save Zodiac estate from a grisly fate
Seller says his rare Ford should not be banger-raced
One of only a handful of surviving Ford Zodiac MkIV estates is back on the market, having failed to find a buyer online. Barn-stored since 1978, the MkIV was last taxed in 1991.
Chris Barnes, manager of Barnes’ Classic Cars of Essex, which is selling the Zodiac on behalf of a client, said that the vendor was upset at the interest the car had attracted from banger racers.
He said: ‘ They’re very sensitive about who buys the Zodiac. People are saying they wanted to break it or strip it down for its engine.’
All Zodiac MkIV estates, were converted to station wagon configuration by coachbuilder ED Abbott of Farham, Surrey and sold through Ford dealerships as an official model.
Since its appearance on Barnes’ website, the Zodiac has also attracted interest from Ford’s Essex-based heritage fleet in Dunton. ‘ There’s a connection there,’ said Chris, ‘because Ford’s rally team used Zodiac MkIV estates – full of spares, tyres and tools – as chase vehicles to follow the works rally cars between stages.’
The Zodiac has a four-speed manual gearbox and a full-length Tudor Webasto sunroof; its recorded 89,000 miles are believed to be genuine. The brakes and clutch move freely, but while the 3.0-litre Essex V6 engine turns over, it doesn’t start. It also needs attention to its rear wheelarches and outer sill ends but other Zodiac MkIV rust traps – the A pillars, inner wings, battery tray, boot floor, floor pans and doors – appear to be sound and could easily be retained. £4500 or near offer buys the car. ❚ barnesclassiccars.co.uk