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Article
No 6
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Ford
Anglia 105E Saloon - Article No 6
"Ford
Anglia 1960" - Car Point Website - August 2003.
Reuben Evans had
never considered himself a trendsetter before
arriving in Boggabri behind the wheel of a brand
new Ford Anglia 105E. Within months the streets
of his northern New South Wales home town were
crawling with Anglias -- about eight if Rueben's
memory serves correctly -- their owners all
inspired by the cheerful look and unique style of
Evans' Merino White over Waratah Red sedan.
"I bought the car brand new through Kloster
Ford in Newcastle and it was delivered through
their agents in Gunnedah," Evans recalled.
"It was the first one in town and attracted
attention everywhere people saw it. Pretty soon
it seemed that everywhere you looked there was an
Anglia."
Forty-plus years later, Reuben Evans still has
his little fin-tailed Ford with the cheesy grin
and reverse-slope rear window. And with a similar
model featuring in the mega-selling Harry Potter
books and starring in the film version, the
Anglia is still attracting attention.
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The 105E Anglia
was born out of Ford UK's need to replace its
Prefect and Anglia models with something more
modern and efficient. Ford's budget-priced duo
had last been restyled in 1953 and was still
using side-valve engines that first appeared in
1932 and a three-speed gearbox. When the 105E
appeared in late 1959 it came with a four-speed
and 31kW of power from its short-stroke 997cm3
overhead-valve 'Kent' power unit. Forty-something
years later, 1.6 litre versions are still used in
Formula Ford open-wheel racers and develop more
than two times the original engine's output.
Inspired by Ford's US designs, and in particular
its 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, the 105E's
'swept-back' shape was considered daring. But the
rear window, which earned the 105E its 'Angular'
nickname was not a mere styling ploy. At the risk
of alienating Britain's fickle and conservative
car buyers, Ford provided abundant headroom for
rear passengers and ensured unhindered rear
vision in all weather conditions.
UK-market Anglias came in standard and Deluxe
form but when the car was released in Australia,
only the Deluxe with its full-width grille and
chrome side-strip, door armrests and courtesy
lights was offered. Local cars came with the
option of two-tone paintwork, a heater/demister
and dress up items like wheel trims and a rear
window blind.
Ford's Zephyr had pioneered the use of Macpherson
Strut front suspension in family cars and the
105E made good use of the technology. With ball
joint suspension and a front anti-roll bar,
steering response was exceptional. Drum brakes
were standard and a low, 4.1:1 rear axle ratio
was used to maximise acceleration.
With independent coachbuilders in Britain already
offering station wagon versions of the Anglia,
Ford was obliged to expand its range and in late
1961 introduced an Estate with single-piece rear
door. Despite over 130,000 of the useful little
wagons being built, they were never sold in
Australia and any that came here will be personal
imports. Ford affiliate, Crayford produced about
20 convertible Anglias and there were reportedly
some utilities made using Thames-badged Anglia
vans as donor vehicles.
With its outstanding dynamics and durable design,
all the Anglia needed to make its mark in the
world of motor sport was some additional power.
This arrived in August 1962 when Ford fitted a
1.2-litre engine produced for the new Cortina to
create the 123E Anglia 1200 Super. Power output
increased from 31 to 39kW and the 0-60mph
(0-96km/h) time cut from 29 to 21 seconds. In
1966, and with plenty of help from a pointscore
system that assisted smaller-capacity cars, John
Fitzpatrick used an Anglia Super to win the
British Touring Car Championship.
The Super never officially sold in Australia but
that didn't deter Anglia enthusiasts from fitting
1.2 and even 1.5-litre engines to 105Es. Using
the larger-capacity Cortina GT engine with Weber
carburettors and cylinder head modifications,
75kW was easily generated and modified Anglias --
usually lowered and running on widened rims with
outrageous camber angles -- would reach 170km/h
and provide hours of fun for club-level race and
rally competitors.
In 1965, with the Cortina setting new sales
records, Australian Anglia assembly ceased. The
car survived in Britain until being replaced in
1967 by the Escort. Estate and van production
continued until 1968. During a lifespan of almost
nine years, 1.1 million Anglias were built.
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ON THE
ROAD
During more than 40 years of Anglia ownership,
Reuben Evans has travelled 350,000 miles (565,000
kms), including frequent long-distance trips. No
one seems better qualified to comment on the
car's driveability.
