Ford Fairlane Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 1997 - 2007 Ford Fairline and LTD.

The Ford Fairlane and LTD are luxurious long-wheelbase versions of the Falcon that provide stretch out legroom in the back. They offer excellent value for money for those wanting to transport four adults, or perhaps two adults and a pair of hulking teenagers.They are better suited to four occupants than five because the centre-rear seat’s foot-space is compromised by the transmission tunnel. As all the extra wheelbase has gone into the rear passenger area the boot space is about the same as that of the Falcon. The boot is large, but on the shallow side.Once upon a time Fairlane and LTD had completely different external styling to the Falcon so people didn’t realise where they came from. This lifted them in the prestige stakes and made them big sellers for many years.However, from the launch of the BA models in July 2003, the elongated Fords looked almost identical to Falcons. Potential buyers hated this and many switched to long-wheelbase Holdens instead. Buyers stayed away in droves and the big Aussie Fords tumbled from their position as kings of the market and were discontinued at the end of 2007.Quite a few were in stock as new cars well into 2008 and may be passed off as 2008 models, this isn’t accurate as it’s the year of build that dictates a car’s age, not the date of first registration. Ride comfort is excellent and the big Fords come into their own on rough and ready Aussie country roads.These Aussie machines can show the big name European cars how to soak up harsh road surfaces with a minimum of fuss. Though they are very large cars the limo-like Fords are reasonably easy to drive. They can be out of place on inner city streets and in tight carparks so try that sort of area as part of your personal road test.Sixes and V8 engines are offered in both models with the V8 being the more common in the LTD and the six in the Fairlane. The six-cylinder powerplant is often the better choice unless you are a revhead as it has been significantly upgraded over the years and doesn’t lag all that far behind the V8. Expect a six-cylinder Fairlane or LTD to use about 10 to 15 percent less petrol in the six than a V8.Many drivers just love the lazy, easy-going travel only a V8 provides. The big V8 engine scores in its heavy towing ability, though the six isn't as far behind as you might expect. Engine capacity on the six-cylinder is 4.0 litres, with the engine being revised many times over the years. The V8 had a capacity of 5.0 litres until the launch of the BA series in 2003, when an all-new design went up to 5.4 litres.The newer engine is far superior to its predecessor, in performance, economy and emission levels. A four-speed automatic transmission was used in Fairlanes and LTDs until the BF facelift of 2005 introduced a six-speed unit. The latter is a far better design and combines good off-the-line acceleration with a lazy, mile-eating high-ratio sixth gear.Fuel consumption is markedly lower with the six-speed unit on country trips and on motorways. Many LTDs began their lives as government, fleet or hire cars and will have generally led an easy life in their early years, having been serviced by the book and cared for by professional drivers who took pride in driving them.On the other hand quite a few Fairlanes will have been taxis in their earlier years so may have done a lot of work. The big Fords are relatively easy for an amateur mechanic to work on, though some of the luxury extras are complex so will require a professional operator. Spare parts are very reasonable in price and there are dealers in virtually all areas of Australia, no matter how remote.Insurance costs are low, very low if you compare the local Ford long-wheelbase limos with the upmarket stretched variants from the German marques. We have seen some Fairlanes dressed up to look like LTDs, particularly in the older models, and carrying LTD price tags. If you are in doubt get in touch with your Ford dealer and quote the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for a confirmation.WHAT TO LOOK FOREarlier Fairlanes and LTDs weren't as well-built as they should have been. Check for parts that don't fit correctly, or rattle and squeak on bumpy roads. Later cars are better, but can still have had a hard life. Don’t forget to check the rear seat area as carefully as you do the front. These cars generally get a fair bit of use back there. All the more so if a Fairlane or LTD has been a taxi at one stage in its career.Check the body for signs of rust, these days this is only likely to be present if previous crash damage repair hasn’t been done correctly. Engines should start within a couple of seconds even when cold and should have a smooth idle straight away.Look for smoke from the exhaust, this will be at its most obvious when the accelerator is floored quickly, and feel for any hesitation under acceleration. Make sure the automatic transmission isn't hesitant about going into gear from Park or Neutral and doesn't make unnecessary changes.Listen for a whine from the differential at moderate urban speeds and when cruising at about 100 km/h to 120 km/h on the open road. It’s usually most obvious when you lift gently on and off the throttle a few timesCAR BUYING TIPBig cars are dirt cheap these days due to their high fuel consumption, but often the low purchase will more than compensate for the extra fuel you need to buy. 

