Ford Zephyr: which version to buy
If the question is which Ford Zephyr to choose, the numbers in this catalogue split the field in a simple way. Across four generations (1951-01-01 through 1972-12-31) you are choosing between Cabrio cars with a 3-speed Manual and RWD, and later Sedan cars that keep RWD but add a 4-speed Manual, an Automatic, disc brakes, and a V-shaped engine layout.
If the question is which Ford Zephyr to choose, the numbers in this catalogue split the field in a simple way. Across four generations (1951-01-01 through 1972-12-31) you are choosing between Cabrio cars with a 3-speed Manual and RWD, and later Sedan cars that keep RWD but add a 4-speed Manual, an Automatic, disc brakes, and a V-shaped engine layout. Power that is measured runs from 68 hp to 105 hp. Kerb weight that is measured runs from 1118 kg to 1232 kg. Displacement that is measured runs from 1703 cm³ to 2553 cm³. Everything below compares those figures; missing cells are written as not measured.
This page is not a model history. It is a buying filter: generation first, then the exact version names as they stand in the data.
Ford Zephyr generations compared (what actually changed)
1 generation (1951-01-01–1956-08-31), Cabrio, 2 versions. Both are named 2.3 MT. The choice inside this generation is 68 hp versus 71 hp on the same 2262 cm³ Gasoline engine, same Inline 6, same 2 valves per cylinder, same boost (No), same Front, longitudinal layout, same Carburetor, same Manual 3, same RWD, same 21 s to 100 km/h. The 68 hp car is the lightest Zephyr in the whole table at 1118 kg. The 71 hp car is 1215 kg — 97 kg more for 3 hp.
2 generation (1956-10-01–1962-09-30), Cabrio, 1 version. Only 2.6 MT: 85 hp (63 kW) at 4400 rpm, 180 Nm at 2000 rpm, 2553 cm³. Versus the 68 hp 2.3 MT that is +17 hp and +291 cm³. Versus the 71 hp 2.3 MT that is +14 hp. Top speed is 143 km/h here, against 128 km/h and 130 km/h in 1 generation. Ground clearance is 171 mm and the tank is 50 l — both not measured on every other generation in this dataset. Rear suspension, rear brakes, 0–100, and fuel use are not measured on this 2.6 MT.
3 generation (1962-10-01–1966-09-30), Sedan, 2 versions. Body switches from Cabrio to Sedan. Front brakes switch to Disc; rear remains Drum. Rear suspension is Dependent, leaf spring (measured here; not measured on 2 generation). 1.7 MT is the smallest engine in the catalogue at 1703 cm³ and the lightest Sedan at 1168 kg, but power, torque, cylinders, layout, valves, boost, fuel system, compression, 0–100, top speed, consumption, tank, clearance and wheels are not measured. 2.6 MT is the power peak of the whole model: 105 hp (77 kW) from the same 2553 cm³, same Inline 6, same 2 valves, same boost No, same Carburetor, same compression 7.8, same 82.55 × 79.5 bore × stroke as 2 generation 2.6 MT, same 1193 kg kerb — 20 hp more at the same weight.
4 generation (1966-10-01–1972-12-31), Sedan, 4 versions. This is the only generation with Automatic, the only one with a 4-speed Manual, the only one with Independent, spring at the rear, and the only one with Disc brakes at both ends. Cylinder layout that is measured is V-shaped, not Inline. All four versions share 1232 kg kerb — 39 kg more than 3 generation 2.6 MT, 64 kg more than 3 generation 1.7 MT, 114 kg more than 1 generation’s 68 hp 2.3 MT. Power, torque, 0–100, top speed, consumption, tank, clearance and wheels are not measured on any 4 generation version. The split is engine size and gearbox: 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT at 1996 cm³ with 4 cylinders; 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT at 2495 cm³ with 6 cylinders.
Searches for a 1978 or 1980 Ford Zephyr sit outside this table: the last stop date here is 1972-12-31. Wagon and Zodiac are not versions in this dataset, so they are not compared.
