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For another Ford related car called Zephyr, see Lincoln Zephyr.
Ford Zephyr
Ford Zephyr Mark II Saloon
Manufacturer Ford of Britain
Production 1950–1972
Assembly Dagenham
Predecessor Ford Pilot
Successor Ford Consul
Ford Granada
Class Full-size

The Ford Zephyr was a car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United Kingdom. Between 1950 and 1972, it was sold as a more powerful six-cylinder saloon to complement the four-cylinder Ford Consul: from 1962 the Zephyr itself was offered in both four- and six-cylinder versions.

The Zephyr and its luxury variant, the Zephyr Zodiac which appeared in 1954, were the largest passenger cars in the British Ford range from 1950 till they were replaced in 1972 by a larger Ford Consul and Granada.

History[]

The Mark I Ford Consul and Zephyr models were first displayed at the Earl's Court Motor Show in 1950. They were the first to use in mass production the MacPherson Strut independent front suspension which is still widely used today. Production began with the Consul on January 1, 1951. The Mark I model ran until 1956. From April 1956 the Mark II Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac went on sale and were known as the Three Graces. The Mark II range was a big seller and finished its run in 1962 when from April that year the Mark III Zephyr 4, Zephyr 6 and Zodiac went on sale; the Consul name was dropped, the car's place in the Ford UK line-up being filled by the first four-cylinder Ford Zephyr. While the Mark II Zephyr and Zodiacs had shared the same body (the Consul had shorter front guards and bulkhead), the new Zodiac and Zephyrs launched in 1962 shared few body panels. With the Mark III, Ford finally sorted out problems that had beset previous models (Mark I axles and Mark II gearboxes were particular weaknesses) and the Mark 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 to or better than the Mark II both in the UK and overseas, but was in production for a shorter time. During the last months of production, an up-market Executive version was added to the Mark III range, and examples of these are today highly sought after. The Mk III range was discontinued in January 1966 (many believe prematurely given the cars' success) and the completely new Zephyr / Zodiac Mark IV range was released in April 1966. This car was somewhat ahead of its time with a design that anticipated 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 its durability.

Although the Ford Zephyr never saw American production, a very limited nuber were imported into the US and the name itself has appeared on other American Ford-related cars. The first use of the Zephyr moniker was in 1936 with the Lincoln-Zephyr a smaller companion to the full sized Lincoln sedan sold at the time, followed in the early 1980s with the Mercury Zephyr, an upscale version of the Ford Fairmont, and the Lincoln Zephyr was resurrected began its second production run in 2006 with the name changed to the Lincoln MKZ.

Mark I[]

Zephyr Six (or Zephyr Mark I)[]

Ford Zephyr Six
Ford Zodiac Mark I
Production 1951-1956
148,629 saloons and 4048 convertibles made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
2-door convertible (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,262 cc (138 cu in) straight-6 ohv
Wheelbase 107 in (2,718 mm) [1]
Length 172 in (4,369 mm)[2]
Width 64 in (1,626 mm) [2]
Height 60 in (1,524 mm) [2]
Curb weight 2,464 lb (1,118 kg)
Related Ford Consul I
Model number EOTA

The first of the Zephyr range was a lengthened version of the four-cylinder 1,508 cc (92 cu in) Consul, with a 2,262 cc (138 cu in) six-cylinder engine producing 68 bhp (51 kW). It had MacPherson Strut independent front suspension and a live axle with half elliptic springs at the rear. The car could reach just over 80 mph (130 km/h) and 23 mpg.

The Ford Zephyr Six was available with 4-door saloon, estate and 2-door 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.

