The 1950 FORD V8 PILOT, walkaround & onboard this flathead V8 Ford

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The 1950 FORD V8 PILOT, walkaround & onboard this flathead V8 Ford

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10 ай бұрын

The recently-arrived Ford V8 Pilot saloon car built in 1950 is today's video, a 25k special given that over 25,000 people have now sub'd to the Old Classic Car channel - thanks to everyone that has supported the channel in some way!
This Ludlow Green Ford V8 Pilot was bought following the sale of the Morris Minor project and the Ford Anglia, and in this video I have a proper look around it before heading out down the road for an exploratory drive around. Join us as we drive a variety of roads, from country roads and lanes, to suburbia and stop-start driving in a town centre, to test out its capabilities on the open road and also in traffic. Despite having had plenty of work done to it over the years, any car aged 70+ years can throw up surprises when you least expect them. Will it start? Will it drive ok?
This isn't the first V8 car I've owned, my "modern" car has a V8 and in the past I've owned a Rover P5B saloon and a Jaguar XJR, so this type of engine isn't new to me, but never before have I owned an old "flathead" (sidevalve) V8 Ford so owning and driving this British-built 3.6 Litre Ford Pilot V8 is very much a voyage of discovery for me.
Let me know in the comments what you think, did I choose the right car? Do you own a V8 Pilot, or have you or a relative owned a Ford Pilot V8 in the past? It's always fun to read your comments about these videos on classic cars.
Don't forget to have a look around at some of the previous videos on the Old Classic Car channel if you haven't in a while, thanks for looking in.
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#classiccars #fordv8 #fordv8pilot

Пікірлер: 601

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for watching, a full list of the several hundred videos on the channel is here: kzfaq.infovideos OCC classic merchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop OCC Channel Membership now open!!! See the JOIN button for details OCC Patreon: www.patreon.com/OldClassicCar Channel homepage: kzfaq.info/love/KaTg9fPUvmUQi94FcnDbrg If there are any petrolheads that you know that might find this kind of thing interesting, please pass on one of these links, thanks!

@steveliversidge7357 10 ай бұрын

I have as new owners manual with the lubricant chart as I said as new in a envelope addressed to proud new purchaser. Wish I could find some one to give it a good home . As I said it's as new ! .

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

@@steveliversidge7357 Innnttterresting .... maybe email me a price to rj@oldclassiccar.co.uk if you get a mo, thanks

@BRIANMEADES 10 ай бұрын

I OWNED A MIDNIGHT BLUE PILOT AND WAS CLEANING IT WHEN PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS SHOT IN 1963. LOVELY CAR BUT6V LET IT DOWN. DIDNT WORRY ABOUT PETROL PRICES THEN.

@BRIANMEADES 10 ай бұрын

POINTS WERE A SOD TO ADJUST , USED TO TAKE RADIATOR OUT.

@a40b55c60 6 ай бұрын

My uncle had a new one in 1951. Beautiful car, powerful, comfortable, quiet but it was also always hard to start after being left in the open on a cold night.

@davesonger2740 10 ай бұрын

My dear old Dads absolute favourite car.

@robertseymour3685 9 ай бұрын

As an American doctor stationed in the UK I became the proud owner of a perfect green Ford Pilot. Since then, I have had more than a few cars but none that gave me such pleasure as that wonderful car. Wish they still built them with the built in jack system and the opening windshield. The leather upholstery was comfort beyond belief. In a terrible error of judgment, I sold it to a friend who had a need for a family car.

@intake152 10 ай бұрын

Well done, you chose the right car in exactly the correct colour for it. Lovely condition ...this one is a keeper!

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks, hope so!

@lawerencestimpson2280 9 ай бұрын

1936 was a water shed year for Anerican Auto Styling.My Father owned a 36 Pontiac and I loved that car!!! Faded red with sidemounts.Interior grey mohair with hand straps was as confortable as a couch.

@robertp.wainman4094 10 ай бұрын

The first time I ever saw a Pilot, was as a child in the 1960's - sadly at an autocross event, where of course it was being hammered.....still remember the sound!

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Yes I think many saw out their days in such events

@dewiz9596 9 ай бұрын

I rebuilt a 1951 Ford Flathead and stuck it into my first car, a 1949 Canadian Monarch. .. our version of the Mercury. 6 volt electrical systems require really FAT wires. . . The beauty of the Ford Flathead V8 was its simplicity. Even I knew how to fix it.

@chuckmaddison2924 10 ай бұрын

My grandpa had these in South Wales. He used them as Taxis. Would love to get there some time. Many thanks for video.

@caspaabriel4794 6 ай бұрын

So few and far between you see a Ford Pilot. Often on YT there would be minute long clips, leaving you wanting. You provided us with an absolutely fantastic 50:22 minutes of this wonderful Ford Pilot v8! Thank you both, so much. Please keep up the grand videos.

@oldclassiccarUK 6 ай бұрын

Thanks, pleased you liked it, in fact I only had it running today to check things over. There are a number of Pilot videos on here now.

