The Zephyr 6 was one of the first cars I remember, at the impressionable age of 5 my Father bought a new Black one with Red Leather. 1954 Registered in Rochdale, Lancs NDK 324 and equipped with the all important sunvisor. This was his first new car. I remember him carrying the cash into the Ford dealership. He was glad to ditch a Triumph Mayflower and get some power under his right foot.
The love affair with Ford went on for many years – 1963 Anglia estate, 1965 Corsair GT, 1968 Corsair 2000E – then I took over from 1969 with a Ford Zodiac Exec Mk4 (taxidriving in London at the time to support motor racing costs), 1970 Capri 2000 GTXLR, 1975 Granada 3.0 Est (kids), 1983 Granada 2.8 ghia, 1988 Granada 2.8 ghia.
In 1996 I decided to ‘go back in time’ and look for some of the old cars we had. First the 1954 Zodiac was bought – in poor overall condition but with a clean engine & drivetrain, this was PGJ 622 but the number had been sold earlier and now had a ‘MFF’ number which I didn’t like.
The Zephyr 6 was then acquired, has its original number, a very good interior but poor respray to the bonnet which will be redone shortly – a pity as the rest of the car has a fine patina. I rallied the Zodiac a few times, the small fuel tank was a handicap, but the car competed well in the 50’s class. Then I embarked on a full interior & exterior restoration purchasing ARI 624 as a donor car to provide many trim parts. 12 years on and she’s still very good. Regularly winning prizes at Scottish events. The most recent acquistion is the Mk1 Zephyr Convertible that used to belong to Neil Tees, all three cars are pictured below.
The Zodiac hasn’t been South of the border since 1996, on her way from Lands End to John O’ Groats, I intend to rally the Zephyr 6 with an eye on entering the ‘Rally of the Tests’ this winter, I hope she’ll qualify in the ‘post war’ class, with the model being built from ’51. Fifties class applies to cars first made from 1952!
My other Ford interests are a 1971 Capri 3000E, and two V6 1967 Scimitar Coupes, pre GTE. Next I would like to find a good Zephyr 6 Mk 3 to be my final addition.
I also enclose a shot of a 1953 Rally plate that I bought in 2000 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed – with the all important number, 365.
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