1971 ZD Fairlane 500: Reader ride

By: Tony Mauro, Photography by: Tony Mauro

Date: 14.10.2014

Tony Mauro's 1971 ZD Fairlane 500

Tony Mauro's 1971 ZD Fairlane 500

Tony Mauro's 1971 ZD Fairlane 500

Tony Mauro's 1971 ZD Fairlane 500

Tony Mauro's 1971 ZD Fairlane 500...

Tony Mauro's 1971 ZD Fairlane 500

1971 ZD Fairlane 500

I’ve been a Ford man all my life, like my dad and four brothers. My first car was an XP Futura that I bought for $30 and since then I’ve owned more XPs and an XY Fairmont; I’ve had Fords all my life. When I was a kid growing up in the 70s, my old man owned this model Fairlane and I’ve always wanted one.

I bought my ZD about four months ago from its second owner, who needed some quick money. The funny thing is I went to get some parts for the car soon after I got it and the guy in the shop said his father used to own it and showed me a photo of him with it, with the original plates that I still have. It’s a small world.

The previous owner had given it a respray in Ultra White five years ago, added the venetians, and also lowered it with Pedders shocks and springs in the front and reset springs in the rear.

The seats are original but re-trimmed in original vinyl, and the rest of the interior, including the door trims, is also factory.

I put the eyelids on the headlights and the overriders, fitted the whitewalls and changed to ZC hubcaps.

The engine hasn’t been touched, but I’m going to get a mate at the GT Shop to refresh and paint it, then I’m going to have the bay polished. Another friend has sprayed under the guards and will eventually do under the body for me, too.

It’s got a 302 Windsor with a column auto and has only done 80,000km. It’s beautiful to drive. Everyone who drives it loves it. A lot of people tell me to go crazy on the engine and put on Simmons wheels, but I like them all original.

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