BUYER’S GUIDE ZEPHYR SIX

Ford didn’t invent the sleeper but they sure knew how to build one, and the now-iconic Mk1 Zephyr Six was arguably the first.

Classic Ford

On its February 1951 debut, the Zephyr Six had quite a lot to shout about. Together with the lesser, four-cylinder Consul, the Zephyr represented Ford’s first attempt at monocoque construction, the standard fitment of 13 inch wheels and, significantly, the use of MacPherson strut front suspension. Perhaps even more notable though, was that the Zephyr Six was the first UK Ford to feature a six-cylinder engine, its front end being 7 inches longer than that of the Consul in order to accommodate the 2262cc engine. The lengthy, overhead-valve straight six developed 68 bhp and 112 lb.ft torque from just 2000 rpm, making the Zephyr both an effortless cruiser and rapid to boot, the saloon being a genuine 80 mph car. Despite its groundbreaking credentials though, the Zephyr Six was distinctly…

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Classic Ford (Digital) - 1 Issue, Spring 2025

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