Ford dropped the 351 V8 in 1982, the first sign it was walking away from big Fairlane V8s entirely.
Median 99 hp across 415 similar cars
Lead trim: Fairlane 4.1 (250) inline six · up to 200 hp
Ford Fairlane (Australia)1979–1988
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Ford Fairlane (Australia) yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactFord dropped the 351 V8 in 1982, the first sign it was walking away from big Fairlane V8s entirely.
Ford waited until May 1979 to update the Fairlane to the ZJ, a leap ahead with squared-off lines and a six-light bodyshell that distinguished it from the new XD Falcon, quad headlights and vertically striped taillights. The trim levels were deleted, leaving a single Fairlane with a 4.9-litre (302) or 5.8-litre (351) V8, and in October 1979, recognising the fuel crisis, Ford added the Falcon's 4.1-litre (250 cu in) inline six. The ZK of March 1982 deleted the 5.8 L V8 (the first warning the company would drop V8s) and in March 1983 the 4.9 L V8 was deleted too, with Ford introducing a fuel-injected version of the six to take its place and the coil-sprung, Watts-link-located rear axle. The ZL of 1985 (launched October 1984) kept two six-cylinder engine options (the carburettor version removed only at the end of 1986) and took integrated headlights, full wrap-around bumpers and the XF Falcon's taillights, with a full digital dashboard.
Collectors Spotted in the Ford Fairlane (Australia) Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Ford Fairlane (Australia) yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
3 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlane 4.1 (250) inline six | 1979–1988 | 4.1 L Inline-6 | 126 hp | 225 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
| Fairlane ZJ 4.9 V8 | 1979–1983 | 4.9 L V8 | 188 hp | 254 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
| Fairlane ZJ 5.8 V8 | 1979–1982 | 5.8 L V8 | 200 hp | 306 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
The final Australian Fairlane got a bigger 5.4-litre V8 derived from Ford's American Triton engine — badged locally not by displacement but as the 'Barra 220.'
Ford ditched its small-block Windsor V8 for this Fairlane, switching in the larger, three-valve 5.4-litre Modular V8 instead — a complete change of engine architecture.
The AU Fairlane borrowed its C-pillar look from the Lincoln Town Car, then sold so poorly Ford rushed a fix within a year.
New Zealand's government drove NL Ghia Fairlanes as Crown limousines, powered by the same 4.0-litre six sold to the public.
Ford dropped the 351 V8 in 1982, the first sign it was walking away from big Fairlane V8s entirely.
This Fairlane generation kept selling in South Africa even after Ford pulled the mainstream Falcon there in favor of the European Granada — and only the top-spec 500 trim made the cut.
This Fairlane's extra luxury space wasn't a new design at all — Ford Australia just took the Falcon of the day, stretched the body behind the rear door, and pushed the back seat rearward for more legroom.
Despite being an all-new model, this Fairlane launched £200 cheaper than the car it replaced.
Building this full-size Fairlane in Australia wasn’t a quick rebadge — Ford Australia spent nearly two years and about £1.5 million tooling up a local line for it.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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The G80 Sport brought a 370 PS twin-turbo 3.3 V6, a mesh grille and copper-tinted chrome with copper stitching to match.
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The GS/E coupe earned the nickname "German Charger" for its long hood, short deck stance borrowed from Detroit muscle cars.
This DeVille/Fleetwood was the first production car anywhere to mount its V8 sideways, Cadillac's front-drive gamble on the new C-body.