@manuelstarr3602 10 ай бұрын

It's great to see you so proud and happy. It seems you have landed on you feet. There were many changes around that era, my personal favourite came in 1952-3 with the new shape. Thanks for the trip down memory lane and you enjoy.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks! more footage on the Pilot on here soon

@trev8932 9 ай бұрын

Hi. What a brilliant video. I was born in 1954 and my dad had a black V8 Pilot FWV571 which he had till 1961. I always remember the vacuum wipers slowing down on hills and used to "help" them as i found the rod behind the dash that moved the wiper. Also used to run thr battery down when he went digging for worms when he went fishing, got a row for it and the handle came out to start the car A drive in a V8 Pilot is in my bucket list, would make my day😁

@oldclassiccarUK 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your Pilot memories, tomorrow's upload sees us out and about in it so look out for that if you get chance!

@trev8932 9 ай бұрын

@@oldclassiccarUK Thanks Rick will definitely look out for the video. In 1960 Dad used to drive from Irvine Ayrshire to Luton as he was on a six month contract and the Pilot was up on a Friday evening and back down to Luton on a Sunday evening often at full speed when possible, he always said it would do 95 at a pinch and 15 MPG. Eventually reverse packed in and even trying to hold it in could have broken his wrist, traded it for a Rover P4 75.

@Squirel 10 ай бұрын

I think you have found yourself a winner. What a fabulous car. I hope you have many years of pleasure from her. I'm no classic car expert, but watching the external shots Harley took as you drove around, the mirrors on the guards did not look out of place.

@allanpickering6939 10 ай бұрын

I was a Ford mechanic back in the 60s we used occasionally to get a V8 pilot in the workshop and I loved the sound of that engine. We used to also service Civil Defence trucks that had the same engine. I think the engine was fitted to a lot of American fords.

@michaelkeen5010 10 ай бұрын

Fabulous car, I agree about removing the wing mirrors, they do spoil the looks.👍

@ericthomsin8565 10 ай бұрын

Agreed, those mirrors spoil the look of the car.

@stewartcowan5886 10 ай бұрын

Beautiful car with great lines. Those wing mirrors are definitely an acquired taste. I’d remove them.

@robincharlton8682 10 ай бұрын

I might be wrong, but I suspect that they dance around a bit on those long stalks, so really might only be any use at slow speed or when parking... and they do break up the lovely lines.

@georgenoble1920 10 ай бұрын

😊

@90FF1 10 ай бұрын

Thew black & white footage at the end really brings the car to life. Thank you for a wonderful presentation.

@hondamonkeyboy 10 ай бұрын

What an absolute beauty you have introduced to the Garage. I am sure that you will make many memories together. I concur that the wing mirrors in that format need to go.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks, yes something needs to happen re the mirrors. I understand why they were fitted, but they aren't so necessary here

@multislipful 10 ай бұрын

Such a great choice - everyone surely loves the powerful burble of a V8. This looks like a lovely straightforward example, with the probable exception of those wing mirrors and faux white wall tyres which are already marked for deletion. In the early fifties, my father owned a Prefect and the rarely seen Pilot often drew a remark from him. They certainly didn’t look dated on the early 1950s roads - just powerful. Thanks for the video and ownership should prove pretty enjoyable and rewarding.

@multislipful 10 ай бұрын

@@johnnichol9412 I take your point. However, I was alive in the 1950s , and as I can recall, white wall tyres were a pretty rare sight even then in the UK - especially on Ford V8 Pilots, which seemed to be mostly black. I suppose it is a matter of personal preference. In this case, white wall tyres form a fairly prominent and somewhat flamboyant visual feature, - sufficient to be a distraction on the very distinctive lines a the V8 Pilot. After all, it is all down to an owner’s choice and I would be happy with either option. Just knowing a very good example, such as this, is being cared for, enjoyed and driven is a sight to see.

@bellowsmain6762 10 ай бұрын

The amalgamation of beauty and the beast. Incredibly good looking with old time power. Love your car.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@elizabethjarvis9825 5 ай бұрын

The V8 Pilot was my family car 1959, It was a 1951 From Ford dealership In Cranbrook Kent secondhand purchase. My Dad went to Dagenham to the Ford factory to see it being made. I believe the engine was from WW2 aircraft surplus. A car was made The Pilot. I did drive it once in 1968, my dads "poor mans Rolls" he said. The air wipers were a trouble. A Black with Tan interior. Hard wax Simonze tree hour me and my sister. Thank you for V8 burbal.

@oldclassiccarUK 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for posting, the very first Pilots had smaller engines shared with WW2 vehicles.

@michaeltreadwell777 10 ай бұрын

What a stunner Rick, you certainly picked a real winner there, it's gorgeous. Exactly the right colour too, but i would definately KEEP the white wall tyres, they really do suit it. The wing mirrors though, they should go - as you said, they detract from the beautiful lines, which are just like a giant Prefect. I'm so pleased for you in finding this car, and I'm sure we all forgive you for getting rid of the Anglia. Thanks for this introduction video, I'm really looking forward to seeing her out at shows, where I'm sure she will attract some very favourable comments. Well done on your choice. Take care 🙂

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks Michael, ideally the Anglia would have stayed (same for the Minor) but them going was the only way this was going to be a viable buy. It would have been neat to feature the Pilot and Anglia together before the latter left though.

