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In the 1950s, no line of traffic would have been complete without an example of the E83W range en route to delivering coal, laundry, milk or, in summer, ice cream cornets. Their rate of progress could never be described as ‘rapid’ – there appears to be no instance of an E83W getaway vehicle in a British B-film – but they were almost guaranteed to reach their destination.

Jerramy Topping’s handsome 1950 pick-up truck goes by the name of “Ollie”. He came by it in 2016 – ‘I have always loved commercial vehicles. Initially, I was looking for a Transit, but then I came across the Fordson on eBay and fell in love with it’. Power is from the familiar 1,172cc 10hp side-valve engine married to a three-speed gearbox. ‘Driving it can be challenging as it only does 40 mph, but you wouldn’t want to go any faster’. 

Fordson was originally the name of Ford’s tractor range, and when the E83W made its bow in March 1938, it was sold under that brand. The brochure promised ‘the performance and speed of operation which make speedy operations possible’. In terms of creature comforts, the windshield opened, and the driver’s seat was ‘of the comfortable bucket type’. Earlier models also featured a rather alarming central throttle pedal.

Dagenham offered the E83W in van and chassis-cowl forms, the last-named for conversion into a wide range of applications. During the Second World War Fordsons served as fire tenders, ambulances and mobile canteens. Mersey Tunnel Police also employed them for many years. By the late 1940s, there was a new generation of rivals – the Austin K8 in 1947 and the Morris J-Type in 1949.

However, in March of that year, Measham Magazine was highly impressed by the E83W’s acceleration – ‘I found that my initial impressions of exceptional liveliness were amply borne out. From rest to 30 mph through the gears could be attained in just over 15 seconds’. Meanwhile, the body featured ‘quite pleasing contours without any infringement on loading space. Furthermore, the wide side panels give full scope for attractive lettering and display work by the user’.

Meanwhile, the handbook sternly advised operators that ‘When driving, both hands should be kept on the steering wheel unless a necessary driving function is being performed’. Equally importantly, ‘Never Brake or accelerate violently at corners and on bends if this can possibly be avoided, as it may induce skidding, especially on loose or greasy surfaces’. Jerramy remarks that ‘you have to read the road ahead if one wheel goes down a pothole the suspension vibrates dramatically and you have to stop before pulling off again. But it’s great fun’.

In 1952 Ford adopted the “Thames” name, but at that time Bedford unveiled their new CA, the van that set new standards in the light commercial market. The 400E replaced the familiar 10hp utility in September 1957, and it is almost impossible to believe that the last E83W left the factory a year before the opening of Britain’s first motorway.

Today, Jerramy observes ‘everyone loves Ollie; people smile and give you the thumbs up’. He may not have boasted the acceleration of a Zephyr-Six Mk. I - but he is a reminder of how the E83W was once a part of daily life in the UK. And for thousands of operators, the Fordson truly fulfilled the sales promise of ‘dependability and low operating costs month after month’.

With Thanks To: Jerramy Topping

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