Ford Anglia, Prefect and Popular
The Ford Anglia, Popular and Prefect comprised Ford of Great Britain's post war inexpensive fleet, right up to the early '60s. The Popular was the most basic model, comprising of little more than a chassis, engine/transmission, fairly waterproof bodywork, and seats. The Anglia was the "deluxe" model in the range - the instruments being in a different housing. The Prefect was the four door model.
- All models (1947-1953) were two door (except Prefect which had four doors) with a very upright seating position.
- Four cylinder, 950 cc, 10hp side-valve engine featured a thermo-siphon cooling system (no water pump, no thermostat, not pressurised)
- Suspension comprised a single transverse mounted spring at front and rear.
- Brakes were cable operated
- Windscreen wipers were operated by the suction from the engine inlet manifold. Very useful in heavy rain travelling up hills when manifold vacuum was almost non-existent.
The 1953-1959 range sported a rounded body, an updated chassis but the same engine as the previous models.
The last range (1959-196?) was a new model altogether. Only the Anglia variant was built. This had a new chassis, suspension, body, engine etc. - the only common factor was the name!
Production Car Trials...
... consist of a number of sections set out on hilly ground, the idea being to climb as far as possible round the section before running out of grip, or out of the course. The vehicle is not allowed to stop, or reverse.
Score 12 points at the bottom, reducing to zero if you reach the top, least total score wins. There is no time limit.
Cars are divided into classes based on grip-ability, i.e. front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, rear engined rear wheel drive - 4 wheel drive is not usually permitted.
The vehicles are standard road cars, and must be capable of being legally driven on the roads - (for an off road event they do not have to be taxed). However, while off road, the tyres may be used at a reduced pressure.
These scenes are from PCT events held in Kent and Surrey (south east England) between 1975 and 1980
The pictures have been grouped by vehicle, or vehicle type - not by event.