@stevecambers3190 10 ай бұрын

That car is extremely beautiful... My father had one in the early 1960s & I loved it as a child 😊

@davidsheppard1362 10 ай бұрын

Wonderful car. I remember seeing one or two when I was a kid. They must have been rather fantastic in their day.

@kevinwilliams1602 10 ай бұрын

Wow that Brownie 127 was the first camera I had back in '63 or '64 when I was 11-12 years old. I have always loved the V8 Ford

@stanwilson8089 10 ай бұрын

My pal and I bought an ex police ford pilot in 1964 for £17,it was black,and so well polished the red undercoat was showing in places.That also was a pain to start from cold.We used to park it at the top of a hill so we could roll it down to start it.If we had to leave it for a week or two,we used to jack it up on all four corners using the jacking system in order to keep the weight off the tyres.It was expensive on petrol,about 12mpg.

@Stoneycombe 9 ай бұрын

In the early 1960s I used to collect one of these, this colour, on my way to work in a garage near Dartmouth, Serviced it & drove it back to the farmers home. did that regularly, but never seen one since, My abiding memory was that it had two of everything that needed checking. The next car that was serviced was a baby Austin7, what a contrast.

@graemeburr6463 10 ай бұрын

Very nice Rick. Yes loose those wing mirrors and replace then them with some little spring-backs (even if only for decoration). You've said how to loose the flappers on the tyres, it will work. A very presentable car and someone has done a good job in substituting for the original style radio speaker grill. The original style was very prone to warpage and going brittle in the sun. The fact the motor has been done is a bonus as flatheads are very expensive to rebuild. This car should be acceptable at any American car show as well. Try to get yourself this book. "Complete catalogue of Ford Cars in Britain from Model T to Fiesta" by David Burgess-Wise. Lots of good info and period b & w pictures on every English model made. It is my go to for reference for any English Ford to 1984. You have what sounds like a very well sorted and motorable V8. PS : What you said about replacing those cables with heavy duty ones is a good idea. I would clean under that firewall earth strap and it would not hurt to put an earth cable from the engine to chassis. Earthing can be bugbear in the starting circuit for these cars. Originally the earth cables were woven type zinc plated type straps. Good you have a hand primer on the fuel pump ( US v8's didn't). The Stromberg carb is one of the best carbs for flathead v8's. Yours look new. If it is one of the new English reproduced ones you are onto a winner as they have a very good reputation, even the Yanks V8 acknowledge this ( original would have been a Solex for UK). Sorry for rabbiting on.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Interesting stuff, thanks, a few people have now mentioned that the swap to a Stromberg carb is a good idea which is reassuring (the original carb is in a box).

@Roger.Coleman1949 10 ай бұрын

Lovely car Rick , you'd certainly benefit as a priority at least doubling the battery cable size as well as replacing the clamps wound to their limit. .The registration series started from June 1950 and see even an MRN series ignition key , the same as our 1950 Sunbeam-Talbot 90 !.I appreciate the mirrors served a useful purpose for reversing but certainly a lower and in period round lens at the very least !.

@jagvette1 9 ай бұрын

When I purchased my Jaguar MKII it was that colour and I couldn't wait to change it (Signal Red) a true Jaguar MKII colour, but I have to admit it looks great on this car , I don't see you EVER selling it, I know I wouldn't. I hope Harley appreciates how really lucky he is.

@oldclassiccarUK 9 ай бұрын

Thanks, yep I hope it'll be a keeper too, I've a few odd jobs lined up for the winter months. I'm sure H appreciates the stuff we have here, he was helping me out today fixing Mrs OCC's car

@davidjohnfarrell4579 10 ай бұрын

Like I said earlier. Dad had one. Its bringing back loads of memories. I'm 76 now and I was only a small child when he bought it. Was threre different models ? As I dont remember it having a cigarette lighter or swivel ash tray. Or a radio. And I never knew that they were column change. CAR 346 where are you now ? Probably my mum and dad are driving around heaven in it 😅

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

As far as I know there was only one model, sold either as a saloon or occasionally as a woodie/estate car. Could it have been a different model? The CAR registration series was used in 1936-onwards, and 1958-onwards - as 346 is a low number then the car you're thinking of was most likely 1936/7 or 1958/9, the Pilot was sold from 1947 to 1951 only. Maybe it was a pre-war V8 that your family had?

