The Fairlane range has always represented a
more upmarket model in the Ford lineup, particularly
in Australia. The name was taken from Henry
Ford's estate, Fair Lane, situated near Dearborn
Michigan. The name was first introduced to the
Ford lineup in the US in 1955, although through
the 1960's it would adorn a more "mid size"
American sedan.
For Australians, this same mid-sizer
would quickly establish itself as a large and
classy luxury sedan. Introduced in 1967 as the
ZA, it represented the most luxurious Australian
domestically built model up until that time,
and while the name would be phased out in the
US in 1971, it has remained part of the Australian
motoring landscape to this day.
1967 - 1968
Through the years, the various models of Fairlane followed
the Falcon onto the market, changing when the Falcon
did, and using their own unique two letter code to distinguish
the cars. The ZA closely followed the XR Falcon onto
the market, and used many of the smaller car’s
components, not just drivetrain and suspension, but even
the doors were the same. More>>
1968 - 1969
Minor revisons to the front and rear styling marked the
ZB. The tail lamp treatment was altered, retaining the
large square Galaxie style lampdivided into 2 parts by
a rectangular indicator lens, replacing the central circular
one. The optional V8 changed too, increasing in size form
289ci to 302ci. The range retained its two trim levels,
Custom and upscale 500. More>>
1969 - 1970
The ZC marked the first noticable change to the Fairlane,
swapping from horizontal to vertical headlamp orientation.
For long a U.S. styling device, it was unusual that Ford
in Australia would go to this design after it had been
abandoned across the Pacific. By necessity it did raise
the front wings to accomodate the lights and this gave
the ZC a larger and more imposing look. More>>
1970 - 1972
There were minor styling changes to the ZD, the grille
became bolder and the tail lamps were changed and separated
by a broad trim panel. While the car had not altered much
in style, it retained its grip on the market place, despite
the appearance of locally produced rivals. More>>
1972 - 1973
The ZF marked a complete new re-styling of the Fairlane,
now wholly Australian designed and produced. It is easy
to see that the design was influenced by the new XA Falcon,
retaining, as the previous cars had done, the basic central
structure including the doors, and bulking out either
end. More>>
1976 - 1979
The ZH was Ford's answer to all the citiscism of its predecessors.
While again retaining the central structure of the XC
Falcon, the designers put much extra bulk into the car,
not only giving it a big car look, but also actually lengthening
it as well. More>>
1979 - 1982
The new Fairlane was smaller and lighter than its predecessor as it
shared its floorpan with the Falcon Wagon. Fortunately though the engineers
were able to maximise interior space so that, inside the cabin at least,
the new model was actually bigger than before. More>>
1982 - 1984
Released in March 1982, visually there was little to diferentiate
the new model Fairlane from its predecessor, the ZJ. It was naturally
under the skin where most changes occured, the most important being the
improvement to the 4.1 litre six cylinder engine. More>>
1973 - 1976
The Landau was a coupe version of the LTD, based on the
Falcon hardtop, and was Ford Australia's first Aussie
designed luxury two-door coupe. It retained the frontal
treatment of the full size LTD with its disappearing head
lamps and the full width tail lamps. More>>
1973 - 1976
The LTD was launched as Ford's new flagship model, replacing
versions of the imported U.S. Galaxie. It marked a bold
initiative by Ford, determined to capture the local top
of the range market and become the de facto limousine
of choice for government and business. More>>
1976 - 1979
Once more it is apparent that the FB, or P6, LTD is based
upon the equivalent Fairlane, but with an impressive frontal
treatment. With its Rolls Royce style grille, and the
large circular head lamps set in a bluff vertical front
panel, the P6 presented a bold and dominating presence
to the road. Also impressive was the even greater wheelbase,
and a list of standard features that wanted for nothing.
More>>
