Four changes of shape in the space of 10 years, plus some serious weight gains didn’t harm the local Fairlane’s ability to gain and retain customers; many of whom would be emulating its expanding belt-line.
These rusted-on buyers were generally male and middle aged. Many would be self-employed, often driving big distances with scant regard for fuel economy but demanding a comfortable and uncomplicated car.
The Fairlane for most of its first decade came with the option of a six-cylinder engine, but not many sold and few of the Custom version survive.
The Fairlane 500 was built around a V8 engine; in the case of the US-inspired ZA-ZB a 4.7 or 4.9-litre. Then from 1969 until the early 1980s a 5.8-litre, 351 cubic inch motor was also available.
ZC-ZD Fairlanes began a tradition where dealers would ‘load’ upper-echelon models to suit specific buyers with a 351 engine and an eye-catching shade.
Add power windows, a wind-back sunroof and vinyl roof covering, then during pre-delivery add aftermarket air-conditioning.
The ZF-ZG shape arrived in 1972 and was seen in retrospect as a mistake, with Fairlanes too similar in shape to the XA Falcon, though in five years, more than 17,300 ZF Fairlanes and 19,500 ZGs were made.
Ford changed its tune in 1976, introducing a ZH model that was bigger than any previous Australian Fairlane; so big that the six-cylinder engine option was dropped.
The ZH was suited to 5.8-litre power; the bigger motor necessary rather than preferable due to new emission laws, cutting power from the 4.9-litre from 179 to 151kW.
Prestige features were popular, a trend that Ford harnessed via its leather trimmed Fairlane Marquis plus the limited production LTD Town Car and Silver Monarch.
Australia’s take on the North American LTD became the default for government ministers and corporate executives. In P5 form on the ZF Fairlane, LTDs from 1976 used the bigger ZH body and its distinctive Rolls-Royce inspired nose.
Many Fairlanes were abused or rusted away and well-preserved survivors can be costly. Most expensive will be a ‘loaded’ ZD 351 K Code which can exceed $60,000, followed
at around $50,000 by 1973-75 LTDs or an outstanding P6 Town Car.
How the prices moved:
| MODEL | YEARS | COND 3 | COND 2 | COND 1 |
| 2010 | ||||
| Fairlane ZA-ZB | 1967-69 | $2000 | $7500 | $11,000 |
| Fairlane ZC-ZD | 1969-72 | $3000 | $9500 | $14,500 |
| Fairlane ZC-ZD 351 | 1969-72 | $5000 | $13,500 | $20,000 |
| Fairlane ZF-ZG | 1972-76 | $1500 | $4500 | $7500 |
| Fairlane ZF-ZG 351 | 1972-76 | $2300 | $5500 | $9000 |
| Fairlane ZH 500 | 1976-79 | $2000 | $5000 | $8500 |
| LTD | 1973-76 | $3500 | $8000 | $12,500 |
| LTD | 1976-79 | $2000 | $5200 | $9000 |
| LTD Silver Monarch | 1977-78 | $2700 | $6500 | $11,500 |
| 2015 | ||||
| Fairlane ZC-ZD V8 | 1969-72 | $5500 | $13,000 | $22,000 |
| Fairlane ZC-ZD 351 | 1969-72 | $9000 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Fairlane ZF-ZG V8 | 1972-76 | $3500 | $4700 | $13,500 |
| Fairlane ZF-ZG 351 | 1972-76 | $5500 | $12,500 | $18,500 |
| Fairlane ZH 500 | 1976-79 | $3000 | $8500 | $14,500 |
| Fairlane ZH 351/Marquis | 1976-78 | $4500 | $10,000 | $17,000 |
| 2023 | ||||
| ZA-ZB Fairlane | 1967-69 | $11,000 | $24,000 | $36,000 |
| ZC-ZD Fairlane 500 | 1969-72 | $15,000 | $32,000 | $44,000 |
| ZC-ZD Fairlane 351 | 1969-72 | $24,000 | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| ZF-ZG Fairlane 500 | 1972-76 | $12,000 | $28,500 | $40,000 |
| ZF-ZG Fairlane 351 | 1972-76 | I/D | $34,500 | $47,000 |
| ZH Fairlane 500 | 1976-79 | $9000 | $19,500 | $28,000 |
| ZH Fairlane 351 | 1976-79 | $12,000 | $25,000 | $36,500 |
| LTD | 1973-76 | $25,000 | $48,000 | $65,000 |
| LTD | 1976-79 | $15,000 | $27,000 | $39,000 |
| LTD Town Car/Silver Monarch | 1977-78 | I/D | $34,500 | $47,500 |
From Unique Cars #482, August 2023