Ford Fairlane (Australia)
 | |
| Manufacturer | Ford Australia |
|---|---|
| Also called | Ford LTD |
| Production | 1959–2007 |
| Assembly | Campbellfield, Victoria, Australia |
| Class | Full-size |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
The Ford Fairlane and LTD are full-size
From 1959 to 1964 the Fairlane was a locally assembled version of the American
The Fairlane and LTD competed in the marketplace with the
Australian assembled U.S. Fairlanes
Full-size Fairlane (1959–1962)
In September 1959
The sedans were 9½ inches longer and 5 inches lower than the
For 1960 the range was updated with the grille and trim from the 1959 Canadian
Intermediate Fairlane (1962–1964)
In July 1962 the smaller US Fairlane 500 was introduced and a 221-cubic-inch (3.62 L)
Australian Fairlanes
First generation
ZA (1967–1968)
The ZA Fairlane series, introduced in March 1967, was designed and built in Australia although it resembled the
The Fairlane was equipped with a 200-cubic-inch (3.3 L) six cylinder engine as standard with a 289-cubic-inch (4.74 L) V8 as an option. The Fairlane 500 featured the 289-cubic-inch (4.74 L) V8 as standard equipment. The six cylinder engine was available with manual or automatic transmission and the V8 only with an automatic. Production of the ZA Fairlane totalled 8,814 vehicles.
ZB (1968–1969)
A model change to the ZB series in March 1968 saw the 200 grow to 221-cubic-inch (3.62 L) and the 289 grow to 302-cubic-inch (4.95 L), the top model remaining the Fairlane 500 with the larger engine. Badges now featured metric measure, with the six badged "3.6 litre" and the V8 badged the "5.0 litre". The only notable external change was the tail-light design, again following the general look of the Falcon (in this case the XT). The base model was now known as Fairlane Custom.
ZC (1969–1970)
The facelifted ZC Fairlane series, which was introduced in July 1969, featured vertically stacked rather than horizontal headlights, harking back to the look of the
ZD (1970–1972)
The ZD series was released in November 1970 for the 1971
The ZA to ZD were basically stretched versions of the XR to XY series Ford Falcons respectively, with the extra length added behind the rear door, moving the rear seat back and giving more leg room.
Second generation
ZF (1972–1973)
An all-new, Australian-designed ZF series Fairlane was launched in April 1972, with swoopier bodywork, but there were criticisms that it looked too much like a four-headlamp version of the basic Falcon. The ZF Fairlanes were joined by an even more upscale LTD in August 1973, with hidden headlamps and vinyl roof. Model names remained the same (Custom and 500), as did the engine choices, as the previous model year. The 1973 ZF also saw the last manual transmission; afterwards, all Fairlanes would be automatics.
ZG / P5 (1973–1976)
November 1973 saw the next series of changes, to the ZG series Fairlane. The changes were mainly cosmetic, with a four horizontal bar grille and revised tail-light lenses and garnish panel. An anniversary model with a standard 302 was released in 1975, but otherwise the range stayed the same as the 1974 versions.
The Fairlane based P5 series Ford LTD was released very late in the ZF model run in August 1973, three months prior to the ZG Fairlane. The LTD was only available as a four-door sedan, and the wheelbase was even longer than that of the Fairlane, itself a stretched Falcon. A luxury two door coupé called the
As the P5 was released during the ZF model run, it retained many ZF components. For example, the main interior upgrade from the Fairlane ZF to ZG was the turn signal stalk. The ZF had the older style stalk with the high beam "dipper" switch on the floor. When the ZG Fairlane was released a big item was the new multi-function column stalk which incorporated the dipper switch and horn. The P5s however used the ZF style stalk and still had a "squeeze rim" horn similar to Falcon GTs of the era. Because the P6 LTD was not released until about five months after the ZH Fairlane, some of the last P5s actually had a few minor ZH parts fitted.
ZH / P6 (1976–1979)
The ZH series addressed earlier complaints about the Fairlane being too close to the Falcon in May 1976. The designers retained the same central section from the upcoming XC
The P6 Series LTD was introduced in September 1976. This model saw an even more flamboyant grille with four round
Third generation
ZJ / FC (1979–1982)
Ford would wait until May 1979 before updating the Fairlane to the ZJ Series. This model was a leap ahead into the new decade, with squared-off lines and a six-light bodyshell clearly distinguishing Fairlane from the new XD Falcon of that year. The traditional quad headlights and distinctive vertically striped tail lights further differentiated the luxury model from Falcon. The trim levels were deleted: there was now only a single Fairlane, with 4.9 L (302 cu in) or 5.8 L (351 cu in) V8 engine choices. In October, recognizing the fuel crisis, Ford introduced a Fairlane with a 4.1 L (250 cu in) inline six from the Falcon.
