Ford Anglia 105E - Technical - Speedometer Head Assembly

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Speedometer
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Ford Anglia 105E - Technical - Speedometer Head Assembly

Ford designed the Dashboard of the Anglia to be symmetrical about the centre of the vehicle. The glove box door and instrument binnacle could be easily swapped from one side of the vehicle to the other to produce right and left hand drive vehicles. The instrument binnacle held a Speedometer Head Assembly that held all of the warning lights and gauges that Ford thought the new Ford Anglia Owner would ever need.

When the Ford Anglia was released in 1959, these Speedometer Head Assemblies contained Turn, Oil, Main Beam and Generator warning lights, a Temperature Gauge (deluxe models only), a Fuel Gauge and a 0 to 80 mph (or 0 to 120 km/h) speedometer. These Speedometer Head Assemblies were made and supplied by both AC Delco (left) and Smiths Instruments (right) and appeared to be fitted to cars at random (as stocks of the assemblies were made available?). The only difference between the two assemblies was the colour and shape of the odometer numbers and the central printed part signifying whether the speedometer was labelled for MPH or Km/h.

On the Ford Anglia Standard model the left hand side of the assembly contained a plate with a diagram showing the gear positions.

On the Ford Anglia deluxe model, the left hand plate was replaced with a Temperature Gauge, and depending on whether the car was left hand drive or right hand drive, could be one of the four assemblies shown below.

In May of 1961 the speedometer was changed so that it read from 0 to 90 mph (or 0 to 140 km/h).

There are some theories as to why Ford changed the speedometer rating at that time. One suggestion is that Ford found that, in some circumstances, the Anglia could travel faster than the posted 80 mph. Another suggestion is that with the impending release of the Van and Estate and the planning of the 1200cc Super, it would be better to have a standard Speedometer Head Assembly over the entire Anglia Family. What ever the motivation was for the change, the speedometer was modified.

Ford also took the opportunity to upgrade both the Temperature Gauge, by including the word "Normal", and the Fuel Gauge to include 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 graduations.

When Ford initially released the Thames / Anglia Van in 1961, they used the Standard Saloon's Dash assembly. The 1964 Van operator's manual (page 9) shows a less "fancy" version of the Speedometer Head Assembly for the "Standard" Van model. I can only assume this news dash assembly was introcuced to keep costs of the base Van model down. This version did away with the Main Beam and Oil warning lights and had the Generator warning light in the area where the temperature gauge would normally be located. The indicating needle was also modified and the Fuel Gauge was printed in a single colour.

The Warning Lights and Gauges Explained

A description of each of the warning lights and gauges in the Speedometer Head Assembly (taken from a Ford Anglia Handbook) is given below:

Turn Indicator Warning Light - (Orange) When the indicator lever is pushed upwards, the left hand indicator bulbs “flash”, also the appropriate warning light on the instrument panel. Conversely, movement of the switch lever from the position downwards, operates the right hand indicator bulbs and panel warning light.
Oil Pressure Warning Light - (Green) The light marked “OIL” should glow when the ignition is switched “on” but should go out when the engine is running in excess of idling speed. This warning light may flicker momentarily when the engine is started or running at idling speeds, but should it remain on at normal running speeds, first check the engine oil level. If the oil level is correct then consult your Authorised Dealer in order that the reason for the “flicker” may be investigated.
Main Beam Warning Light - (Blue) This is the centre light on the instrument panel marked “BEAM” and is illuminated when the headlights are switched on in the normal (high) position. The light goes out when the headlight beams are dipped.
Generator Warning Light - (Red) This is marked "GEN" and is illuminated when the ignition is switched "on". The light goes out when the engine speed rises above a fast idle, indicating that the generator is charging the battery.
The Fuel Gauge Mounted in the lower half of the instrument panel, this gauge is connected with the ignition circuit. The gauge will register when the ignition key is switched to the “on” position. “It must be noted that this gauge has been designed to eliminate needle fluctuation whilst the vehicle is in motion. Consequently, the correct reading will not be obtained until the ignition has been switched on for approximately 30 seconds.”
Water Temperature Gauge - (Deluxe models only) Indicates the water temperature in the cylinder head. This gauge is electronically operated and the ignition must be switched on to obtain a reading. The normal operating temperature of 185 F, (85 C) is reached when the needle is in a position approximately midway between the “C” and “H” marks.
Speedometer This indicates the speed of the car. Inset is a mileage recorder (or “odometer”) which registers the total distance travelled by the car and is therefore a useful guide as to when lubrication and maintenance services should be carried out.