@v8pilot 10 ай бұрын

I had a Pilot for about ten years until 2004. I would often see them running around Birmingham when I was a student there in 1964. The going price in Exchange and Mart was £300. By 1970, they had pretty well disappeared. When I was a little kid there were a couple on the street I walked to go to school. I loved hearing them started with the--- - bom (left) - bom (right) - bom (left) - bom (right)- sound in stereo from the twin exhausts. The coil in mine was life expired. I fitted a 12V ballast coil without the ballast resistor. It had the same primary resistance as the Pilot's original 6V coil so I reckoned it would be fine. With that coil, it always started instantly, hot or cold. The devil's job to set the points, hidden behind the radiator grille. I had the steering box of mine overhauled. Getting it off the car was a hellish job. It was bolted to a piece of 1/4" sheet steel that was then rivetted to the chassis. So you had to poke a spanner behind the sheet steel and undo the invisible nuts. I fitted radial tyres and that made a huge difference to its road holding. With its old taxi tyres it never knew what direction to go in, When I drove mine at speed, the two water pumps pumped so hard that the coolant overflowed the top of the radiator. I found that Peugeot used thermostats mounted inside the radiator hoses (with a jubilee clip on the outside). The constrained the coolant flow enough that it no longer overflowed. I overhauled the radio on my pilot. It worked very well on MW and LW. When I sold it, the increase in price meant that all the maintenance, tyres, insurance were more than covered. I had had it essentially for free all the time I owned it.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Neat, cool to read all these personal memories of Pilots back in the day so thanks for posting

@fpwrankin 6 ай бұрын

I remember my father road testing a second hand V8 Pilot in Nairobi in 1954 we loved it. My mother was a car snob and refused it because it was a Ford. We finished up with a Citroen Light 15.

@fpwrankin 6 ай бұрын

By the way it was Dark Blue.

@sidm3300 10 ай бұрын

Hi Rick, fellow Pilot owner here. What a lovely example of these great cars you have there. I'm sure you'll enjoy driving it around, as you say they are a great driving experience. I totally agree with you about the wing mirrors, very necessary, but not exactly pleasing to the eye. I have short, stubby round ones which look much better but I can't see much out of them. Useful only for backing out of my garage TBH. I did pick up on a couple of things. 1) The back overriders are missing, which is a shame. I love the art deco styling, and they really finish the look of the bumpers. 2) Do the brake lights work? On mine, the switch, which is underneath the car, directly below the drivers seat, is very fine in it's adjustment. And I do mean very fine. 3) I'm sure you already know, but worth pointing out, the Jack-All shouldn't really be used without extra support by axle stands. These cars weigh in excess of 1.6 tons, and people have been injured when they've collapsed. Anyway, lovely car, in much better shape than mine (Grrrr). Have fun.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for your comments, yes re the Jackall I'll treat it the same as any other hydraulic jack, with caution. I'll look out for some overriders now you've mentioned them and I'll check the brake lights too. The door mirrors do a decent job of showing what's going on behind so I think the wing jobs will go. Email over a few photos of yours if you get a chance (email on the main OCC site), always neat to see what cars the channel's followers own.

@rossbritton4008 9 ай бұрын

My Father had a Side Valve V8 in an early 54 Customline..That Engine did over 150,000 Miles..No problem..Never missed a Beat..With today's vastly improved oil and filtration,The Engines could do that mileage NO PROBLEM..Especially with the Cam Shaft being driven By gears off the Crankshaft NOT by a Chain..

@gedtaylor4773 10 ай бұрын

I agree the front wing mirrors need to go . Great video thank you

@regd.2263 10 ай бұрын

The old V8 pilot I could have had one of those in blue with whitewall tyres, brilliant chrome from a man in Biggleswade Bedfordshire in around 1971 for £500. I hesitated I thought he was asking too much for it I forever regret not buying it.

@TheGrimReaper1 9 ай бұрын

Yes absolutely get rid of those mirrors. My uncle had one of those in the sixties as his daily driver, he was a farmer but i cant recall if he liked it for towing pigs to the mart etc. i do know he had it for years and years. I didn’t realise they had as many litres as you said. My dad was also a farmer and had a SS jaguar which he sold to a friend for five pounds on the condition he did it up. He didn’t do anything to it and he sold it for scrap. I recall my dad saying that annoyed him more than anything he could think of, he was furious and bitterly regretted doing it. If hadn’t sold it i can guarantee it would have ended up as what you call a barn find.

@oldclassiccarUK 9 ай бұрын

I bet it'd make a good tow car actually, thanks for watching

@keith4886 9 ай бұрын

I rode in one of these in 1962 when I was 10 yrs old & the experience of riding in s V8 never left me. I have owned V8's for a large portion of my life & still own one. A Lincoln. I am subscribing to your channel simply because this is the first time that I personally have seen anything in depth on the V8 Pilot. The name "Ford" incidentally, is not shown on the car. Just V8 Pilot. On the 1947 & 48 models they had a 4.11:1 rear axle. This was changed in 1949 to a 3.73 rear axle ratio & a bonnet safety catch was added.

@oldclassiccarUK 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and sub'ing!!

@androo4519 10 ай бұрын

I can't imagine a better addition to the fleet. I have two photos in my collection of Ludlow Green Pilots, but neither of them are yours. I did wonder so I had a look! I look forward to a demo of the jacking system and seeing what else you get up to in it.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks, should have the next vid out on Sunday am

@nickaxe771 10 ай бұрын

What a stunning motor car. I agree with you re the wing mirrors. I love a car with a button starter....I fitted a button starter to my old Landrover many years ago.....its a CAV starter button from an old Leyland Buffalo truck. I bet the stick on ashtray is made by Wipac. Pity the old valve type radio is still not fitted....took a while to warm up.

@user-xz9dn2ub1x 10 ай бұрын

A great car made the same year as me but in far better condition!!!!!!!! Thanks for video.

