A 1959 black Ford Zodiac MkII on display at the 2017 Silverstone Classic
n 1956 the Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac were all restyled. The 6-cylinder cars' engines were enlarged to 2,553 cc (156 cu in), with power output correspondingly raised to 86 bhp (64 kW).[7] The wheelbase was increased by 3 inches (76 mm) to 107 inches (2,700 mm) and the width increased to 69 inches (1,800 mm). The weight distribution and turning circle were also improved. Top speed increased to 88 mph (142 km/h) and the fuel consumption was also improved at 28 mpg‑imp (10 L/100 km; 23 mpg‑US). The Zodiac and Zephyr were also offered in two body styles these being the "Highline" and "Lowline", depending on the year of manufacture — the difference being in (44 mm) being cut from the height of the roof panel. The "Highline" variant featured a hemispherical instrument cluster, whereas the "Lowline" had a more rectangular panel. There is no doubt that the performance of the Zephyr and the Zodiac series II models was restricted by the rudimentary exhaust system, both the manifold assembly and the exhaust itself. The well-known Raymond Mays complete engine conversion boosted the performance figures to a top speed of 101mph and 0-60 to , with a standing quarter mile of , as recorded by The Autocar magazine in issue dated 8th November 1957. As well as a 3-speed manual gearbox there was an optional overdrive and from 1956 (1959 in Australia) a BThe Mark II Zodiac was slightly altered to distinguish it from the lesser variants, having more elaborate tail-end styling and at the front a different grille. The auxiliary lamps and wing mirrors were deleted from the Zodiac range but it retained two-tone paint, whitewall tyres, chrome wheel-trim embellishers and gold plated badges. A car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956 had a top speed of mph ( km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in seconds. A fuel consumption of miles per imperial gallon ( L/100 km; mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £968 including
Size: 5287px × 3279px
Location: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, United Kingdom
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -door, -field, 1959, 2017, 2553cc, automobile, automotive, black, bonnett, british, car, classic, ford, grass, grill, headlights, motocar, saloon, silverstone, transport, tyres, vehicle, wheels, windscreen, zodiac
