Fordson THAMES 501 E/325
Built: 1955 · Series: THAMES
More machines from model year 1955
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Fordson THAMES – Ford's British truck brand from 1939 to 1957: eight-cylinder engines around 62 kW, unladen weights from 2.2 to 6.6 tonnes, lengths up to over 6.5 metres
Thames was the name under which Ford of Britain marketed its commercial vehicles between 1939 and 1957, named after the river on which Ford's Dagenham plant near London stands; the brand complemented the Fordson tractors with lorries and vans; the Dagenham plant had been Ford of Britain's main commercial-vehicle factory since 1931. Model names such as the ETF-6 and the 501 E denote individual ranges within this Thames family, while the 5TON157 states the five-tonne payload class directly in the name.
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The register lists here 5 versions with around 62 kW from eight-cylinder engines of 3,260 to 3,800 cm³ displacement, unladen weights from 2,235 to 6,630 kg, gross weights from 3,500 to 5,600 kg, lengths from 5,660 to 6,560 mm and widths from 2,100 to 2,230 mm.
Thames lorries shaped the British commercial-vehicle market of the post-war years alongside Bedford and Leyland; after 1957 the brand continued under the Ford Thames name until Ford merged its commercial-vehicle arm under the plain Ford name in the 1960s.
Given the age of these vehicles, what survives today are mostly examples kept by collectors or already restored. When buying used, on these historic chassis check corrosion on the frame and cab floor, the condition of clutch, gearbox and brakes after decades of storage or use, the tightness of the cooling system, and the availability of original or reproduction parts; spare parts run almost exclusively through classic-vehicle and Fordson specialists.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Fordson THAMES
Technical data
Engine
| Displacement | 3,260 cm³correct |
|---|
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 5,660 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,200 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,235 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 5,600 kgcorrect |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Fordson THAMES 501 E/325 weigh?
The unladen weight is 2,235 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Fordson THAMES 501 E/325?
5,600 kg.
What engine does the Fordson THAMES 501 E/325 have?
3,260 cm³ displacement.
What are the dimensions of the Fordson THAMES 501 E/325?
5,660 mm × 2,200 mm.
When was the Fordson THAMES 501 E/325 built?
Production years: 1955.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 6 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
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