The car was a success not only in the market place but also in competition. In 1953 a Ford Zephyr Six driven by Maurice Gatsonides won the Monte Carlo rally, pushing a Jaguar Mark VII into second place in the process. Two years later a Ford Zephyr Six driven by Vic Preston with D P Marwaha achieved an outright win in the East African Safari Rally.[3]

A saloon tested by The Motor magazine in 1951 had a top speed of 79.8 mph (128.4 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in just 20.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 23.7 miles per imperial gallon (11.9 L/100 km/19.7 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £842 including taxes but was fitted with optional leather trim, heater and radio (the basic car cost £842).[2]

Zephyr Zodiac (or Zodiac Mark I)[]

Ford Zephyr Zodiac
Ford Zephyr Zodiac
Production 1954-1956
22,634 made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,262 cc (138 cu in) straight-6
Model number EOTTA

The Zephyr Zodiac (or Zodiac Mark I) was an upmarket version of the Zephyr launched at the London Motor Show in autumn 1953. It had two-tone paintwork, leather trim, a heater, windscreen washers, whitewall tyres and spot lights, etc. The engine had a higher compression ratio - 7.5:1 instead of 6.8:1 - increasing the maximum power to 71 bhp (53 kW).[4]

A car tested by The Motor magazine in 1955 had a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 20.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.2 miles per imperial gallon (12.7 L/100 km/18.5 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £851 including taxes.[4]

There are no official records of Zephyr Zodiac convertibles being produced but there were a few estate cars.

Mark II[]

Zephyr Mark II[]

Ford Zephyr Mark II
Ford Zephyr Mark II
Production 1956-1962
294,506 (including the Zodiac Mark II) and 6911 Convertibles made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon ("sedan" in Australia)
5-door station wagon (Australia)
2-door coupe utility (Australia)
5-door estate (conversion)
2-door convertible (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,553 cc (156 cu in) straight-6 ohv
Wheelbase 107 in (2,718 mm) [1]
Length 178.5 in (4,534 mm)
Width 67 in (1,702 mm) [5]
Curb weight 2,576 lb (1,168 kg)
Related Ford Consul II
Model number 206E

In 1956 the Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac were all restyled to a new family look. The 6-cylinder cars' engines were enlarged to 2,553 cc (156 cu in), with power output correspondingly raised to 86 bhp (64 kW).[5] The wheelbase was increased by 3 inches (76 mm) to 107 inches (2,700 mm) and the width increased to 69 inches (1,800 mm). The weight distribution and turning circle were also improved. Top speed increased to 88 mph (142 km/h) and the fuel consumption was also improved at 28 mpg-imp (10 L/100 km/23 mpg-US).

The Zodiac and Zephyr were also offered in two body styles these being the "Highline" and "Lowline", depending on the year of manufacture — the difference being 1.75 in (44 mm) being cut from the height of the roof panel. The "Highline" variant featured a hemispherical instrument cluster, whereas the "Lowline" had a more rectangular panel.

In Australia, the Mark II Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac were built at Ford's factory in Geelong.

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/950 cm²) 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 two-door convertible version was offered with power-operated hood. Owing to the structural weaknesses inherent in the construction of convertibles very few convertibles are known to survive: probably only 20-25 examples. In Australia utility (pick-up) and station wagon (estate) versions built in local factories were sold.

A convertible with overdrive tested by The Motor magazine in 1961 had a top speed of 88.3 mph (142.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of 24.5 miles per imperial gallon (11.5 L/100 km/20.4 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1193 including taxes.[6]

In Australia, poor sales of the Zephyr led to cancellation of local manufacturing, which was switched in 1960 to production of the US-designed Falcon.

Zodiac Mark II[]

Ford Zodiac Mark II
Ford Zodiac Mark II
Production 1956-1962
294,506 (including the Zodiac Mark II) and 6911 Convertibles made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
2-door convertible (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,553 cc (156 cu in) straight-6
Model number 206E

The Mark 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.

