Ford

The first Ford Anglia model, the E04A, was released in October 1939 as the smallest model in the UK Ford range. It was a simple vehicle aimed at the affordable end of the market, with few features. Most were painted Ford black. Styling was typically late-1930s, with an upright radiator. The two-door Anglia is similar to the longer, four-door, Ford Prefect. 

The 1949 model, code E494A, was a makeover of the previous model with a rather more 1940s-style front end, including the sloped, twin-lobed radiator grille. Again, it was a very spartan vehicle and in 1948, it was Britain's lowest-priced four-wheel car. When production as an Anglia ceased in October 1953, it continued as the extremely basic Ford Popular until 1959.

In 1953, Ford released the completely new 100E, available as a two-door Anglia and a four-door Prefect. The 100E was fitted with a 1,172 cc four-cylinder engine and a three-speed gearbox. The wind-screen wipers were vacuum-powered and were notorious for slowing down when driving up steep hills. From 1955, two estate car versions were built: the basic Escort and the better appointed Squire, which sported wood trim down the sides. A facelift of the Anglia 100E was announced in October 1957. This included a new mesh radiator grille, new front lamp surrounds, a larger rear window, larger taillights and chrome bumpers. The 100E sold well; by the time production ceased in 1959, 345,841 had rolled off the production line.

In 1959, a totally new Anglia (105E) was introduced. Its American-influenced styling included a sweeping nose line, muted tailfins, and on deluxe versions, a full-width slanted chrome grille in between prominent "eye" headlamps. Basic Anglias featured a narrower, painted grille. Like late-1950s Lincolns and Mercurys (and later the Citroën Ami and the Consul Classic), the car sported a backward-slanted rear window, so that it would remain clear in rain, according to contemporary marketing claims. The Anglia was fitted with a new 997 cc engine; acceleration was still sluggish, but it was much improved from earlier cars. An estate car joined the saloon in the line-up in September 1961. The Anglia Super, introduced in September 1962, shared the 1,198 cc engine of the newly introduced Ford Cortina. The Anglia Super was distinguished by its painted contrasting-coloured side stripe. The Anglia 105E was a commercial success, with a little over 1 million units produced.