project, looks and sounds pretty good and ready for use in 2022. 👍
Beautiful Prefect, practically "perfect" given her age. Looking forward to seeing you work on her in future videos. Thanks for posting
Cheers Ken, appreciate the feedback
What a great little car. Looking forward to seeing more videos on her. I would love to find one in that condition for myself.
What a lovely 'project'. I love this Prefect Model, and look forward to seeing all the work you do on her. I would leave those rear lights as they are - as you said, it's one of her quirks. Shame about the reg number though - maybe something will turn up to help identify her. Good luck with her :-)
Some day, i will have to visit the UK for a quick hug of your cars. It`s only 1800 miles to go..... :)
genuine unmolested little ford that and a nice informative video keep them coming . thank you old classic car best old car channel on the net
Thanks for your kind words :)
I like that too, but to be honest the van caught my eye, and that would be my choice, so cool. Thanks...
What a beauty that engine sounds so smooth. I like the original patina definitely an "oily rag". Please keep her.
That's the aim, with running gear shared (in the main) with the Anglia and E83W, plus I have a cache of spare for the small Fords already, it should be more straightforward than taking on something I'm completely new to.
I remember Bells Garage in Blackheath, in the 80's it was a BL dealer. There is still a Bell's Garage in Kidderminster. Love the idea of these oily rag cars.
I'll definitely see what I can find out about that garage, who knows they may still have old records (as was the case with the Commer lorry).
That's a delicious car. Can't wait for progress on this.
Thanks Sean
I love everything about this car. Wasn’t sure about the rear lights but I think you’re right to keep them.Definitely keep the roof mounted indicators,they’re the same as those fitted to my Grandad’s ‘53 Minor van( not literally). The way the doors shut is amazing. I’d love to see all your sidevalve Fords next to a V8 Pilot,wouldn’t that complete the set?Keep up the good work.Your Mrs must be the most understanding woman on earth.
I think she's just resigned to things ;-) A V8 Pilot would be a fine addition if I had the space
Lovely car when I first saw it I thought it was an old Taxi with the indicators on the roof. Nice example.
My father owned this car in 1948. He stayed in Kutch, where there were hardly any roads. He had told me he had paid Rs 7000 then. We had this car upto 1970, but as spares were not available that time, he had to sale it. But as a boy, I very much liked it
What another cracking little car Richard,I love your penchant for unspoilt original cars like this that can be just ' conserved ' and recomissioned as it is - far more interesting than one restored within an inch of its life !.Just might be worth consulting the Gloucester Borough Council archivist just in case the original registration ledgers were not destroyed after the 1983 D.V.L.A call for unregistered vehicles to be collated onto the National computer.I have saved 3 ' hopeless ' cases like this with amazing stories being revealed, as if it happanes to be one of the few registering councils that saved the records , the mark should be able to be re-allocated.Love your term for red Hermatite - ' gloop ' , used profusely not so long ago .Good luck with the car , a tribute to a ' cheap ' soundly made and well engineered car from nearly 75 years ago but leave the ' odd ' lights !.
I've not given up all hope on the reg. yet so we'll see, fingers crossed
What a lovely car in very well preserved condition.
Being sat away since the early 70s certainly helped it, thanks for watching
Sidevalve Fords, you either love 'em or hate 'em. They do rather get under your skin, which is why I keep coming back to them. The switch marked D is a dimmer for the panel lights. There are some fantastic looking period 'horrors' there, the 'washing line' wiring for the pigs ear indicators and the roof insert 'repair' strip screwed through the roof made me wince! Huge potential in that Prefect though, good luck.
Agreed, on paper they're nothing to write home about but I keep coming back to them. I quite like the period roof repair, in the day there were companies that would sell pre-cut pieces of aluminium to fit over the Rexine roof panel. As a period mod I'm perfectly happy to retain it. Thanks for watching it
@@oldclassiccarUK Isn't the 'washing line' looped through the eyelets in the headlining the pull cord for the rear window blind, and nothing to do with the blinker wiring? Or are we talking about two different things? This model Prefect was the first car my father bought new, when they became available after the war. It was black with red upholstery, like yours. He kept it until it was replaced by a Vauxhall Wyvern in 1957. I have happy memories of the whole family piling into the Prefect to go on holiday to the south coast of England. Since the rear suspension was virtually non-existent, any sudden vertical movement (e.g. as caused by a hump-back bridge) resulted in the back seat passengers banging their heads on the roof. Ah, happy days! :)
I grew up surrounded in the sidevalve Ford as my Dad had a supply of them as works cars. He worked for South Western Electricity board. The oldest was MAE 663 which was a 1949 Anglia and was joined by OHU 144 which was Ford 10 Utility van…that was rough and the seats were not fixed to the floor but it went well. In 1952 PHT 13 arrived which was a 5 cwt van and was a favourite because it was unstoppable in almost any weather..snow and mud were laughed at as it simply ploughed its way through, much the same as any of these variants. In 1955 two brand new Populars arrived, UHU 78 and UHU 79 which were notably different..79 was much the quieter and smoother of the two. Then the final two were 965 AHT and 631 AHW from 1957…631 was fast and noisy but 965 was destined to be my first car and when it was due for sale in 1964, it oddly gained a new engine, new roof fabric and headlining, a full repaint, set of tyres and a complete brake overhaul. Sadly, another of the drivers was jealous of my Dad because he was give a new 105E Anglia Deluxe 808 UAE so fearing that he would be left with 965, he drained the engine of oil and water then drove it all day until it seized solid…and then it was scrapped!