Ford dropped the Fairlane in 2007 when the penny finally dropped that Australian luxury car buyers had turned their backs on it, turning instead to brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus. But it was a different story back in the late-50's when the Fairlane was the car to be seen in if you wanted to flaunt your success.Ford first launched the Fairlane badge in 1959 and, apart from a brief hiatus in the mid-1960's it carried on until its ultimate demise at the end of 2007. It followed the same formula right to the end, but by then size wasn't the ultimate measure of a luxury car and size was the Fairlane's biggest selling point.MODEL WATCHAustralia was under the spell of America late in the 1950's and many local car buyers aspired to own a big 'Yank Tank'. The closest they could come to owning a big American car was the 'Tank' Fairlane Ford released in 1959 to replace the long running and very successful Customline series. The Fairlane had its roots in America, but the cars that bore the badge in Australia were supplied through Ford of Canada.Ford offered three models, the rather Spartan Custom 300, the more luxurious Fairlane 500, and the vast Ranch Wagon station wagon. All came in component form, they were already right-hand drive, and were assembled locally. In the process they were fitted with a handful of local parts, these including 15-inch wheels to increase the ground clearance for Australian conditions, glass, seats and interior trim.All had the distinctive rumble of Ford's 332 cubic inch (5.4-litre) overhead valve Y-Block V8; there was the choice of a three-speed column shift manual gearbox or a two-speed auto. The front suspension was independent with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers, while the rear was suspended on half elliptic leaf springs with telescopic shock absorbers for damping.Steering was by worm and peg without power assistance, and braking was done with large unassisted drums all round. Vinyl and fabric trim was used inside where there was plenty of room for six or more adults with broad bench seats front and back. There was also plenty of capacity for luggage in the cavernous boot.The Fairlane continued with minor revisions until 1962 when it was replaced by the 'Compact' model.IN THE SHOPAny car that is 50 years old need careful checking before it's purchased, and the 'Tank' Fairlane is no different. It's most important that the body is thoroughly checked for rust. Cars built in the 1950's were particularly prone to rusting, the steel used wasn't of the highest quality and the rust-prevention measures used by carmakers were rudimentary at best.Check the front and rear floors in the cabin, and the boot floor as well, as these are known areas of rust. But also check the front and rear guards, the bottoms of the doors, under the trim across the top of the windscreen and rear window, and the windscreen pillar and the front of the bonnet.Mechanically the Fairlane is robust and reliable, and most parts can be found at specialist parts suppliers, either here or in the US, and the Internet is a good place to find them.ON THE ROADRoad testers of the day were generous in their praise of the Fairlane. They were particularly impressed with its steering, braking, ride, and even its handling. Today, of course, those things would be widely criticised for being crude.The Fairlane is a big lump of a car, its weight impacts on its performance, which could only be described as leisurely by today's standards. Weight also has the Fairlane wallowing through corners if pushed; its ride on the other hand is smooth and comfortable.Given its 1950s limits, however, the Fairlane is a smooth, comfortable cruiser that's great fun to drive.IN A CRASHWhile it seems safety was only discovered recently carmakers were paying attention to it a long, long time ago. In the case of the Fairlane there was a deep-dished steering wheel to prevent you from cracking your head on the steering wheel hub, and the switches were located behind the wheel so you wouldn't hit them in the event of a crash.There were no seat belts, but most cars would have had aftermarket belts fitted later on, so it's worth checking the installation to make sure it's sound, and also check the seat belt webbing for wear and tear. If they were not fitted it would be worth fitting self-retracting lap/ sash belts.AT THE PUMP There is no getting around it the Fairlane, with its V8 motor, is a gas-guzzler. But as they're more likely to be used as weekend cruisers than daily drivers, the impact on your wallet isn't likely to be great. The Fairlane was designed in the days of leaded petrol, but it will use 91-octane unleaded with an upper cylinder additive for valve protection. It would run better and more efficiently on 95-octane or higher. Be wary of using E10 ethanol in old engines like the Fairlane's, reports suggest it does terrible things to old engines.LOOK FOR Cool '50s styleGreat weekend cruiser for the familyLots of interior roomHuge bootV8 rumbleSusceptible to body rust.THE BOTTOM LINE: Affordable classic if you like to cruise the highways '50s American style.CLASSIC RATING: 70/100

