Description
This is just wild. Built in the late 1990`s by NSRA member Roland Frost and subsequently magazine-featured in Classic Ford in June 2004, this Chevrolet-powered Consul is positively mind-blowing. Running a tuned and rebuilt 350cui from a C10 pick-up connected to a TH350 transmission with Lokar shifter, the specification is huge and only equalled by the grin-factor of those sat behind the wheel. With remote-operated side exit exhausts creating a sound more reminiscent of an oncoming thunderstorm, this newly retrimmed beast is the real deal in all respects. Correctly registered and benefitting from over 20 years of paper history, the Consul has been fettled most recently by another well-known Essex based rodder for his wife to enjoy and take to shows. As such, it is on the key and to date has proved super-reliable. So, if you are in the market for a properly built and well-sorted Custom, look no further.
First shown at the 1950 London Motor Show, the Consul was Ford`s first proper attack on the family saloon market and featured modern, unibody construction and a new 1508cc overhead valve engine and hydraulic clutch. Available as either a 4-door saloon, 4-door estate by Abbott or 2-door convertible by Carbodies, the Consul proved hugely popular with the redesigned Mark. II being introduced from 1956 onwards.
Our car dates from April 1955 and whilst little is known of its early life, by the mid-1990`s, it was residing on Canvey Island in the hands of hot rod builder, Roland Frost, still a big name today on the NSRA scene. During the late 1990`s, it was Frost who took-on what was a full-blown rebuild to essentially create the car that you see here today. The specification is epic and best summarised as follows:
Body: Everything from the bulkhead forward is Ford Capri Mk. III 3-litre including the inner wings whilst the standard steel body features a smoothed boot lid, one-piece windows, redesigned front arches, de-bumpered front and rear and crystal headlights.
Engine: 350cui from an early 1970`s C10 pick-up with competition cam, Edelbrock inlet manifold, Holley Projection fuel injection, Mallory magnetic distributor and shorty Hedman headers.
Transmission: TH350 box with Lokar shifter, Custom-built single-piece propshaft, Ford Mustang 2 rear axle narrowed by 2. 5”.
Front Suspension: Ford Capri 3-litre legs, Leda uprated dampers both lowered and stiffened, standard Capri anti-roll bar, Capri crossmember modified to take Chevrolet engine mounts.
Rear Suspension: Standard Consul leaf-springs, Land Rover shocks, Capri column and steering rack.
Brakes: Hi-spec 285mm front discs with Capri 2. 8 callipers and Sierra rear discs and callipers with Cortina servo and master cylinder.
Now on the South-East show circuit, the car soon caught the eye of a local Ford enthusiast and in 2002 was reluctantly sold. With scope to improve cosmetically, it was our new keeper who, not happy with the overall rat look, took the body back to bare metal and repainted it in BMW Mauritius Blue. An interior retrim was also undertaken with the stock seats recovered in grey plasticote with grey carpets and custom-made door panels. The dash was modified to accept VDO gauges and completed with Moon Blue Metalflake steering wheel. The Consul was now ready for action again and over the next 3 years was used and enjoyed pretty much as a daily driver during which time it was to feature in Classic Ford magazine. By 2006, the car had changed hands again and moved to Northampton with yet another modified Ford enthusiast. Bills and receipts from this period document a full engine rebuild by Complete Autocare of Northampton with parts supplied by Eady`s American. The engine was stripped to a bare block and after skimming was refitted with all new bearings, pistons and liners and appropriate ancillaries. Thereafter, the car continued to be shown and other than minor detail including several changes of rims over the years, has remained largely as built to this day. The Consul remained in Northampton until 2023 when acquired by yet another Ford hot rod fanatic in Essex looking for an easy to drive car on behalf of his wife. Once purchased, the Consul was subjected to some serious fettling to include an overhaul of the cooling system, full engine and gearbox service, the addition of remote-operated switchable exhausts with either side or rear exit, complete retrim in Tan with box-pleat door cards and additional sound-deadening, fresh Black carpets and new multi-spoke rims and tyres. After completion and just a few shows later, the Consul was sold again in May 2024 to finance the restoration of a Chevrolet pick-up. Acquired by a collector in Yorkshire, the car is now only for sale again owing to changing circumstances.
The Consul presents today just as seen in the photographs. Other than yet another change of wheels, the car is essentially how it left Essex last year. Given that both body preparation and paintwork are now over 20 years old, it still looks stunning. Yes, there are a few age-related blemishes but the Mauritius Blue paint polishes up superbly. Inside, the Tan interior contrasts nicely with the Blue and is in great shape whilst the period-style VDO dash and Moon Blue Metalflake steering wheel look very much the part. Flick the key and with a couple of pumps of the throttle, the 350cui fires immediately into life requiring little or no choke. Select Drive and the Consul cruises away swiftly with smooth, almost seamless changes from the TH350 box. On the road, the car is a joy. Surprisingly easy to drive, it is very much a “point and shoot” creation with positive steering, a firm but comfortable ride and reassuringly great brakes. I had the pleasure of using and enjoying it over the late summer 2024 and took it to a number of local shows. It has proved super-reliable even when I was sat in traffic one August evening at 25C. Everything works as it should and it turns heads like nothing else I`ve driven recently, especially when the remote side-exit exhaust is blipped. It turns in an instant from being a subtle V8 rumble to an ear-splitting cackle. Such fun!
The car comes with a history file with bills and receipts dating from the late 1990`s onwards, a copy of Classic Ford magazine from June 2004 documenting the original build, paperwork supporting the engine rebuild in 2006, lots of old MoT Certificates and a current V5C. The Consul is correctly registered with both engine and colour changes noted and is classed as Historic. In addition, the original registration of “JPN 625” is transferable and has been valued by Elite Registrations at £850 as a Buy In price.
A properly built and well-sorted Custom ready to be enjoyed immediately.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
