Registration No: 8919 PU
Chassis No: 100E/912472
MOT: Exempt

• In single ownership until being bought and comprehensively restored by Gates Ford
• Used by the vendor as a paddock vehicle at the Goodwood Revival
• Extensive history file and currently painted in Equipe Endeavour colours

Introduced in July 1954, the Ford Thames 300E Van was derived from the Blue Oval’s successful Ford Anglia / Prefect 100E range. Powered by an 1172cc sidevalve four-cylinder engine allied to three-speed manual transmission, the lightweight commercial could be had in 5cwt, 7cwt or Deluxe 7cwt guises. Production ceased in 1961 after some 196,885 vans had been made. Though, today survivors are comparatively few and far between.

Supplied new to Vincent Moss Esq of Rook Hall Farm, Cressing, Essex on January 1^st 1961, ‘8919 PU’ remained in his possession for thirty-one years before being bought by the Gates of Woodford (Ford) dealership and treated to an extensive, photographically documented restoration. Leading something of a charmed life for a commercial vehicle, the Thames 300E appears to have been little used since 1971. An MOT certificate issued that year recorded the mileage at 33,541 miles and its odometer reading has yet to exceed 40,000. A Gates’ employee, John Coleman Esq of Bishops Stortford, became the van’s second registered owner. His successor, John Lewis Esq of Andover, purchased ‘8919 PU’ from Ronn Cobb of Adams Antiques in 1999 and again employed it for promotional purposes. Mr Lewis’ twenty-two year tenure saw the engine overhauled with a reground crankshaft, shell bearing converted conrods, fresh gaskets and new main / big-end bearings etc. Further improved by the last registered keeper, the past two years have seen the Thames 300E reportedly benefit from: a new fuel pump, gearbox end mount, carburettor, inlet and exhaust manifolds, clutch master and slave cylinders, negative earth conversion, door seals and tyres (x4) etc. Looking resplendent in Equipe Endeavour livery, the van has served as the vendor’s paddock transport at several Goodwood race meetings (including the 2022 Revival). Starting readily and running well during our recent photography session, it remains highly presentable. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and history file. Interestingly, Corgi made a 1:43 scale model of ‘8919 PU’ in its former ‘Frank E. Gates Ltd’ livery examples of which can be found for sale on the internet.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737