Ford Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac (Hardcover)

In the 1930s, Ford-UK built up a remarkable private car operation at Dagenham in Essex, but when production re-started after World War Two every model was technically obsolete. And, worse, Ford had nothing to sell in the important 1.5-litre -2.5-litre market sector.

To fill that gap, and to bring the company's products up to date, design work began on an entirely new range of four- and six-cylinder cars that would transform Ford's image. In its biggest investment so far, Ford-UK developed totally new models in which nothing except the famous blue oval badge was carried over from the past.

When new in 1950, not only did the Consul and Zephyr types look modern, but they were the first British Fords to have overhead-valve engines, unit-construction body shells and MacPherson strut independent front suspension. In short order, these saloons were joined by convertible and estate car types, and by the glitzy Zodiac derivative.

For the next twenty-two years - the last of the Zephyrs and Zodiacs were produced in 1972 - the range was refreshed three times, given styling, new suspensions and, from 1966, an entirely new range of engines too. Always the market leaders, these cars offered something for everyone, whether private owner or business user.

Because their engines and transmissions also found homes in other Fords - models as varied as the Capri and the Transit van - these cars were among the most important the company ever produced. This book provides the full story of their careers, not only in their success with the general public, but on the race tracks and rally stages of the world.