Ford Fairmont: How Ford's First Fox Body Became the "Hottest" Car of the '70s!

Introduced in 1978 during the opec oil embargo, this compact car would appeal to families and young drivers who were looking for a budget-friendly and stylish car.
THIS IS THE STORY OF THE FORD FAIRMONT
A successor to the Ford Pinto model. The Fiarmont was introduced in the 1978 model year and was offered as a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and wagon.
The 1978 Ford Fairmont was marketed as a more upscale and sophisticated compact car compared to the Ford Pinto, and was designed to appeal to consumers who wanted a more stylish and well-appointed car in the compact segment. It was offered with a range of four-cylinder and V8 engines, and buyers could choose from a variety of options and packages to customize their Fairmont to their needs and preferences.
In terms of design, the Fairmont featured a more aerodynamic body style, with a distinctive grille, rectangular headlamps, and body-color side moldings. The interior was also updated, with a more modern dashboard and instrument cluster, and higher-quality materials.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Hey everyone! THE FAIRMONT REPLACED THE MAVERICK NOT THE PINTO. Don't be too hard on me. My brother read the script and told me Maverick NOT Pinto. I FORGOT TO CHANGE and three days later I voiced the script without changing. My bad. Please help us by subscribing! We promise we won't bother you. Thanks to ALL OF OUR SUBSCRIBERS!

[@JohnKelm]

Damn! You beat me to it. I stopped the treadmill when I heard "Pinto"! Thanks! LOL

[@donaldwilson2620]

Don't worry, we're not perfect, everyone makes mistakes. I still love your channel though.

[@scottwagner3214]

Fairmont was a successor to the compact MAVERICK, not the Subcompact Pinto. Escort would become the successor to the Pinto in 1981

[@vwgolf6487]

Yes, it was (I believe.) the first car Ford released on the "FOX" platform.

[@TheBrowncoat2112]

As a high schooler in the late 80s, these things filled the student parking lot as they were just old enough to be a 16-year old’s hand-me-down first car when mom and dad upgraded into something new.

[@gradyneal]

My father had a used car dealership in the 80's and the Fairmount was one the best selling cars we sold. It was an excellent car. In fact my Mom had a Fairmount station wagon. It was a really good all around car.

[@csumme7]

My dad had a 79 four door Fairmont with the straight 6. Great reliable car.

[@wildbill9919]

My first car was a 1980 Fairmont 4 door sedan with the straight 6, automatic, and A/C. I miss it.

[@RhinoXpress]

The Fairmont was a car designed to be what it was and that was an affordable economic car. It was nothing to write home about, but if you wanted a budget friendly car to get you to point A to point B then the Fairmont was a good car for just that.

[@grimreaper5521]

True

[@johnmaki3046]

MUCH BETTER than the CRAPPY (no "glovebox even"!) Maverick! The ONLY real flaw was the "ram assisted" power steering, which NEVER seemed to be able to perform BOTH left-and-right turns very well!

[@bobbybrown931]

Early power rack and pinion took awhile to perfect.

[@Dana-ul8tt]

I owned a 1978 Ford Fairmont with a 302 V8 it would beat most Camaros

[@coolbreeze5561]

My dad bought a 1980 Fairmont straight 6 and manual transmission. That car never quit, very dependable

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid..... I remember when those were everywhere on the road back in the day!

[@brad3042]

My earliest memories of the Ford Fairmont are of going apple picking with my grandparents in the mid-80s in their 1980 Fairmont. I still remember how that car looked/smelled. I wish I had bought it from my grandmother before it was sold off. You can stick sleeper engines in these.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Yeah Brad....I wish I had that and our Ford Granada. Thanks for watching!

[@beforeyourimmigrants8471]

I own one right now. I live out in the desert so it is preserved. Slow. The motor is very dependable. It stands out today. Size of a modern car with 70 styling. Underneath its share so many parts with the mustang everything's affordable and widely available. I love that rwd.

[@RedCloud-h6f]

The 6 cylinder moves well.

[@christopherkraft1327]

I had forgotten about the Ford Fairmont, I can't remember the last time I saw one. Back in the late seventies & early eighties they were everywhere!!! They weren't spectacular by any means but they were dependable & easy on gas!!! Thanks for sharing this look back at the forgotten Fairmont!!! 👍👍🙂

[@MisterMikeTexas]

The 200 Six was so handicapped by emissions controls, it put out 90 horses at best, and just barely got out of its own way. But it was sufficiently dependable and got the job done.

