1955 Ford Squire

[whitebuffalo]

I found another obscure car to restore. It is a 1955 101e Squire. It has the original 1172cc flathead four with three speed transmission. I will do a driving restoration and will modify the suspension for a little lower ride and disc brakes. I also want to replace the motor with a pre crossflow 1500 or perhaps a crossflow 1600. The other thought would be a Zetec motor for that really urgent feeling.

[Steve Simmons]

Now that's different. I like it!

[malcolmr18zoy]

Wow! Where do you keep finding all these rare small cars? I remember those when they were new. It's like a 100E van with side windows. The last variation of that series was the 107E which had the 105E Anglia 997cc OHV engine and 4 speed trans. So the Cortina engine would be quite an authentic conversion.
Malcolm

[sobastrace]

I love it. That would be a blast with a Zetec.

[whitebuffalo]

Wow! Where do you keep finding all these rare small cars? I remember those when they were new. It's like a 100E van with side windows. The last variation of that series was the 107E which had the 105E Anglia 997cc OHV engine and 4 speed trans. So the Cortina engine would be quite an authentic conversion.
Malcolm

I really don't know how these rare little cars find me, but they do. I can't say it bothers me at all, just as long as I have the room for them.

[wellwoodautorestoration]

I had one of these years ago! A very nice original car. Slow though. I will look for some original brochures I had but I may have gotten rid of them. There was one in Ventura a few years ago as well. I have a Cortina 1600 engine that was running when pulled but sitting for quite a while now. I might let it go.
Cheers, Dave

[whitebuffalo]

I had one of these years ago! A very nice original car. Slow though. I will look for some original brochures I had but I may have gotten rid of them. There was one in Ventura a few years ago as well. I have a Cortina 1600 engine that was running when pulled but sitting for quite a while now. I might let it go.
Cheers, Dave

Would like to buy that motor if you have it and if you happen to have some brochures, very enthusiastic about this new acquisition

[whitebuffalo]

Ok, got the little beast home so took some photos. It only shows 10,370 miles on the clock. If that is true then this car didn't get used too much. One reason why it was left alone since 1964 is that emissions rules changed in 1964 and '65 so that might have made the Squire not legal to use on California roads.




I have found a 1500GT motor and 105e rear axle for the car. Anyone know what front suspension I should look for? I want to use disc brakes and a little lower ride height. What radiator should I look for and what do I need to take off of the 100e rear end to fit onto the 105e axle?

[malcolmr18zoy]

I think the 105E rear end will bolt right in. For the front, you may have to be a little more creative. Mk2 Cortina, or Mk1 Escort front struts may fit, but you may have to modify the upper mounts, and the lower control arms may not be the right length..Of course you will then have to use different wheels.
Malcolm

[whitebuffalo]

Cheers Malcolm! I will have a root around the internet to see if I can find some of the front suspension. The guy selling the 105e rear axle said the mounts have to change location to match the spring location of the 100e and that the 105e axle is a little narrower so will accommodate RWD offset wheels. I saw a reproduction set of Dunlop D1's on Midland Wheels' website that would look tasty on the Squire. The change in suspension will help to have a bolt pattern set up for a more useful PCD and wider selection of wheels.

[malcolmr18zoy]

I see what looks like a Hillman Imp in one of your pictures. Does that mean that the Riley 1.5 is out of the equation now? Have you sold the A35 yet?
Malcolm

[whitebuffalo]

I have the Imp and will be getting a lot of parts for it coming next month. No, haven't sold the A35 yet. That has my idea of the Riley 1.5 on the back burner until it sells.

[whitebuffalo]

Now that my Austin sold I am on for getting my Riley 1.5 I now have to take a loooooong road trip up to Oakland to pick up my motor/trans and rear end for the Squire and on the way I will swing by Grass Valley to pick up the Riley! Will be a trek, but I will come home with tons of stuff to do

[malcolmr18zoy]

Well done Mike. I think it was well worth sacrificing the A35 to get the Riley 1.5.
Malcolm