My Grandads 1963 Zephyr 4 - Doncaster

[576kdt]

Morning

Just thought I'd write a few lines about the car and the project we are planning over the next few months.

From what I know of the car;

It was purchased from my grandads brother from the ford dealer in Doncaster in 1963 - but he collected the car personally from Dagenham with my granddad and a low loader. They brought the car home, stripped it, waxoyled and rustproofed it. My granddad bought the car from him at some point and ran it until 1985 when it was placed in a garage near his house. The car has remained there ever since. Me and my dad have decided to get it back on the road, as a project.

The best part is when speaking to my granddad about replacement parts it turns out he has nearly all the parts we think we will need. With the car are

* 2 engines
* brand new boxed clutch
* brand new radiator
* complete set of glass
* 4 doors
* boot lid
* bonnet
* door cards
* various lamps
* loads of other parts - starter motors/dynamo etc
* wire look wheel trims / zodiac wheel trims
* 4 new wheel hubs/bearings

My nana recovered the seats at some point, but looks like the original covering is still underneath.

The boot floor is solid, as are the sills. There is a small rust hole at the bottom of the rear quarter, apparently this is the only place he couldn't get any rustproof on. I've some new tyres arriving today, the plan is to get the car out - new tyres on and get it movable.

Pics:

[colin]

Identical to my original Z4, Goodwood Green, overriders, "zephyr" script on bonnet top, should have Elm Green seats and trim, and Fir Green carpets, I stand to be corrected though, I am thinking back to 1979!!!! Looks like not too huge a project! All the best ---- Col

[zephyr6man]

I had a 1964 Goodwood Green Zephyr 6 with a beige interior and brown carpets! Best of luck with getting her up and running again, John.

[576kdt]

Thanks...I've got some tyres today, going to try and get it movable tomorrow - will keep this updated as a form of a build log. Hopefully having all the parts will help and there is minimal rust!

[airbrush]

well i wish i had some of them parts with my car when i bought it , if you want to sell any parts just call me , hope your rebuild goes well ,

[576kdt]

If for any reason the car cant be rebuilt (cant see any reason as to why at the minute) - then the car will be broken and all parts sold.

[colin]

She looks far too good to even think about breaking her up!!!! Especially if she's not too rusty, as I would imagine is the case having been "waxoyld" from near new, don't lose heart even if you come across something that appears terminal, there's usually a solution! Mine's been leave it a while, return and grind on----Blessed are the axle stands!!! Col

[zephyr6man]

I'll second that Colin! 576 KDT, I've seen too many good MK3's broken over the years when they should have been brought back. Now, the more cars that are 'broken' for their parts feed less and less MK3's these days, have a go at the rebuild - it can be a rewarding experience and another MK3 would be on the road! I've still got a garage full of gear from the 1980's (though most of it's sold on now), if you need anything then contact me. Best of luck, John.

[airbrush]

you car looks too good from the pictures , dont even think of breaking it , i have bought a z4 that has needed a lot more work than i thought when i bought it , parts that looked good turned out that thay had been bodged up , so i have cut out the bad and maid new/good parts , i have just maid a new lower rear back wing , fitted a pair of leaf springs, repaired top plates , got to fitt new sills , loads of welding but when finished it will be a good solid car to go back on the road , hope your rebuild is a lot less work than the car i have, good luck and keep us posted , airbrush

[576kdt]

airbrush, colin and zephyr6man - the car would only be broken if it was deemed terminal through rot or any other. Ideally we would have sold the car as a project with all the spares if we needed to. But....I've just done a few hours on with my dad and my granddad. Managed to blow the original tyres up and dragged it out of the garage using my T5. It resisted at first but eventually freed itself, and was rolling down the garage entrance of its own doing. So happy with that. Obviously will replace brakes for test time. Lifted the bonnet, took the plugs out, out some oil down the bores and managed to turn the engine on the crank so more good news! Took the carb off, will give that a good clean out. Will source a new battery and hopefully with some fresh fuel will manage to get it running the next time I'm down there.
Rust wise, not too bad, bottom of rear quarters have holes in, noticed some on the front by the grill at the bottom, but other than that was pretty surprised. Strut tops and boot floor solid, and initial inspection of the sills are too. Paints a bit flat in places, but I think a good machine polish will sort that out.

Pics again

























I've also got the original handbook, service manual, and the service history book of vouchers. Only one of the vouchers has been used (must have been self serviced) - this has the date of registration 20/04/63 and one voucher missing. Its pristine with not a crease in - I'll upload some pics of that later

[Joe]

With that much history you must restore the car (and keep it in your family for ever) interestingly the boot lid has a Zephyr 6 trim do you know when that was fitted?

[colin]

Further to my original post, I'll correct myself! Your VIN plate says Z45C076325E and BR paint code and A594 trim code, and upon a close look at my parts book(an original big thick red one) it decodes as: Z = Dagenham built, 45 = Zephyr 4, C = 1963, 076325 = early April chassis no., and E confirms April. BR = goodwood green paint, and A594 = trim combo of Zephyr saloon with Beechwood Brown carpets, and P.V.C. seat facings in Sierra Beige with Javelin Bronze borders. Hope this is good info, and now I stand corrected!! Col

[576kdt]

Apr 3, 2013 19:57:04 GMT 1 Joe said:

With that much history you must restore the car (and keep it in your family for ever) interestingly the boot lid has a Zephyr 6 trim do you know when that was fitted?

that's the plan! My granddad mentioned today it would confuse some people (except you lot!!) about the stars on the boot as they are a 6 item, I think he said the wheel trims are from a zodiac too, I guess back in the day it would have been the thing to make your car look like an upgraded version, bit like putting GTi or R32 wheels/body kits onto a golf...

[576kdt]

Apr 3, 2013 20:55:13 GMT 1 colin said:

Further to my original post, I'll correct myself! Your VIN plate says Z45C076325E and BR paint code and A594 trim code, and upon a close look at my parts book(an original big thick red one) it decodes as: Z = Dagenham built, 45 = Zephyr 4, C = 1963, 076325 = early April chassis no., and E confirms April. BR = goodwood green paint, and A594 = trim combo of Zephyr saloon with Beechwood Brown carpets, and P.V.C. seat facings in Sierra Beige with Javelin Bronze borders. Hope this is good info, and now I stand corrected!! Col

Wow - great information! I peeled back the car mats today, and the carpets were brown so that ties in with what you say. My nana made some seat covers for the car, but before she did apparently they had the original seats repaired and refilled - never been sat on since, it has the earlier door cards but they are a bit mouldy but a good clean should see them ok. Its also got an 8 track player and a navigation light! I think I may have the book you mentioned, Ill post some photos to confirm!

[Eddie]

That does look like a good solid car, and I envy your stock of spares!