BSCCoC Benefit – No Reserve 1950 Ford Prefect 3-Speed Manual, Restored

Here we have a 1950 Ford Prefect 3-Speed Manual, whose online auction comes with a couple of interesting features. It is a No Reserve auction so the highest bid at the expiry of the auction clock buys the car. As well, the owner has decided to donate the proceeds from the sale of the Prefect to the British Saloon Car Club of Canada (BSCCoC). While Collector Car Canada will collect its normal Buyer Premium on this auction, it will in turn donate the net amount to the BSCCoC.

The seller bought this Prefect in 2015 to restore mechanically after the previous owner kept it cosmetically quite tidy, using it in parades for many years in Eastern Ontario. He undertook a detailed mechanical restoration, documenting steps along the way. The Prefect is powered by a 1,172 cc engine which sends power to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission shifted on the floor. Although he was fastidious about the restoration, he has not had much occasion to drive it and it has rolled under 100 km since the restoration was completed. He is offering it with restoration records, owner’s and service manuals as well as other documentation – again, all to benefit BSCCoC. There is a club licence plate frame in the gallery, which is included in the car (the California state licence plate within is neither included nor connected to the Prefect). For Ontario buyers: with the mechanical restoration, the owner expects the car will pass for an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate as it sits.

Under prior ownership, the car was repainted in the white seen today. The car has original style steel wheels with polished centre caps. Period correct Firestone Deluxe Champion tires were installed new as part of the restoration and they have rolled under 100 km, otherwise sitting in the owner’s heated garage with the car. The tires’ measurements are displayed on the sidewalls as 5.00/5.25 x 16.

The exterior white paints retains a good quality, accented by a blue pin stripe. Featured on the outside of the car are a hinged windshield that, when opened, allows air into the cabin; another ventilation feature is a vent on each side behind the front fenders, also for air circulation inside – both features are shown opened and closed in the gallery. There is a smart hood ornament above the ornate grille, which is as functional as it is decorative – it is twisted to release the hood. Vinyl-covered running boards are in place on both sides, paint imperfections at their edges are illustrated in the gallery; vinyl is also a component on the roof and the owner speculates that this is attributable to a post-WWII steel shortage. There is a trunk separate from the spare tire storage compartment, the latter is accessed via a removable panel on the rear of the car. Turn signal trafficators remain in working order and are demonstrated in a video. The wiring on the aftermarket electric indicators needs servicing to render them operational.

In the cabin, there are bench seats front and rear, upholstered in grey vinyl with sun visors where the windshield meets the roof. Up front, two lap belts have been installed. In the cockpit, there is a speedometer with a maximum reading of 90 MPH as well as controls for choke, ignition (by key), with separate starter. The metal floorboards below the front passengers are shown in the gallery as are the wooden floorboards below the rear seating area – all are covered by grey carpet – see the gallery for underside photos as well. The headliner is very presentable and while there is wiring in place for a dome lamp, no light is currently installed. Many service records and parts slips are included on the gallery. There is also an email from the current owner to the previous owner, a recommended read – what the car hobby is all about.

The 1.17 litre inline four starts and runs easily, it has a newer style oil filter set up. It works with a three-speed manual transmission with floor shift to send power to the rear wheels. The original six-volt electrical system remains and there is a recent NAPA battery installed. Another endearing feature under hood is the wooden tool box. The car can be seen in our videos driving, steering and stopping around a residential neighbourhood. The odometer reads under 22,000, the current owner estimates he has driven the car about 10 km, true mileage is unknown. There is also a second engine and second transmission included with the car. It has not been tested and was represented as running by the car’s previous owner.

This 1950 Ford Prefect 3-Speed Manual is available with records of mechanical restoration, and is available from the five-year owner in Mississauga, Ontario. Proceeds from this No Reserve auction as well as CCC’s Buyer Premium will be donated to the British Saloon Car Club of Canada.

More videos and Photo Gallery appear below the bidding section. 

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