Back in the 1960s when Ford released the first locally designed Fairlane there was nothing better, or bigger, than the biggest Ford. It was a measure of success, in business, or down on the farm.Today it’s no longer alone at the top end of the town, it now has plenty of company at head office, but it still offers the very same qualities it did when it was the head rooster.The Fairlane formula was simple, and like most simple things, it was also very successful. The first Fairlanes to be sold here were based on Canadian models, there was the ‘tank’ model from 1959, replaced by the ‘Compact’ in 1963, which in turn was replaced by the ‘Aussie’ Fairlane in 1967.To create the local Fairlane Ford simply took the Falcon platform, then the Mustang-bred XR, and stretched the wheelbase to substantially increase the rear seat room, then lengthened the rear to produce a huge boot.In the mid-1960s it was unrivalled for luxury motoring. Holden tried to match the big Ford with, first the Brougham, then the Statesman, but neither managed to make serious inroads into the Fairlane’s domination.By the mid-1990s, when the NF Fairlane came on the scene, Holden’s Statesman had managed to claw its way into the lead, and the Fairlane was battling back.MODEL WATCHThe 1995 NF followed the traditional Fairlane formula in that it was based on the current Falcon, in this case the EF.Ford invested $220 million in the EF in an effort to make up some ground lost to Commodore as Holden sales recovered from the disastrous 1980s, and spent another $30 million on the long wheelbase models once the Falcon was up and running.Although based on the Falcon previous Fairlanes had been more distinct than the NF, which used the same front end sheetmetal as the EF Fairmont. The result was that the NF was shorter in the nose than most previous Fairlanes, but it still had the roomy rear seat, and large boot, which were seen as the key features of a local luxury model. All up the NF Fairlane was 98 mm shorter than the car it replaced.For the first time Ford adopted what they called a ‘High Jewel’ effect, which in effect meant more chrome and stainless steel trim, and clear turn signal lamp lenses. Central to the theme was the bright chrome grille, which combined with bright window mouldings and numerous chrome strips for sparkling highlights.Inside there were new trim fabrics, leather if you could afford it, and make believe woodgrain panels for added touches of prestige. There was a long list of features, from improved audio systems, a CD stacker, climate-controlled air-conditioning, cup holders, and an airbag for the driver.Based on the Falcon as it was, the NF Fairlane got the same mechanical improvements that went into the EF Falcon. That meant more responsive handling, with less of the roll-steer that was so apparent in earlier Falcons and made them wander about as they followed the profile of the road.The suspension was the same combination of wishbones at the front and live axle with Watts Linkage at the rear, but in the Fairlane it was tuned more towards a refined ride than sporty handling.When you bought a Fairlane you expected a smooth ride, and didn’t necessarily worry about handling precision, but despite its obvious bulk the big Ford still handled quite well. It was quite well balanced and went where it was pointed, even if it wasn’t quite as sharp as its family Ford cousin.Bigger brakes, in the form of thicker and larger diameter discs, with ABS, resulted in a firmer pedal feel and boosted braking performance.Buyers could choose between Ford’s fuel-injected single overhead camshaft 4.0-litre six that gave 157 kW at 5900 revs, and 357 Nm at 3000 revs, or the optional 5.0-litre V8, which boasted 165 kW and 388 Nm.Both engines were coupled to four-speed auto transmissions to ensure smooth progress.Ford released the NFII in 1995, and with it came an airbag for the front seat passenger, along with a number of other detail improvements.IN THE SHOPWith the same mechanical package the Fairlane suffers the same mechanical maladies as the Falcon.Both engines are quite reliable, the 4.0-litre six works well on gas, but can suffer head gasket problems.Fairlane drivelines are also reliable, the auto hangs on well into the high 100,000 kays, and the diff is tough. Listen for diff noise on high kilometre cars.Problems with electrical components can be frustrating, and the Fairlane can suffer similar electrical gremlins as the Falcon.Fairlanes, particularly if privately owned from new, are usually well cared for by fussy owners, and these are the ones to seek out. Others that could have come from the hire car business will be showing high mileage and should be treated with caution.Check for a car’s history of ownership to determine if it’s been in the hire business, and service to ensure it has been serviced according to Ford’s recommendation.LOOK FOR• simple Falcon mechanical package• smooth refined ride• great rear seat room• large bootTHE BOTTOM LINELocal prestige model has roomy rear seat, huge boot, smooth ride, and plenty of standard features. Feels like a Falcon from the front seat, but is great if you’re a back seat driver.RATING60/100

