Luxury with a sporting intent - the Ford Fairmont Ghia leaves you in
no doubt towards the credentials of this vehicle – from the luxurious interior
to a mechanical package matching many cars at twice the price. In
standard form it represented the height of then current Australian manufactured
technology – surpassing even the larger and more expensive Holden Statesman with
it’s relatively agricultural mechanical package. Indeed when you review the
entirety of the package details it makes you immensely proud that this car was not
only manufactured in Australia, but designed and developed here as well. And
it shows – very few cars for this price can match it’s drivability, ruggedness for
Australian conditions and longevity supported by a incredibly luxurious interior!
The V8 gave very little over the standard 168kW VCT I6 yet was still the
subject of choice even if only for it's historical status. The only down side was
that it was only available as a sedan.
(Click here to go to a
full specification listing)
The extra features of a Fairmont Ghia over a Fairmont are:
168 kW 4.0 litre Tickford Variable Cam Timing straight six, tuned to run on regular
unleaded, producing 370 Nm of torque. This same motor is used in the XR6
VCT - although looses 4 kW in the Ghia due to a quieter exhaust.
Chrome gear stick surround and interior door opening handles.
Upgraded boot lid liner.
Velour and leather trim (full leather optional).
Extra wood grain door/consol appliqués.
Sewn leather center consol lid.
Door opening courtesy lamps on all four doors.
Unique attractive Fairmont Ghia machined finish 16” x 6.5” alloy wheels
(these wheels have been subsequently included on the AU3 Futura, AU2 Futura
Classic and in fully painted form on the AU2 Fairmont).
Premium 250 watt sound system with 11 speaker elements, separate amplifier,
computer controlled tuner, road speed dependant volume control.
Boot mounted 6-disc cartridge CD player standard.
Chromed center grill bar.
“INTECH VCT” decal on front mudguard.
Body colour side protection strips with chrome
insert.
168kW @ 5000 rpm (up from 162kW @ 4900
rpm
in EL).
370Nm @ 3500 rpm (up from
361Nm @ 3000 rpm in EL).
Overhead Cam with roller rockers, Variable Cam Timing
unit & roller cam followers.
VCT engine features a unique head and rocker cover to
enable fitment of the externally fed (oil supply) VCT unit. Rocker cover
features unique styling - as fitted to the XR6 'VCT' - red powder coated
with
silver machined high lights.
Slightly lower power output than the XR6 VCT due to
quieter exhaust and computer calibration used.
Alloy head with direct heat detection sender on the back
of no.6 combustion chamber.
Stronger head studs with greater pull down tensions.
New two-piece head gasket to further aid in reducing
blown head gaskets.
Sequential fuel injection.
Dual resonance intake manifold for a better torque spread.
Serpentine accessory drive belt for quietness and
increased reliability.
Fail safe cooling (engine can literally run without coolant in it - theoretically
it is impossible to cook this engine due to loss of coolant). *This
feature un-available if converted and running on LPG (option not available
from the factory).
‘Smart start’ - prevents you from engaging the starter motor if the
engine is already running.
Structural sump for quieter operation and increased block
stiffness.
New stiffer and better balanced crankshaft for quieter
operation and less NVH.
Longer conrods for better fuel economy & better burn
control.
New short skirt anti-friction coated pistons for better
fuel economy.
Switchable traction control by using the ABS and fuel
injection to limit power to the rear wheels in the case of wheel slippage.
Overall, a much sweeter and easier engine to rev than
ever before...
Engine Optional
#1:
5.0 litre V8.
175 kW @ 4600 rpm (up from 165 kW @ 4500 rpm in EL).
395 Nm @ 3200 rpm (up from 388 Nm @ 3000 rpm in EL).
Pushrod valve actuation.
Cast-iron heads.
Sequential fuel injection.
Serpentine accessory drive belt.
Pressed steel rocker covers and sump.
Note: All AU Falcon V8s came minus
the "fail safe cooling" of the six cylinder, and
hence must be treated accordingly. Considering the V8s have never had
significant head gasket problems (and neither did the AU six for that matter) this shouldn't put you off.