Your car…is carrying a Gloucestershire registration number so odd if supplied in Halesowen hence was that the stamp of a later secondhand garage? The rear lights…the right hand one is from a 1955 onwards Popular and the roof indicators were a huge success after market fitment for many cars in 1958/59 onwards..usually made by Lucas.
Good luck with the restoration work..new fuel, lines, a tank replacement to cope with E10 fuel and general servicing should work wonders!! 😀😀😀😀
Thanks for posting your many sidevalving memories, always like reading these firsthand accounts of these old cars back in the day :)
@@oldclassiccarUK They we’re a big part of my life and I learnt to change gear on UHU 78/79 when I was only 9/10 years old…don’t tell anybody! If yours has a heater or the remains of one, when fitted and working properly, it should give out loads of heat…they were always warm cars when fitted with heaters. In period, the 1955 cars had door trim panels that tended to melt in hot sun and start to leak black bitumen from the seams…I remember the aroma of “plastic tar” on hot Summer afternoons! I have always said that they were basic transport at a low price but always dependable, very capable and they have a big part of my memory. I went on to own many later Fords, the best being my 1979 Granada 2.8i GLS and the last was a new 1983 Sierra 2.3 Ghia…then I moved to BMW and Mercedes. I found your video by chance today…well done for looking after two old but good cars..I hope you can enjoy them for many years to come! 😀😀😀
Thanks, please keep an eye on the channel for future updates. If you look at my lad's CarTraction channel you'll notice that he too has been behind the wheel of various jalopies from a similar age, I think the Prefect so far is his favourite.
@@oldclassiccarUK Our neighbour Mr Wood had a gleaming Prefect OLY 917 which he polished every month…then in 1956 swapped it for a new Morris Minor four door deluxe..WHW 404….that lived under a carpet (!!) in the local coal man’s yard…I guess he was in failing health as I think he rarely ever used it.
I will shut up now…your video released a host of memories!!! I will look through your channels next! 😀😀😀
Beleza,meu pai teve um igual há 50 anos atrás,nunca nos deu problema de mecanica,saudades
My dad's first car was a 1950 E493 Prefect. That's the one with the later wings and the faired-in headlights. I think they came out in 1949. You're right about the looks, the later wings are a bit cumbersome looking like they were cribbed from a larger car. I still like the E493 though.
That's a lovely little thing and with very little wrong. It's the sort of car that needs a bit of tinkerage but you're not married to it! Thankfully it's not a full-on 5 year marathon project. I'll be watching this one with great interest.
Thanks Paul, a pal of mine has an E493A (that's how we got to know each other c1991, he with his Prefect as his daily car, me with the A40 & Spitfire).
1948 ford , made the year i was born . I remember when most of these cars were new models . When family and friends bought a car for £25 quid in the 50s . Now i think of when they were new at less than 300quid . Now they are big money and very sought after . my first car waski consul in 1965 for 15 quid . Happy days indeed .
Happy Christmas ford man
I well remember Bell's Garage, afew miles from my parents home.
You have clearly acquired a very rare and original gem. I recently bought a 1946 example from a well known classic auction house in Norfolk, which has had a lot of money put into its restoration over recent years. A slight correction, I believe the model changed to the later body with the headlamps in the wings, in 1948, to be replaced by the 100E in 1953.
A slight note of caution with the 17" wheels, I have found difficulty with fitting the larger wheels in the spare wheel compartment, but as I write I cannot say what size tyres are fitted on my car.
Great video, I look forward to seeing more.
I'll certainly check on the spare fitting or not, but as they were used pre-war I'd hope that it'd fit in there, we'll see! thanks for watching
cherry on top if log book found
Seems unlikely but I'll try and find the details of the last-but-one owner (I spoke to him a while back) to see if it's turned up
Luxury! I like the colour matching fog lamp (or is it a spot lamp)? The 'amber ears' don't look so good, but maybe they are best left alone in case you end up with holes in the roof?
