Here is Part 3 of my Ford Fairlane History Series - the ZC Fairlane. Please be sure to check out the ZA and ZB Fairlane episode. In this episode we cover one of my all time favourite Fairlanes - the ZC. Please Subscribe and give the episode a Like 👍. It doesn’t cost a thing and will help the channel. Thanks for watching. 👍
@@Eric-kn4yn Definitely a better ride and with power steering a better drive depending on what you were after? Obviously a GT was more performance focussed and lighter plus tighter suspension but ride suffered. 👍
Great story for the ZC Fairlane...our workshop cleaner Lenny had such a car ...light blue with 351Windsor 4 speed from new...once being stolen by thieves the word soon got out to our tow trucks...it was spotted running through a large carpark where the chase was on...the towy was able to hook the f100 front bar into the Fairlanes back bar...stopping the car and the thieves running off...Old Lenny got his beloved Fairlane back with little damage !
2001 i was working in a mechanical workshop in Glen Waverley Melbourne,i managed the tyre side of the business ,i was on my way to Camberwell to pick up a job when my boss asked me to jump start a ladies car in East Malvern ,i arrived and she told me it was her late husbands ol Ford,under a tree in front yard with a heavy duty tarp on it ,i peeled back the canvas and a straight ZC Fairlane appeared with all the goodness 351W FMX 9 INCH out back .interior spot on ,grabbed a set of jump leads .squirt of petrol down the carb 28 seconds it roared to life ,she said she wants it off the property and would i be interested as i was drooling over the bonnet ,i said YES but i wanted her to give me a number she would be comfortable with ,she said she will speak to her grandson and i was to call back in morning ,i didnt sleep and turned up 9am for her to tell me her grandson said dont accept anything under 30K ,this was 2001 ,i betch she still has it under that wattle tree in East Malvern
Having grown up in the late 1960's & early seventies, the cars that impressed me most were, Fairlanes. Compared to what was common on Australian roads at the time, & what I was chauffeured around in then: i.e. Austin's, Humber's, Morris's, EH Holden's, early Falcon's. A standout moment when we went cruising in a Real Estate agent's, ZB Fairlane. Pure luxury, with silky smooth ride & comfort. The other standout feature of Fairlanes; having driven a ZC Fairlane in 1980, I never felt fatigued after a long trip; compared to it's counterparts.
I've been privileged to have owned two Fairlanes (so far): a green ZL, which was just a delight to drive; and an NC2 Ghia V8 in blue with all the bells and whistles and was an absolute peach. I left the NC at my brother's place to keep the battery charged while I was overseas on holiday. My sister-in-law drove her to work and was used to driving their Renault Fuego. Pitching the Fairlane into roundabouts and corners as if it was the Renault almost made her seasick, she reckoned!
Great series Mark. The Fairlanes and LTDs are a bit mysterious in the 'Falcon' history. I'm really looking forward to some of the newer series. I wonder/hope you might have some developmental images and conceptual images.I was absolutely chuffed to see your note on the Chrysler V.I.P. which showed a beautiful last sitting regally in the back seat. That was my Mum! Made my day. Keep up the fantastic work buddy. Cheers, Mark
@@markbehr88 I work with a fella named Malcolm Miller who was marketing manager (?) of Chrysler back in the day. A wealth of knowledge. I send him links to all your stuff. Some of the stories.... you should look him up as these fellas are getting on, and have all the good goss!!
The segment you did on export (Jap) Chargers. Did you know if they failed the spec test, they were given to staff as 6 month cars, then on sold. That kind of thing. He commissioned that weird early 80's Arcadipane-designed turbo Sigma too. We work in Edwardstown in Adelaide, and he can recount so many stories of what local shop did what to make certain models, especially the racers... just that bit more effective, yet look stock.
It’s a very detailed and interesting car design everywhere you look you discover new things I’m a full on Ford guy and I have never noticed the fins. I would watch a full detailed series on the resto of that car, and I think many others would as well!!
