Vehicle Description
This one is just too much fun to pass up. It only takes a quick
glance to know this 1950 Ford Thames Panel pickup is not just some
classic British commercial-grade economy machine. The slick paint
and wheels are just a hint at the mighty motor, upgraded
suspension, and custom interior. This is the unique build for
someone who knows really cool things come in small packages.
The Ford Thames van/pickup is based on the Anglia - a car that
helped put England on wheels. It's a rare sight over here today,
and in fact, many British car fans might be keen on seeing an
Anglia/Thames at their favorite car show. But don't let them get to
close, or else this wild child might make them spill their Sleepy
Time tea. After all, the red-hot paint on this one is super-slick.
Plus, the expertly deleted bumpers, bright headlights, large dual
exhaust tips, LED taillights, and aggressively staggered alloys
will make anyone take notice. And of course, those vertical stacks
coming out of the hood mean power.
The custom work continues on the inside. There's the comfort of
dual individual bucket seats finished in a supple leather. This is
a thoughtful look with a tasteful tan with bold red inserts and the
Thames name stitched into the seatback. This two-tone nicely
coordinates with the door panels, headliner, dash, and carpeting
for a uniform presentation that will impress everyone. The double
doors of the rear hatch swing wide to give you easy access to the
cargo area. So this is great for tailgating. You also get upgrades
like a sat nav under the dash and an AM/FM/CD/HD stereo with USB
input to plug in your phone. The driver gets a B&M shifter and
a sports steering wheel mounted on a polished tilt column. Beyond
that is a full set of gauges, including a column-mounted tach - a
nice indication of something good under the hood.
The engine bay has been given a full American makeover with a tidy
style and plenty of flair. At its heart is a 355 cubic-inch V8. Not
only is this five times the size of anything offered in the
Thames/Anglia, but that's just the tip of the performance iceberg.
This is a built with roller rockers and a mild cam. Those stacks
are a professional Garlits Performance IN 600 Street Induction
setup (a $1,600 investment alone) feeding an Edelbrock four-barrel
carburetor and Edelbrock intake. And it exhales with authority and
power as headers feed the dual exhaust. So when you put this much
muscle in a lightweight package like this, you may just want to
paint your own company name on the side of this panel van... then
you can use the slogan, "It hauls them all!" The V8 feeds a Chevy
three-speed automatic on its way to a stout Ford 9-inch rear. The
rear also has adjustable coilovers and meaty tires in the tubbed
wells. Up front is an independent suspension and disc brakes for
good control.
This a one-of-a-kind that won't disappoint with the smiles it gives
you in private, and the crowds it attracts in public. So if you
want something distinct, powerful, and absolutely cool, don't miss
this English Ford.