The posher Zodiac Mark I only got 3 more horsepower than the plain Zephyr Six — its higher compression bought barely any extra punch, just extra trim.
Median 90 hp across 138 similar cars
Lead trim: 2.3 Zephyr six-cylinder (71 bhp)
Ford Zodiac / Zodiac Mark I1954–1956
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Ford Zodiac / Zodiac Mark I yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactThe posher Zodiac Mark I only got 3 more horsepower than the plain Zephyr Six — its higher compression bought barely any extra punch, just extra trim.
The Zephyr Zodiac (or Zodiac Mark I) was an upmarket version of the Zephyr launched at the London Motor Show in autumn 1953, with two-tone paintwork, leather trim, a heater, windscreen washers, whitewall tyres and spot lights. The engine had a higher compression ratio, 7.5:1 instead of 6.8:1, increasing the maximum power to 71 bhp. A car tested by The Motor in 1955 had a top speed of 80 mph and could accelerate from 0–60 mph in 20.2 seconds, with fuel consumption of 22.2 miles per imperial gallon, and it cost £851 including taxes. No official records exist of Zephyr Zodiac convertibles being produced, but a few estate cars were built.
Collectors Spotted in the Ford Zodiac Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Ford Zodiac yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 Zephyr six-cylinder (71 bhp) | 1954–1956 | 2.3 L Inline-6 | 71 hp | 112 lb-ft | 20.2 s | — | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
The Zodiac Mark IV hid its spare wheel ahead of the engine, under the bonnet — an odd trade that freed up extra boot space instead.
This Zodiac wore its luxury on its face — Ford gave it a unique grille with four headlights instead of the Zephyr's two, plus limousine-style rear doors and a sharper roofline, despite sharing its front doors and bonnet with the cheaper car.
Ford's flagship Zodiac dropped its auxiliary lamps and wing mirrors from lesser trims — but kept the showier touches: two-tone paint, whitewall tyres, and honest gold-plated badges.
The posher Zodiac Mark I only got 3 more horsepower than the plain Zephyr Six — its higher compression bought barely any extra punch, just extra trim.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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