Fans to revive Zephyr and Zodiac club

ENTHUSIASTS of 1950s Ford cars hope to revive a once-popular motoring club in Whangarei.
Most of the 14-odd members of the Northland Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac Club joined their Auckland counterparts after their club was dissolved in 1988.
Paul Roberts, who recently sold his 1955 Zodiac and bought a 1962 Mark 2, said classic car owners were excited about the prospect of a revival.
"After Labour Weekend, we had a visit from the Hamilton and Auckland club members and it was realised that we still have a lot of Zephyrs up here," he said.
"We had a discussion and said, `Why don't we re-form our own club?' People either left after the club was dissolved or sold their cars, but others have come here and we believe there are more members now than before."
Mr Roberts said, while feedback was currently being sought from vintage owners, the consensus was that the club should be restarted.
He bought his first Zephyr 44 years ago, and has very rarely been without one since.
The first Mk 1 Consul arrived in New Zealand on January 2, 1951, followed closely by the first Zephyr just a month later.
Such was the interest in these innovative cars, that more than 160,000 people crowded into the 80 nationwide Ford dealerships to view them.
The 1508cc four-cylinder engine of the Mk 1 Consul has a top speed of about 120km/h, while the 2262cc six-cylinder Zephyr can hit about 128km/h.
The Zodiac, with two-tone leather seats and luxury extras such as wing mirrors, did not arrive until 1953.
These classic Fords are becoming rare today - but enthusiasts such as Mr Roberts and Terry Heappey wouldn't part with them for the world.
• For more information about the club, call Mr Roberts on (09) 438 7894 or Mr Heappey on (09) 432 3715.