With its charismatic flathead engine, transatlantic styling and luxurious interior the V8 Pilot is one of the ultimate prizes for any sidevalve Ford enthusiast. It’s also a rare sight in this country, so when David Brennan came across this example for sale he didn’t hesitate for a moment.
The venerable sidevalve Ford V8, known as the ‘flattie’ to its aficionados, is one of the all-time great engines. First introduced in the Model B in 1932, it went on to power a host of cars and commercial trucks, as well as many gun carriers, pumps and generators during and after World War II. Displacing 3.6 litres, it provided between 65 and 90 brake horsepower depending on its specification, along with ample torque almost from standstill, so it was no surprise that it was such a hit in utilitarian applications. Its output also make it attractive to the first generation of hot-rodders, who transplanted the flattie into Model Ts and Model As to create basic but high-performance machines with which to race on abandoned airfields and dry lake beds. Nowadays the V8 flathead is highly sought-after by vintage Ford enthusiasts involved in historic motorsport and traditional hot-rodding, and a whole industry has risen up to provide spares, performance parts and transplant kits for the unit.
However David Brennan from Tullow, Co. Carlow is in little need of the services of such specialists, as his beautiful 1950 Pilot came equipped with the sidevalve 3.6 direct from the factory. The big Pilot’s origins go way back to the V8 models of the early thirties, as the advent of the Second World War meant that development work on the model was down on the list of priorities. Indeed, despite its luxurious overtones the Pilot could have been seen as being pretty old-fashioned the moment it was launched in 1947, as it still utilized the old V8 model’s chassis, mechanically-operated rear brakes and three-speed gearbox; however the styling was elegant, featuring lots of chrome trim, and hydraulic front brakes were also featured, which brought the model into the forties, at least. The interior provided seating for six thanks to its two wide benches, and with the flathead V8 pumping out 85bhp the Pilot was a fast and opulent way to travel; the model must have made an excellent getaway car on occasion! As a gentleman driver couldn’t be expected to scrabble around under the car in the event of a puncture, the Pilot was also equipped with a built-in hydraulic jacking system on each corner, which was actuated by a hand pump located under the bonnet and was capable of quickly raising the front, rear or entire car quickly and cleanly.
In some ways the Pilot was a stand-in to satisfy the post-war luxury car segment until Ford had the chance to develop an all-new big saloon. That newcomer was the Consul/Zephyr, a far more modern machine and one that would usher in a new era for Ford in Europe. The Pilot stepped aside in 1951 after over 20,000 were made, and while many of these continued to be in regular use as taxis and the like, by the late sixties they had become pretty thin on the ground. Today you hardly ever see them on the classic car scene, particularly in Ireland, so when he was delighted when he got the chance to put this one in his garage. His ownership came about three years ago, after he had restored a ‘51 Anglia; having sourced the majority of the parts from Pop Parts Plus, proprietor Julian knew just how high a standard David had achieved, and asked if he would be interested in moving the finished car on. “I hadn’t planned on selling it” David explains, “but Julian said he’d do a deal on a Pilot he had, which sounded nice.” After hearing a detailed and honest description of the big V8’s condition David’s interest was aroused, and knowing just how infrequently these come up for sale he decided to take a good look at it, bringing along two car-knowledgeable friends to temper his enthusiasm. “I intended for the car to be fully looked over by the three of us, but when I saw it parked on the side of the road in Rosslare I said I was buying it without even getting out of the car” he laughs.
It turns out that the car has something of a celebrity history, as it was restored by Barry Smith Cars in Suffolk in 2002 for one Louis de Berniéres, author of the well-known book ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’. The previously dark green Pilot had been in poor shape before Barry Smith worked his magic, and the restoration was extensive to say the least, and included a brand-new engine and a change to a more lively maroon and cream colour scheme. However, unfortunately the owner tended to leave the freshly-restored Pilot out in the elements for long periods of time, including over the winter months, and so after a few years it had started to deteriorate a little. It was at this point that Pop Parts had taken it as a trade-in, so David knew he had some work to do once he had it safely tucked up in his garage in Carlow. “The windscreen was cracked, it was running like crap and the bonnet and front wing were getting rusty, so I cleaned it up and got a few bits resprayed” he explains; “the leads and coil were breaking down and the carburettor was full of gunk from lying up, so I gave it a good service and a tune-up.” A pair of top-quality Ace Peak number plates from Paul Macnaughton of www.autojumbler.ie add the perfect finishing touch.
As an active member and PRO of the Carlow Vintage & Classic Motor Club David has had the Pilot in regular use ever since, and is busy improving its condition on an ongoing basis. The rest of the Brennans, not least his car-mad eleven-year-old son, Adam (who takes most of the photos for the club website), are big fans of the big Ford as it makes the perfect family classic in which to head off on a sunny Sunday with the picnic-basket loaded. It’s also well able to motor, as several of his more modern classic-driving friends have found out on more than one occasion. “When it warms up it goes like a train” he confirms. When it was new the Pilot might have been considered dated, but today its combination of pre-war styling, late forties practicality, room interior and punchy V8 engine make it a hugely attractive and usable proposition. One of the ultimate collectable Fords? We think so.
Thanks…
David would like to thank John Dermody Auto Repairs, Carlow for the work carried out on the Pilot over the last couple of years. Irish Vintage Scene would like to thank the owners of Altamont House, Tullow, Co. Carlow for providing the beautiful setting for our photos; for more information on the house and gardens, log onto www.altamontgarden.com.
Words & Images by Andrew Pollock
This article was originally printed in our October 2012 magazine; all information was correct at the date of original publication.