Simon Cars - Ford Thames 5cwt and 7cwt

Ford Thames 5cwt and 7cwt (307E and 309E)

The Ford Anglia 105E is famed for its reverse-rake rear window, but the Van launched in June 1961 got a conventional box body for the rear. The Thames 307E used Anglia panels at the front, but aft of the bulkhead all panelwork differed. Doors had a different base to allow the doors to clear high kerbs. The Thames Van was available in 5cwt or 7cwt versions, with standard or low compression engines. The Thames 5cwt was very sparse, and devoid of trim or chrome. In October 1962 the 1197cc engine from the Anglia Super was an option and created the 309E Van. The name 'Thames' was dropped in March 1965 and replaced by 'Anglia' on the 307E/309E vans which ceased production in November 1967 adter 205,000 were sold. The Escort Van replaced this model and the rear doors were carried over to the newer van.

Ford 305E Thames 5cwt 1961 Van

Ford Thames 309E 1965 5cwt Van - badge on bonnet

Ford 305E Anglia 5cwt Van 1967 - Grille. A plain painted 6-bar grille was given to the cheaper 5cwt van

Ford 305E Anglia 5cwt Van 1967. The 5cwt still had the 997cc engine, but by 1967 it had separate indicators and sidelamps.

Ford Thames 307E 5cwt Van. The 5cwt Van was trimmed down to the same level as the Anglia standard, with painted grille.

Ford Thames 309E 1965 5cwt Van. From 1962 both the 5cwt and 7cwt were offered with the optional 1,198cc engine (fitted here) and designated '309E'

Bedford HA 10cwt Van. By 1981 the HA Van had been uprated to 10cwt and given the 1256cc engine of the Chevette.

Ford 305E Anglia 5cwt Van 1967. This view shows how the rear edge of the door curves up to clear high kerbs when the van was fully loaded

Ford 305E Thames 5cwt 1961 Van. The 5cwt Van had the simple painted 6-bar grille from the Ford Anglia basic.

Ford Anglia 307E 1967 7cwt Van. In 1961 5cwt (305E) and 7cwt (307E) Van versions of the 105E Anglia saloon became available, using 40 or 35bhp versions of the 997cc engine. From 1965 the 'Thames' name was dropped and 'Anglia' was used.

Ford Anglia 307E 1967 7cwt Van. The rear doors of this Anglia Van were subsequently used on all versions of the Ford Escort Van.

Ford Anglia 307E 1967 Van. The 305E/307E Van was structurally different to the 105E Anglia, and only the panels ahead of the windscreen were shared.

Ford Thames 309E 1965 5cwt Van - The full width grille suggests this was a Deluxe version.

Ford Thames 307E 5cwt Van. The 5cwt Van had a low compression version of the 997cc ohv engine, whereas the 7cwt had a high compression engine. 205,000 Vans were built between 1961 and 1967.

Ford Thames 307E 5cwt Van. Based on the 997cc ohv Ford Anglia 105E, the Ford Thames 307E Van shared the 105E front bodywork but had a taller windscreen.

Ford Anglia 1961 Standard. The 'Standard' model had the small front grille set into a painted panel, whereas the Deluxe had a full width grille. The 105E was designed in Britain at Birmingham, but it is believed that Elwood Engel was working there at the time and gave it the reverse rake rear window to improve rear headroom.

Ford Anglia Deluxe 105E

Ford Escort 1970 8cwt Van.

Ford Escort 45 Van. The MkII Escort Vans were given new Escort MkII bonnets, grilles and front wings, but kept the doors and main panelling from the MkI

Ford Thames 300E 1959 5cwt. The cheaper 5cwt van was trimmed down to the level of the Ford Anglia 100E

Morris Minor 8 cwt 1970 BCAL.

Triumph Courier Van. As with all Herald derivatives, the body was by Giovanni Michelotti, and the bonnet hinged over the front over-riders

British Commercial Vehicles Ford Pickups, Trucks and Vans Simon Cars

All images and content of this site is the copyright of Simon GP Geoghegan