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, celebrating in 2008 the 70th year 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!
If you would like to be included in the simple Owners Register, by all means get in touch. Below are some snippets that might be of interest, thanks to all the people who've sent contributions in recently.
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:
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, I've enjoyed working on it and speaking to E83W owners everywhere, so I see no need to pull the plug on this little corner of the www :-) As a result of selling my last 10cwt, I've been clearing out some spare parts. The remnants are listed below. All are on a first-come-first-served basis, and must be collected.
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 now sports an age-related number, 106 XUE (yuk). No doubt once MOT'd, van KDL 703 will be similarly ruined. Owners can do what they want with their vehicle of course, but ruining the originality of a vehicle just to make money, while still claiming to be classic vehicle enthusiasts, is a contradiction in my opinion. Latest I've heard is that it is now resident in Ireland, and in good hands.
Parts For Sale
Panels
Most of the s/h parts have gone, but I kept these back 'just in case' I get another vehicle sometime. However the chances of me needing these parts are slim, so I'll consider parting with them. I had 2x new-old-stock front wings, as in the photo below - these are now SOLD. I also have a new-old-stock grille, also shown. £POA. I also have a couple of excellent, used grilles available. I think there are some NOS factory steps (including the super-rare passenger side step, optional on the vans) and at least one used set of bonnet panels too. I also have one or two tatty but repairable doors, and a number of good used headlamps (as also used on the E27N Fordson tractors). I also have a virtually unused petrol tank - SOLD. I think I have a few bumpers & brackets, and one dismantled screen surround that should clean up quite well I think. If you are looking for bits, drop me a line and I'll see what I still have. Like I say, much of the used stuff has already gone to new homes.
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?
|
