Pick of the Day: 1949 Ford Anglia

These days, the lines of “domestic” versus “import” are blurred. For example, almost everyone knows that Toyota started out as a Japanese brand. But today, every Toyota Tundra pickup is built in Texas. On the flipside, the Ford Fusion, Fiesta, and Mustang were assembled in Mexico. When you think of it in that context, isn’t a Toyota more “domestic” than a Ford? I guess that’s a controversial topic for the comment section to discuss.

The interesting thing is, the notion of a U.S. nameplate being built abroad is not new at all. In 1939, the Ford Anglia E04A was assembled in the United Kingdom. Let’s take a closer look at one of these cars.

The Pick of the Day is a 1949 Ford Anglia listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Greeley, Colorado. (Click the link to view the listing)

“Possibly the best street Anglia in existence!” the listing begins. “Professionally built, one of a kind. Tube chassis street rod with 350 miles since being finished over a decade ago. Artfully built with the best-of-the-best parts and craftsmanship.”

This Anglia’s current equipment list is a far cry from its original assembly. The car has been treated to an inside-and-out, front-to-back restoration and modification. And the results speak for themselves: The car was awarded Best of Show and Best in Class at the Street Rod Nationals.

The lengthy description outlines the details in bullet-point form, so I invite you to click over and view the listing in its entirety. The key to this build resides under its all-steel seven-piece front end:

There, power (and plenty of it) originates with a fuel-injected, Magnacharger-supercharged and intercooled 350cid small-block crate engine with aluminum heads. The seller states that the engine makes 500 horsepower at the crank, and the build is completed with a set of Corvette valve covers, 1.5-inch Stahl headers, a three-inch exhaust system, and an aluminum radiator. Torque is fed to the rear wheels through a Hurst gated shifter and a 700R transmission.

The Anglia’s original chassis was definitely not designed to handle anywhere near that strength, so the underpinnings have been enhanced with a chromoly chassis, a RideTech air suspension, tubular front A-arms, a four-link rear suspension, and more.

“Owning, showing, and driving this car has been a great experience,” the seller says. “Expect lots of conversations at shows, as it constantly draws crowds.”

The asking price is $105,000 for the one-of-a-kind British Ford.

To view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com, view the listing here.