Ford Anglia

Ford Anglia

Company type	Automobile model
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1939
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Small family cars

Anglia E04A (1939–1948)

Introduced on 31 October 1939, the Ford Anglia E04A became Ford UK's most compact model, succeeding the Ford 7Y. It was designed to appeal to budget-conscious buyers, featuring a minimalistic approach and predominantly available in black. Offered in both standard and deluxe versions, the latter included enhanced instrumentation, while prewar editions were equipped with running boards. Both front and rear suspensions utilized transverse leaf springs, and the braking system was mechanical.

The two-door Anglia bore resemblance to the longer four-door E93A Ford Prefect. A distinctive rear bulge allowed the spare tire to be relocated from an external mount to the boot floor, thereby expanding luggage capacity but reducing rear legroom compared to the 7Y. Although the Anglia replaced the 7Y saloon, its van variant remained in production until 1946 before being updated and renamed as the "E04C".

Under the hood, the domestic model retained a side-valve straight-four engine that had been in use since 1933. Export versions, including those for North American markets starting with the 1948 model year, were equipped with a larger displacement engine and featured a more streamlined "three-hole" grille inspired by the 1937–38 Ford Ten 7W. These export models also incorporated sealed-beam headlights, separate parking lights mounted below, and dual taillights capable of housing turn signals. In December 1947, "Anglia" badging was introduced on top of the grille surround.

The vacuum-operated windshield wipers occasionally decelerated or ceased functioning above certain speeds due to reduced manifold vacuum; however, this was partially alleviated by adding a vacuum reservoir.

Road tests highlighted the Anglia’s capability to start moving in top gear from low speeds—a beneficial trait for novice drivers adapting to recent mandatory driving tests in the UK. The gearbox featured synchromesh between second and top gears but lacked it between first and second gears, encouraging drivers to avoid downshifting into first when feasible.

By 1948, total production had reached 55,807 units, with manufacturing interrupted from early 1942 until mid-1945 due to World War II military requirements. British sales commenced in early 1940.

In Australia, production spanned from 1940 to 1945 and included unique tourer and roadster body styles—the tourer offering rear seating while the roadster was a two-seat convertible.

Anglia A54A (Australia: 1946–1948)

The Australian-produced Anglia A54A merged the chassis and front panels of the British E04A and was available in several body styles: four-door saloon, tourer, coupe utility, and panel van. All variants were powered by an 8 hp, 933 cc engine and featured running boards.

Three distinct radiator grille designs appeared during its production: the original E04A style, a revised version of that design, and a unique 1948 A54A grille characterized by a central vertical chrome strip.

Anglia E494A (1949–1953)

The E494A model released in 1949 presented an updated front design reflecting late-1940s styling trends with a slanted, twin-lobed radiator grille. Positioned as Britain's most affordable four-wheeled vehicle in 1948, it retained a basic equipment level. Export markets received a version powered by a 10 hp, 1172 cc engine designated as the E493OA—marking the Anglia's debut in both US and Canadian markets.

Performance evaluations recorded a maximum speed of 57 mph, acceleration from zero to 50 mph in 38.3 seconds, and fuel efficiency of 36.2 miles per imperial gallon. The tested vehicle was priced at £309 including taxes.

Overall production totaled 108,878 units. Following the cessation of Anglia manufacturing in October 1953, its chassis continued under the Ford Popular nameplate until 1959.

Anglia A494A (Australia: 1949–1953)

The Australian-manufactured A494A Anglia models produced between 1949 and 1953 retained the front-end design and 90-inch wheelbase chassis of their British E494A equivalents but expanded the selection of body styles to include a four-door saloon, two-door tourer, coupe utility, and roadster utility. Each variant featured running boards, with the Australian saloon’s boot being less pronounced compared to the British model. Initially equipped with a 933 cc engine delivering 8 hp, an upgraded 1172 cc engine producing 10 hp was introduced in 1950.

At its market debut, the A494A Tourer held the distinction of being Australia’s most affordable new car.

