Ford of Britain started buiding vehicles at its new Dagenham (London, England) plant in 1931. Its first commercial vehicle was the Ford Model AA truck. From 1933, Ford of Britain started using the name ‘Fordson’ on all its commercial vehicles in order to distinguish them from their passenger vehicles. The ‘Fordson’ marque had previously been used in the United States for Ford tractors and trucks. Fordson tractors were also being produced in Cork, in the Republic of Ireland, in 1929.
The name name ‘Fordson’ is a reference to ‘Ford and Sons.’ In 1939, the company decided to lean into its British identity by adding the ‘Thames’ name which is a reference to London’s most famous river. This resulted in the ‘Fordson Thames’ badge which was used until 1957. After 1957, Ford of Britain dropped the name ‘Fordson’ from its commercial vehicles, returning to Ford with commercial vehicles badged as ‘Ford Thames.’ In 1965, Ford removed the Thames name completely.
The Ford Thames 307E came in two weight designations, 5 and 7 long cwt. A cwt being short for hundredweight, which is a British imperial measurement with 20 hundredweight equalling 2,000 pounds in weight or 907.2 kg. 5 cwt is equal to 560lb / 250kg and 7 cwt equalling 780lb and 360kg. Although the The Ford Thames 307E looked like a Ford Anglia 105E, it came with its own badge ‘Thames,’ including weight designation.
Rationale
Despite not bearing the Anglia name, by viewing the front of the Thames 307E, it is quite clearly based on the Ford Anglia 105E.
Design
The Thames 307E van has the same gearbox, and front body panels as the Ford Anglia 105E. See the Ford Anglia 105E post for more information abouts its design hsitory.
Chassis
Monocoque
Engine
- 997 cc Kent OHV I4
- Brake Horsepower: 39 bhp. The engine used a lower compression ratio for more duarbility.
- Torque: 75 Newton Metres / 55.32 Foot-Pound
- Top Speed: 75 mph (121 km/h)
0-60mph (96 km/h) in 28 seconds - Fuel Consumption: 41 miles per UK imperial gallon (6.9 litres/100 km). It should be noted that, a UK imperial gallon is around 4.546 litres whereas a US gallon, is around 3.785 litres, a significant difference of just over 20%.
Load
5cwt or 250kg or 551 lb maximum.
7cwt or 350kg or 771 lb maximum.
Recommended load weights.
Brakes
A four wheel internal expanding type. Hydraulically operated on both front and back. two leading shoe brakes on the front wheels. Larger rear brake cylinders due to the heavier loads.
Gearbox
A four-speed manual gearbox. Synchromesh for the top three forward gears.
Suspension
Macpherson Struts
Production Locations
United Kingdom – Dagenham
Production Run
205,001 units including the Ford Anglia 307E van.
Still on the Road
N/A
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