Ford Fairmont

Chassis specifications

The Fairmont is based on the rear-wheel drive Ford Fox platform, using steel unibody construction. The independent front suspension comprised lower lateral arms, MacPherson struts, and helical-wound coil springs. In what Ford called a modified or hybrid MacPherson strut system, the coil springs were mounted separately from the struts rather than concentrically, being located between the lower arm and front cross-member. A front anti-roll bar was standard equipment. The rear suspension used a solid axle suspended on coil springs and vertically mounted dampers. The axle was located by four links; two lower trailing arms and two sharply angled upper control arms.

The Fairmont has power-assisted brakes, with 11.0 inch vented front discs and 9.0 x 1.8 inch rear drums. Standard wheels and tires were 14x5.0 and DR78-14 respectively.^{[14]:32, 33} Steering was by a rack and pinion system with 3.2 turns lock-to-lock.

Powertrain

For its entire production run, the standard engine for the Fairmont was a 140 cu in (2.3 L) inline-4 (shared with the Pinto). Initially producing 88 hp, following several revisions, output rose to 90 hp to 1983. The 2.3L engine was initially paired with a 3-speed manual (replaced by a 4-speed in 1979), with a 3-speed automatic offered as an option. For 1980 only^[15], a 120 hp turbocharged version of the 2.3L engine (shared with the Mustang Cobra) was available in Fairmont sedans and coupes. Examples with the turbocharged engine were distinguished by a center-mounted hood "power bulge".

As an option, a 200 cu in (3.3 L) inline-6 (shared with the Maverick and Granada) was offered from 1978 to 1983. While offering less horsepower than the 2.3L inline-4, the 3.3L inline-6 produced significantly more torque. For 1978, the standard transmission was a 3-speed manual (replaced by a 4-speed for 1979); a 3-speed automatic was offered as an option.

From 1978 to 1981, the Fairmont was offered with two different Windsor V8 engines (shared with mid-size and full-size Ford vehicles). For 1978 and 1979, a 139 hp 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 was offered, replaced by a 115 hp 255 cu in (4.2 L) V8 for 1980 and 1981. Both engines were paired exclusively with a 3-speed automatic transmission.

Body design

The Fairmont debuted for 1978 with three body configurations; a two-door sedan, a four-door sedan, and a five-door station wagon. Later in the model year a fourth body style was introduced that revived the Futura name previously used for a sporty trim level on the Ford Falcon.

The Fairmont Futura was developed from a Fairmont-based Thunderbird design proposal from March 1976.^[26] The Futura was a two-door coupe distinguished by a model-specific roofline that featured a wrapover B-pillar similar to the 1977–1979 Ford Thunderbird but without opera windows. The rear fascia was also given its own taillamp design. To further differentiate the Futura from the standard Fairmont, the coupe was fitted with the 4-headlight fascia from the Zephyr, and a cross-hatched grille was used in place of the standard eggcrate grille. For the 1980 model year Ford expanded the Futura nameplate to include a four-door sedan and added a Futura station wagon for 1981.

For 1981 the exterior trim was revised, with the addition of a slim molding strip along the side. Convenience equipment was also increased.

For 1982 the entire Fairmont model line was consolidated under the Futura trim level.^[27] Along with the appearance of a Futura two-door sedan, the four-headlight front fascia became standard. The Fairmont station wagon was withdrawn, and a station wagon was added to the Granada model line.

For 1983 the standard-trim Fairmont Futura two-door and four-door sedans returned as the S model. This value-priced model had selected equipment deleted, and was only available with the 2.3 L 4-cylinder engine.^[28]

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  1978-1980 Ford Fairmont station wagon
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  Ford Fairmont wagon
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  1978-1980 Ford Fairmont two-door sedan
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  1978-1980 Ford Fairmont two-door sedan
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  1980 Fairmont Futura
• 
  1980 Fairmont Futura

Ford Durango

1981 Ford Durango

The Ford Durango was produced by a joint venture between Ford and National Coach Corporation in 1981. Based heavily on the Fairmont Futura coupe, the Durango was a two-door, two-seat car-based pickup truck that was intended as a possible replacement for the 1977-1979 Ford Ranchero as well as a competitor to the downsized Chevrolet El Camino/GMC Cabellero. Approximately 200 are estimated to have been produced.

European Sport Option

The European Sport Option was an appearance and suspension package offered beginning in 1978. It is abbreviated "ES Option" or "ESO". Exterior changes included a black grille, black cowl grille, deluxe bumpers, black window frames, black exterior mirrors, black C-pillar ventilation louvers, bright belt moldings and turbine wheel covers. The interior featured black carpeting, a black three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, black instrument panel with gray engine-turned trim and chamois-colored seats. The running gear was modified with stiffer springs, re-valved shocks, and a rear anti-roll bar. The ESO mounted DR78-14 radial tires on 5.5 inch wheels, one half inch wider than stock.^{[14]:32[29]:33}

Police and Taxicab packages

In 1978 Ford also made available specially prepared Fairmonts suitable for use as police cars and taxicabs. Initially the only engines offered for these applications were the 200 cubic inch inline six or the 302 V8.^[30] Ford's product literature lists the following special features for both packages:

• Automatic transmission with first-gear lockout
• Externally-mounted transmission oil cooler
• Power brakes
• Heavy-duty body construction with extra reinforcements
• Heavy-duty suspension package (Police or Taxi), including higher-rate springs, hardened spindles, special shocks and struts
• Cooling package with high fin-density radiator
• Heavy-duty 14 x 5.5 inch wheels

In later years the naturally-aspirated 2.3L inline four engine became available as well.

A few turbo four-door automatic sedans were used for testing by the California Highway Patrol.

Mexico

The Ford Fairmont was introduced in Mexico in late 1977 as a 1978 model, replacing the Ford Maverick that was produced there locally. The Mexican Fairmont was available exclusively with the 5.0 L engine (302) with manual and three-speed automatic transmissions. It was offered as a two- or four-door sedan and a wagon. The Futura coupe with its distinctive Thunderbird-style roofline was never offered in Mexico. Instead there was an uplevel two-door sedan called the Fairmont Elite. It was distinguished from other Fairmonts by its higher level of equipment and vinyl roof. It used the four headlight grille from the Fairmont Futura along with the Mercury Zephyr's taillamps and rear quarter window louvers. For 1981, all versions of the Fairmont got four headlights. The regular Fairmont continued to use the Futura grille while the Fairmont Elite used the Mercury Zephyr grille.^[31]

In 1982 the Fairmont Elite was renamed the Ford Elite II, and was offered in both two- and four-door sedans. The Elite II used the entire front end and matching rear bumper from the 1982 North American Ford Granada. The base Fairmont adapted the Mercury Zephyr grille used on the previous Elite. ^[32]

For 1983, the Fairmont received a new 3.8 L Essex V6 engine which was sold in addition to the existing V8. This was the last year of the Fairmont as it was replaced later by the Ford Topaz which was a hybrid assembly of the Mercury Topaz with a Ford Tempo front end.

Venezuela

A version of the Fairmont was manufactured in Venezuela where it was sold as the Ford Zephyr.^[33][34]