@robertsmith3073 10 ай бұрын

What a beautiful car, I would be careful of those speed bumps though, as the springs seem to be getting their exercise. I found that slowing down at their approach and then accelerating away when the rear wheels are at the top of the bump, generally smooths the whole thing out. Up here in Glasgow, these things take their toll of road springs. Happy motoring.

@greerbox 9 ай бұрын

What a brilliant car Rick. She sounds gorgeous. Shame you didn’t demonstrate the duo-tone horns. I bet they sound great. What a winner 👍

@waynemurphy4542 10 ай бұрын

My dad had one. The steering wheel looks the same as the one in my Austin Sheerline. The green colour is very nice and the period items like the magazine and picnic set are lovely

@tolrem 9 ай бұрын

Reminds me a lot of the 1951 Ford Prefect I had in New Zealand in 1971.That would also always start with the crank handle.My dad advised me to always put my thumb over the top of the handle with the other fingers in case it kicked back because that could break your thumb.1172cc if I remember correctly.I learned to drive in it.

@royfearn4345 10 ай бұрын

Your polished brass header tank reminds me of my first car, a 1953 Anglia! Boy, did I expend some elbow grease on that car! Ford Linden Green too. I fitted an electric fuel pump to all my old Fords and it did wonders with starting! Self-priming, you see. Those mirrors have to go! Door mirrors are the way to go with subtle convex lenses. Paint the whitewall flaps with tennis shoe whitener!

@johnpark-jones4285 10 ай бұрын

Beautiful car guys. I’ve got the same indicators on my 1955 Morris minor.

@gregcoleman7328 10 ай бұрын

I think the colour of the V8 Pilot is gorgeous and it is a lovely design with distinct echoes of late thirties about it. It’s a great choice Rick! As regards the mirrors, I would get rid of them as they don’t sit well with the styling of the car; in terms of replacement mirrors, there are some far more tasteful examples out there on V8 Pilots, with a quick Google search!

@erniehogan2404 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video. That looks like a great acquisition and hopefully should be good for many more years of service. I remember as a kid, our local Police force had one of these with a lovely chrome bell on the front and a central calibrated 0 - 120MPH Speedometer.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Interesting, there was a Sunbeam Tiger police car at a recent show that also had a large central speedo fitted to it

@jeffhanson1225 9 ай бұрын

I Iove the look of that. It puts me in mind of a Citroën Light 15 which would make a wonderful addition to your garage

@nevillestumbles4631 10 ай бұрын

This superb video shows off this wonderful old car at its very best. Although Ford Pilots were sold here in Australia, I only remember seeing them in beige and black - the green is so more attractive. The body of the car closely resembles the 1936 American Ford and some people thought they used the same body, but they are in fact quite different.

@AlppasSOT 9 ай бұрын

My grandpa has one ford pilot. Its not in a good condition but still bit of work and she will be running again hopefully. Amazing video!

@PaulinesPastimes 10 ай бұрын

It's lovely, in excellent condition and quite luxurious. The side valve V8 has a lovely musical exhaust note, it sounds really nice. I agree that you should lose those awkward mirrors immediately, the do ruin the line of the front guards. As for the white walls, from what I have seen on other cars, they deteriorate badly anyway so might as well take them off and see what it looks like. I hope you have many happy days driving it. 😊👍

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks PP, so far it seems to be about 90:10 in favour of losing the mirrors

@PaulinesPastimes 10 ай бұрын

@@oldclassiccarUK I must be careful with the difference between lose and loose! I meant lose obviously and now I am going back to school. 😀

@richardkeen1996 9 ай бұрын

Great to see the Ford Pilot. My dad and my uncle had one each - dad's was navy blue and uncle Stan's was black. I think I was about four at the time, so that would have been 1951.

@colinmuddell9672 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for a great video. What a super, super car and I'm sooooooooo envious. You must be really chuffed to own it. As you say, a wonderful blend of period US and British design, with a nod to Bonnie and Clyde! What a great owner's instruction manual that is not far short of a workshop manual! I feel that the whitewalls rather suit the body colour and the period of the car, but being add-on flaps maybe they are not so great close up. I think the wing mirrors should go, provided their removal doesn't leave any bare bodywork metal. Or you could keep them and hang your colourful headgear on them! 🙂Burble, burble.........

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Time to dust off the trilby I think!

@copper6600 10 ай бұрын

Congratulation it really is a beautiful looking car in that lovely green and in very good condition.Henry Ford was the first to make a V8 after Cadillac had there 6 cylinder on the market and in order to keep up with the sales.The motor world said that it was not possible to build a V8 out of 1 block but his engineers did it and wrote history.🍀🍀🍀

@ferdinandfrancis9673 10 ай бұрын

I enjoyed that, as an old west indian male my dad had one. Thanks for the memories.

