After the recent relocation of Vintage Supplies, the company has expanded and pushed itself further in the ever-growing world of vintage automobiles. The company’s small fleet of veteran vehicles has seen a similar expansion, especially with the introduction of its newest member – Mabel, a 1956 Ford Popular boasting a spritely 100E conversion alongside a host of other upgrades. Renowned in the trials racing scene in part to its upgraded E83W rear axle and E83W brakes, nothing can stop Mabel from chugging up nearly any hill in any condition.
Gone but not forgotten, Mabel has been unused for nearly two years despite her impressive setup. Joe, the car’s previous owner, acquired the Pop back in 2001 and has kept the vehicle in splendid condition. With some fresh fuel and a turn of the key, Mabel runs like she was driven yesterday.
While some may say, “Don’t fix what isn’t broken”, Vintage and Classic Spares begs to differ. In our minds, Mabel could benefit from a burst of power. Over the course of the year, she’ll see the addition of a newly developed in-house supercharger kit hopefully gifting an extra fifty percent increase in horsepower.
We are excited to have this underway very soon. Follow this blog to gain an in-depth look at the project as well as any of Mabel’s future adventures.
hello is mabel for sale if so what price?
Hi Eddie, No – Mabel is now in the hands of Richard (who works here) and is undergoing a full rebuild. Watch this space for some details soon…
Hah, Brilliant!
I owned one of these 103Es (mine was 1954), for around 5 years back in the early-mid 70s when I was a penniless apprentice mechanic.
I considered it an upgrade from its predecessor, a tatty 1938 Vauxhall DX.
I too did a 100E conversion using a motor one of the senior lads had stored in his shed at home, which I “purchased” for a crate of beer. The supplied engine came with the generator, so I upgraded the electrics to 12v, superseded the vacuum wiper to electric, and machined a little out of the headlamp rims to accept Fiat 500 (the OE Bambina one) semi-sealed beams.
At the time, possibly the only 103E around that you didn’t have to get out with a torch to see if the headlights were on at night.
I worked for a Ford Dealer, so I was able to use a lot of NOS parts (like a brand new distributor, carburettor and shock absorbers) which kept the cost down a bit. Planed 1/8″ off the cylinder head, fitted a modified set of 100E extractors and was good for around 115 km/hr if your nerve held.
Broke 2nd gear , a halfshaft and the final drive pinion on separate occasions (NOS to the rescue!).
Eventually passed it on to another apprentice when I left the area, good to see the odd one still around.
Thanks for sharing Rod – great memories! When I get time I will be telling the story of Mabel’s current restoration, plus a really interesting electric conversion from a customer in Germany