The FORD CONSUL, ZEPHYR & ZODIAC Mk1 - Mk4

These large British Fords of the 1950s - 1970s, namely the Ford Consul, Zephyr, and Zodiac, are the focus for today's Old Classic Car compilation, and there are some great examples of these classic cars in this video.
Although also badged as Consul, examples of the Consul Classic/Capri, the early Cortinas, and the first Granadas are not included in this one, here it is solely the Mk1-Mk4 Consuls, Zephyrs and related Zodiacs, including - in the Mk4's case - the top-of-the-range Executive model. Saloon and estate versions of all models feature throughout, as do convertibles where applicable.
Are you a fan of these classic Fords? Do you own one now, or have you in the past? Comments welcomed as always. Which version do you prefer? Maybe the Ford Consul Mk1 over the Mk2? Or the be-finned Ford Zephyr Mk3 over the boxy Mk4? Perhaps only the top-of-the-range Ford Zodiac is the car for you?
If you're a fan of old cars like I am, please have a look around the rest of the Old Classic Car channel, and subscribe (don't forget the notifications bell) to be alerted to future uploads.
Channel videos list: / oldclassiccarrj & classic car merchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/OldC... channel membership: / @oldclassiccaruk Patreon: / oldclassiccarif you know of anyone else who might find these Old Classic Car videos of interest, please forward one of the above links to them.
This video specifically covers the following cars:
Ford Consul Mk1
Ford Zephyr Mk1
Ford Zephyr Zodiac Mk1
Ford Consul Mk2
Ford Zephyr Mk2
Ford Zephyr Zodiac Mk2
Ford Zephyr Mk3
Ford Zephyr Zodiac Mk3
Ford Zephyr Mk4
Ford Zephyr Zodiac Mk4
Ford Zephyr Executive
#classiccars #classicford #ford

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi, thanks for watching, a full list of the several hundred videos on the channel is here: kzbin.infovideos OCC classic merchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop OCC Channel Membership now open!!! See the JOIN button for details OCC Patreon: www.patreon.com/OldClassicCar Channel homepage: kzbin.info/door/KaTg9fPUvmUQi94FcnDbrg If there are any petrolheads that you know that might find this kind of thing interesting, please pass on one of these links, thanks!

[@user-bc6mz8ob9m]

My late father-in-law drove a basic Ford Pop in the early sixties, but I managed to obtain for him an ex-directors mark 3 Zodiak in excellent condition from my company. He was ecstatic, and was amazed at the sudden luxury of having a heater, a built in radio and 4 forward gears all syncromesh! I remained in great favour with him for years, and eventually married his daughter!

[@peterward3965]

I gave a packet of woodbine cigarettes to my neighbour Mr Crawte in 1974 for his MK11 Zephyr as I was learning to drive, bargain. Frimley Surrey circa 79 / 80 lived an elderly chap who owned a MK IV Zodiac Estate two tone metallic blue, it was in absolutely stunning condition. He passed away and his widow wouldn't sell the car. It was left in their garden to rot for at least two decades, what a loss that was, the old boy must have been turning in his grave. Abbotts of Farnham based in the village of Wrecclesham, I remember well as my grandparents lived a short walk away. It's now a business park. Great video, thank you..

[@michaeltreadwell777]

Great line up there Rick. My Dad loved the 'big' Fords. Started with a Green and Cream Mk1 Zodiac, then a Mk2 two tone Blue Automatic. That turned into a Gold Mk3 Zodiac Farnham Estate. A Mk4 Zodiac in Maroon followed, then a Mk4 Zodiac Farnham Estate in white - just like one of your pictures, That car was HUGE ! A Green Granada followed that. My Mum used to love being 'wafted' around in those cars too - happy memories of many moons ago. Thanks Rick - that was really enjoyable. Take care 🙂

[@keithjones7390]

My father too was a Ford (and Rover/Austin) man, he hated Vauxhall's and Rootes group cars, although amongst his many cars over the years he did have an E series Vauxhall Cresta and a Singer Gazelle estate car. My only big Ford was a 1979 T reg Ford Granada.