A car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956 had a top speed of 87.9 mph (141.5 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 21.5 miles per imperial gallon (13.1 L/100 km/17.9 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £968 including taxes.[5]

Abbott Estates[]

Mark III[]

Zephyr 4 Mark III[]

Ford Zephyr 4 Mark III
Ford Zephyr 4 (211E)
Production 1962-1966
106,810 made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
Engine(s) 1,703 cc (104 cu in) straight-4
Wheelbase 107 in (2,718 mm)
Length 180.75 in (4,591 mm)
(saloon & estate)
Width 69.25 in (1,759 mm)
Height 57.25 in (1,454 mm) (saloon)
57.75 in (1,467 mm) (estate)
Curb weight 2,576 lb (1,168 kg) (Saloon)
2,912 lb (1,321 kg) (estate)
Fuel capacity 12.5 imp gal (57 L/15 US gal)
Related Ford Zephyr 6 Mark III
Designer Roy Brown
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 1,703 cc (104 cu in) engine from old Consul. A four-speed manual gearbox, now with synchromesh on all ratios, was standard, with overdrive or automatic transmission available as options.

Zephyr 6 Mark III[]

Ford Zephyr 6 Mark III
Ford Zephyr 6
Production 1962-1966
105,256 made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,553 cc (156 cu in) straight-6(a small block Ford was available in The Australian Market)
Model numbers 213E, 214E (right-hand drive and left-hand drive)

The Zephyr / Zodiac Mark III shared some of its mechanical components, as well as the basic chassis design, with the Mark 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: overall body length and width were the same for both Zephyr III versions, however. With the same 2,553 cc (156 cu in) displacement as before, the Mark III model had higher compression ratio resulting in some 20 hp (15 kW) 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.

Abbott Estates[]

Zodiac Mark III[]

Ford Zodiac Mark III
Quad lamps for Zodiac Mark III
Production 1962-1966
77,323 made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,553 cc (156 cu in) straight-6
Wheelbase 107 in (2,718 mm)[7]
Length 182.75 in (4,642 mm)[7]
Width 69 in (1,753 mm)[7]
Height 56.75 in (1,441 mm)
Curb weight 2,828 lb (1,283 kg)
Fuel capacity 12 imp gal (55 L/14 US gal)
Model numbers 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 (with narrower C-pillar) and tail, unique grille (four headlights instead of two), exclusive bumper bars, plusher seating, and up-market upholstery, dashboard and interior fittings. A choice of individual or bench front seat was available trimmed in leather or cloth. The front doors and bonnet panels were shared with the Zephyr 6. The Executive version had extra luxury fittings again. The 2553 cc single carburettor six cylinder engine was improved internally to increase the power output to 109 bhp and a new four speed all synchromesh transmission with column change was fitted. The brakes, servo assisted, use discs at the front and drum at the rear.

A Mk III saloon tested by the British The Motor magazine in 1962 had a top speed of 100.7 mph (162.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 13.4 seconds. A touring fuel consumption of 22.6 miles per imperial gallon (12.5 L/100 km/18.8 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1070 including taxes on the UK market.[7]

Mark IV[]

Zephyr Mark IV[]

Ford Zephyr Mark IV
Big Ford, small four
Production 1966-1972
102,417 made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
Engine(s) 1,996 cc (122 cu in) V4
2,495 cc (152 cu in) V6
Wheelbase 115 in (2,921 mm)[8]
Length 185 in (4,699 mm)
Width 71.25 in (1,810 mm)
Height 58.5 in (1,486 mm)
Curb weight 2,716 lb (1,232 kg) (Zephyr 4)
2,884 lb (1,308 kg) (Zephyr 6)
Fuel capacity 15 imp gal (68 L/18 US gal)
Models 3008 / 3010E

In 1961, Ford began a complete redesign on the Zephyr, under the title of "Project Panda." As the car used the new V-series engines, the then traditional long bonnet concept created a problem until design engineer Harley Copp required that the car was both larger and had more internal space, and came up with the idea of placing the spare wheel ahead of the radiator on an angle.[9] The result was a vehicle of similar dimensions to the North American Ford Fairlane. Unfortunately, as the MkIV carried over so little engineering from the MkIII, Copp's insistence on independent rear suspension resulted in an alarming “tuck-under” of the outer rear wheel when cornering with the back seats empty.[citation needed] Neat “bow-back” styling made the capacious boot look deceptively short, but the large expanse of bonnet was unkindly likened to the landing deck of an aircraft carrier by some journalists.[who?]

