Here’s how the Ford Fairmont was the first, but less famous Fox body Ford

In this episode I provide the history of the Ford Fairmont, and its more sporty version the Fairmont Futura. Launching in 1978, the Fairmont was the first model born from the Fox body platform, which is more well known for the third generation Mustang that began in 1979. The Fairmont offered a 4-door sedan, a 4-door wagon, and what they referred to as a "2-door sedan". A true 2-door coupe was the Fairmont Futura, which had a more stylish wraparound b-pillar, as compared to the very conservative (many would say boring) style of the sedans and wagons. Mercury offered a nearly identical model called the Zephyr, and their Futura equivalent was called the Z-7. Both Ford and Mercury would expand the Futura name to the sedans in 1980, and the wagons in 1981. However despite very good sales in its first couple years, the car's conservative looks and rear wheel drive caused sales to drop each year until its end in 1983, being replaced by the more bubble-like Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz.

[@davidp2888]

I actually like the look of this car.

[@georgejones5431]

I had one but it wouldn't Brothers white with red interior just like that 78 loved it

[@georgejones5431]

Bought it at whitten Brothers NEW

[@R.J.1]

Another underated or misunderstood car.

[@550r]

The Fairmont name was also used in Australia until 2008 as a Ford Falcon trim level variant alongside the Futura. The Ford Falcon 'Futura' was a trim level typically one or two levels up from a base spec Falcon. The Fairmont was the high spec 'luxury' model of the Falcon, but was badged as only the Fairmont (or Fairmont Ghia for the absolute top spec). Above this was usually the Fairlane long wheelbase variant and the top spec level of the long wheelbase was usually badged as the LTD.

[@Doc1855]

I liked the Fairmont when it came out. If I remember it was offered in a 2.3L 4cyl, a 6cyl and a 302 V8.

[@GoonSquadLifeMember]

All underpowered, as I recall.

[@tedschmitt178]

Correct

[@tedschmitt178]

@@GoonSquadLifeMemberas usual, blame the EPA

[@GoonSquadLifeMember]

@@tedschmitt178 In fairness, the 302 could have been modded into a street sleeper. At its core, still had the hi-po pedigree.

[@scwaty180]

It's crazy when these came out they really weren't popular with the younger drivers. We all had earlier year Mustangs, Comets, Torino's. One guy I knew did end up putting a 351C into a 2 door Fairmont and that thing was pretty quick. Now, at 57, I would love to tinker around with one of these two door models, but they're probably harder to find than a decent foxbody Mustang

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree

[@BlasphemousBill2023]

This was the first I had heard there was a v8 offered. I grew up near Ford factory’s and offices lots of neighbors had Fords:). Fairmont people were going for fuel economy. There were a lot of 4 cylinder Fairmonts out there.

[@TheOzthewiz]

ETCG1 turned a Fairmont into a "drag" car. He posted the conversion process on his YT channel.

[@anselpeneloperainblossom-s3489]

I just sold an 82 sport couple. I did and 8.8 with tube rear control arms, 5 lug rear end (the ranger conversion, mark vii front brakes, 5.0, AOD, real dual exhaust, tube subframe, bench seat, column shifter, am radio. It was sick and I hate myself for selling it.

[@rulerofthemoon]

This was the car I began driving in high school and kept through college. Once odd thing about this car was the 24 different carburetor variants available for it, thanks to the many emission control adaptations. When the carburetor needed replacement, it was trial and error to get the right one. The car was a classic POS, needed nearly weekly maintenance after only 60k miles. It eventually died of cancer which broke out in 3 places with under 125k miles.

[@brentboswell1294]

The early foxbodies were crazy. The dash between a Mustang and a Fairmont were identical, and would remain so until the 1986 restyling of the Mustang...

[@petertornabeni602]

Futura // Fairmont with a 302 with the right carburetor & w/true dual exhaust was a hell of a lot of fun - car took an absolute beating

[@darrenthorne6247]

I purchased a Fairmont Futura in the late 80's from it's original owner. That thing was a tank and I nicknamed it big red. White vinyl interior with red interior and carpet. Thanks for posting this one!

[@davidpawson7393]

So pink interior.