[@andrewsnoozy]

Classic Fords of this era are probably my favourite classic cars, especially Zephyrs and Zodiacs. Yes in Australia there are still many surviving Zephyr Utes and some of these certainly have the sun visor or 'Granny Hood' as we called them. I always thought the Consuls were somewhat under powered but the Zephyrs and Zodiacs with its beautifully smooth straight six are really cool old cruisers. I have noticed that some Zephyrs, Zodiacs have sadly been fitted with a small block Chevrolet engine. I guess for extra performance, which is rather sad, when consider you still do see American Fords of the same era with Big Block Ford FE V8 engines, which have crazy amounts of power, if that's your thing, and these are also among my favourite Classic Fords. Thanks for showing.

[@nevillestumbles4631]

I remember when the first Consuls and Zephyrs came to Australia they had the smallest wheels we had seen on local cars. The Zephyrs performed very well but the Consuls were considered under-powered for our conditions. Rust could be a problem with these and some other Ford products, but the Zephyr is now a very desirable car, especially in convertible form. Ford engines were always reliable and the later Australia versions of the Ford Falcon were truly great cars.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

There was a cracking Mk2 Zodiac estate (with Raymond Mays conversion) on TV the other evening, now that I would like

[@user-tj1go5eq2p]

The utility was very popular here in Australia a lot of farmers owned them

[@ratty383]

Another great selection of photos, As my Dad had MK 3 Zodiac I’m biased, but I think the Abbott estate version of the MK3 looks awesome. I’m fairly sure that all of the MK3 Zephyr estates used the Zodiac body shell which utilised the squared window rear doors rather than the Zephyr’s angled rear door type glass design hence they also had the larger Zodiac rear lamps and rear panel chrome work. Thanks for taking the time to upload, great stuff.😊

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks ratty, glad you liked it

[@oldevertonianwithloadsofpa6325]

Hello and thanks for a super video as usual. I think you may have made a slight error on the 1966 “Police zephyr” in that you called it a Zephyr 4 when I think it was Zephyr 6 because it had the vertical bar down the middle of the grill. I remember it well because in 1966 I had just taken my “O” Levels and our next door neighbour bought new a Zephyr 4 in that maroon and it looked fabulous! The following February 1967 I passed my driving test and bought a 1956 Morris Minor for £10 ( slight bump front & back) me & my dad painted it Dulux brilliant white. Thanks for bringing the memories flooding back.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for the correction, glad it was of interest

[@keithjones7390]

My father who was a big fan of larger Fords had a few l remember very well, a lovely green MK2 Zephyr 6 JJC 448 an early 60's MK 3 Zephyr 4 in blue, but his favourite of all was a 1965 MK 3 Zodiac auto BUN 808 C. He kept that car for many years which was very unusual.

[@richardsealey3626]

BUN808C is still listed by the DVSA.......

[@keithjones7390]

​@@richardsealey3626Thank you, that's very interesting to learn. My father had the car probably for most of the 80's and had quite a lot of work done to it over the years he owned it, including a full respray to silver paintwork instead of gold and addition of a vinyl roof. He also had work done to remove the dreaded rust which l thought would have contributed to the demise of the car. Its nice to see it has survived and l have find memories of driving the car 'back in the day' Thanks again.