The Mk IV range was launched, not at an October motorshow, but in the Spring of 1966. The engines new V format engines, the 4 having a 1,996 cc (122 cu in) V4 and the 6 a 2,495 cc (152 cu in) V6 unit. The independent suspension was aided by servo-assisted disc brakes, used on all wheels.

In November 1966 the manufacturers announced a plan to introduce an "export special" version of the Zephyr Mk IV combining the 3-litre engine of the Zodiac with other specifications largely following those of the existing Zephyr.[10] This 3-litre Zephyr would not be offered by Ford on the domestic (UK) market.[10]

Criticism of the handling of early examples led to the fitting as standard of radial-ply tyres on the larger engined version in place of the more conventional (in the UK at that time) cross-ply tyres with which all versions were shod at the 1966 launch, and the retro-fitting of radial-ply tyres to early examples addressed the tendency of the rear wheels to slide uncontrollably in wet weather, justifying in the process Ford's investment in a new and relatively sophisticated rear suspension arrangement for the Mark IVs.[11] Even after that a contemporary nevertheless opined that the ride involved a certain amount of 'float', and reported that the nose-heavy handling called for a 'strong driver', a problem which the more expensive Zodiac and Executive versions mitigated through the fitting as a standard feature of power assisted steering.[12] Cost constraints precluded adding power assisted steering for the Zephyr, but during its production run the steering ratio was lowered which reduced the muscle power needed to change direction by increasing the number of turns between locks from 5.5 to an even higher 6.4.[13] Another production modification for the 4 cylinder Zephyr involved redesigning the valve gear in order to eliminate the need on the early Mk IVs for frequent tappet adjustments.[13]

The size of the front hood/bonnet was emphasized by square cut styling of the wings. A practical use was found for some of the extra space in front of the driver: the spare wheel was stored, ahead of the engine, under the front hood/bonnet, freeing up space at the other end of the car for more luggage.[14]

Although large, the car, at least in its Zephyr form, was not particularly luxurious. Individual front seats were available at extra cost, but the standard front bench-seat was described by one commentator who ran the car on a long-term test as being intended for people no taller than 5 ft 8 in (1.72 m) who have the right leg 3 inches (8 cm) shorter than the left.[11]

An estate version of the Zephyr Mark IV was announced just in time for the London Motor Show in October 1966, though deliveries commenced only in January 1967.[15] As with the earlier Zephyrs, volumes did not justify tooling up for estate production at the Dagenham plant, and the cars were instead built by E.D. Abbott Ltd of Farnham, based on part finished saloons received from Ford.[15] The Mark IV Zephyr estates (like their more expensive Zodiac siblings) came with black vinyl covered roof, a fashionable distinguishing feature of upmarket vehicles at the time: retention unchanged of the saloon's rear light clusters attracted criticism, however, because of the way it narrowed the rear hatch opening at floor level when compared to the arrangements on the cheaper Ford Cortina estates.[16]

Zodiac and Executive Mark IV[]

Ford Zodiac Mark IV
Ford Zodiac Mark IV
Production 1966-1972
48,846 made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door estate car (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,994 cc (183 cu in) V6
Models 3012E / 3022E

The Zodiac Mark IV and "Executive" had four headlights and an uprated 2,994 cc (183 cu in) V-6 engine. Claimed output was 136 bhp 'net' at 4,750 rpm, with 181.5 ft·lb (246.1 N·m). of torque at 3,000 rpm.[17] The Zodiac featured an alternator instead of a dynamo on the Zephyr, an adjustable steering column, a spare wheel in the engine compartment, a heater and Aeroflow ventilation, electric window washers, 2-speed wipers, a cigar lighter, rev counter, clock, ammeter and reversing lights as standard.

