To mark the 90th anniversary of Ford Dagenham, we take a look back at the early years of the plant.

The first vehicle - a Ford AA truck - rolled off the Dagenham production line at 1.16pm on October 1, 1931.

Barking and Dagenham Post: An aerial shot of Ford Dagenham in 1935.An aerial shot of Ford Dagenham in 1935. (Image: Ford Europe)

From then until 2002, the plant built some of Ford’s most iconic vehicles, from the Model Y to the Anglia and the Zephyr to the Fiesta.

Almost 11 million cars, trucks and tractors were made in the factory over those 72 years.

Engine manufacturing has also been integral to Ford Dagenham since its earliest days, with close to 50 million produced at the site to date.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Henry Ford rarely visited Europe but came to England in 1928 and 1930.Henry Ford rarely visited Europe but came to England in 1928 and 1930. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Diesel engine production remains the mainstay of manufacturing operations at Dagenham, while Ford is also looking at other opportunities across the site in the years ahead.

These historical photos show where it all began, from construction work in the late 1920s through to a royal visit in the mid 1930s.

Barking and Dagenham Post: The sod cutting ceremony to mark the start of construction in 1929.The sod cutting ceremony to mark the start of construction in 1929. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: Edsel Ford cutting the first sod at Dagenham in 1929.Edsel Ford cutting the first sod at Dagenham in 1929. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: The men who built Ford Dagenham, pictured in 1929.The men who built Ford Dagenham, pictured in 1929. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: Edsel Ford and Henry Ford II with Lord Perry at Dagenham Estate.Edsel Ford and Henry Ford II with Lord Perry at Dagenham Estate. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: Construction of the Dagenham factory around 1929-30.Construction of the Dagenham factory around 1929-30. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: The construction site in early 1930.The construction site in early 1930. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: A view of the skiphoist during construction circa 1931.A view of the skiphoist during construction circa 1931. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: Construction workers at the Dagenham factory site circa 1931.Construction workers at the Dagenham factory site circa 1931. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: The first vehicle rolls off the assembly line at the Dagenham factory on October 1, 1931.The first vehicle rolls off the assembly line at the Dagenham factory on October 1, 1931. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, visits the Ford Trade School at Dagenham in July 1934.The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, visits the Ford Trade School at Dagenham in July 1934. (Image: © 2011 Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: The assembly line at the Dagenham plant in 1935.The assembly line at the Dagenham plant in 1935. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: An aerial view of the Dagenham plant, looking south-east, in May 1935.An aerial view of the Dagenham plant, looking south-east, in May 1935. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Barking and Dagenham Post: An aerial view of the Dagenham Ford plant, looking north-east, in May 1935.An aerial view of the Dagenham Ford plant, looking north-east, in May 1935. (Image: Ford Motor Company)