[@guyletourneau6167]

Those mpg numbers are impressive for even today considering the size of

[@will7its]

The EPA made cars run richer to cut down on nitrides. So now we all use more gas to cut down on emissions. Typical govt. bullcrap.....

[@runoflife87]

Wait, how'bout mentioning 1983 to 1986 Ford LTD? That was just a revamped Fairmont w/different front end and 6-window greenhouse.

[@samholdsworth420]

Wait what

[@christopherweise438]

Lots of things were on the Fox platform. LTD....Mustang.....Cougar.....even some Lincolns.

[@samholdsworth420]

@@christopherweise438 cougars 🤤

[@2006gtobob]

The Lincoln Continental Mark VII

[@TruBluYahoo]

Mercury Marquis also. (Without the 'Grand).

[@ACoustaDC]

I liked those fairmonts.... so comfy inside.

[@bradkrekelberg8624]

I have a Zephyr ES, and when I take it to shows, it's almost always the only Fairmont/Zephyr. With the I-6, it was excruciatingly slow. Had to swap it out for a fuel injected 302 so I wouldn't fall asleep driving it.

[@tonyu5985]

I owned a four door 81 Fairmont it was a 4 cylinder 4 speed on the floor, bought it second hand from the dealer with 65000 miles on it , I really liked the car drove very well in the snow with one snow tire, had the car for about seven years and it was still running when I sold it with 145,000 miles on it.

[@bunbun8001]

I remember seeing these all over the place around 1980. Like the 80s/90s Oldsmobile Cutlas ciera and Chevy Celebrity which were also everywhere, it's amazing to think we never see them anymore. Those millions of vehicles all apparently shredded to make new vehicles ....most of which I'm perfectly happy with being shredded.

[@manthony225]

A 2 door sadan has the same roofline and rear seat room as the 4 door. A coupe usually has a sloaping roofline and less rear seat room. I learned to drive on a Fairmont 4door sedan. It was the perfect car to learn on. I have a soft spot for them.

[@BradleyBellwether-oy2qi]

"Sedan" and "coupe" refer to the amount of space in the rear seat(s). 33'+ cubic feet is a "sedan". 33'- cubic feet is a "coupe". There are 4 door coupes also.

[@jamesjohn834]

2-door sedan is a pillared 2-door regardless of roofline.

[@paulmaul2186]

The Futura looked pretty good I thought and I think you get a 302 and a 4 speed which was pretty 'sporty' by the standards of the day

[@greggabel7238]

The 1981-82 Ford Fairmont Durango was an Aftermarket Ranchero. I loved them, I wish Ford offered Rancheros in the 1980's

[@RMSTitanicWSL]

They were solid, little cars. I'd take one over a lot of the stuff they're selling today.

[@robertbarnstead8306]

We had a Blue 1980 Futura. It was the 2.3 with a 4 speed stick. Great car for the time.

[@StringerNews1]

Although performance was sorely lacking in those days, those Fox platform cars were great for making Q-ships, as many Mustang go-fast parts bolted right in. And by the time they hit the second-hand market, prices and insurance were very affordable.

[@RageousMode]

0:55 Always great when you find a Star Trek tie in 👌 Great video as always!

[@S-T-E-V-E]

I remember the 'rounding' of cars inside and out in the 90's, it was futuristic at the time but hasn't aged well!

[@user-jl3km2jg3m]

The rounding of cars began in 1983 with the Ford Thunderbird and the Mercury Cougar.

[@alanwood5857]

I remember Bob Glidden ran a '78 Fairmont in NHRA drag racing and had great success with it.

[@jburnham9109]

The BEST Fox body Ford

[@dave3657]

Fairmont’s were great sleepers since they were available with a 302 V8 and could use Mustang performance parts.

[@christophersmith1155]

i had a 1982 ford faimont futura. it was a good car. i kept it till 1993 when it was totaled in a accident. never had any mechanical issues.

[@user-kf1nk4uy6u]

Same thing. We had an AMC Ambassador Wagon for about a year or two, turns out in the 1980s that Wagon crashed when it slid off the road and fell off a small embankment. And landed on its side. In 1983 we then changed to Subaru's for about 10 years. I also recommend making a video about the Dodge Mirada K Car, which is a mostly forgotten car from the early 1980s. It also had a predecessor from the early 1960s as well as a side model with the Plymouth Valiant.