[@rayrussell6258]

@@MisterMikeTexas only the automatic was weak; the manual transmission with that engine was very driveable; it had different componentry on the engine for manuals; the difference was so much that only automatics were subject of a recall for a manifold or head issue -- my manual trans car was not recalled.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

My dad bought a new 1977 Pinto sedan 4-speed, which we had for a year. The following year when I was in the 8th Grade, he had a recall on that 2.3 Lima Four, and attempted to have the correction done. However, the service advisor told Dad they had engines "all over the shop floor". So Dad said "The hell with it!", went and traded it in for a brand new, debut year, Fairmont Futura. It was dark brown with tan stripes, originally had fancy wire wheel covers, and had orangish tan interior. Engine was the longtime running 200 Six with C4 automatic, column shift. Less than a year, the nice wire wheel covers were stolen in our church parking lot! They were replaced with a set of leftover Torino covers. Later, those were replaced with a set of standard Fairmont full wheel covers. In the early 80s, my junior year in high school, my parents put the Futura in my custody, and Dad added a brand new Honda Civic 4 speed to our car family. The Futura served me through high school and most of college until I swapped it for a new Ford Ranger. Later, I had a 5 speed 1992 Tempo coupe, charcoal gray.

[@Thatguyelijah]

Nice I just purchased a 1978 Futrura with that same color scheme, Brown with the skinny tan stripes

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

That's a car that I haven't thought about since the '80s. Thanks.

[@whoami7721]

My dad had a 1982 Futura he bought that was ten years old by the time he had it in 1992. It was in great shape still and he drove it for a number of years afterwards. It was tan with brown trim, and I think had the four cylinder engine.

[@grimreaper5521]

Wasn't a bad car at least it got people were they needed to go

[@wescam2958]

I live in Los Angeles, California and still see Fairmonts often in my location. As a matter of fact a neighbor has one - the station wagon which has two tone paint. They must have been well made and durable. Just right for southern California where we don't have snowy, cold winters.

[@AugustoAAL1]

Their biggest killer is body rust. The upper panels are paper thin... The hood flex is unbelievable for a american car.

[@donaldwilson2620]

When it comes to the Ford Fox body, almost everyone always mentions the Mustang, but they tend to forget the original Fox body, the Ford Fairmont/Mercury Zephyr. That's for the video, I enjoy watching your channel.

[@theprinceofsnj]

I had a 81 sedan but it was powered by the 3.3 in line 6. I remember most Fairmonts had this engine.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

You're probably right. Our 78 Futura had that engine.

[@CH67guy1]

@@MisterMikeTexasI thought the Futuras were sharp cars for the price. Big landau bar across the roof and slanted taillights.

[@johnh3476]

That is the first I've seen or heard of the Durango. Great content guys! 👍

[@GreasyCornerGarageNC]

We love Ford Fairmont/ Zephyrs!

[@richardvg7670]

Definitely one of the best cars Ford ever made I had one of these and they were great cars and they were absolutely fantastic on gas I could drive back and forth all week on a full tank with what gas prices were back in the early 90s they rode good and had Ice Cold Air Conditioning also being able to do maintenance under the hood was a breeze

[@19553129]

The Fairmont was the first Fox body. That was reliable and economical. I enjoyed the 2 I had were both reliable and inexpensive to have😊

[@lemonsqueezer6430]

I have a 1980 Ford Fairmont with the 200 straight 6 with 34,786 on the Odometer

[@Clarkecars]

I was selling new Fords when the Fairmont was introduced. The Fairmont did not replace the Pinto, it replaced the Maverick. The Fairmont introduce rack and pinion steering and MacPherson strut suspension on what is now a full size car to the domestic car market. They were quite reliable as well. The Futura and Zephyr Z7 coupes wound up being used on drag strips due to their light weight and roomy engine bay.

[@kpkp2655]

Ahh, the Fairmont. In high school we swapped in a 302 H.O. into a wagon and converted the front end with a mustang clip. Swapped the transmission with the AOD auto, all built. Turned the wagon into a door slammer drag/street car.

[@jonathanjames1864]

My buddy since middle school got a Fairmont wagon hand me down when he got his license. It was our ride through most of high school until he got Mercury Montclair. The cars are long gone, but we are still buddies. Thanks for the memories.

