Zephyr 6 Grill for a Zodiac?

[roem]

Hi there everyone, I'm new to this forum and not yet an owner of one of these amazing cars but I'm not new to classics having owned a Consul Capri for over 30 years.  I've often fancied a Mk3 Zephyr 6/Zodiac but have never been quite happy with the radiator grill/headlight treatment, preferring the Zephyr 6 split grill, single large headlight arrangement.   I realize that I might find it much more difficult to find a Zephyr 6 than a Zodiac as so many more Zodiac's seem to have survived and like most people I do prefer the more upmarket interior of the Zodiac and additional window/smaller C post arrangement.   So here's my question:  Is it possible, without doing irreversible damage (I don't like permanent modifications so always keep original parts if I upgrade anything), to fit a Zephyr 6 grill and headlight assembly into a Zodiac?  Looking at some photos on line, it looks to me as if the whole front panel behind the grill/headlight is different for the Zephyr, not least the fact that presumably the headlamp bowl is larger on the single headlight Zephyr?  And I presume that this panel is a welded part of the front end structure rather than easily swapped by undoing bolts?   My absolute favourite was a red Zephyr 6 I saw on UTube that had a pair of the smaller Zodiac type headlights set into the Zephyr 6 grill.  Sadly, even if that one came up for sale, it had also been converted to a V8 which is not my thing.

I have a couple more "modifying" questions:  Is it possible to retro fit overdrive (assuming I can't find a car with it) and if so do I need a whole new gearbox or does the overdrive just bolt onto the back of the standard gearbox and then require just a shorter propshaft?  Also,  if I find a floor change model of either Zephyr or Zodiac (just missed a lovely red Zephyr 6 but that had a floor change) , how much work is it to convert it back to standard column change?

Sorry for all these questions!  Hope some of you can help.  

[Joe]

Hi Roem
The slam panel (that the radiator and headlights fit to are different for all three models and are welded on so changing is quite an involved process ( although there are a few Zephyr 6s kicking around with Zodiac twin headlights)
Overdrive was a rare option and you would need the complete set up ( including gearbox, Overdrive unit, propshaft and control cables ( these very rarely come up for sale)
Likewise the floorchange option was rare and to change a floorchange to column change you will also need the steering column and all the linkages (to swap column floorchange is quite straightforward as long as you have the parts)

[roem]

Hi Joe, thanks for such a quick and informative reply, really appreciated. Looks like I'll have to either wait a long time for a Zephyr 6 to come up or get used to the Zodiac front. I think it's mainly the big expanse of chrome in the middle that I'm not keen on so, to me, the Zephyr's look better with the dividing bar but the Zodiacs, again to me, do look better with a pair of extra spot lights which I see quite a few people fit. Thanks also for the info on the floor change and overdrive, I think I'll keep my eyes out for an overdrive just in case one comes up before a suitable car - I'm not in any hurry -
sometime in the next two years suits me well. Thanks again for your thoughts and help. Best wishes Mark

[Eddie]

For the overdrive you also need additional wiring, solenoid, relay and kickdown switch - all very rare parts.