Ford Popular 103E

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It’s incredible to think just how far the motorcar has progressed since the Ford 103E ‘sit up and beg’ Popular was launched in 1953.

Its contemporary, upmarket siblings, the modern looking three-box monocoque Anglia and Prefect, were hardly bristling with electronic gadgetry, but at least they could boast a heater and a separate windscreen wiper for the lucky front-seat passenger – oh the luxury!

Those familiar with the Monty Python sketch ‘The Four Yorkshiremen’ will have an inkling as to why the Popular 103E owner, who was very likely perfectly happy "livin’ in t' shoebox in t' middle o' road and lickin’ road clean w’it tongue", was so satisfied with the 103E’s extremely basic specification – they were tough in those days!

Yet despite the lack of creature comforts, the little car hit the market at the perfect time as second-hand cars were virtually unobtainable and won many friends thanks to its unpretentious nature and considerable charm. A whole new class of motorists were able to afford a new car for the first time.

Produced in late 1955, this attractive example spent the first eight years of its life in New Zealand. Imported back to its native land in 1963, it has clearly been restored in recent years, MOTs on file showing that it has covered little more than 1,000 miles over the last 28 years! Fitted with trafficators, a period rudimentary heater and with recent attention to its trim, it is ready for the summer show season.

Purchased for just that purpose from Brightwells in March 2013, the vendor has given the engine a thorough overhaul, including new pistons, main and big end bearings as well as a comprehensive decoke. With the car now in fine fettle, the vendor feels that he has done his bit to relive his youth (a Ford Pop was his first car) and has now decided to pass the car on and spend more time enjoying some of the other cars in his stable.

Simple, reliable and economical to run, these budget Pops exude a real charm and honesty, harking back to an era where life ran at a more leisurely pace – it doesn’t even need an MOT these days.