The LTD version of the ZJ surfaced in October 1979 as the FC Series, using the same wheelbase and body panels as the Fairlane. In mid-1980 the Falcon 4.1 litre Alloy Head engine was made optional, the first time the LTD was available in six-cylinder guise.
ZK / FD (1982–1984)
The ZK series of 1982 saw the deletion of the 5.8 L V8, which was the first sign the company would soon drop
The LTD FC series was updated to and designated FD in March 1982 with the V8 engine option deleted the following year.
ZL / FE (1984–1988)
The revised ZL series of 1985 (launched October 1984) kept the two six-cylinder engine options; it was only at the end of 1986 that the carburettor version of the Fairlane was deleted. The ZL again carried over all external panels, but now had integrated headlights with clear indicators, full wrap-around bumpers, and new tail lights. Inside, a full digital dashboard was introduced with push-button controls at either end of the instrument binnacle (very similar to the Mazda 929 of the era).
The FE series LTD was also released in October 1984.
Fourth generation
NA / DA (1988–1991)
June 1988 saw the next major revision: the Fairlane's straight edges gave way to gentle curves, based on the EA26 platform Falcon. The philosophy was the same: a long-wheelbase Falcon with a six-light body. The 4.1 litre six was heavily revised, becoming a 3.9 litre unit with improved fuel economy and power. These models were part of the EA26 development programme and platform (E for the market segment, A for Australia, 26 the project code). Therefore, officially they were EA26s, but colloquially, Ford aficionados prefer a two-letter code. Hence, the new Fairlanes were given the NA series code.
The equivalent LTDs came on stream as the DA series in June 1988. Like the previous generation, all N-series Fairlanes and D-series LTDs were built on the Falcon/Fairmont station wagon platform and this legacy is most noticeable in the disproportionally narrow station wagon rear doors on what was meant to be a limousine and in a car that otherwise caters well for rear seat passengers with a large amount of interior seating and legroom space. Nonetheless, these large sedans and were "limousine enough" to be one of the most common platform used by Australian body building companies to make stretch limousines.
Revisions from November 1989 for the 1990 model year saw the release of the NA II and DAII, the most notable change being the fitting of a four-speed, rather than three-speed, automatic transmission (since the Fairlane's debut it had a three-speed).
Although Ford Australia's official historian, Adrian Ryan, is emphatic there was never officially an NB series Fairlane, at least one early 1989 prototype fitted with a four speed automatic escaped from the factory bearing a compliance plate marked "NB" and was registered as an "NB Fairlane". Ford also produced an alloy wheel identification guide poster for its parts counters listing one wheel as being for an "NB Sportsman Fairlane" and it seems likely that at one point the Series II NA was going to be called the NB. Third party parts suppliers also often list both an "NB Fairlane" an "NB - Series II Fairlane" in their parts catalogues adding to the NB mystery. DOTARS (the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services) has no record of giving Ford approval to use an "NB Fairlane" compliance plate for a production model which might explain Ford's reluctance to officially acknowledge the "NB".
NC / DC (1991–1995)
August 1991 saw the news that many Fairlane/LTD purists had awaited: the reintroduction of the V8, in the NC Fairlane and DC series LTD. Ford had never recovered from deleting the V8s in the 1980s and bowed to public pressure with its reintroduction. The 5.0 litre engine was not identical to the one used in the United States Mustang and other passenger cars. For reason of better durability and perhaps cost, it was the Canadian made Windsor engine used in the North American light truck and 4WD models. To meet the needs of the space required for a right drive steering column, its inlet manifold was reversed. Again to meet the conversion to right hand drive and the rerouted inlet ducting, air box and air conditioning lines, the Australian installed engines also had most of their serpentine belt driven accessories on opposite side to the US/North American models. As Australian enthusiasts often found to their frustration, these subtle changes often meant that many Ford Racing/SVO add on bits, like the available superchargers, were not exactly the bolt-on items they were in North America. The inline six continued. The NC also introduced a higher-spec Fairlane, called the Fairlane Ghia, and it was in this model that the V8 was available.