The Fairlane is no longer at the top of the luxury car pile, but the nameplate that once defined local prestige motoring is still a revered one with many local prestige buyers. When Ford first introduced the Fairlane back in 1959 it stood out like a shining beacon of luxury in a market starved of prestige models. The Fairlane was the car most aspired to own, it was a shining symbol of success.In the years that have passed the Fairlane has lost much of its lustre, having been swamped by imported models seen to offer more prestige than the Falcon-bred Ford, but it still has a special place in the local market.MODEL WATCHThe Fairlane concept as we know it today was introduced in 1967 with the launch of the first locally designed model. It was a simple idea, but a brilliant piece of marketing.It was simple in that it was spun off the Falcon making use of the same mechanical package and much of the front-end sheet metal, but with the wheelbase and boot lengthened to create a larger sedan with heaps of rear legroom and a cavernous boot.The brilliance was that for such a small change Ford could offer a desirable model for those who wanted to step up from the Falcon.Ford followed the same simple concept when it launched the AU in 1999. Like its forebears it was spun off the Falcon, in this case the much maligned AU.If the AU was canned for its perceived ugliness, the Fairlane was a much better looking car. The down in the mouth front of the Falcon was much the same in the Fairlane, but with a neat styling makeover it took on a classier look.If the front was little changed the rear of the Fairlane was completely changed from its smaller sibling, and much the better for it. Where the Falcon sagged at the extremities the Fairlane sat high and handsome. It was a much better looking car than the Falcon.Inside there was the usual rear legroom associated with the Fairlane, the boot was enormous, and it boasted every feature Ford offered on its option list.The Fairlane Ghia, as it was badged, could be ordered with the 4.0-litre single overhead camshaft six-cylinder VCT variable cam timing engine which boasted 168 kW and 370 Nm, or the smooth 5.0-litre overhead valve V8 with 175 kW and 395 Nm. Both came with an electronic four-speed automatic transmission with a floor shift.Underneath the extended skin the Fairlane had independent suspension both front and rear, the double wishbone rear set-up a marked improvement over the compromise set-up under Holden’s Statesman.Brakes were disc front and rear, with ABS and traction control standard fitment.The Fairlane is often sought for its towing ability. In standard form it was rated to tow 1600 kg, but could be fitted with a towing pack that pushed that up to 2300 kg.Inside the Ghia had standard leather trim, six-way power driver’s seat, air-conditioning, dual front airbags and a premium sound system with CD player.Ford released the AUII upgrade in 2000 with a laminated firewall and hydraulic engine mounts for a quieter ride and improved brakes.IN THE SHOPContinuous development over many years has seen the Falcon and Fairlane evolve into sturdy cars that generally don’t have a lot of faults, at least major ones.Mechanics report few problems with the AU, there doesn’t appear to be the same issue with cylinder head gasket failure as there was in earlier models. A design revision on AU has cleaned up the problem pretty well, although further improvements to the head gasket in the BA would tend to suggest that Ford didn’t think the problems were completely solved in AU.Brake wear is a problem with the Falcon and Fairlane, look for regular pad changes and disc machining. The problems were reduced with the AUII upgraded brakes.Build quality has been a lingering problem with the Falcon and Fairlane over the years, and Ford made a serious attempt to put those problems behind it with the BA. That doesn’t matter to anyone with an earlier AU and the problems that seem to pop up with the AU are more than likely due to production problems than basic design flaws.With today’s fuel price concerns it should be remembered that the Fairlane is a large lump of a car, weighing almost 1700 kg so it will consume fuel at a high rate. Ford’s quoted fuel consumption was as high as 14.0 L/100 km around town for the V8 so it would be worth considering LPG to save money.IN A CRASHCompetent suspension design along with four-wheel discs, standard ABS and traction control give the AU Fairlane the dynamics to avoid a collision in the first place, but should the situation get to the point a crash is not avoidable the Fairlane’s strong body and dual front airbags come into play.OWNERS SAYPaul Karwacki owns a 2001 AUIII Fairlane sportsman which has clicked over 80,000 km. Apart from a leaking power steering