Ford ZL Fairlane - today's tempter

By: Kian Heagney, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 01.07.2021

Ford ZL Fairlane

Ford ZL Fairlane

Long wheelbase luxo cruiser

If you’re lamenting the recent price rise in XD-XE market, then it pays to look slightly left of field from the top gun ESPs and S Packs for a cheap way into a boxy 1980s blue oval.

Today’s Tempter is a good candidate, a 1987 ZL Fairlane with 166,000km for $8800. The long wheelbase, luxo version of the Falcon has big potential as a budget classic for long distance cruising, and being based on a Falcon means you still get that old school Ford reliability and relatively cheap servicing.

This particular one is a Sportsman edition, a limited run of 700 Fairlanes made in 1987 that featured two-tone paint, check cloth inserts and a trip computer. Our tempter is wearing Monza Red, the other two colour options white or silver over the same grey bottom for Sportsmans.

Being a ZL, this Fairlane was also the first to use a retro-cool digital dash and this one also has a factory fitted sunvisor to add to the nostalgia.

Under the bonnet is the EFI version of the Aussie-built 4.1lt straight six, back up by a cushy three-speed auto to help you soak up the miles in plush 1980s luxury.

If you’re interested, you can view the full listing here.

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