In the US, most Ford models had moved on from stacked headlights by 1968. The US Fords of that year more resembled what we wouldn't get until the 1972 XA and ZF Fairlane. If you look at an image of a 1968 Mercury Marquis, it's frontal treatment is a spitting image of the ZH Fairlane we didn't get until 1976! Back then, we were years behind stateside offerings.
Another stellar production Mark, Such great cars Fantastic images of the contemporary mock ups of the interiors and exteriors that we cannot easily get anywhere else. I haven't seen interior mock ups like you include in this video before. I note the clear depiction of the cars being shod with Dunlop Aquajet radials that shows at 2:38 and 7:30, they were all the rage in the day. I once saw a Custom with the 3.6 and four speed floor shift a guy had near the Cheetham salt works down at Geelong, I couldn't believe that they made a 6 cylinder Fairlane! Hints that there is another video entirely devoted to the underrated Valiant VIP? Thanks again Mark. Love your work.
Needs a resto, polar white, burgundy interior, but that was redone in Commodore rib previously. Was parked because it needed too much mechanical work to survive planned interstate trip.
Thanks Mark, old memories come back. I think the Fairlane Custom with a six was the "teaser" offer for the Govt/Hire car fleets. Back in the day if you were a certain level/rank in the public service you could book a Commonwealth car (generally black with a Z number plate) with driver, to transport you on official business. My father worked for the Post- Master General's department ("PMG"), the predecessor to Telstra/Australia Post, and on rare occasions such a car would turn up at home to pick him up It was rare enough for me to recall the event of a car like the ZC waiting outside our modest '50's brick veneer home. My father must have reflected on the times changing, as he started at the age of 14 years as a telegram boy at the Nhill Post Office, but of course he never said anything!
Ha! My dad worked at nhill pmg doing the mail deliveries, filling in on the switchboard sometimes, and my mum even worked at Fischer Ford when a few GT's went out the door!!
My Dad purchased a ZC Fairlane new from Stilwell Ford, Kew in Melbourne. Was a Custom with a 302. Ah, the days when you could buy a car made in your home town! Thanks for posting images I had never seen before. Me and my siblings all got photographed in front of it at some time. Lots of memories of that car. The Super Fringe push button radio for one. I still check Car Sales regularly to see if any are for sale. You “nailed” those details like the placement of the 351 and V8 badges! With 20/20 hindsight I could have got some more pics for your video. I purchased an XW Falcon in 1982. I have a genuine Ford workshop manual which covers the Fairlane, Falcon 500 and the GT. The old Ford dealership is now an annexe of the school next door, though some of the old infrastructure is still visible.
Another great video Mark..The cars... The memories...The journey...And the making of great friends along the way ...if i went back in time i wouldnt change a thing !!! Cheers.😁👍
This one got you a new sub. When I was a kid in the late 70's early 80's, there a was a guy across the road from my house that owned a ZC. It was white and he drove it maybe twice a month if that....to this day, I can still hear the muffled adult conversation whenever it came out of his purpose built garage in his tiny backyard..." How can he afford a car like that? He must sell drugs, He is Lebanese after all...." TRUE unadulterated Australian JEALOUSY and RACISM in one sentence right there.....over a car. These were MY childhood role models we're talking about, I'm glad their racism and bigotry stopped with them, I was friends with the guy's kids, we used to do what boys did at 12 years old BEFORE the home PC existed....I have the expunged police record to prove it...and still NO IDEA what the guy did for a crust....
I was in year 10 at school when these cars were around. The kids who loved cars used to worship the ones with the 351 badge. I remember being in the train with a friend and we saw one with the 351 badge. He got quite excited! Apparently they were cheaper to insure than a GT, with similar performance.
