there was  a knack in using the vacuum wipers in Fords from this time and that was to turn the control knob only half way to full and I found that this kept the wipers at a steady pace

Who writes this crap.  They were a very successful product for Ford Motors in the mid fifties. No more compromised than any other maker's did back then. They sold well and were extremely popular along with the Zephyr and Zodiac 6 cylinder versions.

I had two of these consuls back in the early 70's at a total cost of £260 for both. The bench seats and column change suited me nicely. A bit juicy to run but enjoyable although not as reliable as modern day cars but cheap and easy to repair which can't be said of today's cars.

Drove these as taxis in 70-72, then we got Mk3 Zephyrs. The Cortina was not designed to replace the Consul, it was a Repmobile.

My father had a 1962 model.  Blew the engine on the then new Doncaster bypass at 4 months old.
I remember the vacuum wipers very well.

Thanks for the long trip back down memory lane. These cars were very much part of my childhood and youth.

Ive had a couple of mk 2 consuls ovr the years,great cars.I now own a 55 ford fairlane on which the consul was based.

OH NOOOO, more SHOCKING secrets - I'm glad I'm sitting down ! You say 'here are 8 secrets it kept hidden, but the caption says 10. That's shocking for a start ! OMG, a Bench Front Seat - SHOCKING ! I've never been so shocked !

Had a couple of mk2 Consuls as it fit in with our rockabilly style. Last one was around 2002. Went all over UK in it and drove to work in it. Never let me ( glen ) down but I did regular checks on it. Easy to maintain and drive. Currently working on a Rover P4 to get on road and use but would have another Consul again. Not sure what parts supply like now though, for the Rover its good

My family had one for 6 years from 1970 - it was brilliant - the wipers were annoying and frightening at times. It was pale pink original colour - never saw another one like it. The column change was good and easy. Fitting extra underside strength was quite usual for a few convertibles. Wish Mercedes did my 500SL convertible suffered shuttle shake through lack of strengthening

I had one back in 1980 (boring two tone grey sadly) THM 305. 3 speed column change but first didn't work.
The prop shaft dropped off at the rear one day. Luckily I was going slow in a street near friends. I was able to jack it up and bolt it back in place with the UJ using Nyloc nuts on the bolts.
I hit a Reliant Robin with it one day, I was on the main road, traffic lights not working, and the Robin pulled out from the left. Clouds of fibreglass dust, not a mark on my car.
Someone did a hit and run in the snow overnight in Kings Heath, Birmingham. Smashed up the offside wing and headlamp.
I honestly can't remember what happened to it later. A lot of cars, like my first, an MG Magnette, went for banger racing.
Had a Mk1 Cortina before the Consul. Loved that but it was stolen from a car park in Coventry. The police found it but asked if they could keep an eye on it to catch the thieves. Sadly it was written off in a chase.
My dream car though, which I would still love to own, a Vauxhall Cresta PA 3 window pre-facelift 💗

A friend had a Mk2 Zephyr and it had electric wipers. Only single speed though.

I had a convertible and a Farnham estate, both were fun cars especially the bench seat with my girlfriend. Oh happy days.

Those wipers could come to a stop under full throttle acceleration. That said, my Mk II which I bought in '68 was very reliable, as was the one that my dad had, bought in '62. Both were Lowlines. Ford had the (1949) patent on the MacPherson strut, though an earlier patent (1947) was filed by GM when designer Earle MacPherson was working for them. The reason why the rest of the industry didn't use the system until later was due entirely to that patent.

Cool car. By the way, it was designed by Pina Farina, an Italian.

The first car I remember.

I would say the  easiest way tell a highline from a lowline is the rear lights.

Every "McPherson" Ford had weak upper location which made them prone to steering shimmy once a little wear set in. It soon became as characteristic as the B.M.C. "Farinas" pitching when their Armstrong front suspension dampers wore out!

When I bough a Consul I was about 19 @ 1974/5 My father wanted to drive it, as I drove his cars, for a man who you would have grown up on column change cars, he tried for over 5 minutes to engage 1st gear without success, I ran out of patience before I ran out of clutch, & promptly got it into 1st a drove up our driveway myself, I wonder  where I got my short temper from. 😂😂

Nothing shocking just standard 1950's motoring. Even mid 50's Cadillac's had vacuum wipers.