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Ford Fairlane ZF
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1972 - 1973 |
Country: |
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Engine: |
6 cyl. & V8 |
Capacity: |
250ci 6 / 302 - 351ci V8 |
Power: |
155hp 6 / 220-290hp V8 |
Transmission: |
3 spd. man / 3 spd. auto |
Top Speed: |
n/a |
Number
Built: |
n/a |
Collectability: |
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The ZF marked a complete new re-styling of the Fairlane,
now wholly Australian designed and produced.
It was easy to see that the design was influenced by the
new XA Falcon, retaining, as the previous cars had done,
the basic central structure including the doors, and bulking
out either end.
The bold grille and unique tail lamps helped, but there
was a feeling that it did not differentiate itself enough
from its smaller Ford contemporary. The four headlights were
placed in a horizontal pattern once more, inside a full width grille.
The two model line up of "Custom" and "500"
remained, as did the same wheelbase, however the car was now
lower, wider, and the track had been increased by 38mm.
There was a small increase in price, up $250 on the outgoing ZD,
although both models now featured as standard power assisted
disc brakes. Unfortunately though, the power steering remained
an option on the Custom.
Ford's faith in the large luxury car market had proved
well founded, and the Fairlane was now facing even stiffer
opposition from GMH and Chrysler.
To raise the bench mark for locally built luxury sedans,
the Ford designers made the ZF interior something quite special.
There we high backed seats, and the luxury option
included retractable seat belts, air conditioning, a
sliding sun roof, cloth seat trim, a four speaker stereo,
radio tape player or push button radio, and tinted
side and rear windows.
Optional performance equipment included
the "Hi-Ride" suspension with limited
slip differential (which was mandatory on 351ci
engined cars), heavy duty shook absorbers and a dust
protection package was also available. To help
individualise your Fairlane, you could option two-tone
paint, a tinted laminated windscreen, passenger side rear
view mirror, all important vinyl roof and a choice of five
colours and body mouldings.
The ZF was manufactured between March 1972 and October
1973. |