Editing Ford Zephyr (section)

==Mark IV<span class="anchor" id="Mark IV"></span><span class="anchor" id="Mk 4"></span>==

===Zephyr Mark IV===
{{Infobox automobile
| name       = Ford Zephyr Mark IV
| image      = Ford Zephyr 3008E front.jpg
| production = 1966–1972
| engine     = {{ubl
  | {{cvt|1996|cc|CID|1}} ''[[Ford Essex V4 engine|Essex V4]]'' 
  | {{cvt|2495|cc|CID|1}} ''[[Ford Essex V6 engine (UK)|Essex V6]]''
  }}
| body_style   = {{ubli|4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]|5-door [[station wagon|estate]] (conversion)}}
| transmission = {{ubli | 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] | 3-speed [[Ford C4 transmission|''Ford C4'']] [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] }}
| related      = 
| length       = {{convert|185|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| width        = {{convert|71.25|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| height       = {{convert|58.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase    = {{convert|115|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=DlyExpressLonMoShoRev1966>{{cite book |last=Cardew |first=Basil |title=Daily Express Review of the 1966 Motor Show |year=1966 |publisher=Beaverbrook Newspapers |location=London }}</ref>
| weight       = {{ubli|{{convert|2716|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} (Zephyr 4) |{{convert|2884|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} (Zephyr 6)}}
}}

'''Models 3008 / 3010E'''

In 1961, Ford began a complete redesign on the Zephyr, under the title of "Project Panda". As the car used the new V-series engines, the then traditional long bonnet concept created a problem until design engineer [[Harley Copp]] required that the car was both larger and had more internal space, and came up with the idea of placing the spare wheel ahead of the radiator on an angle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/garage/7266/magapr03.html |title=President's Report|website=geocities.com |date=2009-10-27 |access-date=2011-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027125933/http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/garage/7266/magapr03.html |archive-date=27 October 2009 }}</ref> The result was a vehicle of similar dimensions to the North American [[Ford Fairlane (Americas)|Ford Fairlane]].

The Mk IV range was launched, not at an October motor show, but in early 1966 with new V-format engines, the 4 having a {{convert|1996|cc|CID|0|abbr=on}} V4 and the {{convert|2495|cc|CID|0|abbr=on}} V6 unit. The independent suspension was aided by servo-assisted disc brakes on all wheels.

Criticism of the handling of early examples in the UK led to the fitting as standard of [[Radial tire|radial-ply]] tyres on the larger-engined version in place of the more conventional (in the UK at that time) cross-ply tyres with which all versions were fitted at the 1966 launch, and the retrofitting of radial-ply tyres to early examples addressed the tendency of the rear wheels to slide uncontrollably in wet weather, justifying in the process Ford's investment in a new and relatively sophisticated rear suspension arrangement for the Mark IVs.<ref name=Motor196802/>  Even after that, a contemporary nevertheless opined that the ride involved a certain amount of 'float', and reported that the nose-heavy handling called for a 'strong driver', a problem which the more expensive Zodiac and Executive versions mitigated through the fitting as a standard feature of power assisted steering.<ref name=Autocar1971>{{cite journal|title = Autocode-Ford: Zephyr-Zodiac| journal =Autocar | volume = 134 |issue=3925)| pages=57–64 |date=17 June 1971}}</ref> Cost constraints precluded adding power assisted steering for the Zephyr, but during its production run the steering ratio was lowered which reduced the strength needed to change direction by increasing the number of turns between locks from 5.5 to an even higher 6.4.<ref name=Autocar196810>{{cite journal |editor1-last=Smith |editor-first=Maurice A. |title=Used Car Test: 1966 Ford Zephyr V4 |journal=Autocar |volume=129 |issue=3791) |pages=100–102 |date=10 October 1968}}</ref>  Another production modification for the 4-cylinder Zephyr involved redesigning the valve gear in order to eliminate the need on the early Mk IVs for frequent tappet adjustments.<ref name=Autocar196810/>

The size of the bonnet was emphasized by square-cut styling of the wings. A practical use was found for some of the extra space in front of the driver; the spare wheel was stored, ahead of the engine, under the bonnet, freeing up space at the other end of the car for more luggage.<ref name=DailyExpressMotorShowReviewOct1969re1970>{{cite news |title=Motor Show Review 1969 on 1970 Cars |editor-last=Cardew |editor-first=Basil |newspaper=Daily Express |page=23 (Ford Zephyr) |date=October 1969}}</ref>