[@ap9970]

UK here. We used to have lots of two door saloons, and never called them a coupe.

[@michaelmartin2276]

Had a friend who put a 5.0 Mustang drive train in a Futura and with several other upgrades to performance, wheels/tires made for a hot as hell fun car !

[@WildWildWeasel]

These were just called Futura here in Venezuela, there was also a variant of the Fairmont sedan (also called Zephyr) called Granada. Always had a soft spot for the Granada with the V8.

[@HClaurance]

This is awesome! I have a 1979 Fairmont I got out of Arkansas for $500 that I threw a 302 from a Mustang II and a Mustang GT suspension and 8.8" rear end under it. I love that car so damn much!!! Oh, and mines a Futura.

[@komradkolonel]

When I was in high school a friend of mine had a 1979 Mercury Zephyr Z-7 with the 200 straight six. Those engines were very reliable and easy to work on but it was really underpowered. If Ford had used the 250 instead it would have made a big difference due to the extra torque. I think the big knock or bad thing about the Fairmont/Zephyr is that they often used low grade materials especially for the interiors.

[@TheOzthewiz]

They had to use cheap materials to keep the price down. They could have used "Volvo" grade materials , but at Volvo prices, the cars would have been DOA!

[@andregonsalvez9244]

Great show as usual 😊 ! These compact Fox body Fairmont and Zephyr were good looking and pretty roomy cars and I remember these in the movie ET .

[@googleuser3760]

What an excellent video. 👍

[@YS-fr6nu]

I’ve seen a few at car shows with a Windsor , fast & looked good, nice body style

[@rtyt2007]

We really need an Australian car episode. There’s plenty of interesting Aussie fords, Holdens, Toyotas, Mitsubishi and even Volvo made cars in aus at one point. Would love to see these cars featured in an episode

[@CampfireSteveOutdoors]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@cturdo]

We had a 1978 Fairmont with in-line 6. It was a guzzler but had good pickup and reasonable amount of interior room. At the time, there were a lot of those white and orange roof models!

[@christopherkraft1327]

Thanks for sharing another fun video!!! 👍👍🙂

[@sebastiend.5335]

Another great video. Thanks! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@ericdwills14]

We were a Fairmont family. Dad had a Futura 2-door and mom had the wagon.

[@DMETS519]

I never got used to sounding the horn by pulling on the blinker stalk. Awful design there.

[@michaelzernie7092]

I had an 81 Fairmont sedan. 4 door. 4 cylinder engine. Funky little car

[@wallywood6566]

I had a 1980 and I loved it and I would like to have One now

[@Dougc3157]

If ford brought out the Fairmont wagon I would buy it in an instant. They were nice looking cars.

[@carlasghost656]

For the police "non pursuit" Fairmont, Chrysler offered something similar in the 70's. They had a police package Dart that came in two forms. One had the upgraded electronics, cooling, and suspension, but only a Slant Six engine. It was called the Meter Maid package.

[@MacGregor.]

Seen one in Kentucky. it's been 25+ years since they seen a Michigan road..

[@Jack_Stafford]

I have a neighbor who has a very good example that sits outside and he drives once a week in the midwest. These are very sturdy cars if they get very basic maintenance.

[@MacGregor.]

@@Jack_Stafford that's cool. Rare.

[@christopherweise438]

@@Jack_Stafford - Obviously hasn't seen much salt.

[@charlesduboise5198]

If you looked up the word boring it would show a picture of a car from the malaise era of cars from the early 80s

[@dustin_4501]

Most likely a Aries or Reliant...

[@markgrillo3139]

Great episode

[@dennisud]

I was in high school and wanted the Futura 2 door sport wagon version as a way to be practical yet unique as a teen! I never got it as the Parental units got me a Honda Civics instead! 🤨

[@danielulz1640]

Probably because the Futura 2 door Sport Wagon never existed.

[@ilovetotri23]

Great video!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!! 🤜🤛

[@doug6191]

It was one of the cars of all time. We had a sedan that lasted two years before it was replaced by a Subaru. We've had imports since.

[@andrewbutton5580]

Worst ... crap like this turned a lot of us to Nissan, Toyota, Subie, ect. Comparing a Fairmont to a Volvo of the same vintage is like comparing a Bank Vault to wet cardboard box.

