What kind of car is a Consul?
In brief, the Consul is a Ford of Britain mid-size family car from the 1950s and early 1960s. The name has appeared elsewhere in the auto world, but the Ford Consul remains the most widely recognized bearer of the badge.
Origins and identity
The Consul badge was introduced by Ford of Britain as part of a postwar upgrade to its UK lineup. Positioned between the smaller Anglia and larger Zephyr/Corsair siblings, the Consul offered practical four-door saloons and, in some years, estate versions designed for families and fleets. Its design reflected the era's emphasis on roominess, durability, and affordable motoring.
Variants and evolution
The Consul name traveled through a few generations in Britain, with updates that refined styling, interior comfort, and powertrains. The core formula remained a practical, family-friendly sedan with optional estate bodystyles.
Key variants
Below is a concise look at the main variants that carried the Consul badge over its lifetime.
- Ford Consul (early generation): A mid-size four‑door saloon offered with a range of engines and, in some markets, an estate variant.
- Ford Consul Mk II (mid‑1950s): An updated version with modest styling refreshes and mechanical tweaks to improve performance and reliability.
- Ford Consul Classic (early 1960s): The final redesign before the line was phased out, aligning more closely with contemporary Ford styling and comfort standards.
Across its years of production, the Consul exemplified Ford UK’s approach to affordable family transport, combining practical space with straightforward mechanics that could be maintained by common garages of the era.
Other considerations
While the Ford Consul remains the most common reference, the name has occasionally appeared in other markets or on badge-engineered variants in the broader Ford family. However, its legacy is most strongly tied to Ford UK’s postwar lineup.
Summary
The Consul is a historic Ford of Britain model, a mid-size family car from the 1950s–early 1960s. It helped define practical, affordable motoring in postwar Britain and remains a familiar name among enthusiasts of classic British Fords.
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What is a consul in a car?
And continuing beneath it and often merging with the transmission. Tunnel. It's located between the driver seat and the passenger seat within the center portion of the automobile.
Who made the Consul car?
Ford of Britain
The Ford Consul is a car that was manufactured by Ford of Britain from 1951 until 1962. The name was later revived for a model produced by Ford in both the UK and in Germany from 1972 until 1975.
How fast can a Ford Consul go?
Performance. A car tested by The Motor magazine in 1961 had a top speed of 78.4 mph (126.2 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 22.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of 35.8 miles per imperial gallon (7.9 L/100 km; 29.8 mpg‑US) was recorded.