Although large, the car, at least in its Zephyr form, was not particularly luxurious. Individual front seats were available at extra cost, but the standard front bench seat was described by one commentator who ran the car on a long-term test as being intended for people no taller than {{convert|5|ft|8|in|m}} who have the right leg {{convert|3|in|cm}} shorter than the left.<ref name=Motor196802>{{cite journal |last=Wilding |first=Tony |title=24,000 mile staff car report: Ford Zephyr 6 Mk IV |journal=Motor | pages=75–77 |date=17 February 1968}}</ref>

An estate version of the Zephyr Mark IV was announced just in time for the [[London Motor Show]] in October 1966, though deliveries commenced only in January 1967.<ref name=Autocar1972>{{cite journal |title=Ford Zephyr 6 estate car| journal=Autocar |volume=136 |issue=3956) |pages=16–17 |date=27 January 1972}}</ref> As with the earlier Zephyrs, volumes did not justify tooling up for estate production at the [[Ford Dagenham assembly plant|Dagenham plant]], and the cars were instead built by [[Abbott Coachbuilders|E. D. Abbott Ltd of Farnham]], based on part finished saloons received from Ford.<ref name=Autocar1972/> The Mark IV Zephyr estates (like their more expensive Zodiac siblings) came with black vinyl-covered roof, a fashionable distinguishing feature of upmarket vehicles at the time: retention unchanged of the saloon's rear light clusters attracted criticism, however, because of the way it narrowed the rear hatch opening at floor level when compared to the arrangements on the cheaper [[Ford Cortina|Ford Cortina estates]].<ref name=Autocar196610>{{cite journal |editor-last=Smith |editor-first=Maurice A. |title=New big Ford estate cars |journal=Autocar |volume=125 |issue=3688 |page=890 |date=21 October 1966}}</ref>

====Export models====
In November 1966, the manufacturers announced a plan to introduce an "export special" version of the Zephyr Mk IV combining the 3.0-L engine of the Zodiac with other specifications largely following those of the existing Zephyr.<ref name=Autocar196611/> This 3.0-L Zephyr was not offered by Ford on the domestic (UK) market.<ref name=Autocar196611>{{cite journal |editor-last=Smith |editor-first=Maurice A. |title=News and views: Additional Ford for export | journal=Autocar |volume=125 |issue=3692) |page=1102 |date=18 November 1966}}</ref>

This 3.0-litre model was quickly adopted by [[Ford New Zealand]], which had originally launched the Mk IV Zephyr assembled locally from [[Knock-down kit|CKD kits]] with the 2.5-litre V6 (no Zephyr 4 this time) and received complaints it was underpowered for a country where towing boats and caravans was common. Ford New Zealand also introduced optional floor gear shift and bucket seats as an alternative to the standard column shift and bench front seat, and a large number of Zephyrs were built in this form, with other modifications, for New Zealand's traffic police.

The Zodiac was also again assembled in New Zealand with both bench and bucket front seats and Zodiacs from about 1967 also had the walnut dashboard from the U.K. market Executive. An automatic transmission was optional with both the Zephyr and Zodiac. The local Mark IV line did not include the Zephyr Deluxe version available in the UK, was not as popular as the Mark III, and was outsold by the now much wider, locally built Australian Falcon range. Production ended in 1972, and the Consul and Granada replacements introduced in the UK were never officially imported into New Zealand.

South African Zephyrs and Zodiacs all received the 3.0-litre "Export" engine beginning with the 1968 model year. This also included replacing the earlier Zephyr Super with the new Zephyr de luxe, which received the dummy grille as on European cars.<ref name=zaCAR768>{{cite magazine | magazine = CAR | title = Ford Zephyr AT de luxe | editor-last = Wright | editor-first = Cedric | volume = 12 | number = 7 | date = August 1968 | ref = DNLCV | page = 48 | publisher = Central News Agency Ltd. | location = Cape Town, South Africa }}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Ford_Zephyr_3008E_head.jpg|Ford Zephyr 4 Mark IV
File:Ford_Zephyr_3008E_rear.jpg
File:Ford_Zephyr_3008E_tail.jpg
</gallery>
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Ford Zephyr 3008E side.jpg|Ford Zephyr 4 Mark IV: the short tailed long nosed profile recalled Ford's iconic [[Ford Mustang (first generation)|Mustang]]
File:Ford Zephyr VI Mk IV first registered May 1970 2495cc.JPG|Ford Zephyr 6 Mark IV: the deluxe version gained a dummy grille between the headlights
</gallery>