[@howebrad4601]

Actually fairmonts were pretty decent cars. Subarus of that vintage rusted horribly, had meager hp, tight interiors, and cheap materials. They did have 4wd, but that's about their only claim to fame. People just grew tired of the standard American car look, and thought they were getting something more new and exotic by buying an import.

[@doug6191]

@howebrad4601 Experiences differ from owner to owner. The Fairmont we had wasn't reliable. It had issues with its starter and/or ignition. We didn't have trouble with the Subaru, including rust issues.

[@gerbernator]

The fairmont name was used in Australia as a higher trim level version of the ford falcon from 1965 to 2008

[@a.person7825]

Thank you for referencing “Crazy People”. It seems like you and me are the only ones that remember that movie.🤣

[@DUNEATV]

I’d love to have a clean 2dr!

[@stealthbomber2127]

Bob Glidden took that small boxy design and dominated Pro stock drag racing despite the aero disadvantage.

[@jamesonpace726]

Lauren Bacall in 1980 - wow....

[@hitchedtohorsepower]

I have a 1949 that was also called the two door sedan. I know on those the difference between the two door sedans and tbe coupes was the rear seat room on the sedans was nearly as much as the 4 doors.

[@The1stDukeDroklar]

The era of the box on wheels

[@Giratina1999]

The Batmobile was based on a Pontiac I believe! Can we get a video on the GMT-800 platform? It’s the bestselling truck line in American history!

[@trainglen22]

The Batmobile was based on the Lincoln Futura show car. I think that one of the movie versions was based on a Corvette.

[@Luke357]

The GMT800 is the best selling with good reason.

[@robwalton2007]

OMG....forget the Ford Fairmont, now we FINALLY know where the Batmobile got it's inspiration from! Totally awesome, and a shame that Ford concept wasn't put into production.

[@vernonslone8627]

Bob Glidden had a fast Fairmont.....It was a neat car.....

[@aaronwilson2362]

It's funny in Australia the Fairmont was a higher trim level than a Futura on the Falcon.

[@jjohnson2560]

Love the Fairmont

[@stanparsley9186]

Great video again. Would you consider doing a video on the Volvo 240 sedan? We owned one and loved that car. Thanks

[@petekovacevic3241]

I remember the horn on the turn signal stalk

[@encinobalboa]

You can still see the Fairmont in modern Mustang's straight hood lines and bee sting antenna that persisted for decades.

[@motoflyte]

NICE !

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I miss the square styling of 80's cars. These modern vehicles are disposable appliances that all look the same

[@jamesrecknor6752]

The silly angry eye headlights and big fish mouth grills are tiresome

[@Thultarn]

built one in the 90s a 79 model stuffed a 351w stroked to 427 in , way thru the hood .

[@tadinator1362]

I'd love to have one of these today and turn it into a real sleeper. They were boxy and bland at the time, but now I'd say they were kind of typical of the time. I almost think I'd rather have one over a Mustang of the time.

[@leakyjeep5.9]

Eric the Car guy did just that.

[@chriscornelius2518]

The futura had that roof that I always thought was pretty good.

[@mypronouniswtf5559]

These were hot sellers 400,000 per year vs 120,000 for Mustang.. 80-82 they went to 300k per year in 83 sales dropped to 80k a little more but they also had the new LTD that was the Fairmont but a rounded off and refreshed styling but same car,those out sold the Mustang as well...

[@wallywood6566]

I had 1980 Fremont I wish I still had.

[@shm-62u30]

I'd love to see a video on the last RWD corollas sold in the US

[@nota-fj8qo]

Ever heard of a 1965 Ford Fairmont? 1965 marked the debut year of the Fairmont nameplate when Ford of Australia (FoA) introduced it to eclipse Futura as the premium-grade variant of the ‘XP’ Falcon model-series. The XP-series was itself the final model-refresh of the original Falcon body shell.

[@user-oc6wi3tg1h]

感恩了解，謝謝分享！

[@willcrockett6707]

Only you can make a Futura video. Interesting. Ha ha. Thanks for the video!