[@dennis38y]

Another great video RJ, interesting and informative , a nice trip down memory lane! Thanks for sharing

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Vince_uk]

I used to lust after the MK3 Zodiac, I sent for all the brochures etc. I think I was about 11 or 12 years old at the time, I thought they were terrific. I would have one today and I also liked the MK4. A boss of mine in the early 70's had a gold one in the same colour as WUN 166K an Executive model. A very imposing car, automatic with huge well padded seats, I remember it vividly. I understand they were not really all that popular mainly because of their very strange body design a stubby boot section which made them look front loaded, all bonnet and no back but they did have road presence.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Yeah try as I might I do find the Mk4s a bit too challenging to ever think about buying one myself

[@allanriches9381]

The mk3 Zephyr and Zodiacs are the gest looking cars

[@user-lw5ib7yn7q]

Ich glaube früher wurden echt schöne Autos produziert 👍👍Und Preiswert ! Heute sind die Autos kaum bezahlbar Ich mag keine Englische Autos Greetings from Brandenburg

[@paulsmith2946]

I had both mk3 and mk4 zodiacs back in the late seventies the mk4 was an executive version,great interior with many gauges. I remember having to reach over the spare wheel to reach the v6 engine hidden at the back of the engine bay.painted it red white and blue for the silver jubilee. Thanks for the memories!.

[@jonathanjohnson2138]

Great video Mr OCC! My Dad had a mark 4 zephyr when I was a lad. Happy days riding up front with him & my mum on the bench seat.👍

[@jonathangriffin1120]

Nice selection there Rick, I'm a tad older than you and I remember the exterior sun visors on the Consuls, Zephyrs, Zodes back in the day, I seem to recall they didn't do much for fuel economy due to the effect they would have had on the aerodynamics. Those cars were plentiful on the roads, so much so that in the early seventies Mendip Raceways ran a separate 'Z Cars' class in their banger races. The Lincolnesque 'hood ornaments' on the MK. IV 'executives. were known as 'Pedestrian Sights' back in those less PC (and better) times.....

[@Phiyedough]

My favourite shape is the Mk2. They do look very American, a bit like the Checker taxi.

[@user-gx6ii6mx9v]

had 2 mk2 s ,great cars always wanted a mk1 never managed to get one at right price , ? running a 100 Prefect now !

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Aye Mk1s are pricey for good ones, the Prefect is a regular sight around here!

[@graemeburr6463]

Rick at 30.25 you identify the Consul as a fairly early MkII, it is actually a later one. The car in the slide before it is in fact the early model. Note it has the higher roof line and the littler flush tail lights. The last of the MkII's had a lower roofline and bigger "105E ish Anglia" like lights as with the blue car. The same with the MkII Zeph /Zods as far as the roof lines go. To 1959 the higher roofline (hi-lines), 59 and up lower roofs (Lo-lines). I didn't know about the roofs until someone pointed this out to me a few years back. It is more noticeable when a car is viewed from the front or from a 3/4 front on view.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Ah ok thanks for the clarification!

[@suzyhornsby1411]

Hi rick,great vid of photos.i can see consul or zephyr at occ soon.i have owned my consul mk2 50years now.she is big part of our lives.regards to dad.well done.alan and suzy.😊

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I wouldn't say no, there was a repeat of the programme Bangers & Cash the other day and it featured a fab £££££ Mk2 Zodiac estate, very swish indeed

[@Finglesham]

I had a 1961 Mk2 Consul with disc brakes no less. It was ambassador blue bottom and light blue top. Got it for £60 from my brother's wife mother in 1970. I kept it for four years but the need to travel to a new job further away saw me come down to a min van. What a come down but less maintenance and many more to the gallon. The ford burnt oil . Cars were badly made in the 1960s and I am amazed to see so many left.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍👍

[@erichlausch9886]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@daniele.967]

Salve amici,scrivo dall' Italia e sono possessore di una Ford Corsair GT V4 1.7 quattro porte di colore bianco con gli interni rossi,auto ereditata da mio padre che la comprò nuova nel 1968( in quel periodo avevo solo due anni),il motore (essex) eccezionale rende moltissimo sino ad oggi con i suoi 89000Km ,la carrozzeria oggetto di cure nel tempo conserva perfettamente lo stile di una Ford tipicamente Inglese,sono iscritto presso um Club di auto d'epoca e partecipo a raduni dove la mia Corsair di distingue con assoluta eleganza, sarà mia precisa cura mantenere in perfetto ordine quest' auto a me legata da indissolubili ricordi di famiglia.

