1950 Ford V8 Pilot Modified with Cosworth Scorpio V6 Engine

For a relatively short period from 1947 until 1951, Ford UK produced its Pilot in a fair number for so brief a time. It was the first large post-war motor car from the company and replaced the 22hp Model 62 from 1936. The Pilot was initially powered by a Canadian-produced 2227cc engine that was swiftly replaced by a 3622cc 90hp side valve unit. The saloon body was the main style on offer, but Pilot estates and pick-up trucks could also be purchased. In 1951, the modern Zephyr and Consul replaced the Pilot, but for those looking for solid but swift 1950s transportation, the Pilot was hard to beat.

At first glance, this ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ would appear to be a standard 1950 V8 Pilot. Closer examination will reveal however that the original fabric roof arrangement has been replaced by a Ford Granada panel with similar contours and includes a glass electric sunroof. Also, the body colour has been changed to a modern shade of striking blue in 2008. At enormous cost, the conversion (featured in the December 2001 issue of ‘Street Machine’) consisted of a total ‘strip-out’; the body was taken back to bare metal and the chassis sandblasted and painted. A Mitsubishi L300 van suspension was used for the front end and the vented front disc brakes were a match to Ford. The rear suspension is mainly Ford Scorpio. The power-assisted, rack-and-pinion steering is a modified Scorpio system and the road wheels are 8 x 5” Granada with 225/75x15 whitewall tyres fitted. The power unit is a Ford Granada Scorpio 24v 2.9 litre Cosworth V6 with a Ford EEC-IV management system with electronic ignition, coupled to a Ford A4LDE four speed automatic gearbox.  The rear axle, with a modified mounting frame, is Scorpio, and has a limited slip differential unit.

The well-appointed interior boasts a Scorpio steering wheel and leather upholstery, and custom-made door interior trims and headlining.  The Scorpio speedometer is fitted behind the original dash-mounted speaker grille, and fuel and temperature gauges are present. The driver and front passenger will also benefit from the electric front windows.

The immensely exciting and easy to drive ‘Street Rod’ is supplied with its V5C registration certificate, several MOT test certificates and a copy of the ‘Street Machine’ report. 

SOLD