[@ChatterboxFM]

The contrast between the EU Granada and US Fairmount is kinda insane. On one hand, you have this svelte, crisp, saloon, that was punching above its weight class against BMW/Merc. On the other, you have a car that somehow looks like it was designed in the late 60s, put on hold, and then released unchanged in 1978 (outside of smaller mandates).

[@user-tw5tk6od9d]

1980 Chevrolet Impala with the 350 was a fast car

[@HollywoodHornet]

You know what was a cool car you rarely see anymore...that I've been waiting for an episode on for like a million years now? Hyundai Tiburon. In fact, I saw one today in the wild (Final Generation) for the 1st time in a while.

[@Atari2600Gamer]

You'll probably be waiting a long time. The Hyundai Tiburon was lame when it was new, and it's still lame now

[@kyleharris8150]

Thanks for mentioning the Dodge Rampage and Delta last week and now the Fairmont, the list of mentions is shrinking and adding. Now episode(s) Oldsmobile Regency, Dodge/Plymouth Spirit/Acclaim; AMC Javelin, Nissan Silvia or Pulsar, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, GM A platforms (Celebrity, Cutlass, Century, Ciera, 6000)

[@derekhoward5995]

Had a mustang and 2mark vll loved the should have never gotten rid of them

[@pcno2832]

The Fairmont was boxy, but in a fairly graceful way, partly because it was longer than most of its recent competitors. The only really unfortunate feature of the car was its 2 triangular windows in each side of the rear, giving that part of the car a busy appearance, which got even busier if the optional front vent windows were ordered. Aesthetics aside, Ford's use of the FOX platform for the Fairmont, then the Granada, then the "LTD" in the course of 3 or 4 years, did look a bit desperate.

[@joemaloney1019]

Only liked the coupe or the wagon and that is pretty sad when the wagon looks better than the sedan! I think if they did away with little window in the rear pillars and terminated the vinyl roof trim at the rear fender level the sedan would have looked like a cute little version of the Crown Vic with a decent v6 or the 302 it would have been a big seller.

[@Nhoj176]

I jumped at 8:39 because I thought it was gonna be a collision 😂😂😂

[@hecklepig]

Here down south in New Zealand and Australia the Fairmont was connected to the Australian built Ford Falcon. It was essentially just the same as the Falcon but with what they thought was better quality build, like leather interior, and all the extras. It was more the car for business men who couldn't afford a BMW. They were always built with the Australia ford V8s.

[@donjacobson818]

@8:52 "Ford didn't fully commit..." That attitude has been in Ford's DNA for decades now. Ex-CEO Mark Fields called it "abandon at launch."

[@tristanconnolly5675]

Nice.

[@James-rn7dx]

Did you ever do an episode on the Ford EXP? It has an interesting history that's tide to the Probe and Mustang.

[@WhiteTrashMotorsports]

I had a few of those, nothing more than a gussied up escort.

[@TheOzthewiz]

The "frightened frog" was a TOTAL dud!

[@Foxonian]

Ford Fairmont police package cars were most often used by private security firms and some small college campus police depts.

[@jamesgudgeon4868]

In Australia We Had A Fairmont As Part Of The Falcon Range 3:15

[@jjesusvazquez1290]

Tengo 3😊🎉🎉🎉lo mejor de lo mejor...❤

[@georgewilson1184]

You need to illustrate that Mercury Topaz & Ford Tempo we’re junior Sable & Tauruses and featured a special 4 cyl. High Swirl Combustion Engine

[@TheJetJONES]

The Zephyr Nameplate actually returned again in 2022: Now it's the (China only) Lincoln counterpart of the Chinese Ford Mondeo (Taurus in Middle East)

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool 😎

[@danweyant4909]

We totally had a Zephyr wagon, completely loaded - like an '81, maybe? Used to just 'flame out' at random - had some kind of vacuum leak or something, never resolved by the dealership but it did it to everyone in the family. Kinda put me off American cars.

[@TheOzthewiz]

Those days for AMERICAN cars was known as the "malaise era". Shoddy build quality. The Japanese finally "schooled" the American manufacturers and things began to turn around to where American build quality is equal to or even surpasses the Japanese!

[@michaelwhite2823]

Technically, two door with door glass frames and a s b pillar are two door sedans.

[@aaronjames3138]

Auzzy nz have Fairmont &falcon right up to late 2017 inline 6 Barra motor and v8