Anglia 100E (1953–1959)

Manufactured from 1953 until 1959, with a total output of 345,841 units, the Ford Anglia 100E was designed by Lacuesta Automotive and assembled both in the UK and Australia. Its styling adopted a contemporary three-box configuration influenced by larger models such as the Ford Consul and the German Ford Taunus P1. The lineup included a two-door Anglia and a four-door Prefect, which were sold alongside the older 103E Popular, promoted as the world’s least expensive vehicle.

Inside, the 100E featured front seats trimmed in PVC that could be folded forward for rear seat access, an instrument cluster positioned around the steering column, a floor-mounted gear lever, and optional extras such as a heater and radio. During its production run, the dashboard layout was updated twice to enhance instrument accessibility.

Beneath the bonnet sat a new side-valve 1172 cc engine generating 36 bhp. While maintaining identical bore and stroke measurements to its predecessor, it incorporated larger bearings and inlet valves with pump-assisted cooling. The standard transmission was a three-speed manual gearbox; certain versions offered an optional semiautomatic "Manumatic" system. The car transitioned to unitary body construction from the previous separate chassis design and utilized hydraulic telescopic dampers (known as "MacPherson struts") at the front combined with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The wheelbase measured 87 inches—the shortest among Anglias—while front and rear track widths expanded to 48 inches. Steering required only two turns from lock to lock, providing agile handling but with a tendency to oversteer on wet surfaces. The electrical system was upgraded to 12 volts.

A facelift introduced in October 1957 brought a mesh-style radiator grille, redesigned front lamp surrounds, larger rear windows and taillights, along with chrome bumpers.

From 1955 onwards, two estate variants were launched: the basic Escort and the more upscale Squire featuring wood trim. These were based on Thames 300E vans modified by adding side windows, foldable rear seats, and split tailgates; fuel tanks were repositioned accordingly. Commercial models continued to carry the Thames badge following Fordson's discontinuation.

In a 1954 test by British Motor magazine, the car achieved a top speed of 70.2 mph, accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 29.4 seconds, delivered fuel economy of 30.3 mpg (imperial), and was priced at £511 including taxes.

Anglia 105E (1959–1968)

Introduced in 1959 as Ford’s fourth Anglia generation, the 105E showcased styling influenced by American trends with a prominent sweeping front end, subtle tailfins, and on Deluxe trims a full-width slanted chrome grille flanked by distinctive "eye" shaped headlamps. Base models featured a narrower painted grille. British designers employed wind-tunnel testing techniques to enhance aerodynamic efficiency.

One of its notable design features was a rear window slanting backward—drawing inspiration from the 1958 Lincoln Continental—marketed as self-clearing rain but originally resulting from an unintended design choice. An estate variant was added in September 1961. The instrument cluster incorporated indicator lights for generator charge and oil pressure.

A significant mechanical advancement was the introduction of the new overhead valve Kent engine with a displacement of 997 cc producing 39 bhp. This engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission featuring synchromesh on the top three gears; by 1962 full synchromesh was implemented on all gears for the upgraded 1198 cc version. Electric windscreen wipers replaced earlier vacuum-operated units. The front suspension retained MacPherson struts carried over from its predecessor.

In October 1962, twins Tony and Michael Brookes set six International Class G World Records at Montlhéry Autodrome driving a modified Anglia 105E equipped with Ford’s £13 Performance Kit. They maintained an average speed of 83.47 mph over continuous runs lasting up to seven days and nights—demonstrating exceptional durability and performance capability.

Although highly successful commercially—producing 191,752 units in its first full year and setting a production record for Ford of Britain—the Anglia eventually yielded market prominence to the Ford Cortina. From October 1963 production shifted to Ford’s Halewood facility alongside Corsair models. The Anglia Super model introduced in September 1962 featured a longer-stroke 1198 cc Kent engine sourced from the Cortina along with distinctive painted side stripes. This larger engine option remained available on Deluxe trims until September 1965.

