Ford Prefect 107E - like golddust?

[CatfishCKY]

Bear with me here, I don't often dare venture into this area of the forum, as I don't really know much about Classics, and do not own one...

After helping my dad out and keeping an eye out for 107Es for sale for a while, I've come to the conclusion that there really aren't that many are there?!

I've been looking, albeit mainly on the internet for a 107e for him and they really are few and far between - It seems the 100e was far more popular, although my dad says it didn't have the best engine out of the two? Any reason for this?

Are there really not many late 50's Prefects out there any more? Or are they being converted to lead a second life with whopping great V8s and such like in them?
Is any one able to point me in the right direction for them?

Any help will be much appreciated,

[mgroadster]

Theres possibly many out there......They just aren't for sale though.

[john2443]

I think the 100E (side valve) was made for quite a few years and the 107E (OHV as in the 105E anglia) was only made for a short time as a fill in until the 105E was reeleased, which is why they are rarer.

Has he joined the Ford Sidevalve club? I guess they are more likely to know of cars for sale.

He could always buy a 100E and put the later engine in if he's not too much of a purist!

[P_J_R]

One here for sale, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-PREFECT-107E-/270780325...

[tr7v8]

How many left says 843 are taxed & 273 SORN'd left so not many, there were never a huge amount anyway as it was a fill in model until the 105E came along.
http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/ford_prefect

There is a buyers guide here if you haven't seen it.
http://www.classicfordmag.co.uk/files/old/CLF152.b...

To convert a 100e to a 107e means beating 7 bells out of the bulkhead so not just a drop in job unfortunately. Ford made a different bulkhead for the 107e to clear the rocker cover.

[52classic]

AIRC the 107e was introduced in the same era as the 105e because of the need to have a small 4 door car with an OHV engine. The 105e shell just wasn't suitable for 4 doors.

By that time the 100e 2 door shell was relegated to the poverty spec Popular

[CatfishCKY]

P_J_R said:

One here for sale, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-PREFECT-107E-/270780325...

PJR - Yeah, I spotted that one - dad's got the guys number and was due to call him today, but I haven't heard much yet!

Thanks for all the help so far guys, it's much appreciated!
As for my dad joining a club on t'internet, unfortunately it'd be a lost cause - My dad is hopeless on the internet, hence I'm on the look out instead I think I had a look on a couple of foums but there was still not much unfortunately!
Nearly 900 left on the roads, I guess that's why they're so rare then

And regarding the purist remarks, unfortunately I have tried that tact, asking does it HAVE to be original in order to broaden the horizons a bit, but as it stands, he's not interested in modified ones - more original the better!

[52classic]

I think that ebay find would restore well and is a good find.

Check out www.ford100e.com A dedicated band of enthusiast for this model.

[CatfishCKY]

That's if my dad decides to get it - he's going to talk to the seller Sunday if it doesn't sell and make an offer, but I think he's making a mistake! Apparently the seller has had loads of offers already!

Edited by CatfishCKY on Friday 15th July 14:24

[2slo]

CatfishCKY said:

Apparently the seller has had llads of offers already!

Strange that. I've also been to see cars where the seller's opening line is something like, 'I've got 17 more people interested after you' or 'I've had 2 offers for it already' Just standard BS to try and scare the selling price up a bit.

[spoodler]

If your dad fancies a slight change of pace I know where there's a couple "with whopping great V8s and such"...and it would save him having to restore one! Best of luck with your search.

[Dogwatch]

spoodler said:

I know where there's a couple "with whopping great V8s and such"

[CatfishCKY]

spoodler said:

If your dad fancies a slight change of pace I know where there's a couple "with whopping great V8s and such"...and it would save him having to restore one! Best of luck with your search.

Thanks for the offer, but believe me I've tried, my dad wants an unmolested one - he's not interested in modified ones!
We shall see how it goes, I do want him to get it though - I'd love to drive it!

[52classic]

I'm with your dad on this one. Originality is priceless. However, bear in mind that the 1200 Cortina or 1340 Classic engine looks identical and can be swapped back for the 997 at any time.

No wonder the Prefect is sought after. My 100e is a charming little car but the side valve engine and 3 speed 'box are not really suitable for today's traffic. Hope your dad does a deal for that turquoise one!

[tr7v8]

52classic said:

I'm with your dad on this one. Originality is priceless. However, bear in mind that the 1200 Cortina or 1340 Classic engine looks identical and can be swapped back for the 997 at any time.

No wonder the Prefect is sought after. My 100e is a charming little car but the side valve engine and 3 speed 'box are not really suitable for today's traffic. Hope your dad does a deal for that turquoise one!

I had my 100e in 1979 & the brakes weren't up to modern traffic then! The sidevalve lump struggled to keep up with traffic as well.

[CatfishCKY]

52classic said:

I'm with your dad on this one. Originality is priceless. However, bear in mind that the 1200 Cortina or 1340 Classic engine looks identical and can be swapped back for the 997 at any time.

No wonder the Prefect is sought after. My 100e is a charming little car but the side valve engine and 3 speed 'box are not really suitable for today's traffic. Hope your dad does a deal for that turquoise one!

Yeah I can see what you're saying, I do hope he gets an original one, cos at the end of the day it will pay off
Dad said the engine in the 100e wasn't as good as the 107e, hence why he wants the 107e most, so it's interesting to hear your experiences
Thanks so much for the input so far guys, it's really appreciated!

[lowdrag]

Out of curiosity, as someone with - albeit brief thankfully - experience of the asthmatic 1172cc sidevalve, does the 107E have the same dreadful vacuum wipers? You know the kind - going downhill with the foot off the accelerator they went like the clappers and up hill on full throttle you could time the sweep by the phase of the moon.

[tr7v8]

lowdrag said:

Out of curiosity, as someone with - albeit brief thankfully - experience of the asthmatic 1172cc sidevalve, does the 107E have the same dreadful vacuum wipers? You know the kind - going downhill with the foot off the accelerator they went like the clappers and up hill on full throttle you could time the sweep by the phase of the moon.

Sure does! Also has the 100E axle which was a little weak for the sidevalve.

[52classic]

I wasn't sure about the Vac wipers on the 107e but if you look at the engine bay pic on the ebay listing you can see, bottom right, that this car does not have the vacuum tank fitted but there are suitable holes in the chassis rail. Either 107s don't have vacs or that car has been converted at some time.

And just for Lowdrag's benefit.... a piece of 100e fokelore is that the vac tank itself is a part shared with e-type Jag!

[Donna duck]

I have a ford 107e for sale ! Imaculate condition ! Colour is burgundy and grey, it comes with all it's history ! Including the original sales ticket ! Message me for further details, I'm in the Cambridgeshire area, reason for sale car belonged to my late father, and would love to find a loving new home for the car, will add pictures asap