The 1938 Ford V8 30 Saloon appears to be a 1938 Ford de Luxe Sedan built for the British market complete with right hand drive.

Like the Deluxe the V8 30 was powered by a ‘flathead’ V8 with either 60hp or 85hp options.

New for 1938 was the distinctive heart shaped grill which is easily distinguished from the V shape grill of the 1937 models.

The remaining panels were identical to the earlier 1937 models, not even a new dash with recessed controls for safety could do much to stimulate sales. After the 1939/45 war the British built Ford V8 30 updated and given a brief new lease of life in the UK, marketed as the Ford Pilot.

In September 1939 Lenham, in Kent, Auxiliary Fire Station had a budget of £60 to acquire a Fire Tender and a Mr Hulland managed to acquire a Ford V8 30 hp Saloon for £30 and spent the remainder on having it converted. The depreciation from the new value of the vehicle at £230 in 1938 showing how desperate the times were at the commencement of the 1939/45 war.

Thanks for joining me on this “Tender At Heart” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !