Bluff and austere, like a four-wheeled block of council flats in Sheffield, the MkIV looks large, but is in fact mostly bonnet. In Executive form, it paralleled the suburban pretensions of the Viscount with its massive seats – usually leather, but not in this case — and token wood veneer on a facial that rivals the Daimler for comprehensive instrumentation. Here was a car that fitted perfectly into the landscape of tower blocks and motorways that was changing around it but which, under the skin, was more sophisticated than was good for it. In particular, its poorly contrived independent rear suspension allowed dramatic changes in camber – followed by rapid loss of rear-end grip — when it encountered a bump or disturbance in the road surface.
Yet there were good things about the MkIV s, particularly 3-litre Executives such as this with its pokey Essex V6 motor lost under that massive bonnet. It gives the Executive an effortless feel so that driving it briskly seems quite natural, even with the automatic transmission which is reason- ably responsive to kickdown. Sitting behind the elongated aircraft-carrier snout and gunsight bonnet motif, you aim the Executive through corners, bracing yourself for the initial wallow as you twirl on armfuls of lock. It’s untidy and skit- tish but oddly ‘fun’ in a Sweeney-esque sort of way. It is also extremely comfy and something about the driving position, the ride and the Ford’s general demeanor would feel more recognizable to modem drivers than most of the other cars here. I like the large MkIV Fords, not because they are especially brilliant cars in them-selves (they aren’t, really) but because they represent a perfect little slice of a certain kind of British culture, redolent of a society that was rapidly modernizing. Thus, as a car built in the true barge-tactic tradition, it ticks every box.
FORD ZODIAC EXECUTIVE – Tech Specs
Sold/number built 1966-’71/46,846 (MkIV Zodiacs and Executives)
Engine all-iron, ohv 2994cc Essex V6
Max power 136bhp @ 47S0rpm
Max torque 181 lb ft @ 3000rpm
Transmission three-speed automatic
Suspension independent, at front by MacPherson struts rear semi-trailing coil springs Weight 3100lb (1406kg)
From 0-100 Kph 13 secs Top speed 100mph