[@mr.lincoln5154]

My sister had a 1980 Zephyr with the 200cid straight 6, my cousin had a Futura with the same engine and another cousin had a Zephyr Z7 sport coupe with a 302 V8. They were all great cars, wish I could get one in excellent condition but too many people have turned them into race, drag, drift cars or whatever.

[@ronturnis5606]

I've had 4 of them in the last 35 years. Still have an 82 coupe which I've had for 30 years . 67000 miles garaged never driven in the winter since I've had it. Love these cars

[@neal6473]

My mom had the yellow color 1980 Ford Fairmont she got it as a use car in 1982 and the motor went bad in 1988 so she got a brand new Ford Taurus that same year in 88.

[@Argumedies]

I owned an 81 Fairmont. It was originally my sisters car for its first several years then traded it in for a 92 Ranger which i owned until 2014 and I loved both vehicles.

[@Mike10316]

Fixing up a 79 futura 2dr model with a 302

[@donaldwilson2620]

Our family never had a Fairmont, but we had one of its offsprings, a 1984 Mercury Marquis Brougham (not to be confused with the full-size Panther based Grand Marquis). With the 3.8L Essex V6, it wasn't a powerhouse, but it was still nice, reliable, and comfortable transportation.

[@CH67guy1]

I used to drive the twin to your 1984 Mercury Marquis Brougham. A 1984 Ford LTD Brougham (not to be confused with the FULL SIZE Crown Victoria). The Ford LTD Brougham was a nice car. Nothing to complain about and nice looking. Good air conditioning, cassette radio, power seat, windows, locks, and alloy wheels. Oh, and cruise control buttons on the steering wheel.

[@Freedonone]

Bought new 1978 , four door. Loved that car. Kept till 1982.

[@MrJimmyPenguin]

Love it, as the owner of THE MEME fairmont, there just isn't anything like them.

[@williammaceri8244]

As I read the other comments, they all say it was good but not great. That's true. Ford invested a lot into the Fairmont to become the basis of most of their future cars. The Fox platform proved to be one of the longest running platforms in automotive history..

[@RedCloud-h6f]

My Fairmont didn't like to start in the rain but it had a nice peppy straight 6 engine.That car moved well.

[@woxyroxme]

I had driven one of these cars as a drivers ed car back in 1979, not terrible, had the inline 6 and AM radio only. There is still one of these fairmonts on the road here in my town.

[@jennifercole281]

I'd forgotten what an attractive, stylishly designed car the Ford Fairmont was. Thank you for the trip down Memory Lane!👍 But I'm pretty sure the Fairmont was a successor to the Maverick, discontinue after the l977 model year. Even with Ford commonly introducing a replacement vehicle prior to discontinuing its predecessor, the Fairmont & the Pinto were distinctly different cars marketed at separate exclusive demographics. Most people already in a subcompact in the 70s weren't looking to upscale to a larger car. I knew numerous people who bought Fairmonts, including my mother-in-law, and most of them were downsizing from larger gas guzzlers. The Fairmont offered them an unusual opportunity to downsize without giving up the smooth quiet ride and luxury amenities one would only have associated with full-size or upscale mid-size cars.

[@falcon664]

Correct, the Fairmont was to replace the Maverick, NOT the Pinto. The Maverick was still selling in good numbers and the cost to produce was low so Ford had it hang around a while longer.

[@mdmarko]

First new car I ever owned was a 1979 Fairmont with the four. Great little car, very reliable. Had to sell it when I went back overseas in 1982. When we were preparing to return to the USA bought a 1983 Fairmont Futura Coupe with the six. Another great car, but sometimes the 1-barrel carb would be cantankerous when starting. Later bought a used Fairmont for my wife. Like those Fairmonts.

[@adamsmith9636]

My brother totaled my mom's 1970 Buick Skylark GS and when Dad went looking for a new car we stop and looked a 78 Fairmont 2 door white with the tan top and said lets go get your mom . In the 1 hour we was gone someone test drove that car and totaled it . The only other ones they had was 4 doors she didn't want one . But good things happen for a reason the next weekend my mom bought a 77 Chevy Camaro and me turning 16 I was VERY happy .

