It was 1960. A wet autumn with a lot of rain and wind. My motorcycle, a 500 cc Matchless, stayed in the stable, because riding was not very attractive in that weather. That gave me a problem, because I really wanted to be with my girl (later my wife). I had already thought of various things before, but each time came up with the same solution… the purchase of a car!
By: Klaas Bos
Now at that time, just like now, there were plenty of cars for sale. And I found a 10 year old Ford Prefect in fair condition. There was a revised Végé exchange engine in the front. In any case, the Ford met my wishes and indeed brought us closer and closer together. I experienced many things with that Ford.
The first big ride was from The Hague to Utrecht. It was a beautiful day and the Ford ran perfectly, we both agreed. But suddenly it went wrong. The engine began to cough and simmer and cease service. I was able to put him on the shoulder just in time and went to investigate. Well that was easy enough, because the bug ran out of gas! Fortunately, another motorist stopped, yes… they used to do that. With his help I got the necessary fuel and we could continue the ride.
Now I must admit that it is a pain of mine not to look carefully enough at the fuel arrow. That has already gotten me in trouble several times !! So no blame to the Prefect!
I was happy with my purchase, but it was already a 10 year old cart, so there would be something with it every now and then. And that was indeed the case. At one point while accelerating into second gear, he jumped out of gear. In the beginning it was possible to slightly counteract this by pressing with the knee against the lever. But gradually the ailment got worse. I had to do something about it and went with an acquaintance to a car demolition company. There I bought a gearbox.
I was happy when I reassembled it. But unfortunately it turned out that the Ford was still jumping out of its 2nd gear during the test drive. So that's bad! I should have had my old gearbox overhauled at a Ford dealer! But it shouldn't cost too much then and I figured this was the best way ...
Yes indeed, I did everything for the bike; Change oil early and use very good oil, but not much money was left for the rest of the vehicle. This also applies to the battery, which at one point could no longer start the engine. Not a problem for me, because it went just as well with the crank! The Ford always caught on immediately.
Once we went on vacation and stayed in the town of Bouillon, somewhere on a quay. When we left in the morning the Ford ran immediately and we started in good spirits. It was a beautiful trip through a very beautiful landscape, where we stopped to enjoy it. But when I wanted to start the engine suddenly the crank had disappeared. So it still had to be in the town of Bouillon! How I started the Ford knows I no longer, but then we when the people arrived where we had spent the night, the pendulum was already waiting for us in the hallway!
Those were some experiences with my Ford Prefect, of which I then had to learn that you cannot avoid problems, that you still have to be willing to make those expenses to keep such an animal reliable. I have had my Prefect in use for about two years and have driven a good 21.000 miles with it. I have learned that if it is necessary, and it needs to be repaired… then do it American style and 'fix it right'!
Gerrit van den Boogaard.
My father had a black Ford Prefect built in 1948. Also my birth year.
He bought this in 1952 and had it until 1962.
We had a lot of fun with it and because my father was a car technician, he could do the maintenance himself.
He taught me how to drive in the Prefect in 1962.
When the differential broke, it was scrapped.
Registration number was UD-70-82
My father bought a Ford Prefect in 1948. We drove it from Groningen to Bergen aan Zee. About the Afsluitdijk. Our Ford had two defects. The turn signal did not always respond when my father turned the knob on the Dashboard left or right. We, the children, had to pick them out while driving. And, a second shortcoming: he couldn't climb the ramp that led from the parking lot by the beach to the road. Every day the three of us had to push the car up.
Question: is it possible that it was a used car or could it not have been at all in 1948.
to Roland Oomens,
Hello Roland,
Thank you for responding to my article.
I would like to meet you sometime.
Can you send me your E-Mail address?
Thanks in advance,
Klaus Bosch
Hello Klaas,
Yes, es war einmal…. nice those photos, what were you still young then!
A nice story about your green Ford, which you have enjoyed for a number of years. After all, you felt like a king so rich together with Anneke.
Love, your sister Jannie
I would like to get in touch with Roland Oomens about his reaction to the article Ford Prefect.
Can you send me his E-mail address?
Thanks in advance,
Klaas woods
For Mr. Roland Oomens
Thanks for your response.
I would like to get in touch with you. Can you send me your email address?
Thanks in advance.
Fr. greeting,
Klaus Bosch
Klaas,
My email address: roland@motorzooi.nl
Anglia and Prefect were no longer present at the RAI exhibition for the first time:
Fortunately, the Anglia and the Perfect no longer showed their noses at the Rai! ”
That journalist was apparently someone much better used to!
Yes, that's how it goes in life. In any case, thank you for your response.
Kind regards, Klaas Bos
For your information.
Breda, 8/1/2021
Hi Klaas,
Nice to read, those early experiences of yours with your Prefect. How did your relationship (Ford and you) end at any point? In any case, the RDW site no longer sees him.
Since 2012 I have owned a Prefect from 1948 which is in quite original, lived-in condition, but I have occasionally put him to work during those years with weekend trips with a few friends, hopefully again this year 2021. In need of some maintenance now, this year ...
Do you still have old photos with your car from that time? I gradually collect nice records with old Prefects E493A (yours) and E93A (my type), just for fun. If you want to send a scan or a clean photo from photo, that would be great.
In exchange, we'll do a round of my device once, if you live nearby. Yes, your girl can come. Idea?
Just mail me. The car can also be found regularly on my Facebook page hahaha ...
Sincerely sentimental greetings
Nice memories, I have them too, we (my father) had one too. Ford Prefect. (about 1957) my father tinkered with it, and it got a different color too, it turned blue with a white roof, and went together to polish the cellulose lacquer to make it shine, and went on nice rides from The Hague to Hoek van Holland, watching boats, I still remember the license plate ND-14-57, nice memories.
El Martin