by Bjorn-olof Berglund
As in all cars that are in
production for a long time, the Mk3 was undergoing some minor upgrades during
production time. The following list contains the changes that were made. The
list should be 90% accurate. The
sources are a bit inconsistent and can differ in
time. I have also left out changes that are so small that they are of no
importance.
1962
January:
·
Zodiac production begins
(vehicle number 64BO20489)
February:
·
Production starts on the
Zephyr (vehicle number 54BO48196)
September:
·
New integrated brake servo
unit replaced the old type that was mounted in the engine compartment, giving a
more positive feel to the driver when applying the brakes.
October:
·
1,5”wider
rear track. More rear seat room made by changes to the rear bulkhead. Thus
allowing the rear seat to be mounted further back to provide more legroom.
·
A horn ring replaced the horn
button.
·
The first Estate car built
by E.D.Abbott Ltd, was introduced.
1963
April:
·
Armoured front flexible
brake hose replaced the non armoured hose. On early production MK3’s the brake
hose had been chafing on the suspension strut, causing a potentially dangerous
situation.
June:
·
Luggage compartment light
added on the Zodiac.
August:
·
On the Zephyr, improvements
of the facia, trim and fittings, modified ashtray, improved door release
handles, and arm rests. On the Zephyr
4,a restyled front end with lower grille.
September:
·
Modified over riders, with
rubber inserts. Inside, deep pile carpet was fitted. On the Zodiac, there were
improvements to the facia, trim and fittings, plus new reverse lamps were built
into the rear bumper.
October:
·
Floor gear change was
optional. A new steering idler arm was fitted that incorporated a steering
damper. This served to eliminate any remaining steering wheel shake that could
appear if a tyre set was difficult to balance completely.
December:
·
Alloy vane type oil pump
were introduced, replacing the older cast iron rotor type.
1964
·
New clutch release
mechanism, the assist spring being no longer needed. Fibreglass insulation
under the hood, new engine mountings, plus modified front seat adjustment
mechanisms.
June:
·
New idler arm again, and
intermediate steering linkage. Smaller four bladed cooling fan.
October:
·
Interior paintwork matching
trim (cloth trim optional) on the Zephyr from5D282216: Zodiac from 6D282270.
Heater finally became standard on the Zephyr.
1965
January:
·
New rectangular
identification plate.
·
The Zodiac Executive was
introduced, equipped with automatic transmission as standard. Leather
upholstery, and individual reclining seats, divided by a centre console
standard. The Executive was also equipped with push button radio, front and
rear speakers, twin wing mirrors, fog and spot lamp, dipping rear view mirror,
engine compartment lamp, locking fuel filler cap and carpeted luggage
compartment.
February:
·
New exhaust system, for the
Zodiac the dual exhaust system was abandoned in favour of a single system.
June:
·
An amber/white unit replaces
the white front wing parking/flasher lamp unit.
·
The chrome strips running
along the sills and its continuation on the front wings were deleted.
1966
January:
·
The Mk3 production ends.
The changes that are
mentioned above are only the major changes that I have been able to locate so
far. I have intentionally left out the
changes in trim as there where numerous changes. For example six different
pattern styles on the front door trim, five different for the rear door and
eight different patterns for the front seat.
Furthermore we have the
regional differences, which will make the list almost endless.