In terms of price (and probably also in terms of cost), the Zephyr/Zodiac Mark IVs with their complex independent rear suspension design represented a considerable step up when compared to the Mark III big Fords which they replaced: Ford also determined to widen the price gap between the Zephyr and Zodiac version. In January 1967, less than a year after the car's introduction, it was announced that production of the Mark IVs was being cut back in response to poor sales. The announcement was accompanied by several pieces of more upbeat news about Cortina sales, and it was stressed that workers taken off Zephyr/Zodiac production would all be redeployed on the Cortina production lines.[18]

Ford Zodiac Mark IV estate conversion

An estate version of the Zodiac Mk IV was announced at the same time as the Zephyr equivalent, and built alongside it at Farnham.[15] There was no "Executive" estate.[15]

The "Executive" was an upmarket version and had the highest specification offered by Ford to UK customers in the 1960s. Automatic transmission (the Zodiac's four speed manual box with overdrive being also available as a 'no cost' option[17]) along with power steering and a sunroof were standard equipment. Other standard features included; fully reclining front seats, Walnut fascia, full instrumentation, carpeting throughout, reversing lights, fog lamps, front inertia reel safety belts and a radio. The Executive was distinguishable from other models by exterior trim and name badges on the front and rear.

An automatic transmission Ford Executive was tested by Britain's Autocar magazine in 1967. It had a top speed of precisely 100 mph (160 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 13.1 seconds.[17] An overall fuel consumption of 17.2 miles per imperial gallon (16.4 L/100 km/14.3 mpg-US) was recorded.[17] By these performance criteria, the Ford betrayed its weight, but nevertheless usefully bettered the similarly sized 3.3 litre engined Vauxhall Viscount. The Ford's recommended retail price of £1,567 significantly exceeded the £1,483 sticker price on the Viscount, however.[17]

Ford Zodiac - BNE 155B at Toddington 2010 - IMG 4162

Ford Zodiac at Toddington 2010

Preservation[]

Examples of some of the more common variants can be seen at most UK classic car shows, but some of the specials and lower production run models are rarely seen, other than at Club events.

List known examples below:-

See also[]

References[]

Notations[]

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

Footnotes[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "The Ford Zephyr Six Saloon", The Motor. October 3, 1951. 
  3. "The Myth Breakers", Autocar 136 (nbr 3969): 15–17. 11 May 1972. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "The Ford Zephyr Zodiac", The Motor. June 8, 1955. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "The Ford Zodiac Mk.II", The Motor. May 2, 1956. 
  6. "The Ford Zephyr Convertible", The Motor. May 10, 1961. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "The Ford Zodiac Mk III", The Motor. April 18, 1962. 
  8. Cardew, Basil (1966). Daily Express Review of the 1966 Motor Show. London: Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd. 
  9. http://web.archive.org/web/20091027125933/http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/garage/7266/magapr03.html
  10. 10.0 10.1 "News and views: Additional Ford for export", Autocar 125 (nbr 3692): page 1102. date 18 November 1966. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 "24,000 mile staff car report: Ford Zephyr 6 Mk IV", Motor: pages 75–77. date 17 February 1968. 
  12. "Autocode-Ford: Zephyr-Zodiac", Autocar 134 (nbr 3925): pages 57–64. date 17 June 1971. 
  13. 13.0 13.1 "Used Car Test: 1966 Ford Zephyr V4", Autocar 129 (nbr 3791): pages 100–102. date 10 October 1968. 
  14. Daily Express Motor Show Review 1969 on 1970 Cars (London: Daily Express Newspaper): Page 23 (Ford Zephyr). October 1969. 
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 "Ford Zephyr 6 estate car", Autocar 136 (nbr 3956): pages 16–17. date 27 January 1972. 
  16. "New big Ford estate cars", Autocar 125 (nbr 3688): page 890. date 21 October 1966. 
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 "Autocar Road Test Ford Executive 2,994 c.c. "Ford's Top [UK] Car, with V6 engine and automatic transmissions. Comfortable five-seater, with all independent suspension. Power steering, but handling vague. Optional radial-ply tyres give good grip. Brakes light for normal use but very heavy for emergencies. Poor town fuel consumption. Good finish and tasteful interior trim."", Autocar 126 (nbr 3716): pages 49–53. date 4 May 1967. 
  18. "News and views: Cortina exports", Autocar 126 (nbr 3700): page 46. date 12 January 1967. 

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