Ford Zephyr 6 Mk III 213E

This car was assembled in the Ford Motor Company factory at Lower Hutt and bought new by my father in July 1964 from Avery Motors, Wellington. The cost then was 1228 (NZ) pounds or about (NZ) $2500. He had the car undersealed at 500miles and spent some time removing door panels and painting fish oil inside the doors (& wherever else he could get in to no doubt) which aided in preventing rust from attacking the car. He regularly had the car serviced, always by Ford dealerships. He kept a log recording petrol purchased, when and where the car was serviced and any repairs made. This log records that the generator needed overhauling at around 17,000miles, and the water pump renewed at 19,000miles. The first set of new crossply tyres were put on the car at 29,000 miles, but truth be known, the original set probably had plenty of tred remaining!

In August 1970, with 57,000miles on the clock, my father traded the Zephyr on a new XW Ford Falcon 500. The Zephyr was immedately bought by the Ford dealership's car detailer, who owned the car until 1985 when he sold it to another person who owned it for just a few months. Almost exactly 15 years to the day after my father traded the Zephyr, I discovered the car on a Wellington car yard, and not wanting to see the car end up in the wrong hands, I bought it at a cost of $2500 and have owned the vehicle ever since with no intentions of selling!

The car was off the road for about 7 years until 6 months ago when I had some work done to get it up and running again. It virtually started first time, after installing a new battery and adding some fresh fuel. According to documents I have, the car has now done 130,000 miles. It is still in original condition with some minor rust blemishes. The paint work is getting a little thin in places as can be expected. The interior is very good - excellent. Apart from normal wear and tear items, I have not had to have any major repair work done and it returns about 26mpg. I describe the car as being used but not abused!

Was given the car apon passing my driving test has been  in the family since New !  in 1980 it under went a transformation with all new running gear  ,out came the 4 banger ,in went a 302ci V8 new gear box and rear axle , from a 68 mustang . the body was left stock except the paint and rim's  ran 13:36 Best time 1/4 mile @108 mph, a real sleeper if you know what I mean !   sadly it is in need of a another restoration  ! Its on that long list of things todo : note in picture my sister , . This picture was in  1982 hence the car is in need of restoration again