[@edmccandlish520]

Awesome profile guys !!!!!! My father had a 79' Mercury Zepher wagon. It was brown, with brown plaid interior, and fake wood paneling. Had the 4 cylinder with a manual !!!!!! As a kid in middle school in the early 90s, I loved it. Actually wanted it when I came of age. One day a flatbed came and took it away. A tax write off if I remember correctly. If only I was a little older at the time. 😪 Awesome profile on an awesome little Ford !!!! Thanks Bica Bros !!!! 👍

[@ronaldmiller2740]

HI B.B. ,,,, THESE CARS WERE GOOD BOXYYY CARS .. 5 YEARS AGO I SAW MANY OF THEM IN THE JUNK YARD.. NOW NO MORE ,,.. GREAT VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bradkrekelberg8624]

Today, Fairmonts make great under the radar Fox-based blank slates!

[@VAMPsVengance]

How would u know Brad.. u gots a zephyr 😂 (teasing u)

[@kcindc5539]

The ‘79 model year offered a 302 V-8. At one point we had a ‘79 wagon with the 302. I was the only one of my friends with a wagon, so it became the defacto triple-date car (yes it could have been awkward among three couples but we didn’t care so long as we got some).

[@dmandman9]

The Fairmont was a simple but nearly bulletproof car. It would get you from A to B reliably. Both the 4 and 6 cylinder engines were tough as nails. Neither was very powerful. But they were reliable.

[@seanb6478]

There were a few w/ V8's, my parents had 1.

[@56cadd]

@@seanb6478 Ya 302 will clear the shock towers

[@snowrocket]

When boxy cars were considered stylish, I always thought the Fairmont was a beautiful car with great lines and proportions. I still do. I like aerodynamic sedans too. The Citroen DS and 1983-1991 Audi 100/200/5000 immediately come to mind.

[@CH67guy1]

In the mid eighties I visited a family friend one weekend while in college. She drove an Audi 5000 and I was thoroughly impressed. I liked the interior most of all. Well designed and used quality materials.

[@dekelanson5280]

Futura was also the name of the Lincoln concept car built in the 50's. It would go on to become the Batmobile in the 66 Batman. My favorite Batmobile.

[@HAL-dm1eh]

Fairmont's platform was known as the Fox and went on to share with other models, including the 79-93 Mustang which was known as the fox body. The same basic platform still survived all the way into 04 on that model. While the Mustang's unpredictable handling in the rear is blamed a lot on its solid axle, the rear 4 link suspension is what is responsible. It was a design that made overall economical sense as transportation but not performance. It can be remedied with aftermarket parts, the economical alternative to be replacing the flimsy stamped rear control arms and soft rubber bushings with solid Steeda units.

[@snowrocket]

Ford and other car makers had no idea how much things would change for the better in a few short years. If they had had ANY idea the Fox platform would go so many years AND be pushed to such performance extremes in the Mustang, they would have made a few changes to the platform before releasing it. Pushing the engine and tranny back at least 2" would have helped weight distribution, braking and handling.

[@johnmaki3046]

I owned two '79 Fairmont wagons back "in the day" ('89-'90). The first was a "6", auto. etc. with a SHOT motor! The second (same "great equipment") ran FINE, but NO TITLE AVAILABLE! These were MUCH BETTER than the Mavericks they replaced!

[@richardvg7670]

Very well done video explaining all the different models and sales ad absolutely loved it nice job

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Awesome, thank you Richard!

[@nostickpeople]

Also one of the 1st ones to rust out in less than 2 yrs! My aunt had a futura. Lasted 2 yrs

[@geraldscott4302]

The Fox platform was the absolute worst thing Ford ever came up with. It was flimsy and flexed like a wet noodle. It was a unibody platform, but had no real structural members. You could jack up one corner of it high enough to get the tire off the ground, and the body flexed so much the doors wouldn't open or close. And speaking of jacking, the only places it could be jacked or lifted from without damage were the rear axle and front lower control arms. The abbreviated front "frame rails" and K member (the support below the engine) were made out of the same super thin metal as the body, and would bent if you tried to use them as lifting points. I have worked on several Foxbody Mustangs, and I don't believe I ever saw one that did not have undercarriage damage from jacking or lifting. The aftermarket did come up with weld on subframe connectors and bolt on front and rear shock tower supports for the Mustang to stiffen them up a bit.

