Ford Consul
1950–1962 · Mk1 EOTA and Mk2 204E/206E/375 · the first MacPherson strut car in the world
The four-cylinder car. Mk1 and Mk2 only — and the Consul 375 is a Mk2, whatever the number suggests.
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About the Ford Consul
The Consul is the four-cylinder base car of the Consul–Zephyr–Zodiac range, and it is worth being precise about what that covers, because Ford reused the name repeatedly. This page is the Mk1 EOTA of 1950–56 and the Mk2 204E saloon and 206E convertible of 1956–62, including the Consul 375. From the Mk3 of 1962 the name was dropped and the four-cylinder car became the Zephyr 4. The Consul Classic, the Consul Capri, the Consul Corsair and the 1972 Consul are all entirely different cars that happen to share a badge. The Mk1 runs a 1508cc four of 47bhp (AROnline says 48), hydraulic drums all round, MacPherson struts at the front and a live axle on half-elliptics at the back, three speeds on the column. 227,732 built.
And the strut claim is real. The 1950 Consul is the first production car in the world with MacPherson struts — not the 1949 French Vedette, which is cited for it constantly and which was designed on wishbones before MacPherson arrived, only getting struts in 1954 after Simca bought the factory. The Mk2 of February 1956 went to 1703cc, 3.25 × 3.8in, CR 7.8:1 (6.9:1 also available), 61bhp gross at 4,400rpm and 91lb ft at 2,300, on a wheelbase up three inches to 107in. 371,585 fixed-roof cars and 9,398 convertibles — though the owners’ club puts the total nearer 355,000. Mid-1961 it was renamed the Consul 375, and that car is still a Mk2; the Mk3 Zephyr 4 then inherited its 1,703cc engine. New Zealand assembled the Mk2 from CKD kits at Seaview, Zodiacs included.
Ford Consul — specification & changes within the model
- Which cars this page covers
- Mk1 EOTA 1950–56 and Mk2 204E saloon / 206E convertible 1956–62, including the Consul 375. The Consul 375 is a Mk2, not a Mk3. Nothing here relates to the Consul Classic, Consul Capri, Consul Corsair or the 1972 Consul.
- Mk2 front discs — the exact answer
- Drums all round originally, 147 sq in of lining. Power-assisted front discs available from October 1960, from chassis No. 289210. Standard from May 1961. A 1960 car may be either — the chassis number decides. Australian cars kept four-wheel drums throughout, with some dealers adding servo assistance from 1961.
- The lowline change — February 1959
- 1.75in (44mm) cut out of the height of the roof panel, larger glass, a new dashboard — Highline has a hemispherical instrument cluster, Lowline a rectangular panel, redesigned rear lights and brightwork changed to stainless steel. Roof, glass, dash and lamp parts do not cross this change. The February date rests on one source; everyone else just says 1959.
- Engines
- Mk1 1508cc four, 47bhp. Mk2 1703cc four, 61bhp gross / 59bhp net at 4,400rpm, 91lb ft at 2,300rpm.
- Suspension
- MacPherson strut front — the first in production, anywhere — live axle on leaf springs at the rear, both marks.
- Electrics
- 12 volt. The Mk2 owners’ club spec sheet says negative earth, which sits badly against the confirmed positive earth on the contemporary 100E and general British practice of the period. Unresolved. Check your own car before you order.
- New Zealand and Australia
- Mk2 assembled in New Zealand from CKD kits, Zodiacs included. Australia built its own sedan, coupe utility and station wagon bodies at Geelong — the Australian wagon has a wind-up rear window and a straight C-pillar, unlike the British car.