Richard Hirst’s MklV's
Love ‘em or hate ‘em! No matter which side of the fence you
find yourself, so many people have strong opinions about the unmistakable MkIV
Zephyr. My love of them began when my parents sold the family car, a 67 MkIV,
in the mid-70’s. It was quite a surprise to me, a full-grown 10-year-old at the
time, to find myself shedding tears at the car yard. I’d loved that car so much
I just never imagined we’d be parted. Since then I’ve loved another four
Zephyrs and three Zodi’s. I’ve always been keen to acquire each one and very
reluctantly parted with them – but we can’t keep them all can we, despite
serious attempts to!
The white MkIV is a ’71, one owner from new when I finally
acquired her in 1999, after 2 years reminding the owner I was her greatest
admirer. She has original motor, 68,000 miles first time round, recently passed
on to another MkIV fan in Blenheim, who as it happens, had been keenly
reminding the original owner that he was her greatest admirer as well.
The green MkIV is a ’70, factory auto, acquired in ’98,
separating her & her owner from 18 happy years together. I’ve never
subjected her to every-day use, probably only driven her a few hundred miles
all told. She’s the first MkIV I’ve driven with auto and for anyone curious – I
thoroughly recommend the difference. I’ve always found engaging second-gear and
cornering at the same time in a MkIV requires a certain determination. The V6
offers plenty of grunt for me, best managed (and partially absorbed) by a nice
smooth auto.
There’s something about a MkIV that inspires the driver to
take it for a drive – as opposed to it taking you for one. No other car
sits on the road quite like it. There can’t have been many cars around in their
day with a more chunky square front end, opposite to, yet perfectly in tune
with the cheeky short fat boot, at the end of a very sexy curve from the roof
down the rear screen. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, one thing is definite: The lack of
love they’ve been shown is evident now that they near extinction.
Cheers
Richard Hirst