True I'm slowly climbing the ladder of social acceptability, yes if the lamps were removed they would leave holes, they might as well remain as they've been there for 60+ years. Thanks for watching
I think the front of the prefect looks better looking than the popular, I thought it looks more like smaller pilot.👍
It looks to be an all original car.A time capsule.My cousins first car back in the fifties was a Prefect,the headlights were flush with the wings.Im not sure what year it was.
Hi, what a lovely car and what I really like are some of, as you describe them, quirky bits such as the indicators, the AA badge with the membership number engraved on it and those upgraded brake lights the modified gear lever which I recollect was quite common if you couldn’t reach the standard one. That’s probably why your son (name?) was able to drive it really easily and by the way it’s really nice to see him with an interest in your hobby , I hope he continues it. My son and daughter both have and they will each inherit one of my two cars although it does mean that at some stage I’ll have to arrange to export Monty the Midget to what will be his new home in Western Australia with my daughter. A lovely video keep us up to date. Thank you.
Thanks Chris, yes junior's always up for a go behind the wheel of something old, thanks for watching
Love it, not keen on roof indicators reminds me of old taxis but othwise looks a fantastic car to work on 👍🙂
hi there. great video.the dog seems very happy today with something in his mouth, the car is in not to bad a shape, i would change the oil in the g/box and engine and rear axle, i used to use Millers classic oils for my old series2 l/rovers. again with this car it is necessary to double-de- clutch going down the gears and i expect going from 1st to 2nd gear,good luck
Thanks Peter, yes oils for definite
My dad has told me that in Sri Lanka, his father during his career as a Rural Develpment officer for the government has owned a couple of cars such as a:
- Alvis (early)
- Hillman(early)
- Ford Anglia (late 40s)
- Ford prefect (just like this one) and lastly a Austin A40 Devon.
Hi, the e493a was from 1949-53. The front grille on the e93a is chromed brass, Mazac on the e493a. I own exact same car. The small Ford emblem/badge on the rear is correct but not found on the e493a Prefect. The choke, if you pull it then turn to the right you wont need the peg. The D switch is dash lights.
Thanks Chris, mine sure looks like mazak but thanks for all the info, I'll have a closer look later today :-) thanks for watching
Congratulations 👏 she looks and sounds wonderful, what a great quick project. Love the side valve engines, great idea keeping the side valves and off loading the others. Be sad to see the Volvo go as it is a sweet car.
Thanks, jury's out on the Volvo at the mo but it kind of goes against the simplification plan I've been trying to run with this year, we'll see.
very interesting. thanks. i love these old cars. glad you're just doing the 'oily rag' treatment on the paintwork. it would lose it's charm if it was all shiny and 'new 'looking.
Thanks, sometimes things get so bad that the only option is re-paint etc, but when the old paint is still hanging in there I much prefer to leave it alone, after all a bloke in overalls and a flat cap put that paint on at Dagenham in 1948. Can't re-create that :-)
This is the car I learned to drive on...
my first car in New Zealand was a 1946 Ford 10.
Cross verse leaf spring suspension, dodgy lever (alegded) shock absorbers.
Mechanical brakes and six volt electrical system that the lights needed you to strike a match to see if they were on.
( if the lights were in fact on, because they were on weird ball type mounts meant they could be pointing anywhere.)
The vacuum windscreen wipers would stop if you were driving up hill, and beat themselves to death going down the other side.
After having it fall over on me twice ( once to the right once to the left) (I won’t say it rolled on me )I survived.)
(Took up motor bikes as they were safer.)
To it’s credit it it was very reliable (would fire up and be ready to kill me anytime.)
A question, what is the story with the air cleaner? I don’t remember the set up.
Yes good ideas from someone on Council archive records and I hope you succeed with the registration. I recall re-establishing an FH number on my ex Gloucester Council Dennis lawnmower with the DVLA around 1985 without a V5. That exercise involved the manufacturer confirming originality and volunteering information that I had a "rare pre Z-type" engine that seemed to suitably impress the DVLA. Your patinated number plates are self-evidently original and maybe the AA have membership records also that might help you establish authenticity?
The Prefect has gone to a new home now (see later videos), hopefully it'll be returned to its correct plate but it'll only happen if documents turn up confirming that it's correct to that particular vehicle.
The mickey mouse winkers were available as an after market kit in early 60s . A lot of moggie van owners put them on . In those days most things like this were just coming on the market as extras , fog lamps and such were only on up market cars but were made available when shops like Halfords came on the high street
I had a few issue's with registration's due to the cherished /private plate I had to get age related but lost the original plate as it had been transferred off,the age related plate is not transferrable .
