Ford Pilot

Ford Pilot E71A
Ford V8 Pilot saloon
Owerview
Manufacturer	Ford UK
Cried an aw	Ford V8 Pilot
Production	1947–1951
Assembly	Unitit Kinrick Australie
Bouk an chassis
Cless	Mid-size / Lairge faimily caur (D)
Body style	4-door saloon 4-door estate caur 2-door pick-up 2-door coupe utility
Powertrain
Ingine	2.2 L V-8 3.6 L V-8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.25 in (2,750 mm)
Lenth	175 in (4,445 mm)
Weenth	69.5 in (1,765 mm)
Crib wecht	3,200 lb (1,500 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Model 62
Successor	Ford Zephyr

The Ford Pilot wis a muckle caur frae Ford introduced in August 1947. It wis effectively replaced in 1951 wi the launch o Ford UK's Zephyr Sax an Consul models, tho V8 Pilots wur still offered for sale, bein gradually withdrawn during that year. During the period o manufacture 22,155 caurs wur produced.

Engine an running gear

The Pilot wis the first muckle post-war Ford. It wis based on a pre-war 22 hp chassis, an wis initially offered wi the 2227 cc side-valve ingine frae the 1939 model. The engine wis suin replaced: maist Pilots wur fitted wi a mair generously pouered 3622 cc, 90 hp (67 kW) sidevalve V8 engine, haein a stroke o 92.25 mm an bore o 79 mm wi single Solex carburettor. It haed 6-volt electrics. The gears wur changed bi means o a gear lever on the steering column; the gearbox itself haed three forrit ratios an ane reverse. Steering uised a form o worm an roller seestem kent as a Marles steering box wi an "hour-glass cam an a double roller". The caur wis evidently seen as rather auld-fashioned even at the time, but its front brakes wur hydraulically-controlled. The rear brakes wur rod-operated.

Maist Pilots wur fower-door saloons, but Estate an pick-up versions wur produced, the latter for the export mercat anerlie. The front windscreen coud be opened for ventilation pivoting aboot a tap hinge. Production ended in 1951 when the Pilot wis replaced bi the Ford Zephyr.

Lik ither Fords o the era, the Pilot uised vacuum-driven wipers takin thair pouer frae the engine manifold; as a result thay tended tae slow drastically or even stap when full throttle wis uised unner load. The caur wis reputed tae be capable o 80 mph (130 km/h) an hae a 0 tae 60 mph (96 km/h) time o 21 seconds an return 18 mile per imperial gallon (16 L/100 km; 15 mpg-US).

Competition

The Pilot achieved some sportin success an Ken Wharton drove ane tae victory in the 1950 Tulip Rally an Lisbon Rally.

See also

• Ford Prefect - the intermediate faimily saloon
• Ford Anglia - the cheapest Ford o the range