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=== Zodiac and Executive Mark IV<span class="anchor" id="3012E"></span><span class="anchor" id="3022E"></span>===
{{Infobox automobile
| name       = {{ubli|Ford Zodiac Mark IV | Ford Executive}}
| image      = Ford Zodiac MkIV first registered November 1971 2994cc.JPG
| caption    = Ford Zodiac Mark IV Saloon
| production = 1966–1972
| engine     = {{cvt|2994|cc|CID|1}} ''[[Ford Essex V6 engine (UK)|Essex]]'' [[V6 engine|V6]]
| body_style = {{ubli|4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]|5-door [[station wagon|estate car]] (conversion)}}
| related    = 
}}
'''Models 3012E / 3022E'''

The Zodiac Mark IV and "Executive" had four headlights and an uprated {{convert|2994|cc|CID|0|abbr=on}} V6 engine. Claimed output was 140&nbsp;bhp 'net' at 4,750&nbsp;rpm, with {{convert|181.5|lbft|abbr=on}} of torque at 3,000&nbsp;rpm.<ref name=Autocar1967>{{cite journal|title = Autocar Road Test Ford Executive 2,994 c.c. |quote=Ford's Top [UK] Car, with V6 engine and automatic transmissions. Comfortable five-seater, with all independent suspension. Power steering, but handling vague. Optional radial-ply tyres give good grip. Brakes light for normal use but very heavy for emergencies. Poor town fuel consumption. Good finish and tasteful interior trim. |journal=Autocar |volume=126 |issue=3716) |pages=49–53 |date=4 May 1967}}</ref>  The Zodiac featured an [[alternator (auto)|alternator]] instead of a dynamo on the Zephyr, an adjustable steering column, a spare wheel in the engine compartment, a heater and ''Aeroflow'' ventilation, electric window washers, two-speed wipers, a cigar lighter, rev counter (tachometer), clock, [[ammeter]], and reversing lights as standard.

The Zephyr/Zodiac Mark IVs with their complex independent rear suspension design represented a considerable step up when compared to the Mark III big Fords that they replaced. Ford also determined to widen the price gap between the Zephyr and Zodiac versions. In January 1967, less than a year after the car's introduction, Ford announced that production of the Mark IVs was being cut back in response to poor sales. The announcement was accompanied by several pieces of more upbeat news about Cortina sales, and it was stressed that workers taken off Zephyr/Zodiac production would all be redeployed on the Cortina production lines.<ref name=Autocar196701>{{cite journal |editor-last=Smith |editor-first=Maurice A. |title =News and views: Cortina exports |journal=Autocar |volume=126 |issue=3700)|page=46 |date=12 January 1967}}</ref>

An estate version of the Zodiac Mk IV was announced at the same time as the Zephyr equivalent, and built alongside it at [[Abbott Coachbuilders|Farnham]].<ref name=Autocar1972/>  No "Executive" estate was built.<ref name=Autocar1972/>

The "Executive" was an upmarket version, and had the highest specification offered by Ford to UK customers in the 1960s. Automatic transmission (the Zodiac's four-speed manual box with overdrive being also available as a 'no cost' option<ref name=Autocar1967/>) along with power steering and a sunroof were standard equipment. Other standard features included fully reclining front seats, walnut fascia, full instrumentation, carpeting throughout, reversing lights, fog lamps, front inertial-reel safety belts, and a radio. The Executive was distinguishable from other models by exterior trim and name badges on the front and rear.

An automatic transmission-equipped Ford Executive was tested by Britain's ''[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]]'' in 1967. It had a top speed of {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0-{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 13.1 seconds.<ref name=Autocar1967/> An overall fuel consumption of {{convert|17.2|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}} was recorded.<ref name=Autocar1967/> By these performance criteria, the Ford betrayed its weight, but nevertheless usefully bettered the similarly sized 3.3-L-engined [[Vauxhall Cresta#Viscount|Vauxhall Viscount]]. The Ford's recommended retail price of £1,567 exceeded the £1,483 sticker price on the Viscount.<ref name=Autocar1967/>
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Ford Zodiac Mk IV estate Reg April 1971.JPG|Ford Zodiac Mark IV estate conversion
File:Ford Executive December 1967 2994cc.JPG|Ford Executive 1967 
File:Ford Executive registered October 1966 2994cc.jpg|Ford Executive 1966 
</gallery>
{{clear}}