The Fordson E83W was central to Ford of Britain’s response to the changing economy during the Great Depression. With its small, economical motor and near-endless variety of cargo configurations – including open pickup, flatbed, barrel, concessionaire, and so on – the E83W competed with Morris, Bedford, Commer, and Dennis commercial vehicles. Today, its “sit up and beg” styling is unique and endearing, but back then, almost everything looked like a Basset Hound’s face. Find this E83W project van in Salem, Oregon, with details advertised here in craigslist. The seller is asking $9900. Thanks to Curvette for the tip!
Ford’s nomenclature told you what you were getting – mostly: the “E” meant the vehicle was made in Britain; the “8” referred to the year of launch (1938), and the “3” corresponded to a 10 taxable hp four-cylinder. “W” referred to a forward-control truck. The E83W has a 10 cwt load rating – about 1100 lbs. The tiny 1172 cc flathead four in here actually makes about 30 hp, but gearing is low, and the van is primitively suspended by transverse springs front and rear, so top speed comes in at about 40 mph. A three-speed manual brings power to the rear wheels. While the engine will run, the seller notes that it was parked in 2019 when the water pump started leaking.
Finding one of these configured in LHD is tough. Note that the dash gauges are set for RHD; here in America, we get to look at switches. The throttle is in the center of the pedal arrangement. Remember, these were delivery vans, so only the driver merits a seat. The cargo area is promising, with a decent wood floor. Up until the mid-1930s, vehicle roofs were made in pieces, including a center piece made of wire, batting, cloth, and vinyl. Even after 1935, it was expensive to roll a continuous roof panel.
Considering the engine didn’t come with an oil filter and was cooled via thermosyphon, the chassis needed grease everywhere all the time, and the van was delivered with only one reluctant windshield wiper, the existence of bumpers is a nice surprise. Love the barn doors, exterior hinges, and rear lamps on stalks. This pre-war van broadcasts charm like a debutante at a ball. But as appealing as it is, the price seems high; what do you think?
‘Ello, mates, with those doors, looks to be a “Black Maria”, it does. In fact, images show these used as police vans, but mostly in Australia. Britain seemed to use Thames as its being sold as, never heard the Fordson part. It’s a neat piece, and for the record, there were outfits that switched RHD to LHD here. Naturally, my big concern would be the lack of power, but for the back alleys of London, who needs it. Cherrio!
Pip pip! Thanks, Howard, I forgot to mention that “Fordson” was used before the war, then the model name was changed to “Thames”. Fordson meant truck, basically.
Fordson became the UK tractor brand solely at some point post WW2, Michelle.
Commercial Fords were known in England as Fordsons.
I have an acquaintance out west who has a pickup version of this. I often wonder why the Brits settled for such tiny conveyances because they have to shoehorn themselves into them. Surely gas can’t be that expensive, can it?
I’m not sure about this truck but the pickup I looked at has the steering column angled and the chassis is designed to be LH or RH drive.
And that engine. Interesting that this chassis also inspired the Anglia car, which, back in the sixties became hotrods over here. I remember, back in the late 60s, going to see the Beach Boys. A guy drove in from the west coast in a ’51 Anglia that was powered by a Chevy 409. The guy and his wife weren’t small people but I took one look into the interior and all I could think of was heat and cramped quarters.
The things hotrodders go through…
If you’ve ever been to Britain and driven the roads away from the motorway, where the houses and businesses practically abut the edge of the pavement (shoulders are only a dream), you’ll know why these are built so small.
Where’n’t/aren’t vehicles taxed on horsepower in England?
I can understand why they make them so small. I just thought they could’ve made them all just a tad larger.
Here’s a pic of the pickup I saw…
Plus, this was built in an era when “fat” wasn’t in the brit vocabulary. You could always recognize brits in a crowd because they were pale and rail thin. Neither is any longer true.
Taxes were ridiculous, thats why they had a ton of three wheeled vehicles, they were taxed as motorcycles
How about $8/Imperial gallon? (If my conversion is correct at £1.40 per LITRE)
Imperial gallon is 20% more than US gallon, so about $6.65 for US gallon.
Why are US cars so big?
Nice job Michelle and Curvette, I was thinking if you drove without the clutch and brake you could move the seat to the middle and start/ turn off the ignition on your way in and out the door to your left,
Just the fact that it survives in this condition all these years is amazing! Is the LHD due to the fact that it is a delivery truck? I certainly don’t know. I also don’t know the value of these…. rarity doesn’t always equate to value. It looks like a good candidate for a Resto Mod using an updated drive train by someone who knows what they are doing. $ price nearing 10K seems high but the next buyer at that price won’t care…………
Wish I had the money. $10k I have not the $50k to do it right. I’m 68 and I need that for beer and pull tabs. :)
How could the truck have been parked because of a leaking water pump when the engine has a thermo siphoning cooling system?
Hi Peter. You are correct the cooling system is thermo syphon. But Michelle is also right, how come?. One option is the export water pump. There are two holes in the bar across theo front of the engine bearer which the pump bolts to provides pumped water for a cab heater. My dad had a Popular this had a pump strapped to the dynam o so the drive was of the fan belt it stuck so as a stupid child gave it some help put my fingers into the alloy drive wheel and the fan. Very painful. No permanent damage. These heater kits cost£ 15.
Good catch Peter!
The radiator itself is large enough to be effective by thermal cooling in moderate climates. Water pump was a factory/dealer option. Mounting points on the engine made it an aftermarket upgrade through dealerships, and was common for warmer climates.
Wasn’t this same truck offered somewhere else in the past year for about the same price? Maybe BaT or Hemmings? The main thing I remember is thinking the motor must be offset to the passenger side leaving almost no legroom for a potential passenger. Look at the pictures.
I like it a lot too but, as some others, for about half the asking price.
Yep….could have swore it was on here before……..
Stu, I thought that I saw one like this too, a little nicer paint and a much higher price, either here or Hemmings. So, if this runs okay with a new pump, I think the price is fair. Good to check out in person. It should run at least with a fuel container for a few minutes. I had a 53 Ford panel delivery for about 30 years until I sold it in 2019. It had external rear door hinges as they did, I think, until the end of manufacture. This could be a decent city truck still for someone who wants to advertise their business.
Wow, on second thought this may be the same one I saw before. I went back to the Craigslist ad, which I like more than Facebook because the photos can be clicked to enlarge if you have a computer with a decent size monitor. Anyway, check out the view of the back interior with the barn doors open. It looks cavernous! I know, only trick photography, but also check the wood floors and door frames. I am dreaming of my old panel truck days. I used to drive to shows the night before and sleep in the back on a mattress in a sleeping bag. Very nice truck, just not made for driving except on smaller city roads or dirt country roads maybe.
Cool looking van! I love the sit up and beg comment! The engine angle is so weird. The engine extend into the driver compartment that much? Regardless of location of the rear axle pinion. The u-joints have to be doing double duty!
Hi Peter and Michelle looked again at the vans engine the angle the fan belt goes goes at suggests the export pump is fitted. The top hose has a blanked off take off.looks like a heater was not fitted possibly not the original engine.
Michelle, I expected this vehicle to follow Henry Ford’s insistence about transverse springs, front and rear. But I see longitudinal springs out back on the truck. Perhaps this was a holdover from wagon design for trucks.
Defiantly a LS swap candidate .
I think it’s unfair to call this over priced. If I had the money I would snatch it up in a NY minute. This is a rare piece in excellent shape for it’s age. I have seen a few over the years and they are usually rotten and in a lot rougher shape. This one actually runs and is probably drivable. Water pump issue is an easy fix. I think it’s worth the money