Ford Consul Classic

Ford Consul Classic at a glance

Development and launch

Styling work began in 1956 under Colin Neale; the Capri coupé was later drawn by Charles Thompson. Lancaster Insurance describes the result as a fusion of the 1958 Lincoln and the 1960 Galaxie, and Motor Sport's first report in June 1961 also found it reminiscent of the American Galaxie. Ford had planned to launch the car in the summer of 1960, but the strong sales of the Anglia 105E pushed the date back.

The Consul Classic went on sale in May 1961. It was the first British Ford with four headlamps, and its "Breezeway" rear window, raked forwards like the Anglia's, came from the 1958 Lincoln Continental. Its rivals were the Vauxhall Victor FB and Singer Vogue, both new in 1961, and more conservative cars such as the Austin A60 Cambridge, Morris Oxford Series VI and Hillman Minx.

Production timeline

Design and engineering

The Classic used MacPherson strut front suspension and a rigid rear axle on semi-elliptic springs. Front brakes were 9.5-inch (241 mm) Girling discs, with 9-inch drums at the rear. It ran on 13-inch wheels with 5.60 tyres.

Inside there was a split front bench and a choice of floor or column gear change; Motor Sport praised the column change for its "positive feel and absolute precision". The boot held 21 cu ft, about 15% more than a Zodiac Mk II according to Grace's Guide. The De Luxe added two-tone paint, a cigar lighter, twin sun visors, screen washers and chrome horn rings, while a heater remained an extra-cost option on both trims.

Motor Sport's first drive, on Ford's Boreham test track, found a good ride over bumps but a lot of body roll, with roll oversteer under hard cornering. The magazine judged the car under-engined for racing or rallying and noted that Ford's works team had no plans to rally it. The Classic was aimed at families who needed five seats and a big boot. The disc brakes needed about 10% more pedal pressure than the Anglia's drums, though their stopping power was described as excellent.

Engines and performance

The first engine had a stroke of 65.07 mm, against 48.41 mm in the Anglia 105E, and an 8.5:1 compression ratio. Motor Sport quoted 40 kW (54 bhp) at 4,900 rpm, while Classics World gives 40 kW (53 bhp).

The Motor tested a four-door De Luxe in 1961 and recorded 126 km/h (78.4 mph) and 7.9 l/100 km (35.8 mpg). Its 1962 test of the Consul Capri gave 127 km/h (79.0 mph) and 7.7 l/100 km (36.7 mpg). To compare these outputs with today's cars, use our power converter.

Consul Capri and other variants

Capri bodies were sub-assembled by Pressed Steel, with final assembly at Dagenham and, from February 1963, at Halewood. Production figures differ slightly: English Wikipedia gives 18,716 in its summary and 19,421 in the text, and Classics World also uses 19,421, in each case including the GTs. In New Zealand, Ford assembled the Consul 315 at Petone from kits.

Why it was replaced so soon

In 1962 Ford launched the Consul Cortina to fill the gap between the Anglia and the Classic. It took sales from the Classic, especially after the 1,498 cc Cortina Super arrived in January 1963. In the autumn of 1963 Ford replaced the Classic with the Corsair, built largely from Cortina components. The Capri lasted until July 1964.

Prices tell part of the story. In 1961 The Motor's four-door De Luxe cost £801 including tax, and a two-door Standard £745; the 1962 Capri cost £915 including tax of £288.

Owning a Consul Classic today

Classics World's buyer's guide (December 2025, updated February 2026) lists the usual rust areas. Check the sills inside and out, door bottoms, wheel arches and the rear of the front wings, then the headlamp surrounds, the waistline and the tail fins. On the Kent engine, look for blue smoke under load, heavy breathing from the oil filler, bottom-end rumble, a rattling timing chain and overheating caused by blocked water passages; a rebuild costs about £1,500 (2025).

Parts supply is mixed. Mechanical parts for the Kent engine are mostly available, but new front discs, steering boxes and body panels are scarce; a front wing cost £970 plus VAT in 2025.

The guide's 2025 values for the Classic start at about £1,000 for a project. A solid average car was worth £5,000–7,000 in 2025 (roughly €5,800–8,100). The best restored or highly original saloons reached £12,000 in 2025, about €13,900. Capris are worth more: in 2025 a good one with its original interior cost about £20,000 (€23,000), and concours cars £25,000–30,000.

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