high pressure line and pump he says it has been good reliable transport. He adds that the Fairlane may not be as refined as the Statesman equivalent, but it makes up for it with better on road dynamics largely due to its more sophisticated and robust suspension componentry. In six-cylinder guise he says it out-points both V6 engine options in the Statesman offering greater refinement and just as much power as the supercharged unit. The Fairlane, especially the AU II models with better brakes, is underrated which makes it excellent value. The looks may not appeal to everyone, but he reckons they look great lowered with a nice set of mags off an XR6, XR8 or T series car. He chose this model because on paper the driveline and suspension set-up is superior to that of the Holden equivalents.LOOK FOR• stately styling• ability to tow• enormous boot• heaps of rear leg room• high level of equipment• generally reliable engines and transmissions• high fuel consumptionTHE BOTTOM LINEIf you value cars on a metal for money basis there’s lots of value in the Fairlane, but expect to pay for it at the pump.RATING60/100

But as the owners of two 1962 Fairlane models, Don Skinner and his wife Lorraine say they're not giving theirs up any time soon.For the Skinners, it's not all about the monetary value. As the saying goes, “Like father, like son”. Don knows it all too well and has not only adopted his late father's passion for cars, especially Fords, but has his own way of remembering his dad.For two decades Don has treasured the Ford Fairlane his father proudly owned for 10 years. “Dad had always really been a bit of a Ford fan, I suppose it rubbed off on to me,” he says.Don's father worked for Ford for 19 years, assembling cars at the Homebush factory. “I still class it as my dad's car,” he says. “Since I got it from my mum in 1980, I have had it re-sprayed. She was quite happy. She passed away in 1987 and was happy it had been done up and put away.”Don's father paid $1245 for the second-hand Fairlane in 1970. The car is now insured for $15,000 but Don says it is worth far more. “It's my dad's car, I still like it because of that. It has a lot of sentimental value, I learnt a lot from him,” he says.One of the things Don learnt from his father, along with an appreciation for Fairlanes and V8 engines, was how to drive. It was in the 1962 Fairlane that the lessons were held and where he eventually gained his licence at 17.The sentimental Fairlane isn't alone in the Don's garage. It sits alongside another 1962 Fairlane, which the 52-year-old bought in 1983.“I paid $300 for it,” he says. “It was in pieces, the motor was in the boot. I had to put a motor in it and I've spent about $5000 fixing it.”The restored Fairlane made a cameo appearance in the American film Dark City, which was shot in Australia. Lorraine says you can see the car “for about 10 seconds”.It is rare for either car to be taken out these days and when they are, it's mainly on club runs.“It's a nice car to drive, everybody looks at you,” Don says. “The older ones still have a lot of prestige, but you have to drive them different to the ones now.”His wife agrees.“It was luxury in its era, but not so much now. It was top of the range, but it's only very basic when compared to modern cars,” she says.Lorraine points out that even basic cars today are equipped with many features, which is why she believes Ford has now phased out the luxury model.“There's no airconditioning in the 1962 Fairlane, they had no heaters, you had to order a radio, but there's a clock in it, standard,” she says. “It doesn't even have seatbelts. They didn't come out until 1963.”But the lack of features doesn't seem to be much of a concern for envious passers-by.Don says they attract plenty of honks and thumbs-up during their travels. And some people are even keen on striking up conversations about the car with the couple, especially older people for whom the car brings back a lot of memories.During the 1980s, Skinner was a member of a Victorian Fairlane club, but found it was too far to travel. So he established his own Fairlane club in NSW, in 1988.He and Lorraine are still actively involved in the club. Skinner is the president and they have developed friendships all over Australia with people who share a similar passion for the big car.Indeed, it was the Fairlane that converted Lorraine to the joys of the automobile. “I wasn't a car person until I came into the family,” she says. “I know a little bit more about cars now.”And while Skinner acknowledges demand may now increase he doesn't plan to sell and still has some work to do on one. “My dad's Fairlane stays as it is. I have to change the doors on the other one as a bit of rust got in.” Fast facts1962 Ford FairlanePrice new: about pound stg. 1500Price bought in 1970: $1245Price now: insured for $15,000Verdict: Luxury in the 1960s and '70s had a very different definition to today. The Fairlane may lack modern day features, but its classic styling and design still make it a head-turner.