@robertjames6640 10 ай бұрын

My father had one of these V8 Pilots that was sold in 1961 for a mere 35 pounds. It was a gas hog at the worst time. A guy in our village had three of them he kept to get the gas coupons for them. A couple of haulers in the area used Ford WOT6 military trucks for crop spraying. The engine appeared to be the same V8 as that used in the Pilot. It was claimed, rightly or not, that Ford built the Pilot in the UK to use up surplus V8 motors from war production. I learned to drive in the Pilot. Three on a tree, smooth power and fairly fast for such a large car. The quality of build was quite good for immediate post war effort. The UK Police used them in some places. By the mid 60s they could be purchased for little: that big V8 still needed a gas tanker to follow it. BTW, yours is a nice one and a joy to see.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

The very first Pilots used the smaller capacity V8s from the WW2 Bren gun carriers, but they were underpowered so switched to the 3.6 engine very soon after I believe.

@ianstollery4922 10 ай бұрын

My Father worked for Ford at Dagenham in the late 40's and I can recall going on holiday to Devon in the back seat of a Pilot, The only car to make me carsick due to the very floaty ride

@eddtemperley2421 10 ай бұрын

Thank you. What a treat seeing this delicious car out and about. That V8 burble is a sound I can never get enough of. The wing mirrors - I actually quite like their quirkyness. They must afford a great view either side of the car when maneuvering. More, more, more of this wonderful car. I'd like to hear more about its performance and handling when you get the chance.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks yes there are more vids planned, there'll be another along before too long so keep an eye open for it. The plan is to put a few miles on it before the bad weather and salted roads are upon us

@GtecAerials 9 ай бұрын

I just love the elegance and styling of this car, so beautiful and with amazing character. I could spend an age just walking round it, looking and touching her. Amazing 🥰

@lawriemorritt3492 9 ай бұрын

I learned to drive on one of these magnificent machines. Not the easiest, with only three gears and n o synchromesh on the low gear, but great on the open road, and the engine buzzes like a hive of bees.

@oldclassiccarUK 9 ай бұрын

What a great introduction to driving that must have been :-)

@GrenvilleP710 9 ай бұрын

My uncle had one in 1956 we went to Blackpool from Middlesbrough and broke down 4 times two punctures and a head leak .We had to spend the night in the car near Blubberhouses. . The battery was never good enough. But when it went it was lovely. Side valves and it needed de coking ..It was a pre war car. But it had style.

@oldclassiccarUK 9 ай бұрын

They don't make 'em like they used to eh?! :-)

@binky1612 10 ай бұрын

Great car, one of my all time favourites. My grandfather had a black one and my father learnt to drive on it. My great grandfather had a Riley RM.

@richardbatty6520 10 ай бұрын

A first class addition to the fleet. I've always thought these a more economic choice than the Bentley Mk6, with similar lines but not the huge maintenance costs. I look forward ti the adventures you will enjoy. Love the colour!

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks Richard!

@radarhec 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the nice ride mate ! She's a charmer.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Cheers, tomorrow will see the next instalment going live

@peterbevan2797 10 ай бұрын

What a great car! Excellent choice Rick. I can remember when I was a young mechanic in the sixties and seventies, I had a Pilot to work on,can't remember what I had to do to it but of course a road test on completion! I agree about the wing mirrors,I would take them off,also I would remove those awful plastic strips from the nearside doors. Thanks for a very informative video,I'm sure you will be delighted when you take it on a longer trip, just lopin' along effortlessly..... ⛽

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Ha yes the door rubbing strips will be coming off too, well one has made its own bid for freedom anyway

@GrenvilleP710 9 ай бұрын

The mirrors are there because they are what they had.Why would you change them.

@darrylmcleman6456 10 ай бұрын

I favour the rearview mirrors being located on or near the doors.Great looking car.Looks a lot like my uncle"s 1939 bustleback Dodge!CHEERS from Canadian Westcoast!

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

The circular mirrors on both doors are quite effective so I think I'll probably just stick with them

@lawrence5117 10 ай бұрын

I think you should definitely think about sorting out the wing mirrors, they just don't look right. A great looking car and I like the colour.

@alandavies55 10 ай бұрын

Agreed, they look to me like motorcycle add ons from the 50s or 60s when British bikes were always supplied without mirrors. the winkers are also motorcycle parts from a much later period, but they blend in nicely and don`t poke you in the eye as soon as you look at the car

@trussell8510 7 ай бұрын

Beautiful, that is how a car should look!

@oldclassiccarUK 7 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@clivehaynes2183 9 ай бұрын

Love these old V8 pilots. You can probably modify those wing mirrors by adapting round motorcycle mirrors heads that clamp on the arms assuming that those arms are about 8 or 9mm. The best product for cleaning those white walls is the good old Brillo pad. Good luck>

@paulhelman2376 10 ай бұрын

I remember when my dad brought home his first postwar car a Grey 48 Ford. We were cottaging in Colchester Ontario and he would come over after his week's carpentry in the Detroit area. It was that fastback style that Volvo later copied.

@saxongreen78 9 ай бұрын

What a sweetie! Although it's clearly a solid machine, the contemporary motoring press of the day gave these a pasting (in Australia, in any case) due to the age of the design. Being fairly expensive, they couldn't compete with Ford Custom (which was actually _cheaper!)_ or the Holden, or even used pre War American cars. A lot of quality features...English Ford steel...excellent ride - a proper car.

