The 300E was introduced in July 1954, based on the Ford Anglia / Prefect 100E saloon range. It shared its bodyshell and 1172 cc sidevalve four-cylinder engine with the Ford Squire and Escort estate car versions of the line. Oddly the bodyshell was optimized for use as a panel van rather than an estate with its two short passenger doors and shorter overall length than the saloons.

Initially produced only as a single model with 5 cwt carrying capacity, the range was later expanded with the introduction of Standard and Deluxe 7 cwt variants. All three offered the same 66-cubic-foot load volume. Production totalled 196,885 examples. 300E production ended in April 1961 being replaced by the Anglia 105E based Thames 307E.