Ford Popular Price Guide

The Ford Popular of 1953 to 1962 was the cheapest car on sale in Britain. It was a deliberate policy by Ford of Britain to undercut every competitor on price while providing basic but adequate motoring. The 100E Popular of 1959 to 1962, based on the outgoing Anglia body, was the most numerous and is probably the car most people picture when the Popular name is mentioned.

The Car

The Popular used the 1,172cc sidevalve four-cylinder producing 36bhp in the 100E body – the same basic engine that had powered Ford of Britain’s small cars since the 1930s. No heater, no passenger sun visor, no screen washers in the base specification, the Popular was stripped to the minimum to achieve the lowest possible price. The earlier 103E Popular of 1953–1959 used the even more basic upright body of the pre-war Anglia. Both are charming in their simplicity.

Buying

The 100E Popular is the more practical car; the 103E the more period-correct. Both are well-supported through the Ford Sidevalve Owners Club.