@louisboshoff9142 10 ай бұрын

Spot on regarding the battery cables. For a given amount of power output of a starter motor, the Watts on a 12V starter vs the same Watts on a 6V starter, current in Amps for the 6V will be double. You need at least twice the cross sectional area battery cables on the 6V. The cables look like typical 12V ones. Car looks fantastic, hope you have a lot of fun with it.

@jackjacko8706 10 ай бұрын

Brought back fond memories of my late teenage years. I owned a Pilot as my second car after an Ford Popular. Courted my first girlfriend in one. Was appreciative of the column change and low floor hump. Was always room to her left to fit another person, but of course never was one. We used to call the slippery seats. “ Come over dear” when cornering to the left. . Lol. Being of a young age, I found it fast compared to other cars on the road in those times. Making allowance for the cable brakes on the rear. In Australia, the roads were never kind to the vertical grill. I think they were bronzed only on top and bottom. So most Pilots had a toothless grin. Never the less , I had some great times in it. With careful driving at night ( Lights seemed to be about the same as a couple of candles). Always got me home safely. From memory of the times, Ford had a lot of V8 engines left over after the war in the UK.they had been used in landing craft etc and other military vehicles. They decided that a bigger version of the Prefect could make use of them.

@janinapalmer8368 10 ай бұрын

What a beauty!! And in such great Nick too. I was amused by the push button starter .... both my cars have them and they are only a year old ... nothings new is it !

@gbentley8176 10 ай бұрын

An excellent purchase. I remember being behind a few in the fifties and was intrigued by the name Pilot and not Ford. I cannot remember seeing coloured versions but my uncle had a two tone Zephyr in green and cream. It had white walls which were quickly changed. Too American. I am sure you will enjoy the driving experience and perhaps I may spot you on a visit to the New Forest at some stage.

@alandavies55 10 ай бұрын

My uncle had a Zephyr just like that, Grandad hated it and kept referring to it as a tarts handbag.

@robindthornton 10 ай бұрын

Oh what a beautiful car .A terrific find, And a brilliant vintage year ~ same as me 1950 haha! .When I was young people used to nearly throw these away because of their fuel consumption,what a shame. Oh please leave those mirrors I really like them

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks Robin, I think the mirrors will probably be replaced with something less intrusive, plus they shake around so much when driving that you can't see much in them. They were handy for the PO when he had to park up but once on the move, they aren't much use.

@robindthornton 10 ай бұрын

Oh if they are no use I can quite see your point.They are a bit like cats whiskers aren't they haha

@peternutkins2805 9 ай бұрын

I had a friend with one of these in the '50s. He spent a fortune rechroming it and generally restoring it, very nice but very thirsty. I had the 'smaller' version a '39 E93a Prefect and that wasn't very good on fuel compared with the modern offerings.

@stefniedzielski5707 10 ай бұрын

Nice to see your son so enthused by your new purchase beautiful car guys well done and happy motoring to you both in the future.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks, yes he's a fan, at first he wasn't keen on the idea of column shift but he's come around now :)

@MegaHolly67 10 ай бұрын

My first car was a 1949 black V8 Pilot. It had the jacking system too. You did not mention the wipers! They worked off the pressure in the manifold and when you needed them most up hill in the wet they would stop till you took your foot off the accelerator! I loved the car. (VMF402)

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Yep vacuum wipers, identical to those in the Anglia we recently sold on

@dockmasterted 10 ай бұрын

Change the 6 volt battery for a 9 volt battery! ...... It is what we used, because it was made to work for winter use, and the 6 volt system will charge a 9 volt battery just fine, and the 6 volt lights are brighter, yet last the same amount of time as 6 volt bulbs.

@wordsmith52 10 ай бұрын

Great old classic Ford. Always reminds me of the 1955 "Lady Killers" film, in which I think they used a slightly stretched version in black (might be wrong though). I'd definitely get rid of those wing mirrors - they spoil the overall look. The amber indicator lamps at the front don't look too bad as they are small and have a period look to them - but if it were me, I'd try to mount them underneath the bumper and install a clear lens with an amber bulb - to try to make them look even more unobtrusive. Easier said than done, I know!

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

I'm happy with the indicators, they're pretty subtle. If I was stuck for something to do I'd think about tweaking them, but as it is ... :-)

@richardsealey3626 10 ай бұрын

The car in "The Ladykillers" is not a Ford Pilot, it is a 1939 Packard Super Eight...................

@VickersV 10 ай бұрын

What a lovely motor, keep it well. Well done 👏

@normanmerrill1241 10 ай бұрын

Take the mirrors off and repair holes…great looking ford

@maryrafuse3851 9 ай бұрын

This is an extremely good looking car! A true beauty. In Canada where I live we refer to cars made in North America as North American Cars. The big three built/builds cars and parts in Canada, Mexico & the United States. Operations in Southern Ontario & Quebec were extensive throughout the 20th Century. Parts, Cars & Trucks moved/move across the bridge between Winsor Ontario and Detroit Michigan. They still do involving some of the biggest international trade in the world. You can say American Car but the correct term is North American Car.