[@daniele.967]

Hello friends, I am writing from Italy and I am the owner of a white Ford Corsair GT V4 1.7 four-door with red interior, a car inherited from my father who bought it new in 1968 (at that time I was only two years old), the engine (essex) exceptional, it still performs a lot with its 89,000km, the bodywork which has been cared for over time perfectly preserves the style of a typically English Ford, I am a member of a vintage car club and I take part in rallies where my Corsair stands out with absolute elegance, it will be my precise care to keep this car linked to me by indissoluble family memories in perfect order.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

It sounds like a brilliant car, very nice to have the family history too!

[@daniele.967]

​@@oldclassiccarUK thank you dear English friend...my Ford Corsair GT V4 is really special and splendid. I hope one day to bring it back to my homeland where it was designed and built and of course have it admired at a classic Ford rally.

[@user-bc6mz8ob9m]

A friend of mine bought an immaculate Mk 3 ex-Company Director's Zodiak, having previously owned a Ford Pop of early 60's vintage. He promply painted the underside with used engine oil and gave under the bonnet a cosmetic treat complete with rocker box, air filter and ancilliaries in polychromatic blue. He then spent the ensuing months acclimatising to the change in creature comforts!

[@stephenricketts7764]

A great selection of Ford Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac. I do remember those sun visors on these cars here in the UK though they might have been an optional extra perhaps? I am not a big fan of the MK4, it just doesn't sit quite right for me. Z-Cars now there is a blast from the past. I remember seeing a documentary on old TV shows and they cut the front off of one car and took out the windscreen. They didn't have the means to film a car moving in those days (huge cameras) and I also remember one of the actors saying 'he left his hat in the car and without thinking he put his hand through were the windscreen should be to pick it up'. The scene was left in I think as they showed him doing it as he was recounting his error. Thanks for the post Rick. 👍👍

[@richardsealey3626]

The external "sun visor" was not a standard fitting.......Between 1962 and 1965, Z-Cars was broadcast live, hence no shots of moving cars, nothing to do with camera size...........

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I'm not sure I've ever seen an episode of Z Cars, bar the occasional clip, although there may be a printed annual around here somewhere

[@stephenricketts7764]

@@oldclassiccarUK I may get shouted down for this but there is some footage of Judy Dench (not a Dame then) in B & W in Z cars, I don't know if it was the whole episode recorded. It seems to me that it was pot luck in the B & W era if recordings were done. When the revamped Z cars in colour came along then there was more chance of recording as the tech improved. Cameras themselves, even in the early days of colour were not capable of recording (unlike today). So if you did an OSB you had one camera truck and another truck with recording equipment that connected up to the camera truck.👍👍

[@nigelbarratt6825]

In the late 60s I worked in a garage and we had a customer who wanted to get rid of a 1953 Mk1 Consul in biscuit and black, GJG 851. I bought it for £4, got it through an MOT and sold it to a mate whose car had died just before he needed it for his honeymoon. He paid me what it stood me at, £18. He ran it for two or 3 years, much of it with a 2 speed gearbox as it stopped going into 1st gear! It had the metal sun visor fitted, which were very common on those. He called it Clarissa the Consul.

[@colinmuddell9672]

I agree with you - the two-tone grey Zephyr Zodiac is the star of the video.

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

Nice, very nice. Thank you. A long diseased uncle of mine used to work for various Ford dealerships in the 50s and 60s. He loved Fords, as long as they came from Germany or the US. He absolutely hated the British Fords. According to him they had much more problems in the dealership with the British Fords than they had with the German and US ones. Anyhow on the continent certainly the larger British Fords were very rare. They also did not carry the famous blue oval. Legend has it that Henry Ford II only allowed the blue oval on Fords that he approved off...

