New Z

[zmk3au]

Hi Everyone,

My name is David and I have recently purchased a (relatively) rust free straight Aus plated Mk3 6 originally sold locally here in south east Queensland - getting harder to get in any condition. Had a Mk2 as my first car in 1970 and have thought of a Mk3 ever since; probably left it too late for a pristine one but I’m happy with this one as it’s a solid base and good fun.

I’m interested in all aspects of these cars but right now I’m trying to decode the id plate and have hit a road block with the trim code. The prefix is ZBSCD which I think means British built, Sydney assembled, dated March (C) 1964 (D) if the date codes parallel the locally built Falcons of the time. Paint code is A22 which I think means an Arctic White roof with Bermuda Blue painted non-soft trim interior and Bermuda Blue exterior below the glass line. There is some confusion over Bermuda Blue (also listed as Gambier Blue in 1964) - this one is a lightish blue but there is evidence it was once a darker blue colour.

The trim code is what has me stumped - A803. I can find no reference to it anywhere and was hoping someone on this forum could offer a clue. It is currently a dark grey/light grey combo for seats and door trims - possibly genuine colours but probably not for this vehicle as the dash has been recoloured in light grey.

Sorry for the long intro, probably should have posted this under another heading.

Anyway, if anyone can offer any hints as to what A803 means it would be much appreciated.

Dave.

[colin]

Hi Dave, just been looking through my parts list book and according to that A803 should be..... Zephyr saloon, Rayon Cloth, Seat Face is Blue Saran, and the seat border should be Kingston Blue, Carpets Kingston Blue, all as of August 1963. Hope that throws some light on it!! I suppose it's not what you wanted to hear, but I would imagine the old girl has had a retrim at some point, or there's another book for CKD's that went "abroad" for assembly, my book is dated 1962. I think the steering wheel should be Kingston Blue as well....Regards....Col.

[zmk3au]

Hi Col,

Thanks so much for that - suspected it would be a blue combination. I expect the door trims (should) match the seats. Some time in its 55 years someone has either decided they didn't like a blue interior, or maybe more likely the original trim got ratty and this was transplanted from another vehicle. The inside of the glovebox lid is a dark blue so the dash has obviously been resprayed light grey to match the seats. Actually goes well with the Bermuda Blue exterior. Upholstery is not bad but could do with retriming so I'll take it back to the original colours. Any idea where I can get photo samples of these Blue Saran and Kingston Blue colours? Will ask Dr Google I guess. Thanks again, Dave.

[michael]

G'day David and welcome... There was a thread about the same paint code recently:- ukmk3zephyrzodiac.proboards.com/thread/1484/paint-code but then owner has never posted again. Whereabouts are you in Queensland? I have friends in Durack, nr Brisbane and relatives in Taperoo, nr Adelaide. Why not post a few pictures sometime...

[colin]

Hi Dave, Col here again....just had a look on Captain Google and if you put in A803 Blue Saran 1963 Ford Fabric Colour..... you'll get a fair idea of the shade.... looks nearly the same as Kingston Blue to me...(I could be colour blind!!), I've just also had a gander at my '64 Zody in the shed and that's Kingston Blue all the inside A813 and Aqua Blue and rust body colour BT.....one day I'll finish it!!!Been on axle stands for 8 years...!!!Regards....Col.

[zmk3au]

Hi Michael & Col,

That link on this site is what got me up and running decoding the A22 exterior paint code, and convinced me I should join the forum. I'm in the eastern foothills of Toowoomba and the car was apparently sold new in Pittsworth, some 80km to the west. I have the radiator and clutch hydraulics to refit in the next week or two and I'll run her out of the shed for a pic. Sorry Col, those search terms didn't pull up a specific image of blue saran for me, but I haven''t given up. This one car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=53002&country=uk says it's Kingston Blue inside - does that look the same colour as yours? Time to get it off those stands! Cheers, Dave.

[colin]

Hi Dave, yes that interior colour is definitely Kingston Blue, seats, cards, steering wheel the lot and it's exterior is Ambassader Blue. One of the feeble reasons I have been so slow at tackling the Zody is I'm still at work Duh?? another 3 years..... and I've got a 1963 Zephyr 4 that I tend to use quite a bit, and a house falling apart and "Her indoors" threatening decapitation if I spend too much time in the shed.....!! How's that for a perfect "whingin' Pom !!!" Regards.. Col.

[michael]

Apr 17, 2018 18:10:37 GMT 1 colin said:

Hi Dave, yes that interior colour is definitely Kingston Blue, seats, cards, steering wheel the lot and it's exterior is Ambassader Blue. One of the feeble reasons I have been so slow at tackling the Zody is I'm still at work Duh?? another 3 years..... and I've got a 1963 Zephyr 4 that I tend to use quite a bit, and a house falling apart and "Her indoors" threatening decapitation if I spend too much time in the shed.....!! How's that for a perfect "whingin' Pom !!!" Regards.. Col.

Beware she may be compiling a list of things for Colin to do in three years' time!

[colin]

Hmm!!! You must be phsycic..... yellow post-it notes are beginning to appear here and there stating this or that requires attention etc, I suppose they will eventually morph into a list in 3 years time!!!

[michael]

Apr 18, 2018 20:47:15 GMT 1 colin said:

Hmm!!! You must be phsycic..... yellow post-it notes are beginning to appear here and there stating this or that requires attention etc, I suppose they will eventually morph into a list in 3 years time!!!

Mystic Michael says "The Zodiac must come first - this has to be her to-do list"

Attachments:

[zmk3au]

Hi Col & Michael, thanks for the confirmation of Kingston Blue; no idea what the blue saran cloth might look like but when I retrim her I think I'll do it all in Kingston Blue and replicate the weave of the current grey fabric, assuming it is some sort of original material. Records are scarce over here, I asked Ford and they said their records on individual vehicles don't go earlier than 1969 - could probably choose any colours and few would be any the wiser.

Sorry to hear of your domestic "bliss" - Michael may be right, and life is too short, so add Zodiac to the list! However, I have some sympathy as I'm still working for another couple of years and it does restrict fun in the shed. Speaking of which, I'm off to refit the clutch slave cylinder. Cheers, dave.

[michael]

Maybe we need a "Shed" section although some people call my Escort Estate a "Shed"! No room for the Zody though...

Attachments:

[zmk3au]

Hi, trying to include a photo - do I have to be a member to see the "add attachments" button when replying to or creating a post? Dave.

[zmk3au]

Apologies, in answer to my own question I just found the post on attachments, limits & membership etc.

[zmk3au]

Here she is in "the shed"; Arctic White over Bermuda Blue, a bit discoloured under led lights. It's a 5 metre paint job. I've checked out some of the resto projects on this site and I certainly don't have the skills to do such tasks to my satisfaction (or the cash to pay someone else) - comfortable doing the mechanicals so am looking at it as preservation rather than restoration for the time being. Will attend to the interior and minor cosmetic things though, such as the external brightwork (missing clips etc) so will be asking some of you knowledgeable owners how to remove the chrome strips and such like in due course. Dave.