The 307E Anglia-shaped Thames van was launched in June 1961. It replaced the side-valve engined vans that had been based on the 100E Popular. There were two versions available: the basic 5cwt and the more “upmarket” 7cwt. The 5cwt had painted bumpers, headlamp peaks, exterior mirrors and radiator grill, whereas the 7cwt had all of these items in a chromium-plated finish. Both vans were quite basic inside, having rubber mats, a drivers seat and no roof headlining. The basic price of the 5cwt van was £369 and the 7cwt cost £399. Both of these prices were for the van painted in primer. The price increased by £10 if it was finished in one of the eight standard colours. The buyer could if he wished, add some optional extras to his van, in the form of a hinged passenger seat, heater and a sun visor.

 

The Ford Anglia vans were available with a choice of either a high or low compression (40bhp or 35bhp respectively) versions of the 997cc engine used in the 105E Saloon. Aesthetically, the vans have an attractive appearance, the Anglia front end blending well with the boxy van body shape. Although the vans shared some front-end panels with the Saloon, they were structurally quite different from it. The windscreen is different and is quite a bit taller.

 

From October 1962 the 307E became available with the 1198cc engine as fitted to the Anglia Super and became known as the 309E. In March 1965, all models of the van were designated Anglia, and the names “Thames” and “Trader” were discontinued.

Production of the Ford Anglia van came to an end in November 1967, by which time 205,001 vans had been built. (I wonder who had that last one ?)

In 1961, for the release of the Thames Van, dealers were provided with this sales training and promotional film. It consists of an LP and a film strip; originally shown frame by frame on a slide projector with a film strip adaptor.

ThamesVansDisc

Club Member Antony Gray has created a modern, watchable version of this film from a copy his father brought home during the 1960s.