Although the history of this name (Anglia) started before 1959 with the first and second generation of this model, it is from that date that this iconic model is best known. Perhaps it is one of the most appreciated classics in England, with a legion of unconditional fans, and also in our country where it has won the hearts of many car lovers for decades. Today it is one of those cult automobiles and this article is like many others a tribute for those who know this icon and for those who still don't know it, they will get a sense of the history and characteristics of this classic.

The latest generation (the 3rd) of the Anglia model, known by the code name 105E, was introduced in 1959, and its bold design for the time created enormous empathy with the public. Its style reflected a trend in the design of North American cars, to which in the versions called “Deluxe”, they also added a generously sized front grille entirely chrome, which together with its round headlights allowed to see some traces of other cars on the other side. of the Atlantic. If the most luxurious models had a chrome grille, the more "basic" Anglia had a smaller grille, painted in the body color.

Its lines, especially from the profile point of view, are reminiscent of cars as distinct as the 1950s Studebaker or even the beginnings of the Ford Thunderbird. All of this is the result of aerodynamics tested in a wind tunnel by British engineers.

Another detail of its curious design was its rear glass tilted back. Something that could also be seen in the late 1950s on Lincoln and Mercury models as well as on the European Citroën Ami. According to Ford officials, this solution allowed the glass to stay dry on rainy days.

The reality is that this particularity was copied from another model, more specifically the 1958 Lincoln Continental. This model had an electric rear window opening. In addition to this type of design being used by Ford in the classic Consul, it was also later copied to the three-wheel models of Bond, Reliant and Invacar.

The design of the Ford Anglia's roof allowed huge height space for passengers and their luggage. Continuing in the rear area, this model had two rear "fins" very similar to the larger American cars of that period.

Interior Ford Anglia

In September 1961, a van version of Anglia was launched, thus joining the 3-door model. In a somewhat spartan interior but with a very attractive style, there was a red warning light on the instrument panel for the generator and a green warning light for oil pressure.

The driving unit chosen by Ford for the Anglia was a 1.0 liter (997cm3) engine that delivered 39 horsepower and became known under the codename “Kent”.

In 1959 a British magazine tested the performance of the Anglia 105E. The maximum speed recorded was 118.8 km / h and the acceleration from 0 to 97 km / h was performed in 26.9 seconds. In addition, the average consumption was tested, and the final value was 6.86 liters per 100 kilometers. The Ford Anglia 105E tested by Motor magazine was priced at £ 610.

Later the builder created an Anglia model with a more powerful 1.2 liter capacity engine, the Super Anglia 123E and which we will cover later in this article.

Ford anglia cutaway 630x301 Ford Anglia 105E e 123E

Obviously, the performance was not very exciting considering the power level offered by the small engine. Still, the 105E was sufficiently fast in relation to other automobiles of that time, and also in relation to previous generations.

The gearbox (manual) was also a novelty from Ford for Anglia. It had four speeds, which had the particularity that the last three ratios were synchronized for better handling. In 1962, however, Ford ended up replacing this gearbox with one with the changes all synchronized in all models that had the 1.2 liter engine (1198cm3).

Another evolution in relation to the first Anglia was in the car's windscreen wiper system. The first models were equipped with a windshield wiper that operated behind a vacuum, which made the system notoriously slow and ineffective. It was replaced by an electrical system.

Regarding the suspension, however, there were no changes in relation to the MacPherson system. In other words, the independent front suspension that was used on the 100E was kept unchanged.

Anglia

Something that contributed to Anglia's success was a story that dates back to October 1962, when a 24-year-old (Tony Brookes) and a group of friends with a private Anglia 105E, modified with an official Ford Performance Kit (costing around £ 13) guided to the Montlhery Race Track near Paris. In this circuit they managed to collect six international records in category C reaching an average speed of 134.33 km / h. There were seven days and respective nights covering a total of 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers. The Anglia's strength and durability made it possible to cover this distance without the need for repairs, requiring only tires to be changed.

Anglia's commercial success declined after Ford launched the Cortina model. In 1960, 191.752 Anglia had left the Ford plant in Dagenham, in a full year of production of the 105E model. These figures represented a new production record for Ford Motor Company.

From October 1963, production continued at a new Ford (Halewood) plant in Merseyside alongside the Corsair models that had recently been introduced. The Super Anglia introduced in September 1962 and in 1963 shared the same engine version with the recently launched Ford Cortina. The Super Anglia was easily identified by a stripe painted along its body.

From 1962 and until 1967 when production ended, the 123E Anglia Super was available alongside the less powerful 105E. It had, as already mentioned, a larger engine with 1.2 liters of capacity (1198cm3) and 50 horsepower, a new synchronized gearbox including 1st gear, as well as other improvements in relation to the base model.

This model was also sold in Europe. This version was only available as the Anglia Sportsman, which had the peculiarity of carrying its spare tire in the rear. In addition, the 123E was equipped with distinct aesthetic details. Such as tires with a white stripe, the respective side stripe painted on the body that had the particularity of contouring the rear “fins”, as well as other chrome components on the bumpers.
 

Ford also made available two new (metallic) colors for the bodywork, which became known under the names "Blue Mink" and "Venetian Gold". 250 were produced in blue and 500 units were produced in “Gold”, making these models rarer than the rest of Anglia 123E.

Anglia were available with various levels of equipment. The base model is known for the Standard version, and with this version there were no chrome body parts, and it was equipped with a steel front grille and its interior equipment was minimalist.

The Deluxe equipment level had a chrome strip along the body, rear lights with a chrome rim, glove compartment cover, sun visors and a chrome front radiator grille.

The “top of the range” version was the Super version, which had a double chrome strip along the body, a roof painted in another color to create contrast and more luxurious interiors.

Anglia's greatest particularity is undoubtedly the design of its bodywork, loved by many and others less so. An iconic model that brings together countless fans both in England where it is, and was more popular, as well as in Portugal.

Many insist on not letting this iconic classic “die” and there are countless clubs spread across Europe, with a greater incidence in his majesty's lands. It was not a powerful car, nor with great sporting ambitions, yet it was reasonably fast in performance and in the latest version it managed to be a little more vigorous. Even so, it was a very economical model, as it consumed little fuel, especially the version with the 1.0 liter engine and was extremely reliable, as proved in 1962 by the hands of Tony Brookes and his friends.