Classic Ford Thames E83W Van & Pickup Website.
Welcome to the Fordson/Thames 10cwt site.
You've arrived at the only site on the 'net dedicated to the great little E83W Ford truck, which, in 2008, celebrated 70 years since the first E83W shuffled onto the roads around Dagenham. This 10cwt commercial, in many different guises, continued in production throughout the war, finally being retired in 1957, making it one of the most successful, and long-lasting, lightweight Ford commercials of all time.
The site was originally launched in 2000 and has been updated on and off ever since. I hope to add in a lot more information for all
fans of this Fordson/Thames commercial in the near future. Time is short, but I'll try to do updates on a regular basis.
I'm no longer updating the Owners Register, but please do call by the forum (link alongside) and join up to discuss E83Ws with other owners.
New in 2010.
Latest site updates, added during 2010:
Period E83W Photos page 8
Period E83W Photos page 9
E83W parts, toys and memorabilia.
Although parts aren't thick on the ground for E83Ws, they do sometimes turn up for sale on eBay from time to time. For example, the items listed below are up for auction today, so if you need bits for your van or pickup, or fancy buying a model of your vehicle, you may well find something here. Registering to buy or sell is easy. You can also try doing your own search, either for van or perhaps other sidevalve-related searches:
Co-Op van.
Les kindly sent over this E83W photo. It shows a coachbuilt Fordson van used by the Co-Op in the 1950s. Note it has beaded edge wings, and wide 16" wheels from a pickup (vans had 18" as standard).
A standard 10cwt E83W van.
This photo turned up in 2009, it shows a smiling gent sat behind the wheel of his standard 10cwt Thames van. It looks like a suburban setting, perhaps he'd only just bought the van, or was heading out for his first day in a new job? Most E83W drivers wore old overalls rather than a suit!
My own E83Ws.
With more than a little regret I sold my last E83W in 2007. Thinning down of my collection of old crocks meant that something had to give, so both CJM 357 (pickup) and KDL 703 (van) went to a new home in Cornwall. This is the first time since 1989 that I've been E83W-less, whether this is a temporary glitch, or my final time owning an E83W is anyone's guess, but I'd not rule out buying another some time. The site will continue however.
Update on CJM 357. Thames E83W, registration CJM 357, no longer exists. As suspected, this pickup, which has remained with its correct original number since 1955 (and I owned since the early 90s), has had the reg. number removed for quick financial gain since I sold it, thus destroying any chance of the vehicle surviving in original form. It went on to sport an age-related number, 106 XUE (yuk), before going to a new life in Ireland. No doubt once MOT'd, van KDL 703 will be similarly ruined.
Parts For Sale
Most of the parts have now gone, but a few still remain - mainly service items, plus a new-old-stock grille.
Fleet of vans used by WH Bensted
Gerald kindly scanned me this wonderful photograph, showing a fleet of predominantly E83Ws, with the accompanying note .. "W.H. Bensted was our family business, based in Maidstone Kent. WH Bensted was my great grandfather.". What a fantastic photo, thanks so much for sending it over to feature here! I can count 19 E83Ws, a 300E van, plus some larger commercials at the back.
Festival of Britain
Thanks to Rodney for sending this (photo credit: Fred Peskett of the Festival of Britain Society). Shown is a mint Rediffusion Sound Unit van, at the construction site for the Festival of Britain. Does anyone know what became of this and other Rediffusion 10cwt vans?
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