Back then small cars were cheap and cheerful and bought by people who couldn't afford a bigger one, families drove four-door sedans, people-movers were called station wagons, four-wheel drives were rarely seen in town and luxury cars were measured by the metre.In that environment there was nothing bigger nor better than a Fairlane, and the ZB was king.Ford had the big-car market sewn up in the '60s; Holden was just moving into the large luxury-car business with the Brougham before they later moved to the more successful HQ-based Statesman and Caprice in the early 1970s, the first real competitor the Fairlane had.The Europeans in the form of Mercedes-Benz and BMW that would have such a profound effect in redefining luxury cars in the 1980s and '90s were yet to arrive, and Toyota was too concerned about building budget Corollas to think of entering the luxury business with the Lexus.As the son of a self-employed panel beater who believed British cars were under-powered and there was nothing like the easy driving smoothness of American cars with their big, lazy engines, I grew up in the 1950s with V8 Fords, six-cylinder Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles and the occasional straight-eight Buick.I was being subconsciously conditioned to believe big was better and American companies built better cars. I was being conditioned to love the Fairlane.I bought my ZB secondhand in 1975. It had been owned from new by a dairy company in Melbourne and had been driven for its 105,000 miles by one of the company's executives.Company bosses drove Fairlanes in those days, or at least were driven in them. The ZB was a 1968 facelift of the ZA introduced in 1967, first of the new generation of Australian-built Fairlanes based on the Falcon.Ford had done a great job in separating the Fairlane from the Falcon. It was clearly different in stature and, importantly, looks.Much of the Fairlane forward of the windscreen was the same as the Falcon of the day, but with dual headlights and a distinctive grille there was no mistaking it.It was even more distinctive as it went away, its longer wheelbase and longer tail flanked by elegant vertical tail lights.The extra five inches in wheelbase length on the regular Falcon was turned into spacious accommodation for rear-seat passengers and its extended tail became an enormous boot.It may have been a close cousin of the Falcon, but everyone just knew a Fairlane was much more. You could, if you wanted to, buy a Fairlane with a six-cylinder engine, but quite why you would have is beyond me.Mine was a range-topping Fairlane 500 with the 302cu in (4.9-litre) V8 linked to a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission and driving through the rear wheels like the most cars in 1968.The V8 produced a modest 156kW, but it was enough to make sure progress was effortless.The Fairlane's ride was smooth and supple, but the comfort came at the expense of handling.Though it was predictable and reassuring, the power-assisted steering was vague and it wallowed in the American style when you tried to push it hard through corners, but the Fairlane was not about rushing down winding roads at breathtaking speed. It was more about cruising long distances in comfort.Inside, the Fairlane 500 came with everything on the Ford options list. The front seats were individual and could be reclined — not the bench seat the six-cylinder model had — and had extra foam padding for greater comfort and support.Sound deadening was widely used to quieten the interior, the floor was covered in deep pile “wall-to-wall” carpet, the dash was elegantly panelled in “walnut” wood grain, there was an electric clock, reading lamps in the rear, indirect floor lighting and even the comfort and safety of a two-speed heater-demister.Mine had one, but the push-button radio was one of the few options not included as standard equipment. Likewise you had to pay extra for a vinyl-covered roof, a laminated and tinted windscreen and white-wall radial-ply tyres.That may not sound so special today, when even the most basic of cars come with all of that, and more, but in 1968 the average car had none of these and the