This 1948 Ford Prefect is a left-hand drive example owned by Bayless Kirtley since 1962. The car is finished in single stage British Racing Green over a mohair-like but modern fabric interior. It was originally upholstered in brown leather that was good enough to serve as hints but not patterns. Power is supplied by a 1,172cc sidevalve, inline four cylinder engine paired with a three-speed manual gearbox. The engine was sourced from a 1958 Prefect then overhauled and converted at that time to insert rather than babbit rod bearings as original. Externally, the engine appears almost identical to the original.
Equipment includes 15" steel wheels, sourced from a Triumph TR3, wearing whitewall radial tires, 12 volt electrics, a single fog light and optional Ford dual tail lights. In addition to the original trafficators, it is also equipped with modern, flashing turn signals via the side and tail lights. This E93A seems to be unique in that it includes an extended boot as found on the Anglia as well as the Australian Prefect but never the English version. This extension provides ample space for the American market. Further discussion of the extended boot can be found here. The car resides in Oklahoma City, OK and includes complete literature, records (service, maintenance and restoration) and a clean Oklahoma title.
The E93A was introduced in 1946 and built by Ford, UK at its Dagenham, Essex assembly plant. No records exist to explain the extended boot. The best guess is that it was a prototype for the North American market where purchasers are accustomed to more trunk space than the stand version could offer. Sales of the "little" cars had been somewhat less than hoped. This one is refinished in glass-flat, green urethane and features chrome bumpers with optional overriders, a period-correct side mirror, running boards, dual wing-mounted taillights and a third brake light for safety..
Body-color steel wheels feature chrome hubcaps and trim rings and they are mounted with 165R15 whitewall radial tires. The Prefect rides on a 94" wheelbase and features front and rear solid axles with transverse leaf springs. Stopping power is provided by hydraulic drums at all four corners, also from that same 1958 Prefect that supplied the engine. Original brakes were mechanical. That was probably barely adequate at the time considering road conditions and other vehicles. In today's traffic with smoother, high-speed roads, not so much.
The left-hand drive cabin features front and rear bench seating trimmed in coordinating fabric and vinyl. Coordinating carpet covers the floor and additional equipment includes a heater, under-dash shelf and upgraded electrical system to include automatic interior lighting and a complete, new wiring harness.
The exquisite steering wheel fronts a handsome bakelite dash housing an overly optimistic 90-mph speedometer, an ammeter, a fuel gauge and an oil-pressure/water-temperature gauge. The five-digit odometer shows 39k miles but total mileage is unknown.
The 1,172cc four was originally rated at 36 brake horsepower in US specification. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a floor-shifted three-speed manual gearbox.
More photos below. Thumbnails can be linked for full view.
