What makes a Fairlane? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

theedmancometh · 01-05-2004, 04:57

Hi guys,
I'm not too flash on my Ford knowledge at the moment. I would just like to know, apart from the obvious shape and panel differences, what makes a Fairlane different from a Falcon or Fairmont? Is it all the extra options? Is it the same sort of way Holden has Commodores / Berlinas / Vacationers /SLEs / Calais etc? I am mainly interested in the comparisons between the early Falcons, XR/XT etc, and the early Fairlanes, ZA/ZB etc.

Cheers

azraelder · 01-07-2004, 17:15

The Falcon is the base model although avaliable in various options. The Fairmont is the optioned up falcon but uses the same body shell. The Fairlane has a longer body shell plus extras. The LTD was originally even longer than the Fairlane but now I think it shares the same platform now. I hope this helps.

azraelder

eon · 01-07-2004, 22:14

The longer wheelbase of the Fairlane is noticeable by the distance from the rear door opening to the rear wheel arch as they have Falcon doors. Earlier Fairlanes still had bench seats.
The current models are very hard to pick as they utilise the Falcon headlights and tail lights, although the rear number plate has been moved to the bumper bar.
Some web sites are:
http://mang02.freeyellow.com/Fairlane/ozZH.htm
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/%7Efult...e_heritage.htm
http://ltd.4mg.com/index.htm
http://www.grandtourer.com.au/public...asp?EntityID=6

theedmancometh · 01-08-2004, 03:15

Thanks for the response guys, I'm now a bit wiser. I must say I prefer the early fairlanes up to the ZC/ZD, but those equivalents to the XCs (ZHs I believe),look like they're out of a Dirty Harry movie!

Thanks EON for the links, in particular the last one as I stumbled upon a parts page which I'm sure will prove very useful. I just wish we had your resources over here in NZ.

Thanks again,

eon · 01-09-2004, 04:19

So, you don't like the ZH?
Then as Dirty Harry might say, this will make your day.......

theedmancometh · 01-09-2004, 04:58

They're not what I'm into EON, but I can appreciate a mint car when I see one. Very nice example. I think I've only ever seen one or two ZHs on my travels.

Wish my car looked that good,

smciner1 · 01-29-2004, 04:45

When the Australian Fairlane was released in 1967, the major difference between it and the Fairmont it was based on was 4" extra into the wheelbase, stretching it from 111" to 116". This extra length was incoperated into the car behind the rear doors, adding extra room into the cabin.

There was also a few major stying differences. These included quad 5 1/2" headlights and grille ILO twin 7", unique rear quarter panels with a thicker dog leg to accomodate the extra length. The rear of the quarter panels were also changed to incude a unique set of tail lights with a matching boot lid.

The interior was also different with unique seat covering (still vinyl) and a different instrument cluster which had a strip speedo instead of the Falcon / Fairmont round dials.

The Fairlane was released in two models, the Fairlane 500, which was aimed at the private buyer with bucket seats and V8 engine and automatic transmission standard, and the budget Fairlane Custom with TQE (tm) power, 3 speed manual (column shift) and a bench seat. The Fairlane Custom was aimed at the fleet / taxi market.

One of the standout models of the early Fairlane (ZA - ZD) was the early ZC Fairlane 500 with the optional 290 HP Windsor 351 (straight from the XW Falcon GT). This model was also available with a 4 speed Manual (Top Loader) transmission from the factory. A very rare car if you can find an original one today. Once the Cleveland landed in the later ZC Fairlanes (1970), they were the less powerful 351 2 barrel with only 250 HP.