From Dagenham to Corsica| The 1955 Ford Zephyr Mk1 Convertible’s Incredible Journey

From Down at the barns.

A rare 1955 Ford Zephyr Mk1 Convertible — a British classic car restored by Carbodies of Coventry.

From the Ford factory at Dagenham to the hands of a French diplomat in Morocco, through retirement in Corsica and rediscovery in Lyon, this rare coachbuilt Zephyr Six Convertible has travelled more than most people ever will.

In this episode of Classic Car Stories, Adam Poulton dives into the remarkable life of this 1955 Ford Zephyr 6 Mk1 Convertible, one of only a handful converted by Carbodies of Coventry — the same craftsmen who later built London’s iconic black cabs.

With stunning lines, a smooth 2.3-litre straight-six engine, and a fully working power hood, this Ford Zephyr Mk1 Convertible is a true survivor from an era when Britain dreamed in chrome.

Owner Neil Bell shares the story of how he rescued and restored this rare Zephyr 6, bringing it back to life on UK roads.

If you love stories of classic car restoration, nostalgia, and British motoring heritage — this one’s for you.

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Home

🕰️ Chapters

00:00 – What do a British factory, a French diplomat, and Corsica have in common?
00:45 – The rare coachbuilt Ford Zephyr Six Convertible
02:15 – Restoration of The Car
04:20 – Fabulous Wheels
04:35 – The Engine
05:07 – Back On The Country Roads

🧾 Car Details

• Model: Ford Zephyr Six Mk1 Convertible (1955)
• Coachbuilder: Carbodies of Coventry
• Engine: 2,253cc straight-six
• Gearbox: 3-speed column shift with Borg Warner overdrive
• Special features: Power hood, left-hand drive, period-correct restoration

📺 About the Channel

Welcome to Classic Car Stories — Every classic has a story to tell.
Join Adam Poulton as he explores the people, history, and emotion behind the world’s most fascinating cars — from barn finds and restorations to rare survivors still on the road.

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Edited, Written and Produced by: Adam Poulton
Filmed by: Adam Poulton & Kevin Heuston
© poultonmedia productions 2025