1959 Ford Thames Panel Van

 

The Ford Thames 300E is a car derived van that was produced by Ford U.K. from 1954 to 1961. The Thames, (or Thames Trader), name was given to all available sizes of commercial vehicles produced by Ford in Britain from the 1950s through to 1965. In 1965 the Thames and Trader names were discontinued.

 

This little Van is a potent Hot Rod !

Under the forward opening hood is a  large 350ci Chevrolet V8. Well it's large for a Thames.  Since they only came little 4 cylinders.

 

All the accessories have been polished or chrome plated . And a 650 Holley 4-barrel carb. feeds the small block that sits on an aluminum Edelbrock Performer manifold.  A big aluminum radiator & electric fan keep it cool.
Backing up the V-8 is a floor shifted TH350 3-speed automatic transmission with a high-stall converter and it's equipped with a shift kit , giving it firm shifts .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                

The interior features black leather bucket seats and tuck & roll leather door panels.

Between the seats sits a B&M Star Shifter .

 

 

The dash is filled with classic white-face gauges by Sunpro, including a column mounted Tach.

 

 

 

The front suspension is a Mustang II style with tubular control arms and a Pinto rack & pinion.  Front disk-brakes and rear drums keeps this delivery safe.

The rear tires are spun by a Dana 60 rear-end filled with 3:73 gears and a Posi unit.

The rear suspension is equipped with ladder bars and coil over shocks.  

  Here is a good view to see the rear barn doors that open for cargo access .

 

Stuffed underneath the wheel tubs are  Cragar SS wheels, with 14x5's  up front wrapped in 185/60's  while in back giant 15x10  inch wheels are wrapped with 295/50R15's.