In Brief:

• A charming and high original of Ford's 8hp 7Y Tudor
• Finished in Black over Brown leather
• In the same family for the last 17 years
• A great amount of history on file tracing right back to 1939

Auctioneer’s Notes:

A wonderful pre-war Ford 7Y Tudor, offered in very original condition and carrying a story that few cars of this era can match. Finished in classic Black over a Brown leather interior, this 1939 example has been in the same family for the last 17 years and has only recently been transferred into the Vendor’s name following the passing of his father. With charming patina throughout and a truly exceptional paper trail, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine, unspoilt survivor from the final months before the outbreak of the Second World War.

Maintenance & Condition:

The car presents very much as an honest original, showing age-related blemishes to the bodywork but remaining solid and full of character. The interior retains its period Brown leather, adding to the car’s authentic pre-war feel. This is not a restored example, but one that wears its history proudly, making it especially appealing to collectors who value originality over over-restoration.

History:

This Ford 7Y enjoys a remarkable and well-documented history. Supplied new by J T Friskney on 9th June 1939 for £120, it was first owned by Mr Enfield of Lincolnshire, who ran a small woodyard and used the car for his own transport until his death in 1949. It then passed to his sister, Mrs A.K. Green. As she could not drive, the car saw little use, with her husband and a close family friend, Mr A.G. Cottingham, acting as occasional chauffeurs. In 1973, with the mileage recorded at just 24,900, Mr Cottingham purchased the car for £340 and went on to use it for shows and rallies. Included in the history file is a 1990 letter from Ford’s Corporate History Office confirming the car as a 1939 example and stating that at that time only 37 were known to exist worldwide. Also present are copies of earlier Green logbooks, the logbook from the Vendor’s father’s ownership, and a 1996 letter valuing the registration number alone at £800 — all contributing to a truly fascinating provenance.

The Model:

The Ford 7Y, officially marketed as the Ford Eight, was produced by Ford UK between 1938 and 1939, with 65,098 examples built. It was a rebodied and slightly larger evolution of the Model Y, powered by a 933cc side-valve engine producing 8 horsepower. The 7Y introduced several distinctive design features, including opening rear windows set into the bodywork on this two-door model, a rear-mounted spare wheel housed in a recessed panel, and the characteristic ‘kinked’ front bumper that allowed the use of a hand-crank starting handle — a feature dropped on later Anglia models. It represents the final development of Ford’s pre-war small-car lineage before the arrival of the Anglia.

Sale Insight:

Highly original, family-owned and supported by a good amount of historical documentation, this 1939 Ford 7Y Tudor is a rare survivor from a pivotal moment in British motoring history.

Estimate:
£2,000 - £3,000