I think Zephyr/Zodiac bodies were about 6" longer, wheelbase was 3" longer too to accommodate the longer 6 cylinder engines. (I had examples of both models, many miles cruising along with the girlfriend beside me on the bench seat!)
There Ford Consul/Zephyr/Zodiac were available as Mk I – IV in the period from 1952 – 1972. The basic Ford Zephyr had a six cylinder engine with a four cylinder version of the engine available in the Consul model. The Zodiac was an upmarket version of the Zephyr 6. With the coming of the Mk III the Consul name was dropped (reappearing as an entry level Mk I Granada ten years later) and the model called the Zephyr 4. The Consul variants of the Mk I and II were indeed shorter from the windscreen forwards and a number of people have caught themselves out or been mislead when buying inner and outer wings. Mk IIIs and Mk IVs are the same regardless of the engine. The Mk III Zodiac had a slightly different body shell to accommodate different rear doors and rear screen (six-light-styling). All Mk III estates are based on the Zodiac shell. There was also a luxury version of the Mk IV Zodiac called the Executive.
I have owned examples of Mk IIs, Mk IIIs and Mk IVs, and still own a Mk III (sorn’d). Over the years I have viewed a number of Mk Is with the intention of saying I have owned an example of each but never found one that was not over priced or needed too much work.
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