1951 English Ford Prefect E493A - Very Rare in US - No Reserve

1951 Ford Other Description

No reserve - This 1951 Ford Prefect is a rare left hand drive example with its original 1172cc side-valve inline four-cylinder engine. It is nearly all original (a previous owner installed an oil pressure gauge. The only thing that I have changed is to add seatbelts. Other than that, all original as far as I know).
The Prefect E493A is a really rare car and gets a lot of attention where ever it goes. I’ve had people follow me home on multiple occasions because they can’t figure out what kind of car it is. There are very few running Prefects in the US and almost none in this kind of original condition.
This car was owned by my father and has been in my possession for the last few years. A mechanical refresh was performed in 2014 with a carburetor and fuel pump rebuild, and brake and electrical systems overhauled. The car carries a clean California title. The starter was rebuilt recently, and the car has a new 6V battery.
Ford UK used the same design for the Prefect from 1938 until 1952, and advertised the car as a more upmarket version of the Popular and Anglia models. The ’51 was one of the last years of the perpendicular style Fords, and the majority were configured with right-hand drive. While there were Prefects in Australia and Canada, very few of them ever made it to the US. From research I’ve done, it seems like less than 5,000 of the lefthand drive Prefects were ever made.
The paint is in good shape with a few nicks and normal wear. Body panels are straight with no significant dents or damage repair evident, and the chrome is in good condition. The rubber seal around the trunk is showing wear and could stand to be replaced. There is a small tear in the roof that my mechanic repaired.
After WWII, the Prefect’s headlamps were integrated into the fenders and side trafficators were fitted, springing out from the door pillars to signal left and right turns. The car’s original trafficators work.
The interior is unrestored. Brown vinyl upholstery is in good condition for its age, although some of the stitching on the front seat is separating. There are two small stains on the headliner above the windshield.
The gauges are functional (though I don’t think the gas gauge is reading accurately), and the dash is in good shape. The antenna has been removed, and I don’t believe a radio was ever installed. Note the manual operated crank for operating the forward pivoting front windshield. Pretty cool to drive along with the front windshield open on a hot day.
The original 1172cc side-valve inline 4-cylinder engine is said to be in good working order. The engine was designed with a thermocirculation radiator (no pump) and the ability to be started by a crank handle should the battery not have sufficient power to turn the starter motor. The car had a major service in 2014, with an engine-out overhaul including a carb and fuel pump rebuild, and a tune up. The brake and electrical systems were also reworked at that time. Stock brakes are mechanically operated using a Girling rod system with 10-inch drums, and the chassis has transverse leaf springs front and rear.
All-in-all, this car is in good running shape and would be a great candidate for a resoration or a resto-mod. I will include a repair guide, several Ford Prefect books and a period sales brochure as well.
This is a used vehicle. This is a rare collectible vintage classic vehicle. It is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed, written or implied. No allowance or set aside will be made. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to purchase based upon that judgement solely. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs.
Full verified payment is required before vehicle can be released. Shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer.
I require a $1,000 non-refundable deposit within 24 hours of your agreement to buy. If no contact is made within 24 hours of commitment to purchase, I reserve the right to relist the vehicle, or sell it otherwise.
I’ve enjoyed owning this car and hope that it finds a good home. Feel free to contact me with any questions.