The 1992 NC II and DC IIs redesignated the 3.9 L engine a '4.0 litre', but trim levels remained the same. To appeal to younger buyers, Ford briefly sold a Fairlane Sportsman Ghia in 1993 with a "Tickford" tuned 4.0 litre six used in the Falcon XR6. In 1994, the base model was deleted, leaving only the Ghia.
A second, even smaller update, known as the NC III arrived in August 1993. It is the equivalent to the ED series Falcon, adopting the new "ozone safe" R134a air conditioning refrigerant. The base Fairlane model was also discontinued, leaving only the Fairlane Ghia.
From March 1994 production, the NC received additional changes: the fitment of a leather-wrapped steering wheel, body coloured bumpers and side protection strips, new design alloy wheels, and a
An idea proposed in the late 1980s was a Fairlane wagon. Most likely, had it entered production, it would have used the Falcon wagon (which rode on the Fairlane's wheelbase) body, coupled with the Fairlane's front clip.
In the early 1990s, the Falcon utilities were still of the previous generation XF. A prototype EB Falcon utility was made which looked Fairlane based. To impart a look of solidness, the Ute had a Fairlane frontal treatment. It did not enter production.
NF / DF (1995–1996)
The Fairlane and LTD received a major front & rear re-style in March 1995 (EA77 series in Ford-speak), coinciding with the EF Falcon, and remained on the same platform. The new NF Fairlanes and DF LTDs were longer and curvier, hiding their 1980s origins reasonably well. The exterior design was more ornamental compared to the relatively clean NAs to NCs. The Fairlane Sportsman reappeared for 1996, with the same formula as 1993, with the 4.0 litre six.
NL / DL (1996–1998)
In September 1996, the revised NL Fairlanes and DL LTDs appeared. In 1997, Ford introduced a higher Fairlane Concorde trim, with the same 4.0 litre and 5.0 litre engine choices. No Sportsman variant of the Fairlane was offered.
For customers, five Dealer modified NL Series Fairlanes from Sydney and Melbourne utilized parts from the 5.0 litre
Ford expanded the Fairlane range greatly in 1998. Beginning with the Ghia, there was also a basic Concorde (six-cylinder) and Concorde Ghia (V8). A
The NL/DL series were the last models to come equipped with automatic self-leveling rear suspension.
Fifth generation
AU (1999–2003)
Ford introduced its "
The AU Fairlane and LTD models were the first long wheelbase sedans to share a model code with the Falcon. They had
A high performance variant of the AU Fairlane was released in 1999 as the
Ford brought forward revisions to the Falcon and Fairlane ranges when market acceptance of the new cars proved poor in July 2000. The 2001 model year AU II models featured some improvements, and another limited edition was offered: the 75th Anniversary Ghia in October, with the same engine choices as before. The Sportsman Ghia was revived in March 2001 and lasted for more than one model year this time, remaining in the range to the end of 2002.
BA (2003–2005)
Ford's new attempt to battle Holden came in July 2003 with the BA series. The BA Fairlanes and LTDs were closer to the Falcon in looks, even sharing the tail lights. The 5.0 litre gave way to the larger 5.4 litre
To capture younger buyers, the Fairlane G220 (denoting its 220-kilowatt (300 hp) power output at 4,750 rpm and 472 newton metres (348 lb·ft) of torque from 3,250–4,000 rpm) took the place of the Fairlane Sportsman, and featured the larger engine only. The traditional automatic gearbox was replaced by a
BF (2005–2007)
The BF series Fairlane and LTD models were introduced in October 2005, with the Fairlane G220 renamed the Fairlane G8. The G8 featured an eight-cylinder engine with improved exhaust system and an additional knock sensor, producing 230 kilowatts (310 hp) at 5,350 rpm and 500 newton metres (370 lb·ft) of torque at 3,500 rpm. It was equipped with a six-speed ZF sports automatic transmission and 2.53 LSD final diff ratio.
In May 2007 it was announced that production of the Fairlane and LTD would cease as a decline in sales in its market segment rendered continued production of long wheelbase models unsustainable. The last Fairlane was produced on 13 December 2007.
References
External links
- Ford Australia sales brochure for 1960 Custom 300, Fairlane 500 & Ranch Wagon at www.oldcarbrochures.com
- Ford Fairlane, Landau & LTD at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au
Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fairlane_(Australia)#ZF_.281972.E2.80.931973.29
