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:''For other Ford related cars called Zephyr, see Mercury Zephyr, Lincoln-Zephyr, and Lincoln Zephyr''
The 'Ford Zephyr' was a car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United Kingdom. It was a larger saloon to complement the Ford Consul. The Zephyr and its luxury variant, the 'Zephyr Zodiac' which appeared in 1955, were the largest passenger cars in the British Ford range from 1950 to 1971 before being replaced by a larger Ford Consul and Granada.
The Mark 1 Ford Consul and Zephyr models were first displayed at the Earls Court motor show in 1950. Production began with the Consul on January 1 1951. The Mk I model ran until 1956. From April '56 the Mk II Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac went on sale and were known as the Three Graces. The Mk II range was a big seller and finished its run in 1962 when from April that year the Mk III Zephyr 4, Zephyr 6 and Zodiac went on sale; the Consul name was dropped. While the MK II Zephyr and Zodiacs had shared the same body (although the Consul had a shortened front and tail), the new Zodiac and Zephyrs had few shared body panels. With the MK III, Ford finally sorted out problems that had beset previous models (MK I axles and MK II gearboxes were particular weaknesses) and the MK III proved to be the most popular and durable of the range (it is said that possibly no other UK-based car had undergone as much pre-production testing). The model sold at a rate equal or better than the MK II both in the UK and overseas, but was in production for a shorter period of time. During the last months of production, an up-market Executive version was added to the MK III range, and examples of these are today highly sought after. The Mk III range was discontinued in Jan 1966 (many believe prematurely given the cars' success) and the completely new Zephyr/Zodiac Mk IV range was released in April 1966. This car was somewhat ahead of its time with a design that resembled one of the later Consul/Granada range with V-engines and independent rear suspension, but the research and development of the model was very rushed and this unfortunately reflected in the car's durability.
Although the Ford Zephyr never saw American production, cars were imported into the US and the name itself has appeared on other American Ford-related cars: the Mercury Zephyr was an upscale version of the Ford Fairmont, and the Lincoln Zephyr began its second production run in 2006 (the first was from 1936 to 1942).

Contents

MK I

Zephyr MK I

Zodiac MK I

MK II

Zephyr MK II

Zodiac MK II

MK III

Zephyr 4 Mk III

Zephyr 6 Mk III

Zodiac Mk III

MK IV

Zephyr Mk IV

Zodiac and Executive Mk IV

References

External links

MK I

Zephyr MK I

Model number EOTTA
The first of the Zephyr range was a lengthened version of the Consul with a six cylinder 2262 cc engine producing 68 bhp. Suspension was by coil springs at the front and a live axle with half elliptics at the rear. The car could reach just over 80 mph and 23 mpg.
It was available with 4-door saloon, estate car and convertible bodies. The convertible version was made by Carbodies and had a power-operated hood; the estate car was by Abbotts of Farnham and was sold as the Farnham.

Zodiac MK I

Model number EOTTA
The Zephyr Zodiac was an upmarket version of the Zephyr with two-tone paint, leather trim, heater, windscreen washers, whitewall tyres, spot lights, etc. The engine had a higher compression ratio - 7.5:1 instead of 6.8:1 - giving an increased power output of 71 bhp. There are no official records of Zodiac convertibles being produced but there were a few estate cars. Along with the Zephyr, the Zephyr Zodiac was one of the first cars to use McPherson strut front suspension.

MK II

Zephyr MK II

Model number: 206E
In 1956 the Consul, Zephyr, and Zodiac were all restyled to a new family look. The 6-cylinder cars had a their engines enlarged to 2553 cc and the wheelbase was increased by 3 inches to 107 inches and the width increased to 69 inches. The weight distribution and turning circle were also improved. Top speed increased to 88 mph and the economy was also better at 28 mpg.
The Zodiac and Zephyr were also offered in two body styles these being the 'Highline' and 'Lowline', depending on the year of manufacture. The two models shared various differing components from thicker A, B and C pillars to the shape of the instrument panel. The 'Highline' variant featured a hemispherical instrument cluster, whereas the 'Lowline' had a more rectangular panel. A locally-engineered version of each of these models was introduced to Australia.
As well as a 3-speed manual gearbox there was an optional overdrive and from 1956 (1959 in Australia) a Borg Warner DG automatic transmission. At first drum brakes were fitted all round (with a larger lining area of 147 sq in) but front discs became optional in 1960 and standard from mid 1961 (in Australia only 4-wheel drum brakes were available; some dealers fitted servo-assistance from 1961).
A convertible version was offered, and a pick-up (utility) and factory-built estate (station waggon) were sold on the Australian market. Owing to the structural weaknesses inherent in the construction of convertibles very few convertibles are known to survive: probably only 20-25 examples.

Zodiac MK II

Model number: 206E
The Mk II Zodiac was slightly altered to distinguish it from the lesser variants, having more elaborate tail-end styling and at the front a different grille. The auxiliary lamps and wing mirrors were deleted from the Zodiac range but it retained two-tone paint, whitewall tyres, chrome wheel-trim embellishers and gold plated badges.

MK III

Zephyr 4 Mk III

Model: 211E
Rather than call the smaller-engined model the Consul as before, Ford UK called it a Zephyr 4 - the 4 to indicate that it had the four cylinder 1703 cc engine from old Consul. A four-speed manual geabox, now with synchromesh on all ratios, was standard, with overdrive or automatic transmission available as options.

Zephyr 6 Mk III

Model number:213E,214E (right hand drive and left hand drive)
The Zephyr/Zodiac Mk III shared some of its mechanical components, as well as the basic chassis design, with the Mk II, but had a stronger overall body construction. The exterior was designed by Canadian Roy Brown who also designed the Edsel and the Cortina, though the rear of the body was inspired by a design proposal by Frua. Unlike the Zephyr 4, the Zephyr 6 had a full width grille including the headlight surrounds. With the same 2553 cc displacement as before, the Mk III model had higher compression ratio resulting in some 20 hp higher output as well as a broader torque range.
Only saloons and estate cars were made, the estate being a conversion by Abbotts of Farnham. Australian versions had the option of a V8 in the form of a small-block Ford.

Zodiac Mk III

Model number:213E,214E
The Zodiac was an upmarket version of the Zephyr 6, but differed considerably from that model by the limousine-type rear doors, sharper roofline and tail, unique grille (four headlights instead of two), exclusive bumper bars, plusher seating, and up-market upholstery, dashboard and interior fittings. The front doors and bonnet panels were shared with the Zephyr 6. The Executive version had extra luxury fittings again.

MK IV

Zephyr Mk IV

Models: 3008/3010E
A completely new and larger body was made for the Mk IV range and the suspension was independent all round using coil springs. Disc brakes, servo-assisted, were used on all wheels. The engines were new and of V format, the 4 having a 1996 cc V-4 and the 6 a 2495 cc V-6 unit.

Zodiac and Executive Mk IV

Models: 3012E/3022E
The Zodiac Mk IV and Executive had four headlights and an uprated 2994 cc V-6 engine. The Executive was an upmarket version.

References

★ Allen M. ''Consul, Zephyr, Zodiac, Executive/Fords Mark 1 to 4.'' Motor Racing Publications Ltd, Croydon, 2nd Ed, 1990. ISBN 0-947981-42-X

External links

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/fordzephyrzodiacconsul

★ The Mk1 Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac Owners Club