From Dragon’s Den to Goodwood: Theo Paphitis’ classic Ford Anglia 105E

As a successful businessman, Theo Paphitis has long had a driveway full of expensive cars, but nobody ever expected him to head out onto the racecourse. After joining forces with former F1 driver Mark Blundell to create MBP, a sports marketing agency, he was inspired to take on a new challenge.

The start of a new career

Best known for his stint on Dragon’s Den and for spearheading the revival of companies like Ryman, Boux Avenue and Robert Dyas, Paphitis spent a day at Goodwood with Blundell, where his partner suggested he would never be able to complete a race.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Paphitis got his National A race license in 2015. To gain this accolade, he had to finish six races. His first one, at Donington, was a disaster, where he both qualified and finished in last place. But it was enough to ignite the competitive spirit and resilience that has made him so successful in business, and he continues to race classic cars today.

His first car was a little Ford Anglia 105E, chosen by his friends because of its connections to the Harry Potter franchise. It might not have looked like much of a race car, but with its stylish green paint job and bold number 11 markings, it represented the beginning of the entrepreneur’s amateur racing career.

It was a difficult first car to choose, with Paphitis on record as saying, “The great thing about that one was the chassis went one way and the body went a different way, so you were never really sure where you were going.”

He drove the Anglia between 2015 and 2018, using it to learn the ways of the road before progressing on to the Austin A35.

What makes the Anglia such a popular classic race car?

Despite its compact design, the Ford Anglia 105E has been ripping up rally race circuits since 1959. At the time, the car was seen as a developmental leap for Ford, inspired by American design.

It had a four-cylinder overhead valve engine, allowing Ford to discard the side valve units, boosting the car’s overall speed. It also featured the company’s first four-speed gearbox. Meanwhile, an externally fitted oil filter/pump unit helped reduce production costs, making the car more accessible to the public.

The car was tested around the world, subjected to cold starts in Norway, high speeds in Germany, and long journeys in Australia. It was billed as “the world’s most exciting small car” when it was finally launched at Crystal Palace.

This adorable, resilient car enjoyed success on the rally scene, with its first race at the RAC International Rally of Great Britain in its launch year. It featured in every Monte Carlo Rally between 1960 and 1965 and had podium finishes in many Championship events.

Racers loved the durability of the engine, seeming to stand up to anything the road had to offer it. It is this endurance and reliability that ensures it is a regular on the classic rally scene, with well-preserved cars still going strong 65 years later!

Immortalised in Scalextric form

Our version of Theo Paphitis’ Ford Anglia 105E is a faithful replica of his first racing car, as seen at Goodwood Revival in 2018, right down to the number plate. You can even see a little figure of Paphitis himself in the driving seat, ready to find success on the slot car tracks. Whether you’re a fan of classic touring cars or inspired by entrepreneurial spirit, you’ll agree that this is a very handsome model.

The 1:32 scale design of the Scalextric Ford Anglia slot car includes our Magnatraction technology to keep it on the tracks as it races round corners, front and rear lights, and a high detail finish. If you’re the kind of person that likes to be in the thick of business, just like Paphitis, you’ll be delighted to know that this slot car is now in stock. Bring a Dragon’s Den success story to your home circuit today.