[@johnasbury4997]

I had a buddy and his dad bought a new camry, replacing his Fairmont sedan . Well my brother in law was in a hurt for a car and I told the buddies dad . He sold it for a giveaway $50 . To my brother in law. It wasn't pretty with surface rust but it ran great . My bnl beat on that car for almost 8 years. What a great old car . It lasted until 2015 ish had over 280k on the 4cyc auto

[@peterwesty6006]

Looks really Good , Did not know there was a Ford Fairmont in 1978 in USA , Australia made Ford Fairmont from 1965 to 2008 . with the BF Fairmont being the last to carry this name .The Fairmont essentially was a Up market Falcon with Luxury upgrades and motor choices in 2008 was replaced by a G6 and G6 E models with Ford not producing any more Australian Cars in October 2016, I currently own a 2010 Ford G6 which i have virtually had from new and is about to clock 400000kms up which runs on designated LPG( Liquid Petroleum Gas) which is about 90 cents AU per litre as opposed to Unleaded which normally sells at about $2 AU per litre.

[@rabit818]

I had the Mercury Zephyr sedan, it was reliable and safe. I had a major accident on the freeway and survived it un harmed.

[@bernadettecorrado1791]

LOVED MY 1978 AND 1983 FORD FAIRMONT!!! GREAT STYLE AND GAS MILEAGE ALSO VERY STYLISH ******😁😁🚘🚘👀👀

[@flynnjones2008]

My dad bought a mercury zephyr, 6 cylinder, black n red sport, had fun in that car😊

[@bradleydunigan6861]

My parents had a 78' Ford Fairmont. It was a station wagon. White paint. simulated wood grain. Two tone blue interior. The 302 cubic inch V8 2 barrel carb. C4 trans. Made this car reliable very fast. Double anti sway bars. Nice handling, driving, looking, car.

[@misterwhipple2870]

A seventy-eight-foot-long Fairmont, eh? That must have been a bitch to park.

[@snowrocket]

@@misterwhipple2870 I didn't catch that until I read your comment. Usually I do. You're mean, but pretty funny!

[@snowrocket]

At the time, that would have been a pretty fast wagon. Unlike what is stated in the video, the Fox platform Fairmont WAS a good improvement over the Ford Maverick it replaced in terms of handling, fuel economy, and outward visibility.

[@user-gz8qj2zo2x]

i owned one for 6 years and i loved it

[@johnhpalmer6098]

I know this is 5 months old now but did want to say, I had one, a '78 base 4 door with the inline 6. It was originally bought used in 1982 from the General Service Admin fleet Gov't car auction, as was the '74 Nova that we bought in 1979. The main difference was the Nova had black rubber mats, no radio, the Fairmont had carpeting and an AM radio. I believe some came with AC and all were either 4 door sedans or the wagon if memory served. Anyway, it was a gutless wonder, though part of that was the carburetor developed issues and would clog up the air filter quickly, starving the motor of air and it never had much of a fast idle when cold, but the bigger issue was very much likely the cat was partly plugged, while no speed demon at best, my particular example took its own sweet time getting to 60 and could not chirp the tires if it tried. I hated the thing. It was so base that the dash didn't even have the fake wood grain fascia but instead, had the plain ribbed plastic front, but the same dash layout. It in the end, felt cheaply made. Also, should say, the fairmont was a compact for certain, but the Pinto was a subcompact as it was definitely smaller than the Fairmont. The Fairmont became the basis for the new 3 gen Mustang as both were on the Fox body chassis.

[@donaldhenderson3495]

That was interesting information. I remember the car and the pickup version. Have you done a episode on the 94-96 Chevy Impala SS or Buick Roadmaster?

[@ornumjc]

I babysat for a family that had a very base model Fairmont in 1979. It had the 4 cylinder and manual transmission. I was still a kid myself but I remember thinking how noisy and underpowered the car was. It would shake when they idled at traffic lights. I loved the looks of the Futura though. I still like the looks of those 44 years later.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

The 1981/1982 Granada/Cougar were both based on the Fairmont/Zephyr. Then the 1983 to 1986 LTD/Marquis replaced the Granada/Cougar with more aerodynamic sheet metal/bumpers.

[@johnnymason2460]

The 1979-1993 Ford Mustang and 1979-1986 Mercury Capri was also based on the Fairmont as well. There were other cars that also used the same platform.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

@@johnnymason2460 Fox-body platform

[@DonaldMWilliams]

On November 15th, 1977, a 1978 Fairmont Futura Coupe became the company's 100 millionth U.S.-assembled vehicle. Was 11/77 not 11/78. The 1978 Futura Coupe model was released to the public joining the lineup on December 3, 1977.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

It was built in 1977 and was sent across the country in 1978 to celebrate.

