Surely one of the most recognizable silhouettes in motoring history, there were more than one million Anglias built. Only a fraction of those survive today, but they are a refreshingly simple and unpretentious classic to own if you can track down a nice one. 

The engine is easily tweakable – if you really want to move away from standard – and there is good support from the club and aftermarket suppliers for parts and services. Their simplicity is disarming and their cabins quite practical and comfortable for gentle touring.

There isn’t a lot of paperwork with the Anglia, but what there is tells you the important stuff; that the car was resprayed in 2019 and underwent a thorough mechanical refettling, including a comprehensive brake overhaul. The car was also ‘Waxoyled’ underneath. 

The work was done by Full Throttle Classics in Wetherby. A nice touch is that the replaced off-side rear wing was actually a new old stock panel.

Besides the mechanical history, there is also a quantity of period Ford Anglia publicity/promotion material worth the car, all in excellent condition and quite interesting in its own right.

Resprayed in 2019, the Ford’s paintwork shows a good, deep gloss all around with the colour remaining consistent across the car. Apart from the thin chrome belt-line trim and the crease below in the side panels, the Anglia’s shape is quite pure and unadorned. It would show up any inconsistencies easily, but the flanks are smooth and straight, including where the ‘new’ rear wing is welded in. 

It matches perfectly. It’s worth noting how clean the welded seams are around the bodywork, as well as the rain gutters in the roof. Shut lines are narrow and both boot lid and bonnet fit nicely.

The (original) chrome is a nice feature of the car. There is a little weathering if you look closely, but it presents very well; the wheel centres, front bumper and trade-mark grill looking especially good.

Other details are also smart; the five-star badges at either side are new and the light lens covers are clean. Note too that the cross-head screws securing them are free of corrosion.

All in all, simple and very solid – and actually quite cute.

The Anglia’s interior is largely original. After the delicate grey/white of the bodywork, its vivid red makes a striking and welcome contrast. The seat cushions have been re-padded, though the original covering remains. Seats and door cards carry a very gentle patina and creasing while retaining a very warm colour and most all of their shape and detail. The piped edges help define the outline well. The door cards too remain particularly well defined and have not warped.

The steering wheel is a replacement and is in as-new condition, while the original dash and instruments behind carry only minor scratches. It’s commendable how well the plastic components have held up over time. Chrome switches and trim details still look sharp, while all window winders/catches work smoothly.

The moulded and textured floor covering is still in good shape and the headlining trim very tidy – nice and taut with a few small marks. 

Altogether very tidy.

The Anglia’s engine bay might not be the prettiest, but everything looks to be robust and well fettled. Everything sits in its rightful place, pretty clean, accessible and servicable. Block, head and carburettor are in fine form, while the (minimal) wiring, hoses and leads look healthy and no grime or grease has been allowed to accumulate in crannies and crevices.

The inner wings (and suspension) towers as well as the bulkhead/firewall appear strong, and the paint around the engine bay is good. The area is rust free save for surface corrosion on the exhaust manifold.

The paint around the engine bay remains very good with robust seams to the wings (and a healthy rubber seal) along the upper edges. and, like the inner wings, appears very sound. The same goes for the boot area where the floors and sides appear solid and corrosion free.

The underside of the car appears to be very sound – remember, it has been Waxoyl treated. Chassis crossmembers and the body floor look solid, while brake and suspension assemblies appear in excellent condition and eminently serviceable. The wheels are shod with new-looking Pirelli Cinturato tyres all round. All pretty confidence inspiring.

There’s something quite refreshing about a simple classic nicely presented. This Ford Anglia is unpretentious, practical, characterful and fun. If maintained in its current condition, it’s upkeep won’t break the bank, and though its value likely won’t soar, it will remain a treasured part of British motoring history. 

As such it will be welcomed wherever it goes and make its outings out of the ordinary.