Editing Ford Zephyr (section)

===Zodiac Mark III===
{{Infobox automobile
| name       = Ford Zodiac Mark III
| image      = Ford Zodiac MkIII front.jpg
| caption    = Ford Zodiac Mark III saloon (213E)
| production = 1962–1966
| engine     = {{cvt|2553|cc|CID|0}} ''[[Ford Zephyr engine#Zephyr 6|Zephyr]]'' [[Overhead valve engine|ohv]] [[Straight-six engine|I6]]
| length     = {{convert|182.75|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=Motor1962/>
| width      = {{convert|69|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=Motor1962/>
| height     = {{convert|56.75|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase  = {{convert|107|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=Motor1962/>
| weight     = {{convert|2828|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| body_style = {{ubli|4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]|5-door [[station wagon|estate]] (conversion)}}
| related    = 
}}
'''Model numbers 213E, 214E'''

The Zodiac was an upmarket version of the Zephyr 6, but differed considerably from that model by the limousine-type rear doors, sharper roofline (with narrower C-pillar) and tail, unique grille (four headlights instead of two), exclusive bumper bars, plusher seating, and up-market upholstery, dashboard, and interior fittings. A choice of individual or bench front seats was available trimmed in leather or cloth. The front doors and bonnet panels were shared with the Zephyr 6. The Executive version had extra luxury fittings again. The 2553&nbsp;cc, single-carburettor, six-cylinder engine was improved internally to increase the power output to 109&nbsp;bhp and a new four-speed all synchromesh transmission with column change was fitted. The brakes, servo assisted, use discs at the front and drum at the rear.

A Mk III saloon tested by ''The Motor'' in 1962 had a top speed of {{convert|100.7|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0-{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 13.4 seconds. A touring fuel consumption of {{convert|22.6|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}} was recorded. The test car cost £1070 including taxes on the UK market.<ref name=Motor1962>{{cite journal |title=The Ford Zodiac Mk III |journal=The Motor |date=18 April 1962}}</ref>

Ford New Zealand initially built the Zephyr 4 and 6, as well as the Zodiac, locally from CKD kits, offering only the bench front seat option finished in vinyl. Automatic transmission, introduced late in the life of the Mk II, was again available, but were a rare factory option, as most buyers chose manual. As well as the Zephyr 6, Ford NZ built a six-cylinder Zephyr Special (which replaced the 4) with a lower equipment level and deletion of the central vertical grille bar, boot lid trim strip, and other exterior brightwork, which was sold to fleet operators such as the government. The big Fords were unusual in having four-speed manual gearboxes when rivals, including Ford's own Falcon, had only three-speed ones. Building the top luxury Zodiac model locally also gave Ford a supply advantage over key rivals such as GM's Vauxhall, whose upmarket Cresta was not assembled locally after 1960, and once available only as a fully imported model, was much harder to obtain than the locally assembled Velox.
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Ford_Zodiac_MkIII_side.jpg|Ford Zodiac Mark III (213E)
File:Ford_Zodiac_MkIII_rear.jpg
File:Ford_Zodiac_MkIII_tail.jpg
File:Ford Zodiac 213E Abbott Estate rear.jpg|Ford Zodiac Mark III Estate (213E)
</gallery>

{{clear}}