Ford Zephyr specs and engine table
| Version | Generation | hp | Nm | cm³ | Fuel | Cylinders / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 MT (68 hp) | 1 | 68 (50 kW); rpm not measured | not measured | 2262 | Gasoline; 76 | 6 / Inline; 2 valves | No | Manual 3 | RWD |
| 2.3 MT (71 hp) | 1 | 71 (52 kW); rpm not measured | not measured | 2262 | Gasoline; 76 | 6 / Inline; 2 valves | No | Manual 3 | RWD |
| 2.6 MT (85 hp) | 2 | 85 (63 kW) at 4400 | 180 at 2000 | 2553 | Gasoline; 80 | 6 / Inline; 2 valves | No | Manual 3 | RWD |
| 1.7 MT | 3 | not measured | not measured | 1703 | Gasoline; 80 | cylinders not measured / layout not measured; valves not measured | not measured | Manual 3 | RWD |
| 2.6 MT (105 hp) | 3 | 105 (77 kW); rpm not measured | not measured | 2553 | Gasoline; 80 | 6 / Inline; 2 valves | No | Manual 3 | RWD |
| 2.0 MT | 4 | not measured | not measured | 1996 | Gasoline; 80 | 4 / V-shaped; 2 valves | No | Manual 4 | RWD |
| 2.5 MT | 4 | not measured | not measured | 2495 | Gasoline; 80 | 6 / V-shaped; 2 valves | No | Manual 4 | RWD |
| 2.0 AT | 4 | not measured | not measured | 1996 | Gasoline; 80 | 4 / V-shaped; 2 valves | No | Automatic 3 | RWD |
| 2.5 AT | 4 | not measured | not measured | 2495 | Gasoline; 80 | 6 / V-shaped; 2 valves | No | Automatic 3 | RWD |
Engine position is Front, longitudinal on every version. Fuel system is Carburetor wherever it is measured (not measured on 3 generation 1.7 MT). Compression is 6.8 on 68 hp 2.3 MT, 7.5 on 71 hp 2.3 MT, 7.8 on both 2.6 MT cars; not measured on 1.7 MT and on all four 4 generation versions.
Performance, mpg and what the extra horsepower buys
0–100 km/h is measured only on 1 generation: 21 s for both 2.3 MT cars. It is not measured on 2 generation 2.6 MT, not measured on 3 generation 1.7 MT and 2.6 MT, and not measured on 4 generation 2.0 MT, 2.5 MT, 2.0 AT and 2.5 AT. The 3 hp gap between the two 2.3 MT cars does not change the 21 s figure.
Top speed is measured on three cars only: 128 km/h (68 hp 2.3 MT), 130 km/h (71 hp 2.3 MT), 143 km/h (2 generation 2.6 MT). That is +2 km/h for 3 hp and 97 kg in 1 generation, then +13 km/h from the 71 hp 2.3 MT to the 85 hp 2.6 MT (or +15 km/h from the 68 hp car). 3 generation and 4 generation top speed is not measured, including the 105 hp 2.6 MT.
Fuel consumption. Mixed is 11.9 on the 68 hp 2.3 MT and 12.7 on the 71 hp 2.3 MT — 0.8 more for the heavier, higher-compression car. City, highway and mixed are not measured on every later version. CO2 and eco class are not measured on all versions.
Power per litre (only where hp is measured): 68 / 2.262 ≈ 30.1 hp/l; 71 / 2.262 ≈ 31.4 hp/l; 85 / 2.553 ≈ 33.3 hp/l; 105 / 2.553 ≈ 41.1 hp/l. The 3 generation 2.6 MT is the densest engine in the set: same 2553 cm³ and same 7.8 compression as 2 generation 2.6 MT, 20 hp more.
kg per hp (kerb / hp, where both exist): 1118 / 68 ≈ 16.4 kg/hp; 1215 / 71 ≈ 17.1 kg/hp; 1193 / 85 ≈ 14.0 kg/hp; 1193 / 105 ≈ 11.4 kg/hp. The 68 hp 2.3 MT beats the 71 hp 2.3 MT on mass per horsepower. From 2 generation onward the 2.6 MT line improves that ratio; the 105 hp car is the best measured figure.
Dimensions, kerb weight and tank
Wheels are not measured on any version. Gross weight is not measured on any version.
Kerb weight, in order: 1118 kg (1 generation 2.3 MT 68 hp) → 1168 kg (3 generation 1.7 MT) → 1193 kg (2 generation 2.6 MT and 3 generation 2.6 MT) → 1215 kg (1 generation 2.3 MT 71 hp) → 1232 kg (all four 4 generation versions). The 71 hp Cabrio is 17 kg heavier than the 105 hp Sedan 2.6 MT. The entire 4 generation sits at one weight, so 2.0 MT, 2.5 MT, 2.0 AT and 2.5 AT do not buy a lighter or heavier shell in this table — only a different engine size and gearbox.
Ground clearance is 171 mm on 2 generation 2.6 MT and not measured elsewhere. Tank is 50 l on that same 2.6 MT and not measured elsewhere.