Fairlane was indeed special.I drove the ZB Fairlane for about two years before selling it, but I still have fond memories of it. I remember the comfortable seating, the roominess, but more than anything else, I remember the smoothness.Fairlanes still hold a special place in my motoring heart, at least the old ones do.Inside View  1967 ZA Fairlane  Price: Fairlane $3080, Fairlane 500 V8 $3885Engine: 200cu in “Super Pursuit” six-cylinder 3.3-litres; 500: Mustang 289 V8 4.7-litresPower: 90kW at 4400 revs; 500: V8 149kW at 4400 revsTorque: 258Nm at 2400 revs; 500: V8 382Nm at 2400 revsTransmission: Three-speed column shift gearbox; 500: V8 three-speed Cruisomatic automaticSales: 9000 in first 12 months. 2007 BF Fairlane/LTD  Price: $58,625 (4.0-litre Ghia), $65,405 (5.4-litre G8): $62,270 $75,525 (V8 LTD)Engine: Barra 190 4.0-litre six-cylinder, Barra 230 5.4-litre V8Power: Six-cylinder, 190kW at 5250 revs, V8, 230kW at 5350 revsTorque: Six-cylinder, 383Nm at 2500 revs, V8, 500Nm at 3500 revsTranmission: ZF six-speed automaticSales: 2006 — 1105 (Fairlane), 53 (LTD). 576 (Fairlane). YTD 2007 — 576 (Fairlane) 9 (LTD)  Best Years  1972 Fairlane 9667 sales1974 LTD 2543 sales1974 Fairlane/LTD combined 12,123 sales  Related stories:  Ford Farewells Fairlane and LTDNew Dawn for Fairlane 

The Fairlane no longer holds the place it once did atop the luxury-car pile, but many buyers still revere the nameplate that once defined local prestige motoring.MODEL WATCHThe Fairlane concept as we know it today was introduced in 1967 with the launch of the first locally-designed model. It spun off the Falcon, making use of the same mechanical package and much of the front-end sheet metal, but with the wheelbase and boot lengthened to create a larger sedan with heaps of rear legroom and a cavernous boot.Ford followed the same simple concept when it launched the AU in 1999. But while the AU was canned for its perceived ugliness, the Fairlane was a better-looking car. The down-in-the-mouth front of the Falcon was much the same in the Fairlane, but, with a neat styling makeover, took on a classier look.If the front was little changed, the rear of the Fairlane was completely changed from its smaller sibling and much the better for it. Where the Falcon sagged at the extremities, the Fairlane sat high and handsome.The Fairlane Ghia, as it was badged, could be ordered with the 4.0-litre single overhead camshaft six-cylinder VCT variable-cam timing engine, which boasted 168kW and 370Nm, or the smooth 5.0-litre overhead-valve V8 with 175kW and 395Nm. Both came with an electronic four-speed automatic transmission with a floor shift.Underneath the extended skin, the Fairlane had independent suspension front and rear, the double wishbone rear set-up a marked improvement over the compromise set-up under Holden's Statesman.Brakes were disc front and rear, with ABS and traction control standard fitment.  Inside, the Ghia has leather trim, six-way power driver's seat, airconditioning, dual airbags and a sound system with CD player.OWNER'S VIEWPaul Karwacki owns a 2001 AUIII Fairlane sportsman that's clicked over 80,000km. Apart from a leaking power-steering high-pressure line and pump, he says it's been reliable.IN THE SHOPMechanics report few problems with the AU -- there doesn't appear to be the issue with cylinder-head-gasket failure as in earlier models. A design revision has cleaned up the problem, although further improvements to the head gasket in the BA tend to suggest Ford didn't think the problems were completely solved in the AU.Brake wear is a problem with the Falcon and Fairlane, so look for regular pad changes and disc machining. The problems were reduced with the AUII upgraded brakes.Build quality has been a problem with the Falcon and Fairlane, and Ford made a serious attempt to solve it with the BA. That doesn't matter to anyone with an earlier AU, and the problems with the AU are more likely due to production issues than design flaws.The Fairlane weighs almost 1700kg, so will consume lots of fuel. Ford's fuel consumption was as high as 14 litres/100km around town for the V8, so it would be worth considering LPG.CRUNCH TIMECompetent suspension design, along with four-wheel discs, standard ABS and traction control, give the AU Fairlane the dynamics to avoid a collision, but should a crash be unavoidable, its strong body and dual front airbags come into play.RATING12/20 There's a lot of value in the Fairlane, but expect to pay for it at the pump.Generally reliable engines and transmissionsAbility to towHeaps of rear leg roomHigh fuel consumptionBrake wear is a problemHigh level of equipmentEnormous boot

