Description
Author: Graham Robson, Hardbound, 192 Pages, ISBN: 9781861269430, 1st Edition, 2007
In the 1930s, Ford-UK built up a remarkable private car operation at Dagenham in Essex, but when production re-started after World War Two every model was technically obsolete. And, worse, Ford had nothing to sell in the important 1.5-litre —2.5-litre market sector.
To fill that gap, and to bring the company's products up to date, design work began on an entirely new range of four- and six-cylinder cars that would transform Ford's image. In its biggest investment so far, Ford-UK developed totally new models in which nothing except the famous blue oval badge was carried over from the past.
When new in 1950, not only did the Consul and Zephyr types look modern, but they were the first British Fords to have overhead-valve engines, unit-construction body shells and MacPherson strut independent front suspension. In short order, these saloons were joined by convertible and estate car types, and by the glitzy Zodiac derivative.
For the next twenty-two years — the lost of the Zephyrs and Zodiacs were produced in 1972— the range was refreshed three times, given new styling, new suspensions and, from 1966, an entirely new range of engines too. Always the market leaders, these cars offered something for everyone, whether private owner or business user.
Because their engines and transmissions also found homes in other Fords — models as varied as the Capri and the Transit van — these cars were among the most important the company ever produced. This book provides the full story of their careers, not only in their success with the general public, but on the race tracks and rally stages of the world.
Graham Robson is the ideal author to tackle this story. Not only has he already been involved in the motor industry for half a century — first as an engineer, then as a motor-sport enthusiast, but later as a writer, road tester, technical analyst and historical consultant — but he has come to learn, more and more, about every aspect of Ford in the UK and in Europe. Known and trusted by many of Ford's top men, he has tolked to many of them over the years, which gave him a valuable insight into the writing of this important book.
Graham has now written more automotive titles than any other motoring historian; several of them have been published by The Crowood Press.
