According to the brochure it was rated at 58 horsepower, which isn't much but it beats the VW with 30 or 36.  I've still got the 1962 brochure with the Thames 800 Freighter & Mercury Econoline pickup that was given to me in 1969. I have seen a Thames van on the road, however it must have been 45+ years ago. The VWs, Chevy Van 90 / 108, Econolines & the A100s were all more popular. Ever see a British Commer van? I remember a new one in Hamilton back in 1970 with a caravan (camper) installed on the back half, predating the trend in North America by a few years.

Back in the 60's & early 70's I remember British cars were well represented in Canada. They used to have the import market wrapped up, except for a thing called the Beetle. Then the Japanese blew in like a storm while the British descended into labor issues. You can bet there was sabotage, a friend's father in the mid-70's had a Jag XJ6 with all kinds of extraneous holes drilled in the trunk & underbody that they should never have let off the line. I remember hearing the stories of sabotage on the Firenza that essentially made the car unsalable in mid-72. That is why it was dropped and the Astre was released in the Canadian market for '73.