@simonhattrell5321 10 ай бұрын

My late stepbrother had one of these beauties in 1960 and it's funny that you mention the difficulty with cold starts as one of my abiding memories is lying in bed in the mornings and hearing him turning over the motor until finally you heard it roar into life. 👌. I also had a friend in France who boasted about the amazing times on his road trips behind the wheel of his Pilot. 👍💙

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

It's amazing how many people have recollections of these cars and have shared them in the comments to this vid, great stuff

@richardsealey3626 10 ай бұрын

And the huge fuel consumption....................

@davidpatterson9107 9 ай бұрын

Great ,I love30s 40,50 body styled cars ,the colour compliments,accentuates the chrome /along with Baco brown &cream upholstery 👌👌❤❤

@Focusfury05 10 ай бұрын

Beautiful car! What a nice burble.. a credit to British roads!! Nice 👌

@JP-su8bp 9 ай бұрын

Spectacular vehicle. Thanks for sharing.

@oldclassiccarUK 9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much, and thanks for watching

@billmoss7677 10 ай бұрын

I noticed Harley kept well out of sight when you were putting petrol in! I've watched lots of your videos, and several of Harley's, without realising the connection. I have a Somerset and liked your comment re gears, though mine are ok. My pride and joy is my 1951 Standard Vanguard, similar to the Pilot in its ability to pull effortlessly in top (3rd) from about 20 MPH. I really hope you have a great time with the Pilot, and I'm glad that I've now made the connection between 2 channels that I've been enjoying watching for some time.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Excellent, thanks for supporting both channels, there's a lot to be said for big torquey old cars

@tonycox5625 10 ай бұрын

I remember one of my brother-in-laws having one in the late fifties before moving on to Zephyrs and Zodiacs. 👍

@jeffking4176 10 ай бұрын

Not a big fan of green, but this actually looks good in green. Definitely American looking in many ways. Absolutely beautiful car. 📻🙂

@davidjoy7654 10 ай бұрын

Lovely and I like the white wall tyres. A beast. Have fun and enjoy.

@kaa522 9 ай бұрын

Good call on the battery cables, they do look a little lite for a 6 volt system. The cables on my 1948 Dodge Sedan are about the diameter of my thumb. According to Ohm's law whenever you cut the voltage in half you double the amperes. The 1949 Ford 239 cu in flathead V-8 in North America used a conventional distributer driven off of the camshaft via a bevel gear arrangement until the flathead's demise at the end of 1953. Just a note it was my understanding that the largest single casting of bakelite was a console television cabinet built by Continental Radio trade name Admiral in Chicago. A search for Admiral 1948 model 20X122 will find pictures for the set (I own one). By around 1952 Admiral was producing a 17 inch rectangular screen in a one piece bakelite cabinet.

@oldclassiccarUK 9 ай бұрын

Regarding bakelite, someone else mentioned that said they'd seen a bakelite coffin of all things, so I guess that might be the largest thing so far

@commandertopgun 10 ай бұрын

ATUNNING VINTAGE CLASSIC WOW - THANKS FOR SHARING/POSTING

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@deltavee2 9 ай бұрын

That is a lovely machine and it's in proper good shape, unrestored. I've never seen one before but I quite like it. From the rear it reminds me of a Citroen Traction-Avant vaguely. Subscribed with white bell and a thumbs-up of course. Best from Ottawa, ON, CDA

@oldclassiccarUK 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for subbing!! It's had some resto work but a while ago now

@stephenluke2347 9 ай бұрын

This car came out in the year after the war ended. During the war there were very few pre -war cars on the roads and petrol was still not that plentiful and neither were new cars, or the money to buy them. IT WAS A FAR DIFFERENT WORLD FROM TODAY. The media welcomed this car as a sign that at last industry was working and making things for people to buy that were not on ration. It was a hope for a brighter future.

@timwilson4967 10 ай бұрын

Great vid. update,Rick: thanks for all the detail.👍🏼 I was a big fan of the Ford Pilot through the 50s and 60s - and yes, there were plenty around then, in the NorthWest. One used to park outside my school around 1960; the owner had flattened the tail pipe outlets to produce an outlandish sound😂. Can you confirm the number of head studs, as l couldn't quite make this out? If 21-stud, it is a 3.6L engine, but if 24, then it'll be at least 3.9... The Stromberg 97 carb is a good one, favoured by current hot-rodders. My Allard has twin 97s. And yep, please rid this lovely car of the eyesore wing-mirrors😅.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

21 I think, it was suggested that it has larger-than-standard engine valves and this block may have originally been for an industrial application, I'm not sure. Thanks for the carb info, still finding my way on the subject :)

@ratty383 10 ай бұрын

That’s a gorgeous looking car, you’ve found one which looks great but you still have room to improve and put your own mark, not always an easy feat. If I had an original magazine with the same spec car on the cover I’d be as chuffed as you clearly are. I’m sure you’ve seen it but there’s a photo online showing your car with smaller round mirrors on the wings which blend in nicely, but I agree that they would be better removed. Thanks for showing us round, another very enjoyable vid, Thank you.

@oldclassiccarUK 10 ай бұрын

Thanks, there'll be more Pilot related content heading to the channel before very long