LSA-powered Ford Anglia 100e Is Bloody Brilliant
Supercharged GM motor gives this tiny track terror all the wheelie-popping power it needs to smash into its first 8s.
Many Americans might not be familiar with the Ford Anglia 100e. And at first sight, it isn’t exactly what you’d consider intimidating. The Ford Anglia 100e was a wee car produced by Ford U.K. from 1953 to 1960. At the time is was noted more for its affordability than anything else. The 2- and 4-wheel sedan was not a fast, high-performance machine. That was all before the LS.
Frankly, we have a weakness for classic British cars. Our heads are easily turned by a MG, Jaguar, Triumph, Sunbeam Tiger, Aston Martin. Ford’s Anglia 100e definitely appeals to us as a cool little ride of its era.
Ford’s Anglia model was part of a popular group of British blue oval rides that included the Popular, Prefect, and Escort. It has charm coming out of its tailpipe. What it lacked was power. Under the hood, it had a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engine paired to a three-speed gearbox. Not exactly a strapping lad.
So, to see a late 1950s Ford Anglia 100e on the track is an unexpected treat. Then it went full tilt, basically leaving fiery tire tracks in its wake. Blimey! That was a shock. We never stop being surprised by just how damn good the LS is.
Posted by Mk1Kiernan on YouTube, the action took place at Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire, England. The LS-swapped Anglia 100e is owned and driven by Garth Wong.
Wong’s street legal Anglia 100e has a Chevy LSA with forged pistons, Stage 2 cam and valve train, custom 4-1 headers, Nitrous Outler kit, Link Thunder ECU, and a TH350 transmission. The full chassis and cage were built by Mike Savage, the car’s original owner.
In the video, we see a number of the Ford’s runs. Time and time again, the mini monster leaps and launches, pops some killer wheelies, spanks any drag race competitors, and finally makes an 8.872-second pass at 160 mph!
Certainly, the Ford Anglia needed mods to handle the LS, as well as get maximum aero and performance. A rear spoiler, wheelie bar, and hood scoop may seem odd on a late-1950s saloon–but we kind of love it. And the two tone paint is sharp as a tack. One thing we like about this car is that is is really unique but would look striking on any road. Well, if it lost the wheelie bar. Aesthetically, it retains the spirit of its era. But it blends in modern elements fairly seamlessly, and with a little humor.
Performance wise, the unholy alliance of Ford and Chevy leads to an exceptional weight to power ratio. The Ford Anglia 100e already has the benefit of weight reduction. Then, the LS adds the heft of the horses, torque, and even the attitude it needs to tame the track.
Check out the video above. Yet more proof that the answer is always “LS swap everything.”
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