Vehicle Description
1948 Ford Anglia Custom
With the huge popularity of the Ford automobile in the 30's the
Ford Motor Company started producing vehicles in Britain
specifically for the European market. One of the biggest hits was
the Anglia and due to its large success in other countries Ford
actually started importing these European built American cars back
to the states. They were sold at certain dealerships across the
country and even in Canada. A few modifications were made for the
US market which includes making them left hand drive, adding
parking lights, adding sealed beams to the headlights, installing a
larger motor and changing the front grill to a 3 hole design. This
3 hole grill was only a 1 year design for the America bound cars
which has made it a much more rare feature sought out by collectors
in later years as it was much more uncommon than the 2 hole grill.
Sales in America weren't as popular as initially projected as the
American market was looking for more interior space and big V8
motors which were not found in the Anglia. That would soon change
though as the Anglia was embraced by drag racers all over North
America. With its short wheels base and light compact body these
cars could fly down the track after performance motors were
installed. With its tendency to pop wheelies it also became a fan
favorite.
This 1948 Anglia was built by Jeff Cooke and the build was well
documented in an issue of Cruise News. Mr. Cooke found the all
steel 48 Anglia in 2003 at a Southeast Street Rod Nationals show in
Florida. At that time it was going through life as a 1970's built
dragster. With its 3 hole grill and clamshell vents Mr. Cooke was
immediately attracted to the car and saw how much potential it had.
He purchased the car and tore it completely down. The body was
media blasted to bare metal at which time any required repairs were
professionally done. He then painted it flat black and installed
the 454 big block motor. The motor has a beautiful look with tons
of chrome and runs extremely well. It has a comp cam, roller
rockers and lifters, a billet belt system, chrome intake, custom
valve covers by Advance Plating and chrome everywhere you look. It
is kept constantly running cool with a custom aluminum radiator
built by Bob Fett with Cooled by I.C.E. in Florida. The only thing
better than the look and power the motor provides is that sound. It
has custom built headers by James Vegg and ceramic coated exhaust
with Flowmaster muffers that dump out of the sides just in front of
the rear tire. The car sounds extremely tough and matches the look
perfectly. It has a great rumble when rolling down the road that is
only interrupted by the squealing tires when you put your foot in
it. The motor is paired with a racing custom built 700R4 automatic
transmission with 3,000 stall converter that sends power back to
the narrowed Ford 9 inch rear end with 4.11 gears. The rear end was
narrowed to 22 inches to make room for those wide Hoosier tires.
The car also features a 2x3 inch custom built frame and 4 inch drop
axle.
After completed the drivetrain Mr. Cooke drove the car for about
two years as he dialed everything in perfectly. Once the
adjustments were made and the drivetrain was operating at its best
it was time to tear the car down again. This occurred in September
2008 when the car was disassembled and finished. Harold Quesada
filled the roof and did the body work while Chris Quesada laid down
the two tone Tangelo Pearl and Sunset Pearl paint. The paint still
has an absolutely beautiful shine and the pearl sparkles
brilliantly out in the sun. It was refitted with all of its
original style stainless, emblems, etc which look great as well.
American Racing Torq Thrust wheels were tucked under the fenders
and the car was ready to roll.
Dale Meek was in charge of the ultra leather interior which was
finished out in a very nice light Beige. Very cool Orange accents
were added to the door panels and headliner pulling in some of the
Orange inside. The high back bucket seats fit nicely in the car and
are adjustable. To the floor a brushed metal style pistol grip
shifter was added and moves through the gears without fail. The
dash was done in a wood finish and topped with white face Autometer
gauges in brushed aluminum bezels. A tilt column sits in front of
the drive and also adds a touch of wood with the custom steering
wheel. There is a roll cage in the back package tray section,
wheelies bars sticking of from under the rear and even a Simpson
chute. While it has that drag racer look and could certainly be run
down the track if you wanted it has lived most of its life in this
version as a show car. These cars weren't known for their trunk
space but there is room for some select items and the trunk has
been upholstered out just as nice as the interior. It now features
a hidden compartment to house the red top Optima battery and filler
neck for the fuel cell.
This car has so much going for it and there is no doubting that we
have forgotten some details. If you are shy and don't like
attention then this is not the car for you because every time it
gets taken out it draws a crowd. It drives great, sounds great,
looks great and is one of the more unique customs on the road.
Make this one of a kind classic yours for a fraction of the build
cost at $76,500.00!
