“It is a leader amongst cars of today” – The Ford Zephyr-Zodiac Mk. I

Sometimes, the connoisseur of 1950s popular culture, such as this writer, is faced with automotive temptation, such as this 1956 Zephyr-Zodiac offered by Craner Classics. The young Arthur Daley would have craved this car, which would have also been the object of admiration among Teddy boys at the Hammersmith Palais. Plus, the original Zodiac founded a nearly 20-year dynasty of upmarket British Fords.

A key to the Zephyr-Zodiac’s success was in Ford’s bold claim, on its launch in late 1953, that a price of £851 2s made it “within reach of those who would otherwise consider such motoring beyond their means”. Nor did it have any direct rivals: the E-Series Vauxhall Cresta would not debut until 1954, and the British Motor Corporation would not launch the Austin A105 until 1956. As for the Humber Hawk, Rover P4 and Wolseley 6/90, they were more expensive and less agreeably flamboyant than the Zephyr-Zodiac.

And the flagship British Ford conveyed a genuine sense of glamour to the outer suburbs. The specification included whitewall tyres and duotone paintwork, while even the exterior trim was plated in nine-carat gold. If that were not a sufficient inducement to book a test drive, the Zodiac also came with leather upholstery, pile carpet, wool headlining, fog, spot and reversing lamps, a heater, windscreen washers, wing mirrors, a cigar lighter and a clock as standard. “The Zodiac is finished in a two-tone colour scheme and has all the special fittings which an enthusiastic owner likes, the only extra being a radio,” mused Autocar.

Such fittings helped to differentiate the Zodiac from its cheaper Zephyr Six stablemate, and it was also slightly more rapid, thanks to a higher compression ratio to compensate for the additional weight of its fittings. A top speed of 84 mph with 0-60 in just over 20 seconds may appear slow by 2024 standards, but it was ideal for mid-1950s trunk road motoring. When Autocar conducted a road test in 1954, they concluded:

Customary reaction to the Zodiac is that of admiration, and the owner who likes to have a car that is distinctive, as well as lively in performance, can consider the price difference between the standard Zephyr Six and the Zodiac to be well worth while.

They also thought the extra equipment was “well placed and not overdone”. In other words, respectable motorists could order a Zodiac without fear of their neighbours deeming them a complete and utter wide boy.

Ford replaced the Consul/Zephyr/Zodiac Mk. I with the Mk. II in 1956, making the example sold by Craner Classics one of the last. It is a saloon, as I once wrote in Classic Car Weekly, that would be:

Especially at home at The Goodwood Revival, conveying the spirit of Diana Dors out for a day at the races. Alternatively, a first-generation Zodiac would mesmerise visitors to the NEC for the Classic Car Show and enhance any 1950s revival event. Preferably with Alma Cogan records playing in the background.

Or, to quote Ford: “The Zodiac is for connoisseurs of motoring; it is a leader amongst cars of today, built to deserve the instant admiration it will always command.” Including Teddy boys at the local Palais de Danse and the young Arthur Daley.

With thanks to: https://www.cranerclassics.co.uk/