Sounding something like a Science Fiction TV Program, Project 195X was the initial codename for the Ford Anglia 105E.These days we are used to long development programmes for modern cars. It wasn’t always the same story back in the early post war years, but the Ford Anglia 105E actually had quite a lengthy evolution process. The “new” Ford Anglia 100E was launched in October 1953, but less than a year later, in September 1954, Ford had started work on Project 195X, the replacement for the 100E.

Anglia Front
Right from the start it was clear that the new Anglia was going to be rather a radical departure from the norm. The distinctive rear window was always intended to be a feature, as some of the July 1955 photographs illustrate. Other options under consideration were front wheel drive (still pretty novel in the mid 50’s), automatic transmission, a rear mounted engine and a four-door version, which later went on to form the basis of the Ford Classic.

The following photos are taken from two Ford Motor Company Manual detailing the development of the Anglia, and passed onto the Club by Roy Lunn of Florida, who worked on the original design.

(taken from Anglebox Volume 17 No 6)


An early clay model of Project 195X dating from July 1955. This mock-up was worked on by the American arm of Ford.
A rear view of the Van with small 300E style windows, alternative tail light arrangement and what appears to be some kind of venting set into the the top of the doors.

This was the design when the 3/8 scale models were returned from the United States to Britain.
A once piece alternative rear door was also proposed, with a larger glass area than the two small rear windows.

Although the Anglia Estate didn’t appear until the autumn of 1961, an Estate version was mocked up around the same time as the saloon – meaning that this particular variant was in development for almost 7 years. This prototype is completely unrecognisable when compared when compared to what finally rolled off the production line at Dagenham.
The Anglia Van is a similar story to the estate, although models had been made early in the design process, it took a further 2 years after the Saloon was introduced for the official Van to appear in 1961. These prototypes perhaps show the biggest American influence in style, even down to whitewall tyres on a humble commercial vehicle.

If anyone has any further information or (better?) photographs about Project 195X then please do not hestate to email us. It would be much appreciated.