Ford Model C Four-door Saloon

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

The Model C was Ford UK’s first offering in the Ten horsepower bracket. Originally intended to replace the Eight horsepower Model Y, it rapidly became apparent that Ford needed to compete in both market sectors.

As a consequence, the new Ten was designed to be built alongside the Y on the same production line and used the same basic engine as the Eight, bored out to 1,172cc. Initially only available as Tudor or Fordor saloons, it hit the market at the end of 1934 and was to remain on the price list until 1937 when it was replaced by the first of the Prefects.

Styled along the lines of its American V8 cousin, the Ford 78, the new Model C was both wider and curvier than the basic Model Y, dispensing with running boards which earned it the sobriquet ‘the barrel Ford’. The American design was popular and made a major dent in the sales figures of Austin, Morris, Singer and Hillman.

Suspension was by the traditional Ford transverse leaf springs front and rear and the engine drove the rear wheels through a three-speed gearbox which, right from the start, featured synchromesh between the top two ratios. The 32.5bhp engine had 10bhp more than the cheaper Model Y and could propel the car to over 60mph.

This 1935 model was purchased by the vendor as a running, part restored project. He removed the engine to give it an overhaul, but sadly a family bereavement meant that the project came to a halt hence its inclusion in the sale today.

Described as mainly complete apart from the rear bumper and door cards, a great deal of work has already been carried out on its renovation, the V5C showing its nice number SE 4243 to be transferable.

This good, solid and now relatively rare Ford Model C Fordor looks like a fun and relatively straightforward project to occupy the forthcoming warm summer evenings.