[@DonaldMWilliams]

@@ThisOldCarChannel I agree but the clip at 1:52 says "Interesting note is that on November 15th of 1978 it was the Fairmont Futura........." when it was November 15th 1977. thats all.

[@mikenb3461]

I know I'm being nit-picky, but I suspect that the Fairmont succeeded the Maverick since the last year for the Maverick was 1977 and the Fairmont came out as a 1978, and was not the successor to the Pinto as the video states. The Maverick and Fairmont were similar in size too, where the Pinto was much smaller. Also, there wasn't a Pinto four-door.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

You are correct. I did not change my script after my brother informed me about the issue. My bad.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for sharing and doing the video. I liked the fact you mentioned the Zephyr from Mercury as well. Australian Ford had a Fairmont as well. You should see that one. It is here on You Tube. As you know the Zephyr name was a Lincoln nameplate at Lincoln first and then went to Mercury and then back to Lincoln. I think it is used at Lincoln in China now. I was glad when they changed the headlight design as well. That platform went on to be used on several Ford products. The early 1980's to 1987 Lincoln Continental used this platform as well. Thank you for the video and the effort as well.

[@stevesimkus6898]

One error and one huge omission: - Fairmont / Zephyr were actually replacements for the Ford Maverick/ Mercury Comet: Pinto was sold alongside the Fairmont until replaced by the front drive Escort in 1981 - any story about the Fairmont is incomplete without mentioning how its Fox-body architecture underpinned so many Fords, Mercurys and even Lincolns of that era. Partial list: 1979 Ford Mustang / Mercury Capri, 1980 Ford Thunderbird / Mercury Cougar XR7, 1981 Ford Granada / Mercury Cougar sedan [replaced Mercury Monarch], 1983 Ford LTD / Mecury Marquis, 1983 Ford Thunderbird / Mercury Cougar XR7, 1984 Lincoln Mark VII, 1987 Ford Thunderbird / Mercury Cougar XR7. Not to mention even the 2004 Mustang replacement that brought back retro styling was still heavily Fox based. No queetion Fairmont itself was an important car for Ford in the late 70s, but the Fox platform it was built on would live on for more than twenty five years!

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

YES. As stated in my comment above. I forgot to correct my script and voiced it incorrectly. Thank you!

[@snowrocket]

Well said; bravo!!

[@benfriederich3016]

In Australia the Fairmont was a different car built by Ford Australia. A popular car Body style included sedan and wagon with in line six or V8 engines. They were an upmarket version of the later Falcons and available I think from late 60's to 2008. There was also the luxury Fairmont Ghia.

[@culcune]

I was 10 when we moved from Chicago to L.A. My dad got a company car which was a brown '79 Fairmont 4 door with the 302/auto (I don't think manual transmissions for the 5.0 Fairmont or the Mustang 5.0 were available in California in '79, but even if they were, they would have been rare, indeed). When I started to drive it in the mid to later 80s, it was a sleeper to all the Japanese 'sporty' cars like Celicas, Supras, and 280 Zs which were getting more and more popular. I was humbled, of course, by those with 60s and modified 70s muscle cars which were still very prevelant, and eventually started getting humbled by the later Camaros/Firebirds and Mustang 5.0s when they started getting popular. I only ever did encounter a 'true' sleeper which by ITS looks surprised me--a '85 or '86 Ford LTD LX with the high (or higher) output 302. In '88, I bought a 1978 TA with the 403, but that, too, while probably a tad bit quicker than the Fairmont (which remained in the family for a few more years) by '89, I joined the quicker cars with a '89 Capri 5.0/5-speed which was partly due to how reliable the '79 Fairmont's 302 had remained for all the years I drove it.

[@allisons3663]

When I was 14, I snuck my aunt's Fairmont out for a joyride.....I eventually got caught. LOL. The horn was strange in that car. You had to push the blinker stock inward towards the steering column.

[@242HP]

Yes, I remember that too. I think that was the only model car that my Dad owned where you had to push in the turn signal to use the horn.

[@snowrocket]

The 1978-1980 Ford Fiesta had the same horn setup. We had one, and I learned to drive on that car and a Maverick.

[@stevedeleon8775]

I've been offered Big Bucks for my Navy Blue 1978 Mercury Zephr 302 V8

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Send some pics up to our Facebook page Steve. We'd love to see it. Thanks for watching!

