1961 Ford Popular

THE FORD POPULAR 100E 1959 - 1962

The Ford Popular 100E is a two door, four-seater saloon with a front engine driving the rear wheels. It was introduced in 1959 and when production ceased in 1962 it marked the end of side-valve powered British Fords.

1959 marked a considerable upheaval in Ford small car range. The Anglia 100E was replaced by the dramatically styled 105E and the four-door Prefect 100E gained a 997cc engine to become the 107E. Meanwhile, the Popular 100E was succeeded by a stripped-spec version of the 100E body, the name continuing to be associated with the cheapest 'full-sized' car in Britain.

The latest Popular was available in two trim levels, the Standard being one of the most Spartan new cars sold in the UK. At least the De Luxe came with some exterior chrome decoration, plus opening quarter lights, ashtrays, an interior lamp, rubber floor mats and a passenger sun visor - all of which were lacking on the entry-level version. The suspension was via independent front coil springs with semi-elliptic trailing arms at the rear, the steering was worm and peg and braking were by drums front and rear. The last of 126,115 Ford Popular 100Es was made in June 1962.

All Ford Popular 100Es were powered by a 1,172cc S4 SV engine married to a three-speed manual gearbox.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Ford Popular 100E appealed to motorists who favoured the inexpensive and the conventional over the radical new Mini. With a top speed of just under 70 mph, the Popular is not an idea motorway car but as a prime example of economy motoring of the past, any surviving example has a considerable fascination.

As with the other members of the 100E family, the Popular's body should be investigated from rust behind the front wheels, the front wings, both valances, the jack points, the rear spring mountings and the sills. Engine parts are easier to find than body panels and owners might like to augment the vacuum-powered windscreen wipers - these are prone to slowing down when the throttle is pressed.

Alternatives to the Ford Popular 100E include the Morris Mini-Minor/Austin Seven, the VW Beetle and the Fiat 600.