In the mid-1960s the Ford Fairlane was unrivalled for luxury motoring.  Holden tried to match the big Ford, first with the Brougham, then with the Statesman, but neither threatened the Fairlane's domination. But by the mid-1990s, when the NF Fairlane came on the scene, the Statesman had clawed its way into the lead, and the Fairlane was battling back.Model watchThe 1995 NF followed the traditional Fairlane formula in that it was based on the current Falcon, in this case the EF.  Ford invested $220million in the EF in an effort to make up some ground lost to Commodore as Holden sales recovered from the disastrous '80s, and spent a further $30million on the long-wheelbase models once the Falcon was up and running.The NF used the same front-end sheet metal as the EF Fairmont. The result was that the NF was shorter in the nose than most previous Fairlanes, but it still had the roomy rear seat, and large boot, which were seen as the key features of a local luxury model.  All up the NF Fairlane was 98mm shorter than the car it replaced.For the first time Ford adopted what it called a "High Jewel" effect, which meant more chrome and stainless-steel trim, and clear turn-signal lamp lenses. Central to the theme was the bright chrome grille, which combined with bright window mouldings and numerous chrome strips for sparkling highlights.Inside there were new trim fabrics and make-believe woodgrain panels. There was a long list of features, from improved audio systems and a CD stacker to climate-controlled airconditioning, cup holders and a driver's airbag.Based on the Falcon as it was, the NF Fairlane got the same mechanical improvements as the EF Falcon, which meant more responsive handling. The suspension was the same combination of wishbones at the front and live axle with Watts Linkage at the rear, but in the Fairlane it was tuned more towards a refined ride than sporty handling.When you bought a Fairlane you expected a smooth ride and didn't necessarily worry about handling precision, but despite its obvious bulk the big Ford still handled quite well. It was quite well balanced and went where it was pointed. Bigger brakes, in the form of thicker front and larger-diameter discs, with ABS, resulted in a firmer pedal feel and boosted braking performance.Buyers could choose between Ford's fuel-injected single overhead camshaft 4.0-litre six, which gave 157kW at 5900rpm, and 357Nm at 3000rpm, or the optional 5.0-litre V8 which boasted 165kW and 388Nm. Both engines were coupled to four-speed auto transmissions to ensure smooth progress.  Ford released the NFII in 1995 and with it came an airbag for the front-seat passenger, along with a number of other detail improvements.In the shopWith the same mechanical package the Fairlane suffers the same maladies as the Falcon. Both engines are reliable and the 4.0-litre six works well on gas, but they can suffer head-gasket problems.Fairlane drive lines are also reliable – the auto hangs on well into the high 100,000km and the diff is tough. Listen for diff noise on high-kilometre cars.  Problems with electrical components can be frustrating and the Fairlane can suffer similar electrical gremlins to the Falcon.Fairlanes, particularly if privately owned from new, are usually well cared for by fussy owners and these are the ones to seek out.  Others, which might have come from the hire-car business, will be showing high mileage and should be treated with caution.Check the history of ownership to determine if the car has been in the hire business, and the service record to ensure that the car has been serviced according to Ford's recommendations.RivalHolden VS Statesman Price 1995-1998 $14,000-$24,000