Here's one for you lovers of old Fords

[Baz]

I was in Burnie, Tasmania last week and saw this immaculate 1951 A493A Ford Prefect Utility in Mount Street. Couldn't resist a couple of pics.

[Seagull81]

Nice. Thanks for the pictures.
It is funny how Ford has different cars in different parts of the world.

[Donunder]

Originally Posted by Seagull81

It is funny how Ford has different cars in different parts of the world.

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.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Donunder

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.

I know where your coming from Don. My mate had a Pilot and that was a bigger heap of crap than a Prefect. I've seen lots of Prefect Sedans in my day, but not too many utes. That's what caught my interest. I'm not promoting them or saying they were a great car, quite the opposite I'm afraid. It's just that you don't see them around any more.

I think the Anglia bought out a little Panel Van too. I'm pretty sure that the Panel Van wasn't a Prefect.

Speaking of reminiscing:-

In the late 60's I had quite a quick EH Holden which was my road car. I occasionally dragged it at Castlereagh Drag Strip near Penrith and 14.7 was my quickest quarter mile.

One Saturday we were up there running the time trials and I was pitted against a, let's call it a Ford Anglia Panel Van called 'Mother's Worry.' He was staging alongside me and I could see the massive blower sticking out of the roof of the Panel Van behind the driver. I later found out that it was attached to a 7 litre Chrysler Hemi. When the green light appeared, I shot from the line and had covered about 100 metres, but the Anglia was still at the start. Thunder then erupted and I watched this massive burnout in my rear vision mirror as the Anglia shot passed me when I was about mid quarter mile.

I remember admiring the width of the back tires as he passed. The drive shafts much have been about 2 inches long as the entire rear axle was just rubber. Suddenly the two little back doors of the Panel Van flew open and a massive drag shute bellowed out as he crossed the line in a respectful sub 10 second run. Not bad seeing that he missed the start, or was he just giving me a thrill.

Those memories keep coming back to me too Don so maybe that is why I took the photos of that old Ford Prefect in Tassie.

Baz

[Aussie Mike]

Here's me circa 1988 with my 1946 Ford Anglia. It was rather roughly hot rodded and had a 3L V6 and 4 speed from a Capri in it. Supension was from a Hillman Minx in the front and a Ford Zephyr diff in the back. Paint was done with spray cans. I had a lot of fun in it but it was seriously dangerous and I'm surprised it didn't all end in tears.


I've got a friend who is a early english ford nut and collector of prefects and the like. I showed him the pictures of it and it turns out the car was a rare 7W model and was the link between the Y model and the Anglia. I think the guys in the Pommy side valve Ford car club wanted to lynch me.

Cheers

[boxhead]

Holy cow, look at that skinny bastard.

[Aussie Mike]

Originally Posted by boxhead

Holy cow, look at that skinny bastard.

Yep, I had to wear bright orange T-shirts so people could see me.

Ahh... the days when you could eat anything you wanted and not put on any weight.

[boxhead]

Also looks like you could not afford shoes after buying all those cans of spray paint?

Originally Posted by Aussie Mike

Here's me circa 1988 with my 1946 Ford Anglia. It was rather roughly hot rodded and had a 3L V6 and 4 speed from a Capri in it. Supension was from a Hillman Minx in the front and a Ford Zephyr diff in the back. Paint was done with spray cans. I had a lot of fun in it but it was seriously dangerous and I'm surprised it didn't all end in tears.


I've got a friend who is a early english ford nut and collector of prefects and the like. I showed him the pictures of it and it turns out the car was a rare 7W model and was the link between the Y model and the Anglia. I think the guys in the Pommy side valve Ford car club wanted to lynch me.

Cheers

[Mando]

Originally Posted by Aussie Mike

Yep, I had to wear bright orange T-shirts so people could see me.

Ahh... the days when you could eat anything you wanted and not put on any weight.

I'm not sure my memory goes back that far.

Regards.

[Donunder]

Originally Posted by Baz

... I've seen lots of Prefect Sedans in my day, but not too many utes. That's what caught my interest. I'm not promoting them or saying they were a great car, quite the opposite I'm afraid. It's just that you don't see them around any more.
Baz

You don't see them too often Baz, and I can't remember the last time I saw a ute version. And I have to admit this one looks quite tidy.
Although noticing the way it's parked in your photos also brings back something from the past. I had at one time a girlfriend who was something of a smart-alec on occasions. I once parked in much the same way as the Prefect has been, and she opened her door, looked down at the road and said back over her shoulder, "Yep, that's OK. It'll be right. We can walk to the footpath from here."

[mickmate]

That back view makes me wish they'd made a coupe of that. Look at the line of that roof and back window, sweet!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Donunder

You don't see them too often Baz, and I can't remember the last time I saw a ute version. And I have to admit this one looks quite tidy.
Although noticing the way it's parked in your photos also brings back something from the past. I had at one time a girlfriend who was something of a smart-alec on occasions. I once parked in much the same way as the Prefect has been, and she opened her door, looked down at the road and said back over her shoulder, "Yep, that's OK. It'll be right. We can walk to the footpath from here."

I guess he didn't want to scuff those mags.

[Merv and Sharon]

I used to go to college with a mate who had one of these. Paid $10 for it. It even had a heater - gig hole in the tunnel with a carpet flap over it. If you didn't mind the fumes it was warm. Also had two trays to put under it when parked. One for the oil and one for the water leaks. Both poured back in before staring home after college. Nice car.

[rustyBob]

I wish that Ford and other manufacturers had sold cars like that on this side of the big pond........that Ford Perfect Ute is a cool looking ride.......almost looks like a custom VW bug......

[Ron61]

Baz,

That is a very nice looking pick up.

Mike,

Your rattle can paint job doesn't look bad at all in the picture. Much better than the Plymouth we painted with a roller.

Ron

[BMK]

Baz,

Nice car. Don't think it has the little four cylinder in it today..