EngineOptional #2:
Factory fitted “Tickford” LPG conversion:
Not available on Fairmont Ghia.
Dealer fitted “Parnell” LPG conversion:
Some have commented it handles “dirty” gas better
than the Tickford unit.
Only a small power loss.
Costs less to install.
Can be fitted at any time by dealer or aftermarket.
Standard 4 speed automatic with floor shift including
converter lock-up, electronic control and a overdrive 4th gear.
- Includes power and economy modes. *In good condition, one of the smoothest shifting
gearboxes on the market at the time, this very same gearbox was used by
Maseratti on some earlier models.
This steering has a increadibly accurate feel to it and only gets better
as you progress to the performance Falcons - unlike the VT Commodore’s
vague and unresponsive steering (if you could call it that). Do not
confuse the Commodore's lack of responsiveness combined with it's
under-engineered IRS for added stability!
Optional leather Momo steering wheel with wood grain
inserts.
Smartlock system makes hotwiring difficult via electronic
engine immobilisation.
Post 'AU Update' vehicles include a special key with internal transponder as
well as better ignition lock shielding. This can be identified by a
fatter key pad as well as a recessed ignition lock / fatter 'eyebrow' above the
lock itself.
Central locking standard.
Lock button on driver's door only allowing less entry
points for the potential theif.
‘Smartlock’ remote keyless door and boot (tailgate) entry system.
Exceptionally bright headlights (30% brighter than the
EL's) - make the VT’s pale in comparison and exceptionally good to drive by.
Plastic shatter resistant lenses - no longer require headlight covers.
Chromed headlight surrounds.
Clear front guard indicator repeater lenses.
Clear blinker lenses in tail lights (clear in Fairmont /
Fairmont Ghia).
Self fading interior light.
Front and rear interior foot well lamps.
Illuminated ignition lock.
High mount rear stop light.
Headlamps 80 second auto off delay (gives you time to get in the front door
when you arrive home).
Front and rear power windows with time delay
after key off - all controls on drivers door with separate window controls on
each door (back-lit buttons for night time visibility).
Two speed front windscreen wipers plus road speed variable intermittent
setting and on-demand wash / wipe.
Rear window demister with timed auto switch off.
Body colour electrically operable exterior rear view mirrors.
The AU Fairmont Ghia benefited from the same race stiffened body shell as the
XR8 that was so suitably used for the V8 Supercar series with the major change
being the bonnet.
Not available in wagon format.
Bake hardened steel used in all external surfaces - means a lighter
body shell while being more resistant to shopping trolley dints than the
model it replaces.
Body kit available as an option - uses the rear spoiler (single deck),
side & rear skirts as well as front air dam extension -overall very
attractive and well suited to the AU’s shape. Much wilder than the
VT’s Hyundai imitation (body kit not available on wagons).
More aerodynamic than VT.
“New Edge” styling has an added practical feature - sharp corners add strength
and rigidity to panels, further resisting low speed impacts.
Boot hinges do not intrude into boot space allowing you more room to
pack the goodies in as well as a lessened chance of damaging packed items...
“Blocker” steel bar welded across front of the radiator to help prevent
damage in low speed impacts (therefore cheaper repairs).
Exterior (mm)
Front track
Rear track
Front overhang
Rear overhang
Interior (mm)
Front headroom
Front legroom
Front Shoulder Room
Front hiproom
Rear headroom
Rear legroom
Rear shoulder room General
Kerb weight (kg) **
Luggage capacity (L)
Minimum turning circle (m)
- diameter, kerb to kerb.
Fuel Tank Capacity
Petrol (litres)
LPG (litres)
Sedan
1566
1547
918
1197
991
1081
1523
1482
978
986
1517
1531
512
10.9
Sedan
68
68
*Optional Ford Sunroof reduces available headroom by approximately 40mm when fitted.
**Approximate kerb weight for a Fairmont fitted with 4.0 litre Intech, SOHC
engine and 4 speed automatic transmission.