"Even though the motor is fairly small, the
Anglia has no trouble cruising at 100km/h on the
highway," Evans said. "Top gear is like
an overdrive so when you come to some hilly
country you just drop back into third and keep
going. It will hold its speed no problem and then
you just drop it back into top when you're on the
flat again."
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Road tests of new
105Es by local motoring magazines confirm Evans'
assessment of his car's capabilities. While the
almost-new 105E tested by 'Wheels' in July 1960
managed a top speed of only 74mph (119km/h) with
99km/h available in third, a better-prepared
example evaluated a year later by 'Motor Manual'
managed 125km/h and 110.
Don't be deceived by the long, spindly gearlever
-- this is a sporty gearbox that was used by
plenty of low-volume manufacturers including
Lotus and encourages vigorous use. The clutch
action is heavy for a car of this size and there
is no first-gear syncromesh.
Handling was rated as "exceptional" by
every magazine that tested an Australian-market
Anglia. Despite steering which feels a little
'woolly', Anglias can be confidently hustled
through bends. On dry bitumen, slight understeer
is the dominant trait but on wet or unsealed
surfaces the tail will step out with little
provocation. That said, the short wheelbase and
quick (2.6 turns lock to lock) steering allows
rapid and accurate correction.
Accommodation is basic but spacious and the
little Ford will carry four adults in reasonable
comfort. The doors open wide and the seats tilt
for easy rear-seat access. Thanks to that
reverse-angle rear window, passengers won't even
get their necks sunburned. The boot is similarly
spacious but you need to almost climb inside to
reach the spare wheel.BUYING
An estimated 25,000 Anglias were sold in
Australia between mid 1960 and early 1965, yet
survivors in good condition are hard to find. Our
2003 Value Guide survey found 14 cars advertised
for sale, averaging less than $3500. Cars in
excellent, unmodified condition are worth close
to $6000 but the majority will need some work and
are likely to cost $2000-3000. Unrestored cars or
those which have been neglected and in need of
major body or trim repairs need to be sub-$1000
purchases as remedial work will be difficult and
relatively expensive.
BUYERS
CHECK LIST
BODY:
Rust and scarcity of replacement panels are
the big killers of 105Es. Corrosion attacks the
sills and door-skins, floors, door posts and
hinge boxes, front mudguards and rear suspension
mounting points. Even cars that look good on the
surface might be rotten underneath so inspection
on a hoist or axle stands is essential. Also
check the underbonnet strut towers for rust and
cracking. UK-based Anglia clubs are having minor
items like jacking points and sills
remanufactured but most sheet metal components
need to be sourced second-hand. Make sure the
door retaining clips are still fitted, otherwise
the door will swing through 180 degrees and
collide with the mudguard. Chrome items in good
condition are very scarce, so cars with missing
bumpers or wheel covers need to be cheap.
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ENGINE &
TRANSMISSION
'Kent' engines in all their forms are tough
and simple to maintain or repair. The 997cm3,
with its willingness to rev is most prone to
failure due to abuse but rebuilds are cheap.
According to Ron Carey of Yesterford in
Melbourne, a rebuilt engine adapted to use
unleaded fuel should cost around $2000.
Overheating in traffic due to the small
engine-driven fan and narrow air intake is a
problem so cars, which are going to be used
regularly, will benefit from an additional
electric fan. The 'pea-shooter' exhaust doesn't
do much for performance or engine cooling; a set
of extractors and larger pipe make a noticeable
difference. The differential and four-speed
transmission are very durable -- after half a
million kilometres, Reuben Evans' car still has
its original diff -- and replacement clutch units
are available for $200 plus a morning's labour.
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SUSPENSION
& BRAKES
The Anglia suspension with its front struts and
ball-joints is advanced for a British small car
of this age, and durable. While the car is off
the ground being checked for rust, push each
front wheel upward to check for excessive
movement or strange noises. Standard all-drum
brakes are fine for standard cars but disc-brake
conversions using Cortina parts are recommended
for bigger-engined Anglias. INTERIOR
& ELECTRICAL
Not much in here so not much to go wrong.
Original trim materials aren't available but door
and window rubbers can be obtained in the UK.
Collapsed seat springs are a common problem in
well-used cars and the fibreboard door trim
backing can absorb moisture. Make certain the
dashboard warning lights are working, as there
are no oil or temperature gauges. The standard
headlights are appallingly dim so halogen
replacements are a wise investment.
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(©
http://www.carpoint.com.au - August 2003)
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