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I did read that HF II didn't approve of the Ford Pilot, which might be why there are no blue ovals on most if not all of them

[@stephenholland5930]

No blue oval on my '68 Mustang. I guess ol' Henry didn't like those either! 😅

[@septiccalling8341]

My grandad had a Consul.......605 BLR...... which he gave to my dad when he got a VW camper. I remember that the Consul seemed huge after his previous Anglia (Pepular?). A big old bench seat in the front, chrome horn ring and a column gear leaver. Lovely old wagon. Eventually he swapped it for a Phase 3 Vanguard, which seemed even bigger and was built like a tank!

[@martinwyatt6390]

I wonder if my old mk2 consul is still about it was 375 de_ luxe grey with ivory roof 658 NTG in cardiff i sold it to a lad cos i was short of cash never saw it again

[@oldclassiccarUK]

The reg. no. no longer shows on DVLA so perhaps it's gone now

[@cliffbell1733]

My first company car was a Ford Consul Classic with undercut rear screen and four headlights. Have they all rusted away? I have never seen one in any of your excellent Sunday morning videos.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

They are few and far between, they have popped up in some of the show videos I've done (maybe Llandudno, or Trentham Gardens, I forget now) but yes, not a common sight now

[@peterhunt2723]

I had a 1964 my 3 zodiac white from 1967 to 1970. Loved it. Reg No 70 XVO

[@patrickporter6536]

My Dad had a '58 Zephyr, the steering column gear change was a nightmare, but the engine was excellent.

[@joolstacho8114]

Ah yes, we had a Consul Mk1and a Zephyr Mk2 - both convertibles. Pretty cool BITD!

[@allantelford4988]

My very first car after I got out of British army. Was a 1959 zodiac. Blue over gold.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Interesting, not sure I've ever seen one in that colour combo

[@vinnylee878]

Did they make a 2 door?

[@richardsealey3626]

No.........

[@oldclassiccarUK]

The only two doors I've seen are Mk1 and Mk2 convertibles and utes, not the regular saloons

[@stevepearce1913]

Surely the Mk4 Zephyr/Zodiac was the ugliest car Ford ever made. A shoebox on wheels but it gave us the mighty Essex V6 and was replaced by the Granada which in my opinion was the most beautiful large car - particularly in coupe form - in Ford's history.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Not too keen on the Mk4s either tbh although the estate is quite a handsome old car. I think I still prefer Pilot to Granada, but then I would :)

[@user-cn6re9jr1t]

Hello, have a look at the site. Enthusiasts of British motor vehicles , hasting 24 meet, a nice green ford pilot

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Yep saw that, looks like a good 'un!

[@iansearle3967]

In 1970 I owned a Mk 2 Consul convertible. It was registered 99 MM when I bought it but I sold the reg. no. when I sold it, so I don’t know what it’s new reg was. Wish I’d never sold the car or reg.

[@richardsealey3626]

99MM was on a 1968 Mini.............

[@brianogrady7900]

There my my favourite car consul zephyr and zodiac all marks

[@douglasvick9703]

Is it my imagination ???Did Ford produce a Mk3 EXECUTIVE????.Wire wheels...Walnut dash etc and floor change attached to the original linkage???...It was a beauty.Did I dream it????

[@richardsealey3626]

Yes, but it did not have wire wheels or a gear change on the floor, and it was available in a couple of special colours........

[@oldclassiccarUK]

That sounds a bit like the Hooper modified Consul Capri than any of the Consul/Zephyr range

[@pr0rex46]

A time, where world was a normal, today... Electric - no soul vehicles...

[@giulianomarco]

The TV show "Z Cars" wasn't named after them, apparently. 😁👍

[@septiccalling8341]

I seem to recall my dad telling me that it came from Home Office radio codes........

[@peterholland3746]

Remember every model when they came out..I had a Mk 4 zodiac