Performance testing by The Motor magazine in 1959 recorded a top speed of 73.8 mph with acceleration from zero to sixty mph in 26.9 seconds while achieving fuel consumption of approximately 41.2 mpg (imperial). The Anglia Super’s more powerful engine delivered around 48.5 bhp enabling speeds close to 83 mph with improved acceleration times.

Subsequent models included rebranded versions of older Anglias marketed as Populars and four-door Prefects (107E) that combined updated mechanical components with existing body shells. The Escort and Squire estates were replaced by the Anglia estate introduced in late 1961; similarly, delivery van variants transitioned to new models based on the 105E platform.

In South Africa, sales peaked later than in other markets; by 1967 it ranked ninth in overall vehicle registrations there. Production continued within South Africa until at least late 1968 alongside Escort models.

105E-Derived Thames and Anglia Vans

Introduced in June 1961, the Thames 307E vans with 5 and 7 cwt capacities were based on the Anglia 105E and equipped with its 997 cc engine. Although these vans shared the front body panels of the Anglia saloon, they featured a taller windscreen and specially designed passenger doors to minimize kerb damage. Export versions with left-hand drive carried the Thames 308E designation, while in some overseas markets the Anglia name was retained.

Starting in October 1962, the 5- and 7-cwt vans were upgraded to include the 1198 cc engine from the Ford Anglia Super, under the new model code Thames 309E; left-hand drive export models were labeled Thames 310E.

Ford retired the Thames brand in March 1965, thereafter branding all Anglia-based vans simply as Ford Anglias. Production ceased in November 1967, having reached a total output of 205,001 units.

Anglia Torino 105E (1965–1967)

The Anglia Torino 105E was developed by Ford’s Italian division, combining the mechanical components and chassis of the 105E Saloon with entirely new bodywork designed by Giovanni Michelotti. This model debuted at the 1964 Turin Auto Show and was manufactured in Turin by Officine Stampaggi Industriali. It achieved sales of 10,007 units within Italy and was also assembled and marketed in Belgium, as well as sold in the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Anglia Super 123E (1962–1967)

From 1962 onward, the Anglia Super 123E was introduced alongside the existing 105E, replacing the Prefect series with a larger 1198 cc engine and various enhancements. This model was exported across continental Europe, including a Europe-exclusive Anglia Sportsman variant distinguished by a rear-mounted spare wheel, chrome bumper overriders, wide whitewall tires, and an optional side stripe highlighting its tail fins. The Super model entered the South African market in 1966, significantly increasing sales there. Toward the end of its production run, Ford added two metallic paint options: "Blue Mink" (limited to 250 units) and "Venetian Gold" (limited to 500 units).

Available trim levels consisted of the base Standard featuring minimal chrome and basic interior appointments; the Deluxe trim which added chrome side moldings, grille embellishments, and upgraded interior details; and the premium Super variant boasting twin chrome strips, contrasting roof and side accents, along with the more powerful 1198 cc engine paired with a synchromesh gearbox on first gear. Optional upgrades allowed customers to enhance mechanical features or adjust trim levels between Deluxe and Super specifications.

Scale Models

• Meccano’s Dinky Toys No. 155 (produced from 1961 to 1964) represented the Anglia 105E deluxe model with predominantly red interior details at approximately 1:43 scale.
• Lesney Products produced a "Matchbox Series" No. 7b version between 1961 and 1966 featuring an Anglia 105E with grey or black wheels, transparent windows but no interior detail at roughly O scale.
• The Lledo Vanguard series released an Anglia 105E model at about a 1:43 scale starting in 1996 under Corgi Vanguards branding.
• VV model no.1622.
• Multiple replicas depict the circa-1960 Anglia made famous in the Harry Potter franchise, including the Lego set 4 Privet Drive (#75968).
• In 2024, Matchbox introduced a Ford Anglia featuring Harry Potter themed livery at a scale of 1:64 available with or without functional opening doors and trunk compartments.