Quote:
Originally Posted by Seagull81
It is funny how Ford has different cars in different parts of the world.
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Early Fords in Australia were mainly of English heritage, such as the Prefect, V8 Pilot and Anglia.
I spent part of my time learning to drive in a 1949 Prefect and I doubt if I've ever driven a worse car. At the time I was (illegally) driving, after a fashion, my Dad's old Dodge truck around the suburb when the local copper wasn't looking and it was a dream, comparatively, to the Prefect. Even the old Dodge's three speed "crash", or non-synchro gear box seemed easier to handle than the contrary Prefect's. I wasn't allowed to go for my licence in the Dodge truck so it looked like it would have to be the dreaded Prefect. Ultimately I begged my Uncle to lend me his car and I obtained my licence in his Standard Flying, a two door Pommie soft top, which was a far better little car than the Prefect.
It was not worth persevering with the Prefect, it was so awful, but so as to have something to get about on which would fit under our house I co-purchased with the kid next door a 1954 AJS 500 single, which I wish I still had. It was lovely to ride. Meanwhile Dad kept the rotten old Prefect until he bought a five year old FJ Holden which was a huge improvement.
Sorry to reminisce like this, but every time I see a Prefect, those memories of fifty years ago come back to haunt me with terrible clarity.
Don.