Zephyr Six (or Zephyr Mark I)
Production1951–1956
Body and chassis
Body style4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
2-door convertible (conversion)
RelatedFord Consul I
Powertrain
Engine2,262 cc (138 cu in) Zephyr ohv I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase104 in (2,642 mm)
Length172 in (4,369 mm)
Width64 in (1,626 mm)
Height60 in (1,524 mm)
Curb weight2,464 lb (1,118 kg)
Model number EOTTA
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). Like the Consul, the Zephyr came with a three-speed gearbox, controlled by a column-mounted lever (three-on-the-tree). The front suspension design employed what later came to be known as MacPherson struts while a more conventional configuration for the rear suspension used a live axle with half-elliptical springs. The car could reach just over 80 mph (130 km/h) and 23 mpg.
The Ford Zephyr Six was available with four-door saloon, estate, and two-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.
In addition to the main British Ford factory in Dagenham, the Consul and Zephyr were assembled at Ford New Zealand's Seaview factory in Lower Hutt from knock-down kits. The large Fords competed with the also locally built Vauxhall Wyvern and Velox, and later the Australian Holden. When newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II visited New Zealand as part of a Commonwealth tour in the early 1950s, she was pictured watching Zephyrs being built at the local Ford plant. The Consul and Zephyr were also assembled at the Cork plant in Ireland from 1951 to 1956.
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 (Snr) and D P Marwaha won the East African Safari Rally.[5]
A saloon tested by The Motor 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 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.
Zephyr Zodiac (or Zodiac Mark I)
Production 1954–1956
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
Powertrain
Engine2,262 cc (138 cu in) Zephyr ohv I6
Dimensions
Curb weight2,680 lb (1,215 kg)
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.
The engine had a higher compression ratio – 7.5:1 instead of 6.8:1 – increasing the maximum power to 71 bhp (53 kW).
A car tested by The Motor 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.
No official records exist of Zephyr Zodiac convertibles being produced, but a few estate cars were built.
