82 Classic Car Mart Spring 2016
INSURING A MkII ZEPHYR
We spoke to the experts at Lancaster Insurance (01480 484826, http://www.
lancasterinsurance.co.uk) regarding the cost of a classic car policy for a
45-year old living in the Gloucestershire GL12 postcode area driving no
more than 3000 miles a year in a 1960 MkII Ford Zephyr. Our imaginary
owner uses their Zephyr as a second vehicle and keeps it in a garage next
to the house. They have a clean driving licence, which they’ve held for
over 20 years. The big Ford’s got an agreed value of around £6000 and
the estimated annual premium to insure the car for 12 months would be
between £81.18 and £98.18 including AV, depending on club membership.
Policy benefits and discounts offered by Lancaster Insurance may vary
between insurance schemes or cover selected and these are obviously
subject to underwriting criteria. An additional charge may be payable.
new door cards and seat facings for all three
MkII’s, as well as new headlining kits.
When evaluating a MkII Consul, Zephyr
or Zodiac prior to purchase, pay particular
attention to the condition and operation of all
the switchgear and awkward to replace items
such as window regulators, door catches and
the instrumentation in the dash binnacle. Some
owners may have fitted auxiliary gauges and
this usually good sign that the car has been well
looked after and maintained to a high standard.
VALUES
Over the years MkII big Fords have gained a
keen reputation as being a cult classic amongst
the rock ’n’ roll fraternity. A tenuous link to this
so called association may be that the American-
born ’50’s singer Eddie Cochran died in a road
accident while travelling a MkII Consul taxi in
Chippenham during his 1960 UK tour. However,
its far more likely the link between MkIIs and
late ’50s and early ’60s rock ’n’ roll music is
simply down to the fact that enthusiasts who
own these cars today grew up with this style of
entertainment when MkII Consuls, Zephyrs and
Zodiacs could be seen driving past coffee bars
on every high street up and down the country.
While most clean MkIIs will no doubt change
hands through the relevant owners’ clubs,
online sites such as http://www.carandclassic.co.uk
often advertise MkIIs and currently has what
it describes as an ‘unmolested’ 1959 Consul
recently imported from Australia that’s ‘never
been welded but requires restoring’ advertised
for sale at £8000. This is expensive for an
unrestored Consul but if you fancy a challenge
there are a few basket case Consul, Zephyr and
Zodiacs available starting at under a grand.
However, for that price you’ll be spending
long evenings with a MIG welder for company,
so invest wisely if you wish to stay friends with
the neighbours. Consuls are cheaper than the
Z-badged cars, with the price of a Condition
Two Consul averaging out £3500 and excellent
examples changing hands for twice that amount.
£6000 should be able to source a sound MkII
Zephyr, with a reasonable Zodiac costing
between £1500 and £2000 more. Excellent
Condition One Zodiacs will cost well in excess of
£10,000, as will a tidy estate, while convertible
examples of all three marques in show condition
will cost considerably more, as will surviving
examples of the now very rare Raymond Mays
tuned Z-cars. CCM
When viewing a restored
MkII big Ford, pay particular
attention to how well the shut
lines at the base of all the
doors have been dealt with.