1965 Ford Zodiac Abbott Estate

Highlights

Only 40,671 miles from new
In current ownership for 23 years
Comprehensive recommissioning with invoices over £2,500
Rare Farnham Estate version, possibly less than 10 remaining
Newly retrimmed leather interior with new carpets and door cards

The Appeal

The Ford Zodiac was one of the largest, most luxurious cars in the Ford UK range - with American-style lines, plenty of chromework and a distinctly comfortable executive trim. But what happens if you take a Zodiac MK3 and turn it into an Estate car? Something rather special - and at the time, the chief offering of Abbott LTD of Farnham.

These big, practical, long-chassised cars were loaded with mid-century glamour, and are now vanishingly rare. Fewer than ten of the Abbot estates are known to still exist, and this one is a particular gem.

With just 2 former keepers beforehand, the current registered keeper acquired the Zodiac 23 years ago and embarked on a rolling restoration which most recently included a full retrim of the leather seating with new door cards, carpets and much more. New bumpers and other chrome items were fitted, and the car features period-correct alloys to boot. The result is that you've got a Goodwood Revival-style car that's period-accurate and still a gleaming example of the 60s motoring.

Put simply, you're not likely to see another one - and if you do, it almost certainly won't be such a fine, restored and sympathetically upgraded example.

History and Paperwork

Registered in 1965
2 former registered keepers
Current registered keeper for 23 years
Subject to a rolling restoration throughout ownership
Indicates 40,671 miles on a five-figure odometer

Supplied with:

Recent recommissioning invoices exceeding £2,500 for mechanical works and servicing
Original Zodiac Owners Handbook in very good condition
New tin of period-correct Ford Spruce Green Cellulose paint

The Condition

Very well-presented Estate with evocative period wear
Bodywork shows age-commensurate patina but appears very solid
Older repaint in original Ford Spruce Green, with some areas of lacquer cracking and fading
Brightwork slightly pitted in places and carries a wonderful patina
Period correct Minilight alloy wheels
Complete with towbar
Underside well protected with underseal and largely original
Cabin is incredibly evocative, loaded with period character
Newly replaced leather interior with new carpets and door cards
Original headlining in good serviceable condition
Dashboard is original and in very good condition
Period correct Motorola push button radio

The Mechanics

2,553cc Zephyr OHV 6-cylinder engine
Automatic transmission with 3 gears
Engine bay in excellent order
Recent recommissioning including new brake discs, calipers, pads, rear shoes, and period correct armoured brake hoses
We understand the car to be in fine working order
The vendor reports that it's " Smooth, quiet and of its time. No speed records will be broken!"

In recent years the car has also received:

Rebuilt master cylinder and carburettor
Electronic ignition with new resin-filled sports coil
Reconditioned original dynamo and rebuilt regulator with solid-state electronics, in the original housing
New water hoses, fuel hoses, and thermostat
Full service including oil and filter, fuel filter, transmission levels topped up, and timing adjusted
New battery, antifreeze, and fan belt

BEFORE YOU BUY

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