Zephyr Six (or Zephyr Mark I)
Model number EOTA
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). It had MacPherson Strut independent front suspension and a live axle with half elliptic springs at the rear. The car could reach just over 80 mph (130 km/h) and 23 mpg.
The Ford Zephyr Six was available with 4-door saloon, estate and 2-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.
The car was a success not only in the market place but also in competition. 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 with D P Marwaha achieved an outright win in the East African Safari Rally.
A saloon tested by The Motor magazine 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 just 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 (the basic car cost £842).
The classic Ford Zephyr was launched at he 1950 Earls Court motor show (along with its smaller brother the Ford Consul). The Zephyr went into production in January 1951, with the higher specification Zodiac following in 1953. Overdrive became an optional extra in 1955. Both cars featured an all new engine design and were also the first Fords (along with the Consul) to feature MacPherson Strut front suspension. Convertible versions were produced by Carbodies of Coventry from 1953, with an estate version being produced by Abbott of Farnham. Production of all models ended in February 1956 with the introduction of the Mk II