Thanks for posting this Rick, I was wondering how you were getting on with the old girl! Keep up the good work, an excellent channel, well done. Best regards Robin
Thanks 👍
My dad had one of these- a 1947 banger. This actually looks in better condition. My feeling is that the badge on the back is an addition, but I couldn't be certain- it was a long time ago. Sad to hear that you're getting rid of the Commer.
Thanks for watching, the priority with the Commer was to make sure it'd didn't get the chop
Oh yeah, D is for dash light if my memory serves me right.
Delightful little car, well worth getting back on the road. Engine sounds silky smooth. Hopefully it will not jump out of 2nd gear like my E493A does. For my tastes the E93A looks better than the E493A.
Go, Grease Lightnin'!
Not sure that lightning performance is a Prefect attribute :)
@@oldclassiccarUK absolute oodles of character though. From a more innocent, simpler and honest time too.
I can remember seeing lots of old cars on the road when a was growing up in 50s and 60s I one think that has stock in my mind I think it may of been an old rover but some gave us a lift and It was raining I sat in the front the the wind screen wipers were not working properly but there was a nob inside so you could move them manually the driver asked me to turn the passenger one I love the job but I don't think I would have liked to travel to far I also remember people buying brand new cars and within about 3 or 4 years they were full of rust
lovely car . Doesnt need much to make it very usable
I didn't want to jinx things by saying that myself, but hopefully it's the case!
my 2nd car back in the late 60.s.and past my test with it .wipers went went slow up hill.
Yes the vacuum wipers are notorious for doing that, the Anglia's are demonstrated slowing down in one of the vids I posted about it earlier in the year (I think on the tip/waste oil run vid)
Absolutely love these cars but the prices have gone up to the point where I can’t afford to buy one ☝️
Thanks for watching, they still turn up but you have to move quick as they don't stick around on sale for long (unless the price is silly high)
Always enjoy your videos , I need to post old motoring photos to you, for future videos. How do I go about it? Please?
Computer technology is a no no lol.
If anything happens to me my family will throw them which would be a shame. Cheers!
If you could email the photos to dodgenut@4onthefloor.co.uk then they'll get to me, thanks
@@oldclassiccarUK hi, thank you for your reply, but can't e mail them. Do you have a PO box address so I can post them to you? Cheers.
Not much of a fan of these old Fords but I think this Prefect looks a lot nicer than the Anglia/Popular. Interesting vid, thanks.
Thanks Jon!
Lovely little project. I prefer the Prefects to the other models.
As a thought regarding the Volvo which you bought to give comfort on longer journeys; how about replacing it with maybe a Consul/Zephyr/Zodiac? That would keep it in the Ford family
Those big Fords are very neat but strong ££££ for a decent one, more than I'd want to shell out for a longer-distances car. No firm decision made yet on that front anyway. Thanks for watching
What a beaut ! Personally, not keen on the indicators on the roof. I find that they take your eye away from the gorgeous lines of the four door, just my opinion though. Please share some updates regarding the TLC.
Will do, the indicators can stay for now (while I focus on the important stuff) but maybe I'll also re-awaken the pop-up trafficators, for old-time's sake :-)
knob with d on it on dash for driveing light ?very cool car
Thanks, seems it might be for dash illumination
My parents had one when I was a baby. They referred to it as the "Defect".
Are you sure they were referring to the car ? Sorry, I just couldn’t help thinking that when I read what you said.
Hi just saw your Fords, I have a 1953 E493a
Excellent, a mate of mine has an E493A too
I’m looking for my Old Ford Pop 353Amy.I think it went to Ireland.
Since I have couple of E493 Prefects, projects that is - I am going to need some new glass cut. It seems to me that the door glass in the front door is identical to the rear door, just reversed. Do you agree?
I don't know sorry, I would think that they are different
Another little beauty. I looks to be in amazing condition for it's age. Is that some sort of period heater pipe attached across the top of the radiator? I think the earlier front styling looks prettier than the later integrated headlights although they are both very good. 😊
Yes I think it must have played a part in some form of heater or otherwise, perhaps similar to the factory-approved arrangement I mentioned in a previous vid about the Anglia
Another real gem - where do you find them?! IIRC, the 'D' switch is for turning on and off the dash lights. I also think that the clock may not be electric but a mechanical one with a winder behind the dash and therefore independent of the battery. Looking forward to it's return to the road. Regards, John.
Of course, you're correct about the clock, I should have remembered that as I've got one in a cabinet here behind me :-) thanks for watching
My first car don’t remember those wing mirrors though
They were just aftermarket mirrors fitted by one of the car's owners. Thanks for watching.
Muito lindo !!!