Description

1959 Ford Zodiac saloon

Lovely unmolested example; just 3 owners and a believed 99,000 miles from new

This 1959 Zodiac was first delivered on 19th March to a Mr Heyes of Liverpool from his local Ford dealer Webbs - accompanied by an invoice for £1,050.

He was to retain the car until 1974, when it was purchased by Mr Ratcliffe for £450 through Georgesons Car Sales in Liverpool. He part-exchanged his 1968 Cortina. The mileage at this point was 56,740 miles, the car being well-known to the new owner who was to keep it until 1998 - a period of some 24 years. He sold it to our vendor who paid £5,500 in 1998.

A £450 Zodiac in 1974 must have been quite some car, and its new owner must have really wanted it badly - a 'normal' second hand 'Zoddy' of the time would have been more like £100 - £200 as a 19 year old car.

Mr Ratcliffe certainly maintained the car scrupulously, keeping everything as original and ship shape as he could. He had the car resprayed in its original colour scheme in 1989 by Trevor Lord and Son in Heywood. By 1996 it was time for the engine to get some attention, the original unit being rebored and a new radiator fitted at the same time. Shortly after the gearbox was also overhauled.

Maintained in super order, it was a regular show winner with many trophies to its name - some of which are included in the sale.

The current owner had Whitehouse Autos fit hardened valve inserts so that it now uses unleaded petrol and later in his ownership, a remanufactured 'hocky stick' exhaust manifold was acquired to replace the original which was leaking badly. In the end, he opted to go for an upgraded six branch set-up which was fitted by the manufacturers in Rochdale, along with a NOS carburettor, both making a significant improvement to running. The replacement 'hockey stick' manifold is supplied with the car, along with various other spares in the boot. In 2019 the car was given to a local mechanic who stripped the brake system and reconditioned the cylinders to good effect.

We are advised that the period pushbutton radio works a treat - as long as you want to listen to the cricket (LW and MW only!) and a gentle brake servo has been added for extra reassurance. The file includes 31 old MOTs, the handbook, 1974 purchase invoice and some general bills.

The first owner kept the car for 14 years, the second for twenty five and our vendor has cared for it for the last 23 years - now its your turn....

For more information - contact nigel.mainard@brightwells.com