1956 Ford Zephyr Zodiac MkI - Goodwood Revival Race Car

First displayed at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1950, the Ford Zephyr was produced as a larger saloon to complement the 4 -cylinder Ford Consul. The Zephyr and its luxury variant the Zephyr Zodiac, which appeared in 1955, were the largest passenger cars in the British Ford range. Zephyr models in MK 1 form ran until 1956. Much loved and used by the police force to great effect in their day, the 6 cylinder Zephyrs were soon successful on track and rallies.

The car offered for sale today, 'TUO 575', was prepared as an historic rally car, being campaigned with some success in events such as the Monte Carlo Challenge.

By late 2005, its competition life was put on hold and offered up for sale. It was bought by an accomplished competitor and preparer of historic competition cars who undertook a comprehensive rebuild programme with a view to competing in the Goodwood Revival meeting the following year.

Already sporting rare period competition equipment, the car was then uprated in every area. A specially fabricated exhaust was fitted and a competition clutch was also installed to cope with the extra power generated by the freshly rebuilt race engine. A four speed gearbox fitted with a floor-mounted gear-change was also installed, along with a permitted front brake conversion to discs. Competition prepared lever arm shock absorbers aided the lowered race suspension to give the car the handling characteristics of a much smaller lighter car. A full re-spray in period two-tone colour scheme of Ascot grey over Claret finished the final detail.

Full FIA compliant safety features were fitted throughout the car and a roll cage, competition seat and harness, fireproof bulkheads and plumbed-in extinguisher, completing the rebuild.The car has competed in and is eligible for the 1950s era Goodwood St Marys Trophy, as well as most of the popular 1950s period racing events.

Sold at our Race Retro Sale in February to an overseas buyer whose circumstances have since changed - without the car being removed from the storage in the UK. Second chances don't come along very often so don't miss this one!