1957 FORD PREFECT DELUXE

ENGINE 1172cc/4-cyl/sv POWER 36bhp@4500rpm TORQUE 54lb ft@2500rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 72mph 0-60MPH 29sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 26-35mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, three-speed manual MOT 12 months on sale ODOMETER 11,163 miles

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

One glimpse of this 1950s charmer and you know that a performance drive is not going to be on the agenda, so your mindset instantly adjusts. The sidevalve engine bursts into life on a single churn of the starter; into first gear and you’re off. We took it on a fairly long drive in freezing weather and it performed brilliantly, warming up more quickly than you’d imagine and showing no sign of wear. The gearbox and suspension seem fine, too. It’s soon evident that this is a 100E in really good order; gear ratios are well-chosen with the flexible second gear making the car lovely to drive around town. Also, the steering is good for an economy car of this era – there is no wandering – and the brakes aren’t all that bad with no real issues of note.

BODYWORK CHECK

The car truly glistens in correct period Ford turquoise, backed up by excellent chrome. It’s a really good paint job without any overspray, orange peel, scratches or stone chips. The car appears to be really good underneath as far as we could determine without the use of a ramp and lifting the carpets shows no welded patches. Even harsh winter sunshine showed no filler patches on the extremely straight panels. The doors all close as they should, the wheels are unkerbed and the tyres have plenty of tread.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

Much of the cabin is original, apart from the seats, which have been re-upholstered to as near original spec as possible; which is to say ‘very’ because both they and the door trims match well. The headlining hasn’t discoloured or sagged and the non-original carpeting is in good order. The original interior paint is largely free from scuffs and the

patterned metal dashboard is in good order, right down to the ‘Prefect’ script and ashtray. The instruments, such as they are, all work as intended.

UNDER THE BONNET

Look in the engine bay of this car and lurking somewhere in its depths is the tiny sidevalve engine. The engine bay itself is free from rot and boasts original paint. We could find nothing to mark the car down on, in fact.

THE CCW VIEW

What a joyful machine this is. The colour is so period and the car just invites you to get in and drive. This is a great restoration of a car that obviously wasn’t a basket-case in the first place. Goodness knows how much that paint job would cost to have been done so professionally. There isn’t much documentation, and while there are Mots they only date back as far as 2001. This is the perfect choice for someone who wants to jump into a classic and enjoy a show – providing that they’re not too worried that it might take them a while to get there! Nick Larkin

EXTERIOR

Excellent restored condition

INTERIOR

Super condition throughout MECHANICALS

All seems to be in good order