[@scottbeegle9291]

My grandmother had a 79 Fairmont in red with a red interior, and my parents had an 80 Zephyr in brown.

[@mikewasfaret9563]

When I got married my wife had a Fairmont. It had once been a cop car for some small town.

[@davidallen5776]

My grandma had a silver 1979 Fairmont Futura, which was one of her last!

[@allenkranawetter9482]

I've had a four-door Ford fairmont. I've had a Ford Fairmont futura with a four-cylinder. I've had an 81 Ford cougar coupe with a 6 cly

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

got to drive a brand new 78 Fairmont futura 302 v8 did good burn outs especially in reverse and gun it

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Haha! Thanks for watching!

[@jamesmcintire3800]

My parents had a Mercury Zephyr in the 80’s that was simple and practical but very reliable

[@williammaceri8244]

I liked the Fairmonts. The Fairmont was one of the first Fords to have rack and pinion steering gear. It fixed the loose steering that plagued Ford cars. Called the Fox platform. It went on to be the basis of most Fords through the 80s and 90s. I bought an 81 Mustang with the 4.2 V8 engine. I used it as a territory car through the 80s. It was a great car. I later sold it to my uncle, who continued to drive it into the late 90s. I replaced the Mustang with a 1990 Lincoln LSC, also a Fox body Ford. Then a 95 Town Car. It, too, was a Fox Ford. I loved them all. I now drive a 2008 Explorer XLT. It is the first V6 I ever owned, and I love it, too. I wonder what's next. I sometimes think about another 95 Town Car. Try to find one today, and if you do, you will pay almost $20,000 for it. A 27, year old car. That says it all about a 95 Lincoln Town Car.

[@johnjones393]

My first car was an 81 Mercury Zephyr wagon with the inline 6. Years later I bought an 83 Futura S with the four cylinder. I wouldn't mind finding a Zephyr Z7, Futura coupe or Durango today. I can't remember the last time I've seen any of these cars on the road though.

[@mrfiestas]

Ford turbo 4 was a rare option on all models as was the high performance infamous metric TRX tire/rim suspension option from the Mustang. Also they had a rare ES trim package that was a Euro inspired with blacked out chrome.

[@markgrunzweig6377]

3.3 inline six cylinder (a.k.a. the old 200 c.i.d.)

[@realitypreferred7084]

I miss the Durango/Ranchero. Would do VERY well these days. There are many more reasons for the average person to have a pickup bed than there were in the 70s and 80s

[@somerandomness4285]

That 200 inline six makes the same power as the 2.3 lol

[@rogergoodman8665]

My mom got a light blue 4 door 1979 Fairmont with blue vinyl interior. My sister and I liked it, but she hated it because what she really wanted was a new 1979 Mustang. My dad refused to sign for a Mustang because of the previous Mustang 2 body style and its relationship with the Pinto. He considered the Mustang junk at the time, although he would eventually admit the 79 Mustang was leaps and bounds better than the 74 to 78 Mustangs. But, mom hated it, and by 40k miles, it got its 3rd warranty replacement 6 cyl. My dad finally had enough and allowed the purchase of another car. They traded the Fairmont for an oh not so glorious 1982 Sentra. My dad thought it was ridiculous, but she loved it. I always thought she kept killing the Fairmont on purpose somehow!

[@Gaspipenicklioni]

I had a 79 with straight 6, they could have made every episode of the dukes of hazzard with that car..... i miss it.

[@TheYouTubeTeam]

1:05 "... featured a more aerodynamic design..." It's a freaking BOX!

[@snowrocket]

Absolutely true, HOWEVER it WAS more aerodynamic than most other American sedans at that time. I think the drag co-efficient was .42-.45 which is NOT good by ANY standard today, but the 1979 Cadillac Eldorado was .51 . Jack Telnack came from Ford of Europe in about 1977 and would lead the styling of the '79 Mustang and '83 Thunderbird.

[@cindyleonard4061]

I don't think the Fairmont replaced the Pinto. The Fairmont is a compact car; the Pinto is a subcompact. Fairmont actually replaced the Maverick.

[@cmmolthr]

You don't see too many of these on the road anymore, because people are buying them as parts cars for their FOX-body Mustangs

[@stevenroche9874]

Thank you, Boca Brothers for another great video ! I prefer the Granada to the Fairmont. It is a better looking car.

[@95aeroboy]

i shared this video with a youtube channel cuz he likes fairmount too

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Awesome! Thank you so much!!

