James and His 1949 Ford Prefect: A Love Story in Grease and Rust
A tale of perseverance, passion, and a whole lot of oily rags. It all began in 1968 when a 13-year-old James Webster from Kelowna (British Columbia) found a rusty old 1949 Ford Prefect in a scrapyard. Most kids were buying bikes or comic books, but not James—he wanted wheels, even if those wheels had seen better days.
With the help of a friendly neighbour/mechanic (who probably regretted this decision after a few late nights), young James breathed new life into the Prefect. Tinkering, painting, and a full engine rebuild later, the car rolled back onto the road just in time for James’s 16th birthday. That’s right—while his classmates were learning to parallel park, James was cruising in a car he rebuilt with his own two hands. Legend.
From Scrapyard Dream to Motor Trade Maestro
Fast forward a couple of years, and it’s no surprise James made a career out of his love for cars. By 18, he was working in a body shop, and by 24, he’d opened his own. Around this time, James wasn’t just fixing cars—he was creating masterpieces. He built a Hot-Rod Prefect (see below), restored a 1962 Jaguar 3.8l (which he still owns, because how could you not?). And stripped that old Prefect down to bare metal in 1983 for a full-body and upholstery makeover.
That Prefect was starting to look less like a scrapyard rescue and more like a showroom star.
The Great Garage Nap
But, as it happens with so many classic cars, life got busy. In 1996, after 25 years of loyal service, the Prefect was parked up “just for a little while.” We all know how that goes. One year turned into five, then ten, and suddenly it was a few decades. The Prefect became a garage ghost, covered in dust but not forgotten.
2018: The Comeback Tour
Fast-forward to 2018. After a parade of other classic British cars, James decided it was time to resurrect his first love. And when James gets to work, he doesn’t mess around. The Prefect got the full VIP treatment: valve grinding, a new head gasket, tie-rod ends, cross-link, an entirely new exhaust system, and updates to the steering box, column, and wheel. Oh, and let’s not forget the new engine and transmission mounts.
For tires, James opted for Excelsiors—5.50 x 16 up front and 6.60 x 16 on the rear, because why not fit wider rear wheels from a Thames? James reasons they fill out the arches better and add a touch more stability. And the rear lights? Borrowed from a Triumph motorcycle. Talk about mixing British classics.
“I enjoy driving my old Prefect as much as I can (around town) and whenever I do it seems to bring a lot of smiles & thumbs up! Whenever I park somewhere, there is almost always someone who wants to talk to me about it. In the 56 years I’ve owned it I’ve been surprised at how many people I’ve met who either owned one or knew someone who did”
A Prefect Ending
Today, James and his Prefect are back on the road, turning heads and sparking conversations wherever they go. So here’s to James and his Prefect: a true testament to what happens when passion meets persistence—and a little help from a scrapyard.
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When a Prefect Went Full Hot Rod
Ah, the 1970s—a time when everything had to be a little groovier, louder, and just a tad questionable. And James’s other Ford Prefect? Well, it was no exception. Enter the “Hot Rod” Prefect: a rebellious little project built between 1974 and 1975 that pushed the boundaries of what a humble Prefect could be (and possibly should be).
This beast featured a boxed frame for extra toughness, independent rear suspension for that smooth glide, and a modified McPherson/strut front suspension paired with disc brakes—because stopping power is cool, even in the 70s. But wait, there’s more: James decided to weld up the rear doors and windows to give it a “delivery van” look. You know, for all those high-speed parcel deliveries he wasn’t actually doing.
Now, let’s talk about the aesthetics. Over the Hot Rod years, the Prefect went through more colour changes than a mood ring at a disco. And the pièce de résistance? Some truly unique custom airbrushing that only the 1970s could inspire. It might make us cringe now, but back then? Pure art. Or at least that’s what James told himself.
After years of turning heads (and possibly raising a few eyebrows), the Hot Rod Prefect found a new home in 1987. But its legacy lives on as a wild chapter in the story of one man and his beloved Ford Prefects.
A huge thanks to James for sharing his memories of a lifetime of Ford Prefect ownership in Kelowna, BC, Canada.
From Dagenham with Love: The Ford Prefect 1949 – 1953
When World War II ended and factories got back to cranking out family cars, Ford rolled out… well, a time capsule. The Anglia E04A was a 1930s relic, barely updated from the 1937 Ford 7Y, with tech rooted in 1932. Under the hood, the 933cc side-valve engine churned out a mighty 23bhp, paired with a three-speed gearbox that kept things simple—and slow.
This budget-friendly ride relied on tried-and-tested solutions like single transverse leaf spring suspension, rod-operated drum brakes, 6-volt electrics, and vacuum-powered wipers. It cruised at 45mph, sipped fuel at 40mpg, and handled about as gracefully as you’d expect for a pre-war design.
Still, at just £310, the Anglia was a no-nonsense bargain for those looking for a dependable ride—proof that sometimes, old tricks can still do the job.
The Ford Prefect: A Roomier Ride with a Dash of Style
Rolling alongside the pint-sized Anglia, the Ford Prefect E493A added a touch of “grown-up” flair with a 4-inch longer wheelbase, four doors, and enough knee room to keep backseat passengers from protesting too loudly. Powered by Dagenham’s trusty 1172cc side-valve engine, it produced a decent 30bhp at 4,000 rpm—a noticeable bump over the Anglia, even with the extra 2cwt of four-door heft. Thanks to bigger tires on smaller rims (16 inch), the gearing was slightly lower.
On the road, the Prefect shaved 12–13 seconds off the Anglia’s sluggish 0–50mph time, making driving distances more bearable. Fuel economy dipped slightly, but stick to a leisurely 40mph cruise, and you’d still hit 40mpg. At £371, it was a steal, especially after the 1949 facelift brought integrated headlamps and a dash of modernity. Dagenham’s upright heroes marched on proudly into the ’50s.
The Budget Classic
When the Anglia and Prefect bowed out in 1953 to more modern 100E models , the “upright” legacy lived on in the cheeky Ford Popular 103E. At £391, it was the ultimate budget ride, cobbled together from a de-trimmed Anglia E494A and the Prefect’s 1172cc engine. How basic was it? Painted bumpers, tiny headlamps on stalks, and a carriage key for the boot screamed “cost-cutting.” Inside, only the driver’s seat was adjustable, and forget luxuries like sun visors or passenger windscreen wipers.
Despite the no-frills approach, the Popular kept Britain moving, proving that sometimes less is more—except when it comes to windscreen wipers!
