17th Feb, 2010 14:15
The Pavilion Gardens
1955 Ford Zephyr Estate
Estimated at £10,000 - £12,000
Lot details
Registration No: OOU 827
Chassis No: EOTTA164445
Mot Expiry: Feb 2011
Ford's transAtlantic-inspired Consul range broke technological new ground when it appeared at the 1950 Earl's Court Motor Show to replace the ageing Pilot. The sleek four-door styling clothed a chassisless, unitary frame - and it was the first English car to use MacPherson struts, which have been a Ford (and industry) staple ever since. Earl S MacPherson's revolutionary idea, devised while he was at General Motors but first seen on the 1949 Ford Vedette, uses telescopic struts to locate, spring and damp the front wheels, giving a supple ride with minimal use of space.
More room for occupants came from the fitment of a column gearchange that allowed three to travel on the front bench seat. The Consul was powered by a 1508cc four-cylinder engine but in February 1951 the Zephyr appeared with a six-cylinder 2262cc engine whose 68bhp upped top speed to 80mph. The Zephyr Zodiac with higher compression and 72bhp arrived in 1953. All of these oversquare engines made the most of relaxed horsepower taxation rules that had previously encouraged long-stroke, slow revving sloggers. Ford offered no convertibles or estates but these options were looked after by Carbodies and Abbotts of Farnham.
This particular example is reputedly among the last Zephyr Sixes made, and is thought to be one of only four or five Farnham estates left. Since entering the current ownership in 2005, `OOU 827' is understood to have benefited from a cosmetic restoration. Describing the bodywork and paintwork as "very good" and "excellent" respectively, the vendor is also of the opinion that the electrical equipment, three-speed manual gearbox and interior trim are "good" and the engine "reasonable". He goes on to say: "It's rare and believed to be the only one in this condition in the UK".
Registration No: OOU 827
Chassis No: EOTTA164445
Mot Expiry: Feb 2011
Ford's transAtlantic-inspired Consul range broke technological new ground when it appeared at the 1950 Earl's Court Motor Show to replace the ageing Pilot. The sleek four-door styling clothed a chassisless, unitary frame - and it was the first English car to use MacPherson struts, which have been a Ford (and industry) staple ever since. Earl S MacPherson's revolutionary idea, devised while he was at General Motors but first seen on the 1949 Ford Vedette, uses telescopic struts to locate, spring and damp the front wheels, giving a supple ride with minimal use of space.
More room for occupants came from the fitment of a column gearchange that allowed three to travel on the front bench seat. The Consul was powered by a 1508cc four-cylinder engine but in February 1951 the Zephyr appeared with a six-cylinder 2262cc engine whose 68bhp upped top speed to 80mph. The Zephyr Zodiac with higher compression and 72bhp arrived in 1953. All of these oversquare engines made the most of relaxed horsepower taxation rules that had previously encouraged long-stroke, slow revving sloggers. Ford offered no convertibles or estates but these options were looked after by Carbodies and Abbotts of Farnham.
This particular example is reputedly among the last Zephyr Sixes made, and is thought to be one of only four or five Farnham estates left. Since entering the current ownership in 2005, `OOU 827' is understood to have benefited from a cosmetic restoration. Describing the bodywork and paintwork as "very good" and "excellent" respectively, the vendor is also of the opinion that the electrical equipment, three-speed manual gearbox and interior trim are "good" and the engine "reasonable". He goes on to say: "It's rare and believed to be the only one in this condition in the UK".
Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 17th Feb, 2010
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