With increased length and width, and more horsepower than its predecessor, success was guaranteed.
Zephyr and Zodiac
The Mk3 versions of the big English Ford models continued as the Zephyr and Zodiac. 4-cylinder cars were no longer called Consul, but Zephyr 4. The engine was the same 1700 engine that had been in the Consul 375, but had now had an increased output to 65 hp. A simple grill reveals that the car was delivered with a 4-cylinder engine. The Zephyr 6 got a wider grill that extended all the way around the headlights. The straight six now produced 99 hp for the Zephyr Six and 109 hp for the Zodiac. The Zodiac mk3 not only got a wide grill, but also double headlights on each side and a wide chrome belt under the rear lights. The models were heavily reworked from the mk2, including larger rear fins and total length increased by 18 cm for 4-cylinder cars and 23 cm for the 6-cylinder cars.
Model history
The Mk3 was produced between 1962 and 1966. Like its predecessor, the cars were a huge success, especially in the UK. The short time in production was probably partly due to the fact that cars with stern fins were no longer modern, but also to the fact that Ford wanted a new model for its new V4 and V6 engines. Unfortunately, the successor to the mk3 was not very well received in the market. Poor handling and poor quality were reported. The Mk3, on the other hand, had been very thoroughly tested and reviewed before production began. It has retained a good reputation.
Converted station wagons
The Mk3 Zephyr and Zodiac were also sent to an external coachbuilder – ED Abbott in Surrey – for conversion into estate cars. When converting off-the-shelf cars, the aim is to make as few changes/additions as possible. This can be clearly seen in the way the bodywork curves around the rear fins and taillight arrangements. I think the result was more successful than the conversions of earlier models.
About the pictures
The black car with old taxi plates is pictured at Øyer in Gudbrandsdalen. It is a 1964 model Zephyr 4. The car in front of the Vickers VC10 aircraft is a 1966 Ford Zodiac that was at Brooklands Museum in 2023. The black car with whitewalls and gangster cap participated in the Enfield Pageant of Motoring 2025. It is a Ford Zodiac. The white station wagon participated in the Brooklands Summer Classic Gathering 2023.
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