Ford V8 Pilot

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Launched in August 1947, the Pilot was the first large post-war Ford and was the flagship of the Dagenham range.

Big, imposing and glamourously Transatlantic, if somewhat pre-war in its styling, it was actually a development of the 1930s Ford Model 62. Initially offered with a 2,227cc side-valve engine from the 1939 model (Canadian-made surplus stock from wartime production of Bren gun carriers), these were then replaced with a much larger 3.6-litre V8 side-valve engine with single Solex carburettor, producing 85bhp. Allied to three-speed and reverse column-change manual transmission, this gave the car a top speed of 85mph with bags of torque for relaxed touring.

Steering used a form of worm-and-roller system known as a Marles steering box. The brakes were somewhat unconventional, with hydraulically controlled front brakes, but cable-operated rear brakes. The Pilot used vacuum-driven wipers taking their power from the engine manifold; as a result they tended to slow drastically or even stop when full throttle was used under load. Unfortunately the car retained 6-volt electrics which, on most other cars, had largely been superseded by 12-volt systems after the war. Costing £585, it was considered rather good value at the time given its impressive performance.

The Pilot was offered with three main body styles; a four-door saloon, an estate, and a pick-up. Mechanically perhaps not the most exciting car of its day (indeed somewhat old-fashioned, in the eyes of some), it was however rugged, decently quick and comfortable. It was popular with the police and even attracted royalty – the Windsors had a specially made estate version that they retain to this day, displayed in the museum at Sandringham. The Pilot also achieved some sporting success and Ken Wharton drove one to victory in the 1950 Tulip and Lisbon Rallies.

The Pilot was effectively replaced in 1951 with the launch of Ford UK's Zephyr Six and Consul models, though V8 Pilots were still offered for sale, being gradually withdrawn during that year. During the period of manufacture 22,155 cars were produced, though good ones are now relatively rare and sought after.

First registered in London in April 1951, little is known of the history of this Pilot as the only documents on file are the modern V5 segments and a copy of the old blue version. It seems that the museum became the registered keeper only last year but ownership may well have been considerably earlier.