1960 Ford Prefect V8: Scary Fun

I am the first one to admit that I am not the biggest fan of British cars. Obviously, the large Grand Tourers from marques such as Aston Martin, Jaguar and even Jensen appeal to me. And certainly having a hot Escort or Cortina in the garage wouldn’t be the worst thing. I wouldn’t kick a Sierra Cosworth out of bed either.

But asides from those few, it’s all a bit underwhelming. Like a warm flat beer on a dull grey, typically British day. Pissy little motors, daggy styling and wiring that works once every winter solstice. My dad would rave and rave about his parents Zephyr, and how he gave it hell in the paddocks that surrounded his childhood home. Whilst I appreciate the nostalgic memories of thrashing your parents car when you shouldn’t have (hello mum’s Pajero), I still couldn’t get onboard the British train.

So, as I spent the morning swiping through the car ads online, I was somewhat surprised when this little gem came up. A hot looking 1960 Ford Prefect. Without realising what lurked beneath, I opened the ad for a quick peruse (as you do). A tough little stance, dog dish caps and red walled tyres- it pleased me to see a hot little Ford that was not sitting on Minilites.

And that’s where I was going to leave it. I was happy to have a look, but that’s as far as I would be taking the fleeting interaction. Back to searching for actual cool cars. This thing was certainly nice, but not worthy of a post.

And then I saw it.

Those unmistakable “Powered by Ford” rocker covers. A true Ford fan can spot those several kilometres away at any car show. Even when they are seemingly stuffed so far in the engine bay, the driver must surely be using the bell housing as an armrest. Which has to be the case here.

This little Prefect, as it turns out, is packing some serious heat in the form of a Ford 302 Windsor V8. Ford’s answer to the small Block Chev, this little motor was used to power everything from commercial trucks to the last AU XR8 (shout out to all my AU brothers and sisters). Infact, Ford Australia even offered a factory stroked version of the Windsor in their short-lived T-Series range (and some XR8 utes). To say it has been (skidded) around the block is an understatement.

And yes, this isn’t the first V8 Ford Prefect, nore will it be the last. And yes, it is certainly going to take someone who is all types of crazy to buy such a car. And yes, it is a project and needs finishing. And yes, it will not doubt drive like a shopping trolley with a busted wheel.

But this blog is all about cool cars.

And this little weapon, for all intensive purposes, is just cool. I’m still not 100% sure why that is, or if I’ve gone mad. My family may never speak to me again (except my Zephyr loving father, perhaps). You may never read this blog again. Fair enough- I get it.

But just incase you are of the zero f***s variety, and have money burning a V8 Ford Prefect shaped hole in your pocket, then you can find the ad here for $16.5k. (On the “FOR SALE HOT RODS OLD CARS AND PARTS EAST COAST AUSTRALIA Facebook group- you may have to join).