[@jesse75]

I bought one of these at a tow yard auction for $110 bucks. Well my wife just came over from the Philippines, so had to find a car she could learn to drive.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

The Fairmont/Zephyr look dull and boring now...but were a revolution when introduced (space efficient, improved ergonomics, European-like handling). The Fairmont Futura Coupe had a mini-Thunderbird look. The design was a complete break with Ford's baroque styling (heavily contoured fenders, low seating position, mushy handling, massive bumpers). Also, the Fairmont/Zephyr only replaced the Maverick/Comet...not the Pinto (which was replaced by the 1981 Ford Escort).

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

You are right. When I wrote the script, I did not change that. Two days later when I voiced the script, I had completely forgot to change.

[@owenwilliams427]

awesome video I've actually never heard of this car before

[@snowrocket]

You must be under about 45 years of age. From Fall of 1977 through the 1980s, Ford Fairmonts and Mercury Zephers were EVERYWHERE! It was "the right car at the right time" for middle-America buyers and they sold really well the first few years.

[@HHH-ye1ro]

It also had a v6 option. I owned one. Great car.

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-2025]

Josh over a sleeper dude 88 KZbin channel. Is salivating over this production on your channel I'm sure. Either Ford Fairmont nut 🥜. That's a compliment. Because I like to Ford Fairmont specially if you'd share. I had a future 2 door with the t-bird roofline. Friend of mine in the military time had a boxy little two-door Ford Fairmont with a 302 in it and it was quick. I had a station wagon at one time both mine had the 200 inline 6 and that future it look good and I got a good twenty-five miles to 28 mi to gallon on the highway. Always wish I'd kept that car. I thought it would be the hot rod of the future because it was one of the last rear-wheel-drive cars. Always thought the Chevy Malibu would be the Chevys answer to the hot rod of the future. On one of their station wagons as well and it was meant can get into a now it gave to a buddy of mine and he crushed it at the auto recycling center. They were roomie car especially to original Ford Futura 2-door. A great trunk size and it rolled very nice going down the road. Did you notice how and about two to three years and new price on the Ford Fairmont doubled from $3,200 to $6,400! Ford still doing that price hike thing. Wonder why they can't sell the trucks.

[@Rob-ur4ft]

I wanted a Fairmont, but couldn't get the deal I wanted. I ended up getting a Datsun 210. I rarely ever saw a Fairmont. Can't believe it was a good selling car!

[@snowrocket]

Where the heck were you living? In Pittsburgh, PA where I lived they were everywhere within two years.

[@velascodaddy]

My Fairmont 78 was one of the best cars, gas saver and very reliable. The automatic relay failed many times.

[@majorwilkesjr.5827]

I've never seen the Durango. Never knew they existed. You guys struck a nerve when you mentioned the Tempo and showed the Escort. Now, time to go find a video on those

[@billlouvaris5858]

A great little car for the time….great passenger room, driving and road holding…..had the 6….it was an OK motor.

[@jasonsobol32]

Nobody brought up the fact that the Fairmont was the 1st Fox Body. The Mustang, which didn't replace the Mustang II until 79, was the same platform

[@quad5186]

I was about to, my first car was an ‘80 Mustang. I remember seeing a Fairmont driven by a girl at my school. I hated that the dash and interior were so much the same.

[@cld2930]

There is probably some Ford salesman back in 1978 who second-guessing his career choice LOL! My family at the time was in the market for a mid-sized station wagon. We were driving past the Ford dealership and my father spotted it for sale. My dad was never really was a Ford fan. It was like a sky blue station wagon blue interior. We negotiated the price I want to say it was a 6 cylinder but I can't remember I wasn't even but like 4 years old at the time. I just remember the test drive it was hilarious. My mom and I were in the backseat my dad was driving with the salesman in the front seat. We started the vehicle it's was running for about 5 minutes we put it in Drive drove About 5 ft and the car stalled the salesman said huh that's interesting my dad restarted the car we pulled out of the dealership got about a half mile down the road the car stalled again. My father put it in neutral started it backup put it back into drive and on the way back to the dealership it stalled again. My father said to the sales guy you drive the damn thing back. It stalled two more times by the time got back to the dealership. It was a brand new car. We drove down the road to a Buick dealer and bought a 1978 Buick Century Wagon. LOL A much better vehicle. Family drove it until traded in 1986 with 138,000 miles on it.