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The MK IV Zodiac was priced at £1220 on the official launch date of the 20th April 1966.
Fitted with a V6 engine, this was larger than fitted in the Zephyr, providing a cubic
capacity of 2993cc, which produced 136 bhp at 4750 revs. This gave the Zodiac a
considerable advantage over the other Marques when it came to speed and acceleration.
Capable of over 100 mph, it could reach 60mph in 11 seconds, and was equally impressive
with acceleration in both third and top gear. The car was priced with a manual 4 speed
gearbox, but the option of an overdrive unit or 3 speed automatic transmission was
certainly encouraged by the dealership, and a large amount of the Zodiac Range were
sold as automatics. The main difference externally was a change in the suspension set up,
with a resulting change of wheel size from 13" to 14" wheels, and a body line trim fitted
along both sides. The very early models did not have the bonnet cross fitted. The interior
was also changed with a padded steering wheel and use of wood veneer on the dashboard.
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The Executive was launched at Earls Court during the 1966 Motor Show. Based on the Zodiac
it came with an automatic 3 speed gear box as standard, steel sun roof, luxury carpet
that extended to the boot area.
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The Estate version of the MK IV was launched at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1966,
six months after the launch of the model itself. The conversion was done by Farnham Abbott
in Surrey, and increased the cost by £460 more than the saloon.
With the rear seats folded forward it has a massive space in the rear, with an unobstructed
width of 36". With the spare wheel stored under the bonnet, and a compartment under the
boot floor for storage, it leaves easy access for loading and transporting large or small
items. Although a very useful vehicle to transport items and property, the vehicle still
maintained the luxury of the saloon version when used to carry passengers.
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