Fordson E83W

Fordson E83W
Fordson E83W
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Also called	Ford Ten-Ten (Australia) ; Fordson 10 cwt ; Thames 10 cwt ; Thames ½-Ton
Production	1938–1957
Body and chassis
Body style	van, pick-up
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L Straight-4
Transmission	3 speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	78 in (1,981 mm)
Length	157.5 in (4,000 mm)
Width	64 in (1,626 mm)
Chronology
Successor	Ford Thames 400E

The Fordson E83W, also sold later under the Thames brand, is a 10 cwt (half ton) light commercial vehicle that was built by Ford of Britain at the Ford Dagenham assembly plant (home of Fordson tractors) between 1938 and 1957. The van was sold in Australia as the Ten-Ten, and the E83W was available in various forms around much of the world as Britain strove to export after World War II. In some countries, the 'cowl and chassis' only was imported and local bodies built.

The E83W was aimed at the small haulage, trade and merchant market, sectors in which it sold well. A 'Utilicon' estate wagon conversion was available in the UK. During and after World War II, many specialist variations such as mobile canteens, ice cream vans and even fire pumps were built on the E83W chassis.

The E83W was powered by the 1172 cc Ford 10 hp side-valve engine, with a 3-speed gearbox, and was heavily geared down in the rear axle. This made the Fordson much slower than the saloons, with an effective top speed of not much over 40 mph. Apart from the 10 hp engine, the E83W shares few parts with the other small Fords, which does make the spares a little harder to get hold of. The front and rear axles are much heavier than the saloon and 5cwt van components, and share some parts such as bearings and other internals with the contemporary Ford V8 models (Models 62 and E71A Pilot). The head lamps were shared with the E27N tractor, for which they were an optional extra only.