Description

1960 Ford Consul Deluxe

A very smart and rare Deluxe version with leather seats; very clean underneath; recent recommissioning including brakes, service and battery

Ford unveiled its new three-model Zephyr range in 1951, comprising the Consul, Zephyr and Zephyr Zodiac.

Just oozing Rockabilly cool, all looked very similar with up-to-the-minute Transatlantic styling and a range of four- and six-cylinder engines. The original Consul was the base model of the trio with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine rated at 47bhp.

In 1956 the styling was refreshed across the range for the MkII versions, all becoming considerably larger and borrowing design cues from Ford of America’s Thunderbird and Fairlane models. The Consul received a larger 59bhp 1.7-litre engine and, from 1960 onwards, optional front disc brakes which became standard from 1961. Saloon, estate and convertible bodies were available, the latter by Abbott and Carbodies respectively.

A Consul MkII tested by The Motor in 1956 had a top speed of 80mph and could accelerate to 60mph in 23 seconds with 22mpg economy, the test car costing £781 including taxes. To cement the Rockabilly link, American pop star Eddie Cochrane was unfortunately killed in a Consul MkII in 1960 when the car in which he was a passenger crashed in Chippenham, Wiltshire, on the way back from a gig at the Bristol Hippodrome.

First registered in September 1960, this very smart DeLuxe model shows five previous keepers on the logbook, the car having been in the same family for many years, spending most of its time in storage apart from the odd wedding and family event.

Passing to our vendor at the end of last year, it has had a thorough recommissioning including new brake fluid and shoes. A full oil and filter service and a new battery and has been running and driving a treat since its arrival onsite.

The underside remains in excellent order, as do the leather seats which were part of the Deluxe pack. The original Warranty card shows it was delivered by Astle's Service Station in Burton to its new owner and there is a car radio booklet and a lubrication chart on file. There are also rafts of older invoices and club magazines.

If a '60s Ford is on your radar, this one is well worth close inspection.

For more information - contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com