Editing Ford Zephyr (section)

===Zephyr Mark II===
{{Infobox automobile
| name       = Ford Zephyr Mark II
| image      = Ford Zephyr Mk II Saloon.jpg
| caption    = Ford Zephyr Mark II Saloon
| production = 1956–1962
| engine     = {{cvt|2553|cc|CID|0}} ''[[Ford Zephyr engine#Zephyr 6|Zephyr]]'' [[Overhead valve engine|ohv]] [[Straight-six engine|I6]]
| length     = {{convert|178.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| width      = {{convert|67|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}  <ref name=Motor1956/>
| height     = 
| weight     = {{convert|2576|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase  = {{convert|107|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} <ref name=BritishCars/>
| related    = [[Ford Consul|Ford Consul II]]
| body_style = {{ubli|4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]] ("sedan" in Australia)|5-door [[station wagon]] (Australia)|2-door [[coupe utility]] (Australia)|5-door [[station wagon|estate]] (conversion)|2-door [[Convertible (car)|convertible]] (conversion)}}
}}
'''Model number 206E'''

In 1956, the Consul, Zephyr, and Zodiac were all restyled. The six-cylinder cars' engines were enlarged to {{convert|2553|cc|CID|0|abbr=on}}, with power output correspondingly raised to {{convert|86|bhp|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Motor1956/> The wheelbase was increased by {{convert|3|in|mm}} to {{convert|107|in|mm}} and the width increased to {{convert|69|in|mm}}. The weight distribution and turning circle were also improved. Top speed increased to {{convert|88|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, and the fuel consumption was also improved at {{convert|28|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus|abbr=on}}.

The Zodiac and Zephyr were also offered in two body styles, the "Highline" and "Lowline", depending on the year of manufacture – the difference being {{convert|1.75|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} 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.

The performance of the Zephyr and the Zodiac series II models likely 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 101&nbsp;mph and 0–60 to 10.0s, with a standing quarter mile of 17.6s, as recorded by ''The Autocar'' in the issue dated 8 November 1957.

As well as a three-speed manual gearbox, an [[Overdrive (mechanics)|overdrive]] was optional, and from 1956 (1959 in Australia), a [[Borg Warner]] DG [[automatic transmission]] was available. At first, [[drum brakes]] were fitted all round (with a larger lining area of {{convert|147|sqin|cm2|abbr=on|disp=or}}), but front discs became optional in 1960 and standard from mid-1961 (in Australia, only four-wheel drum brakes were available; some dealers fitted servo-assistance from 1961).

A two-door convertible version was offered with power-operated hood. Because of the structural weaknesses inherent in the construction of convertibles, few survive.

A convertible with overdrive tested by ''The Motor'' in 1961 had a top speed of {{convert|88.3|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0-{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 17.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of {{convert|24.5|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}} was recorded. The test car cost £1193 including taxes.<ref name=Motor1961>{{cite journal|title = The Ford Zephyr Convertible| journal=The Motor | date = 10 May 1961}}</ref>

====Australian production====
In Australia, the Mark II Consul, Zephyr, and Zodiac were built at [[Ford Australia]]'s factory in [[Geelong]]. Sedan, [[coupe utility]] (more commonly abbreviated to "Ute"), and both four-cylinder Consul and six-cylinder Zephyr [[station wagon]] versions were produced. No Zodiac version station wagons were offered. The Australian-developed Mark II Station Wagon differed from its British Estate Car counterpart in having a wind-up rear window,<ref name=Darwin135>{{cite book|first=Norm |last=Darwin |title=The History of Ford Australia |year=1986 |page=135 |publisher=Eddie Ford Publications |isbn=9780959228717 }}</ref> and a straight C pillar, rather than a curved one. A handful of Station Wagons were registered in 1958, but sales did not really commence until about halfway through 1959. Also, the Australian-designed and -developed ute version differed significantly in its cab design and rear panels to that of its British counterpart. Mark II manufacture continued until 1962, when production switched to the assembly of Mark IIIs from imported [[knock-down kit|complete knock-down]] (CKD) kits.<ref name=Darwin135/> It had originally been planned by Ford Australia to facelift the Mark II as its main competitor to the rival Holden, but due to the exorbitant price being asked for by Ford UK for its now redundant production jigs for the Mark II, Ford Australia chose to instead locally manufacture the newly released North American Ford Falcon, which was significantly cheaper to manufacturer than the Zephyr, with the Mark III being relegated to special order only.

====New Zealand assembly====
New Zealand assembly of the Mark II, also from CKD kits, now included the Zodiac. The big Fords from Britain were now offered alongside the Australian-sourced Ford Falcon and also competed with the Vauxhall Victor and Velox, Holden, and Australia's Chrysler Valiant. Supplies were restricted due to strict import licensing rules in place at the time, and demand always exceeded availability; not uncommonly, buyers waited two to three years for their new big Ford.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Ford_Zephyr_206E_front.jpg|Ford Zephyr Mark II "Lowline" Saloon
File:Ford_Zephyr_206E_rear.jpg
File:Ford_Zephyr_206E_tail.jpg
File:Ford_Zephyr_206E_Convertible_rear.jpg|Ford Zephyr Mark II Convertible (by [[Carbodies]])
File:1961 Ford Zephyr Mark II Estate 2.3.jpg|Ford Zephyr Mark II Estate
File:Ford Zephyr Mk II Station Wagon (Australia - 2).JPG|Australian Ford Zephyr Mark II Station Wagon
File:1959 Mk2 Zephyr Ute (15356680094).jpg|Australian Ford Zephyr Mark II Coupe Utility
</gallery>

{{clear}}