Which Ford Zephyr version to choose
If you want the lightest car and the only measured 0–100. Take 1 generation 2.3 MT at 68 hp. It is 1118 kg, 21 s to 100 km/h, 128 km/h, mixed 11.9, compression 6.8, fuel 76. Versus the other 2.3 MT you give up 3 hp and 2 km/h and you gain 97 kg less mass, 0.8 less mixed use, and a better kg/hp ratio (16.4 against 17.1). Both are Cabrio, Manual 3, RWD, Drum front and Drum rear, Independent, spring front and Dependent, leaf spring rear.
If you want 1 generation but the higher-output 2.3. Take 2.3 MT at 71 hp. Compression is 7.5 instead of 6.8. You pay 97 kg and 0.8 mixed for 3 hp and 2 km/h; 0–100 stays 21 s. This is the heaviest 1 generation car and the second-heaviest Zephyr in the whole catalogue (only 17 kg under 4 generation’s 1232 kg).
If you want Cabrio after 1956 and the only measured torque. There is one answer: 2 generation 2.6 MT. 85 hp, 180 Nm, 2553 cm³, 143 km/h, 1193 kg, 50 l tank, 171 mm clearance. Versus 68 hp 2.3 MT: +17 hp, +291 cm³, +15 km/h, +75 kg. Versus 71 hp 2.3 MT: +14 hp, +13 km/h, −22 kg. 0–100, mixed use, rear suspension and rear brakes are not measured, so you cannot score this car against 1 generation on those four items.
If you want the most horsepower the catalogue records. 3 generation 2.6 MT at 105 hp. Same 2553 cm³, same Inline 6, same 7.8, same 82.55 × 79.5, same 1193 kg as 2 generation 2.6 MT, plus 20 hp and a Sedan with Disc front / Drum rear. Versus 68 hp 2.3 MT: +37 hp, −0 kg wait +75 kg, power density 41.1 hp/l against 30.1. 0–100, top speed, consumption, tank and clearance are not measured, so the 105 hp claim is the buying argument; speed and mpg are not in the sheet.
If you want the smallest engine and the lightest Sedan. 3 generation 1.7 MT, 1703 cm³, 1168 kg — 25 kg under the 105 hp 2.6 MT, 850 cm³ smaller. Manual 3, RWD, Independent, spring front, Dependent, leaf spring rear, Disc front, Drum rear, fuel 80. Power, cylinders, layout, boost, fuel system, 0–100, top speed, consumption, tank, clearance and wheels are not measured. You are buying displacement and weight, not a hp figure.
If you want a 4-speed Manual or an Automatic, and four-wheel Disc. Only 4 generation. Rear suspension is Independent, spring, matching the front — the only generation where both ends are Independent, spring. Layout that is measured is V-shaped. All four cars are 1232 kg.
- 2.0 MT: 1996 cm³, 4 cylinders, Manual 4. Smallest 4 generation engine, extra gear versus every earlier Manual 3.
- 2.5 MT: 2495 cm³, 6 cylinders, Manual 4. +499 cm³ and two more cylinders than 2.0 MT, same 1232 kg, same Disc / Disc, same Independent, spring both ends. Power is not measured, so the 0.5 l is the only engine difference you can count.
- 2.0 AT: same 1996 cm³ 4-cylinder engine as 2.0 MT, Automatic 3 instead of Manual 4. Same 1232 kg. You trade a gear and a Manual for Automatic; hp is not measured on either.
- 2.5 AT: 2495 cm³, 6 cylinders, Automatic 3. Same pairing as 2.5 MT but Automatic. Same weight as the other three 4 generation cars.
If the search is “Zephyr 6” in specs terms. Measured 6-cylinder cars are: both 1 generation 2.3 MT, 2 generation 2.6 MT, 3 generation 2.6 MT, 4 generation 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT. The 4-cylinder cars are 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT. 1.7 MT has cylinders not measured.
If the search is 1960. That year sits in 2 generation: only 2.6 MT, Cabrio. If the search is 1970. That year sits in 4 generation: 2.0 MT, 2.5 MT, 2.0 AT, 2.5 AT, Sedan. Mk1 / Mk3 / Mk4 specs in search language map to 1 / 3 / 4 generation in this table; use the generation dates above, not a Mk label invented here.
Short shortlist. Lightest and only timed sprint: 2.3 MT 68 hp. Same generation, more hp, worse kg/hp: 2.3 MT 71 hp. Only Cabrio with measured torque and the highest measured top speed: 2 generation 2.6 MT. Highest measured power at the same 1193 kg: 3 generation 2.6 MT. Smallest engine: 1.7 MT. Four-speed or Automatic and Disc all round: pick 2.0 MT or 2.5 MT (Manual 4) versus 2.0 AT or 2.5 AT (Automatic 3), knowing 4 generation hp, 0–100, top speed and mpg are not measured.