Ford Zephyr Zodiac
Zephyr Mark II
Production 1956-1962
294,506 (including the Zodiac Mark II) and 6911 Convertibles made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon ("sedan" in Australia)
5-door station wagon (Australia)
2-door utility (Australia)
5-door estate (conversion)
2-door convertible (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,553 cc (156 cu in) straight-6 ohv
Wheelbase 107 in (2718 mm)
Length 178.5 in (4534 mm)
Width 67 in (1702 mm)
Curb weight 2,576 lb (1,168 kg)
Related Ford Consul II
Model number 206E
In 1956 the Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac were all restyled to a new family look. The 6-cylinder cars' engines were enlarged to 2,553 cc (156 cu in), with power output correspondingly raised to 86 bhp (64 kW)[5]. The wheelbase was increased by 3 inches (76 mm) to 107 inches (2,700 mm) and the width increased to 69 inches (1,800 mm). The weight distribution and turning circle were also improved. Top speed increased to 88 mph (142 km/h) and the fuel consumption was also improved at 28 mpg-imp (10 L/100 km; 23 mpg-US).
The Zodiac and Zephyr were also offered in two body styles these being the "Highline" and "Lowline", depending on the year of manufacture — the difference being 1.75 in (44 mm) being cut from the height of the roof panel. The "Highline" variant featured a hemispherical instrument cluster, whereas the "Lowline" had a more rectangular panel.
In Australia, the Mark II Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac were built at Ford's factory in Geelong.
As well as a 3-speed manual gearbox there was an optional overdrive and from 1956 (1959 in Australia) a Borg Warner DG automatic transmission. At first drum brakes were fitted all round (with a larger lining area of 147 sq in/950 cm2) but front discs became optional in 1960 and standard from mid 1961 (in Australia only 4-wheel drum brakes were available; some dealers fitted servo-assistance from 1961).
A two-door convertible version was offered with power-operated hood. Owing to the structural weaknesses inherent in the construction of convertibles very few convertibles are known to survive: probably only 20-25 examples. In Australia utility (pick-up) and station wagon (estate) versions built in local factories were sold.
A convertible with overdrive tested by The Motor magazine in 1961 had a top speed of 88.3 mph (142.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of 24.5 miles per imperial gallon (11.5 L/100 km; 20.4 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1193 including taxes.
In Australia, poor sales of the Zephyr led to cancellation of local manufacturing, which was switched in 1960 to production of the US-designed Falcon.
Zodiac Mark II
Ford Zodiac Mark II Ford Zodiac Mark II
Production 1956-1962
294,506 (including the Zodiac Mark II) and 6911 Convertibles made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
2-door convertible (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,553 cc (156 cu in) straight-6
Model number 206E
The Mark II Zodiac was slightly altered to distinguish it from the lesser variants, having more elaborate tail-end styling and at the front a different grille. The auxiliary lamps and wing mirrors were deleted from the Zodiac range but it retained two-tone paint, whitewall tyres, chrome wheel-trim embellishers and gold plated badges.
A car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956 had a top speed of 87.9 mph (141.5 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 21.5 miles per imperial gallon (13.1 L/100 km; 17.9 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £968 including taxes.
For my video; youtu.be/FgL5LQqEZkk
Ford Zephyr Zodiac
Zephyr Mark II
Production 1956-1962
294,506 (including the Zodiac Mark II) and 6911 Convertibles made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon ("sedan" in Australia)
5-door station wagon (Australia)
2-door utility (Australia)
5-door estate (conversion)
2-door convertible (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,553 cc (156 cu in) straight-6 ohv
Wheelbase 107 in (2718 mm)
Length 178.5 in (4534 mm)
Width 67 in (1702 mm)
Curb weight 2,576 lb (1,168 kg)
Related Ford Consul II
Model number 206E
In 1956 the Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac were all restyled to a new family look. The 6-cylinder cars' engines were enlarged to 2,553 cc (156 cu in), with power output correspondingly raised to 86 bhp (64 kW)[5]. The wheelbase was increased by 3 inches (76 mm) to 107 inches (2,700 mm) and the width increased to 69 inches (1,800 mm). The weight distribution and turning circle were also improved. Top speed increased to 88 mph (142 km/h) and the fuel consumption was also improved at 28 mpg-imp (10 L/100 km; 23 mpg-US).
The Zodiac and Zephyr were also offered in two body styles these being the "Highline" and "Lowline", depending on the year of manufacture — the difference being 1.75 in (44 mm) being cut from the height of the roof panel. The "Highline" variant featured a hemispherical instrument cluster, whereas the "Lowline" had a more rectangular panel.
In Australia, the Mark II Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac were built at Ford's factory in Geelong.
As well as a 3-speed manual gearbox there was an optional overdrive and from 1956 (1959 in Australia) a Borg Warner DG automatic transmission. At first drum brakes were fitted all round (with a larger lining area of 147 sq in/950 cm2) but front discs became optional in 1960 and standard from mid 1961 (in Australia only 4-wheel drum brakes were available; some dealers fitted servo-assistance from 1961).
A two-door convertible version was offered with power-operated hood. Owing to the structural weaknesses inherent in the construction of convertibles very few convertibles are known to survive: probably only 20-25 examples. In Australia utility (pick-up) and station wagon (estate) versions built in local factories were sold.
A convertible with overdrive tested by The Motor magazine in 1961 had a top speed of 88.3 mph (142.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of 24.5 miles per imperial gallon (11.5 L/100 km; 20.4 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1193 including taxes.
In Australia, poor sales of the Zephyr led to cancellation of local manufacturing, which was switched in 1960 to production of the US-designed Falcon.
Zodiac Mark II
Ford Zodiac Mark II Ford Zodiac Mark II
Production 1956-1962
294,506 (including the Zodiac Mark II) and 6911 Convertibles made.
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door estate (conversion)
2-door convertible (conversion)
Engine(s) 2,553 cc (156 cu in) straight-6
Model number 206E
The Mark II Zodiac was slightly altered to distinguish it from the lesser variants, having more elaborate tail-end styling and at the front a different grille. The auxiliary lamps and wing mirrors were deleted from the Zodiac range but it retained two-tone paint, whitewall tyres, chrome wheel-trim embellishers and gold plated badges.
A car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956 had a top speed of 87.9 mph (141.5 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 21.5 miles per imperial gallon (13.1 L/100 km; 17.9 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £968 including taxes.
For my video; youtu.be/FgL5LQqEZkk