Ford Zodiac MkIII Manual

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Ford updated their new large car range in 1952, moving to a more contemporary three-box design in line with the general market trend when they introduced their new Consul and Zephyr models.

The designs drew heavily from their American cousins, continuing Ford UK's influence from their masters across the Atlantic. The Zephyr, and later upmarket Zodiac models were to remain on the price list until 1972 when the new Consul/Granada made its appearance. By 1962, the car was in its third iteration, the MkIII selling well until the ultra-square MkIV arrived in 1966. The MkIII was sold as the Zephyr 4 and Zephyr 6, with top-of-the-range models being referred to as the Zodiac and Executive.

The Zodiac was essentially a Zephyr 6 with different rear doors, a narrower ‘C’ post and a redesigned tail. Bumpers were increased in size and the grill modified to take quad-headlights to differentiate it from its cheaper siblings. Inside, the dashboard got wood trim and the extra-plumped seats could be ordered in leather trim for those with deeper pockets.

Disc brakes were standard, as was an all-synchro four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive or automatic transmission available as options. Its 109bhp six-cylinder engine could propel the Zodiac to over 100mph at a cost of £1,070 including Purchase Tax.

Well known in Ford club circles, this impressive Ermine White Zodiac MkIII used to be registered DON 72C until August last year when it was re-registered ABH 506C. Offered through a Brooks auction at the NEC in May 1996, it sold for £6,440 and had just 17,000 warranted miles under its wheels at that time. An online check of the MOT history confirms how this has increased since then to its current reading of 34,000 miles, still an exceptionally low figure for a 51-year-old car.

It has very recently been retrieved from a defaulting restoration company where it is rumoured to have been subject to over £10,000 worth of work, although due to the nature of the sale, no paperwork is available to substantiate this figure or to demonstrate precisely what work was carried out.

It comes with a current V5C, buff logbook and a handbook, and although not currently tested, its most recent MOT only expired in May this year (with no advisories recorded), and the car has not been used at all since the date of its last test. It is also a surprisingly rare car, with only 79 MkIII Zodiacs still UK registered according to DVLA figures.

According to the vendor, this impressive top-of-the-range Ford draws crowds wherever it goes and could potentially be yours for significantly less than it sold for in 1996, let alone the amount spent during the recent restoration.