1955 FORD ZEPHYR ZODIAC MKI
ENGINE 2262cc/6-cyl/ohv POWER 71bhp@4200rpm TORQUE 112lb ft@2000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 84mph 0-60MPH 20.4sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 21-28mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, three-speed manual ENGINE OIL Castrol Classic XL30 4.5 litres GEARBOX OIL Castrol Classic
EP80 1.4 litres AXLE OIL Castrol Classic EP90 1.4 litres
Much like the Alvis, first-generation Zephyrs don’t appear for sale very often but this upmarket Zodiac can also claim to be something special owing to its role on Netflix series The Crown. It appeared in series 2, episode 2, A Company Of Men, as the personal car of Commander Parker, equerry to the Queen and Prince Philip. Moreover, it was subject to an extensive restoration in the late Nineties that still holds up well today, with only small areas of bubbling and microblistering and a patch of corrosion below the bumper of the passenger side corner to be found.
According to the history folder, this photo-backed resto was undertaken by its then-owner who was a professional panel beater and mechanic, utilising traditional lead-loading techniques. During this revival, the sought-after rear Continental spare wheel kit was fitted and the engine re-built with new pistons, rings and valves, and the odometer zeroed (it now reads 889). Following the owner’s passing, the restoration wasn’t completed until 2013, the front and rear bench seating being re-trimmed in 2012.
Inspecting the Zephyr today and the delightful colour combination of Dorchester Grey and Winchester Blue really appeals. It’s a colour scheme that screams summer seaside days out, the two-tone paint mimicking the sea and the sand. Then there are all the extras – sun visor, the large pair of auxiliary lamps positioned above the overriders, eyebrows on the headlamps, plus a hunting lamp position on the driver’s side A-post, just for good measure.
The interior looks just as good and the amount of space is striking. There’s more than enough room for four adults plus a large shelf for oddments beneath the metal dashboard. The bench seat positions the driver high within the cabin so you feel like you’re looking down the bonnet rather than across it – it’s a good thing that headroom is equally generous.
The engine provides plenty of lazy power once on the move that allows this Ford to haul itself forward in any gear. It feels heavy, sturdy and capable but never appreciably quick. An induction whoosh gives way to a guttural growl if you hold on to the revs but otherwise there’s little distinction in how eagerly it builds speed. There’s a pleasant action to the column-change transmission but the driver must double de-clutch before dropping into first.
The steering is similarly unresponsive. The wheel is huge and demands large inputs before the road wheels turn in the desired direction and there’s always a degree of wander on a straight bit of road that requires continuous corrections. The soft, wallowy suspension cushions occupants from most road imperfections but combined with the obvious lack of handling sophistication, this isn’t a car that’s rewarding to hustle along quiet B-roads, with some notable roll angles evident in the corners.
If you’re looking for classic with a strong, almost intuitive connection between yourself and the controls, then the Zephyr Zodiac isn’t the car for you. On the contrary, it almost stubbornly forces the pilot to accept the manner in which it wants to be driven. However, once you embrace this unhurried approach there’s genuine enjoyment to be had simply in revelling in its abundance of period charm and lowdown torque.
A first-generation Zephyr Zodiac last drove through ACA’S sales hall way back in November 2016. That particular car (an early example subject to an expensive restoration and triplecarburettor conversion) sold for £18,900 against a £12-15k estimate. Although this one would do well to surpass that figure, we reckon that there’ll be sufficient interest in this handsome and evocative Ford for it to zoom past its top estimate at the very least.