Classic Clubs Series – No. 1 – Ford Anglia 105E Owners’ Club
Do you own, drive, or are interested in… an Anglia 105E or 123E, or a Prefect 107E? If so, this club is for you…
Kim Henson explains… In this new Wheels-Alive series, over time we shall be looking at the multitude of enthusiastic organisations that help their members to keep their classic vehicles (of various makes, models and types) on the road, and to have fun in so doing. In each feature we shall be concentrating on one particular club… and where better to start our series than with the Ford Anglia 105E Owners’ Club?
The cars
The compact yet big-hearted Anglia 105E was a transformative model and one of the most important Fords in the company’s history. Built at Dagenham, home to Ford operations in the UK from the early 1930s, it was introduced just over 60 years ago, in September 1959.
The Anglias were produced until late 1967, making way for the new Escort (Mark I).
The first cars (105E) were fitted with a freshly-designed overhead valve ‘over square’ (i.e. with the cylinder bore dimensions exceeding those of the stroke) engine, with a capacity of 997cc and driving the rear wheels via a four speed gearbox. The 105E was the first small Ford to be fitted with an overhead valve engine and a four speed gearbox.
For those who may be wondering, the four door Prefect 107E saloon was a clever mixture of the 100E Prefect, but in place of its sidevalve 1172cc engine, the 107E was powered by the new overhead valve Anglia 105E motor. This now-rare version of the Prefect was only produced until 1961.
‘Standard’ (basic) and Deluxe versions of the 105E saloon were offered (all with two door, four seater bodywork and a generous boot), also vans (5 and 7 cwt versions) and a three door estate, equipped with a single-piece, high-lifting tailgate opening onto a spacious, easy-to-access load deck with a flat floor at bumper height.
From October 1962 an additional model joined the line-up. The 123E Super featured a 1200cc engine (as also used in the new Cortina Mark I) and an all-synchromesh four speed gearbox.
The Anglias gave way to the Escort (Mark I) towards the end of 1967, but there is still a strong and affectionate following for them. These small Fords still mean a great deal to a great many people, often because of family connections over many years.
The Club
Auboné Braddon is the Club’s Historian/Archivist, and his enthusiasm for Anglias is legendary. In fact I feel that his passion for, and knowledge of, the cars is probably without equal.
I asked Auboné if he would provide a few words about the Club and what it does.
Here’s his reply, which I’ll quote in full as it is so comprehensive…
“The club was started in 1981 and caters for all models of the 105E including vans, estates, saloons and the 107E Prefect.
The Club has its own spares service; components are available to Club members who also benefit from discounts from different specialist companies such as Ex-Pressed Steel Panels and Aldridge Trimming.
In addition, a full range of regalia is available to Club members.
The organisation is a member of the FBHVC (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs) and has its own DVLA representative whose main role is to help members register unregistered vehicles. (‘That’s me by the way’, says Auboné).
The club produces a full colour magazine called Anglebox, that comes out every two months and is full of news, information about club spares and a guide to what is going on in the area groups around the country and abroad.
The club also caters for and welcomes modified Anglias and has several members who race or rally their cars very competitively.
We also have National Events around the country, for example at Stratford, Powderham near Exeter and also a Spring Rally and AGM that moves around the country each year.
Membership costs £35.00 for the first year that includes a £5.00 joining fee. Each year after that it is £30.00 per year.
The Owners’ club has its own Facebook page (Ford Anglia 105E Owners Club) and also runs its own very informative website which, among much other information, lists all the club spares online, that can be ordered by members and paid for via the website when a membership number is given.”
My grateful thanks to Auboné and the Anglia 105E Owners’ Club for their enthusiastic help with this feature.
I should also add that Auboné was voted ‘Club Personality of the Year’ at the popular and prestigious NEC Classic Car Show, held towards the end of 2019. Very well deserved…
How to join?
Please e-mail: membership@105eoc.com
…or you can join via the Club’s website, at https://105eoc.com
Further reading
You might be interested in an earlier article that we published on Wheels-Alive, about Anglias. Please go to: https://www.wheels-alive.co.uk/ford-anglia-105e123e/
