Ford: Consul Classic
Note: This is a sub-section of Ford: Cars.
1961-63. 109,045 made.
The Ford Consul Classic or 'Consul 315' (as the export version was known) was a mid-sized car built by Ford in the UK from 1961 to 1963. Available with two or four doors, in Standard or De Luxe versions, with floor or column gearshift. It is commonly referred to as the Ford 109E , though four such codes are possible as explained below. Obvious competitor models at the time included the Hillman Minx and Singer Gazelle from Rootes group.
FORD model codes: the Classic (and related Consul Capri) had the Right Hand Drive and home market Ford code of 109E (but 110E if L.H.D.) for 1961-1962 models with 1,340cc engines, or 116E (but 117E for L.H.D.) for 1962-1963 manufacture with 1,500cc engines. Those codes also distinguish the gearboxes and steering components which are not greasable on later cars, so cutting first-user servicing costs. Despite all these codes the cars all looked the same throughout production 1961-1963, the visual distinctions being the number of doors, the trim and equipment level between Standard and De Luxe and their exciting choice of colours.
The Classic was a quality model by Ford "suitable for the golf club car park" originally intended for introduction earlier and deletion later than actually occurred. The styling excercises were mainly undertaken in 1956 under Colin Neale and other aspects of R&D followed, and it is likely a recognisably similar car could have been introduced in 1959 subject to different senior management decisions. In practice the run-away early success of Anglia (1959 on) used up most of the car manufacturing capacity at Dagenham vindicating the decision to compete against the BMC mini. (and the Halewood plant did not open until 1963) Ford therefore entered the 1960's with the small Anglia, Popular and Prefect, the big "three graces" launched back in 1956, and not the mid-size market Classic.
The Ford Classic was similar in appearance to the more popular Ford Anglia, featuring the same distinctive reverse-rake rear window, but with twin headlamps and different frontal treatment. But it is longer, wider and so heavier than the Anglia. Inside the separate front seats and rear bench had a standard covering of PVC but leather was available as an option. There was a choice of floor or column mounted gear change. Single or two-tone paint schemes were offered. The boot or trunk capacity was exceptionally large, with a side stowed spare wheel well, and more important the huge high lift sprung lid alowed a great variety of loads to be both contemplated and packed. At 21cu.ft this was 15% larger than Zodiac mk2 and had obvious advantages for business use.
The Consul Classic was also mechanically similar to the Anglia, and used slightly larger 1,340 cc and from 1962 1,498 cc variants of the Ford Kent Engine. The car had front 9.5 in disc brakes and was fitted with a four speed gearbox with synchromesh on all gears on the 1,500 version. Suspension was independent at the front using Macpherson strut units and at the rear the live axle used semi elliptic leaf springs.
The Consul Classic was replaced in 1963 by the Ford: Corsair. 111,225 Classics and 18,716 Capris were produced (including 2002 'GT' Versions). In addition seventeen station wagon (estate) conversions were carried out by Ford Dealership 'Hughes Limited' of Nairobi, Kenya. One of these vehicles made it over to the UK in 1964 and survives to this day in the South-East of England.
The Consul Capri was based on the Classic, and sharing its 99 inch wheelbase, was a coupé version.
A car tested by The Motor magazine in 1961 had a top speed of 78.4 mph and could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 22.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of 35.8 miles per imperial gallon was recorded. The test car cost £801 including taxes.
Sources of Information
- [1] Wikipedia