Modern, stylish, lively and fun to drive, the Anglia richly deserves its revered status
WORDS MALCOLM MCKAY PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES MANN
Britain was a world leader in car production by the late ’50s, but some of its products were distinctly antiquated – not least Ford’s 100E Anglia, with its pre-war-derived sidevalve engine, three-speed gearbox and vacuum-operated wipers. But simplicity and low cost were appreciated, so the 100E Popular continued to ’62, alongside the 100E body with the 105E engine providing a four-door saloon option as the 107E Prefect.
The Anglia 105E burst on to the scene in 1959, all set to take the ’60s by storm with bold, futuristic styling including a low, wind-tunnel-honed nose and a reverse-rake rear ’screen that cleverly allowed great headroom, a large boot opening and cost-saving flat rear glass.
There have been few bigger contrasts in engine history than Ford’s switch from long-stroke, low-revving sidevalve to short-stroke, oversquare, overhead-valve screamer in 1959. The 105E unit was swiftly adopted for Formula Junior racing, and within two years a huge range of tuning options was available from evocative names such as Cosworth, Alexander, HRG, Holbay, PECO, Allard and Willment. It came with a new four-speed, three-synchro ’box with a super-slick change. In a few years it would be further improved for the Cortina, whereupon this all-synchromesh unit plus the Cortina’s 1198cc version of the engine found its way into the Anglia, in 123E Super form.
Despite being a volume producer, Ford was already opening up to the personalisation that would later characterise its cars with a huge number of options. For the Anglia, the range began with the Standard with no chrome, a steel-slat grille and basic interior. The Deluxe got a full-width chrome grille, single chrome side strip, glovebox lid, sunvisors and chrome rear lights. The 123E Super came with twin chrome side strips, a contrasting-coloured roof and side flash, plus a more luxurious interior. But it was also possible to specify a 123E with Deluxe trim (and a Deluxe or Standard Estate) – and (rarely) a 997 with Super trim. Also rare and desirable are the c1000 pick-ups, though even rarer (at c600) was the Standard Estate.
The model bounced back into the limelight when Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was published in 1998. It had a dramatic effect on awareness and values that holds to this day, and must have saved many cars from scrap.
