The first question for many of our MyStarCollectorCar readers might be this one: What is a Ford Prefect? It was a small compact car built by Ford of England to meet the motoring needs of customers on a modest income.
The Ford Prefect offered barebones transportation and was small enough to negotiate small British roadways, particularly in an urban environment.
The Ford Prefect 100E was exported to North America for budget-minded buyers who wanted a second car that would thrive in a city world as opposed to a freeway world where its tiny 36 horsepower engine would be overwhelmed by much faster domestic cars.
Jim Sutherland
The success of the Volkswagen Beetle in the North American market undoubtedly prompted Ford of England to send their Prefect models to American Ford dealerships, but the Prefects were never a huge hit on this side of the pond.
However, MyStarCollectorCar encountered a 1959 Ford Prefect at a fall car show last year and was able to interview its new owner. The rarity of a 66-year-old British import that never really took off in the North American automotive market was enough to draw us to the car, but this Prefect had an added feature: its owner was only 14 and still in junior high.
Owner Rain Penner had only purchased the car in August 2024, but it was his first car. We have featured many articles about owners who were smart enough to keep their first car–or lucky enough to buy it back after a long absence, mainly because they are living every car’s dream.
But we have never encountered a young car guy who was at the start line with his first car, particularly an unusual vintage vehicle like a 1959 Ford Prefect. Rain added; “I found the car all on my own”, and it’s a remarkable choice for a young car guy looking for his first vehicle.
The fact Rain is only 14 gives him plenty of time to work on his ’59 Ford Prefect over the next two years before he qualifies for a full driver’s license. Everything is a learning experience at that age so Rain will be able to build his mechanical skills during the process.
For example, Rain changed the car’s oil and filter, plus he bled the brakes and was able to get them to work again, even though he had only owned the Prefect for about a month.
It is safe to say Rain blazes his own trail in life, given the fact most of his peers are totally immersed in video games and have little interest in wrenching on a car. His basic reason for owning a vintage car is Rain likes the car show atmosphere and the positive attention vintage vehicles generate at these events.
A 1959 Ford Prefect will generate a lot of attention at any car show, or on the street for that matter, so we predict Rain’s car will be a hit any time he takes it to future events because we saw the public’s reaction at his first show with his first car.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
- CLICK HERE to Sign Up for the Newsletter
- CLICK HERE to Like us on Facebook
- CLICK HERE to Follow us on Twitter
- CLICK HERE to Follow us on Pinterest