Ford's V8 engine was sold from 1932, and by the mid 1930s British Ford were making American-designed V8s, including the 1937-39 Ford V8 Model 62, which was given a new grille to become the Ford V8 Pilot in 1947. Initially the Pilot was powered by North American Ford's reject 2227cc V8 engine which came from surplus Canadian stock, but the better 3622cc V8 (as used in American Ford V8s) was quickly inserted. The body borrowed heavily from the French Matford Alsace, which was itself a version of the American Ford Model 48 V8 but given a French styled body from Chausson. The British version dispensed with the suicide doors and was given a vertical grille by Don Ward. Sold from 1947 to 1951 the Pilot was given a 4-door saloon body, although pickup and estate car versions were also made. The Ford Zephyr MkI replaced the Pilot after 22,000 had been sold.