When I first spied this 1958 Ford Anglia, I passed it and then had to back up and rereview it. It actually reminds me of a toon car or the circus clown car. It’s supposedly a one-off, so it’s definitely one to investigate. This most unusual British Ford is located in Cape Coral, Florida and is available, here on craigslist for $4,950, OBO. Thanks to Pat L. for this most unusual tip!
The Ford Anglia is certainly one of Ford’s better-known products to come from the U.K. First offered in 1939, the Anglia went through several iterations before the 100E, such as our subject car, arrived in 1953. Continuing through the ’59 model year, the 100E was offered in a two and four-door (Ford Prefect) sedan, a Squire Estate (station wagon), and a van known as the Thames 300. With a production of approximately 345K units, one body style never offered was a convertible. No worries, imagination, and a Sawzall can take care of that!
The seller tells us that this Anglia was exported to Norway, of all places, where it went topless, and then imported to the U.S. in 2010. The seller adds, “There is none like it in (the) USA and probably none in the world“. I suppose that’s possible but there’s really no way to know for sure. Might others be lurking somewhere around the Scandanavian peninsula? There is only a handful of listing images, but from what can be seen, the conversion work looks to have been well performed but it would be interesting to know what if any structural, enhancements were facilitated to ensure rigidity. While certainly not an exciting color, the finish, and chrome, appear to be strong and this diminutive Ford presents well. From a design perspective, the convertible conversion creates, to my eyes, a somewhat unbalanced look probably as a result of the long rear deck and small, top-up greenhouse. And it’s not that unusual a look as it is the not uncommon result of convertible versions.
Power is provided by a 36 HP, 1,200 CC, in-line, four-cylinder engine connected to a three-speed manual transmission. The seller provides no information regarding driving or operating characteristics. Driving tests from back in the day pegged the Anglia 100E’s top speed at about 70 MPH with a 0-60 MPH dash slog at almost 29 seconds. So this convertible will be a put-the-top-down and just enjoy the experience kind of drive.
Points go to the interior! It’s in superior condition and looks like it is new and untouched, except for the fact that the interior ends just behind the front seat. The two-tone vinyl upholstery and door cards present a bright cheerful environment that perfectly reflects this Anglia’s fun factor. It’s safe to say that the interior requires no attention.
Yes, it is certainly a one-off and not a particularly expensive acquisition. Considering the Anglia’s broad market presence, keeping this cute little convertible running shouldn’t be too trying an endeavor. So what’s your opinion, a fun little experience or a little too unique to seriously consider?
I would not care to be in this car, down here during one of our brief but potent Florida monsoon-downpours, and expecting that “top” to not leak and those little wipers trying desperately to keep up.
It’s hard to believe coming from a country that boasts like 362 days a year of rain, their cars are so ill equipped for it. I should talk with the setup on my Jeep, not much better. Ironically, I took the wipers off, as we get over 300 days of sunshine here.
I don’t have wipers on my Jeep either, Howard, but I live in Oregon. I just don’t drive it much during the rainy season. If I do get caught out, I just don’t slow down -as long as I keep the speed up, I don’t get very wet and the windshield stays clear. :)
Where did you get that figure from?
What, the 300 days of sun in Colorado,( honest number) or the 362 days of rain in England, a fictitious number as it’s always portrayed as foggy and overcast,,,kind of like Wisconsin,,hey Mike?
“The two-tone vinyl upholstery and door cards present a bright cheerful environment that perfectly reflects this Anglia’s fun factor.”
Were they talking about THIS car? Talk about overselling!
Yes, I was. Considering how many British cars that I review with interiors that look like a tetanus shot would be warranted, I thought this one was a nice, bright exception.
JO
Send in the Clowns
Or the Shriners.
So somebody took a 2DR 4seat Anglia and made a 2seat conv.Should have made it as a 4seat conv.
I bet that body is flexible too., because the roof on non-convertibles gives the body its strength. Real convertibles have a strengthening member welded into the body, usually around the cowl area, to make up for the missing roof.
The Anglia was the workhorse of the “Commoners”. We simply have to remember, Britain in the 50’s was NOT America, people worked for shillings ( not much) and high taxes and fuel prevented them from driving big cars. That and they didn’t have the roads we did. A 0-anything time was just not an issue. Mere economical transportation was the rule. Anglia and Prefects were basic cars. I bet people traded UP to a Triumph Herald. I seem to remember my old man having one, only because of the name. Great find for that 2 lane afternoon drive, I-70,( or even the wicked 2 or outdated, dangerous THREE lanes here) not so much.
I would like to see a picture of one with the original roof still intact. My friend’s mother had a later, four seater, in the sixties. It was more squared off.
They DID actually do a factory Anglia convertible, though only three were made. Here’s one of them…..
https://www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/37831638111/in/photostream/
I feel redeemed. When I first saw this, my thought was that I’d never seen or heard of an Anglia convertible. After reading I know why, and why it not seen. Wish the seller good luck.
Drop a Coyote in it!
That will dial up the fun factor.
If that doesn’t scream,,,, HEY LS, want’s move in?
What kind of nutjob would import a car to Norway, and then remove the main part that keeps the heat in?
We had these in Australia and they were sweet back in the day but gutless by today’s standards. But to make one of these be able to cruise at a decent clip and be enjoyed as a summer use convertible, I would want to tweak that motor just a tad. Just doing some work on the head, porting and polishing and installing oversize valves and twin carbs, together with a better exhaust would make it a much more driveable car.
I sold my Vespa and laid down $300 for a used (1958?) in 1960 upon graduating from college. It was a 2 door in the same color. Gutless is an understatement. Would have to shift the 3speed into second to make the hills on the Taconic State Parkway in NY. But served its purpose until I made enough money to buy my first ALFA. There probably is an easy engine upgrade like with MGs etc and it really needed a 4 speed. The next model about 1960 did both.
To say this car “presents well” for $4950 seems to be an understatement. It looks to be almost in showroom condition–even the driver’s seat has no sags. Driving around town would be pure fun. The $4950 is what surprises me. This is not a barn car that requires much work and sells for multiples of $4950. It looks like it’s ready to go. Would finding parts be a problem?
‘none like it any where in the world’ fr a reason. Any way, cute as a rug ona bug, like it (huge trunk now). But even better is its cousin the Thames vans.
I had completely forgotten about the Thames van I drove for a florist when I was in high school. I think it was a ’53 or ’54. With the steering wheel flat and the front wheels right below my seat the handling was a different experience and a joy. But the manual transmission presented a challenge to all the drivers. When cold, it operated fine. But after a warmup of 30 minutes it would stick in first gear. We always managed to get it unstuck with some fiddling and cursing, and then it would go fairly easily into second. Going from second to third always went smoothly. The Ford dealer was unable to fix the problem. Maybe this Anglia has the same idiosyncrasy. This would explain the low price.