Really enjoyed this. I was never much of a fan of this era Ford or Holden, but as a car obsessed kid from the very early 80s, I spent a lot of time “car-spotting” the different details, working out how to tell the different models, and reading back issues out of my Dad’s car magazine collection. This era of car was everywhere. We had a family friend with a rough ZC 6 cylinder. I remember thinking how huge it was in the back seat. The front end always squeaked coming into our driveway, and the black paint was already stuffed at only 10-12 years of age. I remember my dad telling me about the “red Z” government Fairlanes in NSW, and noted other comments on here about the PMG in VIC doing the same. He didn’t have many compliments for them, and recounted the story several times over the years from when he had to do a work trip with a colleague to drop a new one off to a regional area somewhere, and it broke down twice between Sydney and Goulburn, and lost the speedo before it got to the destination. I wrongly thought for a while that this era of fairlane wasn’t special, because I was comparing that family friend’s basic spec ZC with other family and school friends who had 302 V8 XW/XY sedans and wagons, with nicer interiors. The Brougham across the road, from the same era, had power windows, and seemed far more luxurious! I never knew the 351 in these was the 4 barrel, but that does explain why they were so sought after in the 80s to “donate” running gear for GT mockups.
Thanks. Glad you liked it. As I mentioned in the episode, my brother’s 351 was a terrific car. Really good to drive. Comfortable, easy to handle and went hard. And looked good doing it. 👍
I bought a 1969 ZC Fairlane sitting behind a car yard in 1986. It was a Fairlane Custom - 351 Windsor, column shift FMX and the 9" diff....bench seat, no A/C or Power steer...and no vinyl roof. It was the base model , but with all the 351 running gear. Someone ripped off the Autolite 4 barrel carby. I paid $600 for it
Hi mark loved your story on the zc fairlane. My parents uses too have a diamond white black trim 351 windsor v8. Ps I have seen a polo white with a burgundy painted roof zc fairlane with a 351 cleveland. I found out between September to November of 1970 the last lot of zc fairlanes where fitted with a 351 cleveland. From the factory. Cheers 👌
Looking forward to listening/ watching this particular,reasons being I remember my grazier grandfather Walgett NSW from memory had this vehicle, unsure if was 69-70-71. I have lived here since 1982, originally from Boston USA. He passed 1976, on a family visit 1974, he had this. In visit 1968, he had the 65 or 66 Galaxie. Both automatic transmission I'm sure. As I say, these memories are main reason why I like your channel. The Australian Chrysler vehicles are also interesting, in their relation & evolution from their North American origins. Thank you again for your channel, taking the time to explain the history's of these,& the others too,which over time I'll also check out segments
Yes,& according to what you indicated, that 65-66 Galaxie in Australia,may have been into early 1967. As you know, that had already changed in North America,for the 1967 model(s)
@@PaulBartlett-jz4bg The gold one I showed in the episode was the Australian 1967 Galaxie but also the US model. The difference being we sold it right through 1967 whereas in September 1967 the US market received the 1968 model (which we also received in 1968 but only with the Galaxie 500 front and not the lovely concealed headlight LTD you got). I liked that 1968 LTD so much I imported a gold Brougham. 👍
my late dad bought his first fairlane a 64 compact 500, i still have the original invoice for this car, and he owned every new model fairlane that came out, to the very last fairlane that was produced before he passed, so i grew up with all these cars
My Dad bought one new, bright orange with white roof trim, white leather upholstery and a 351 with T-bar auto. Roh mags with the red stripes and an 8 track! It was a special order job. What a car it was.
Thank you Mark. Jack Telanack was on his game back then. That is interesting to know. As you know he went on the make Ford the world beater in the 80's and 90's. The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable came out under his watch and he created that 80's Ford look for the North American cars. The front of this Fairlane looks like a Mercury Comet and the 1965 Galaxie 500 and LTD. I smiled when I saw Holden Brougham. Ford was winning the race. The VIP in the United States was a Plymouth and different. I liked the design proposals. I wished they had used flush door handles. Eventually they did. The ones with the skirted rear wheels looked interesting. That theme really took off in the United States. The intereior design proposals are interesting as they were front bench seats. The instrumentation cluster is interesting too. You do a great job explaining and sharing. The length is still not 200 plus inches yet. It is still the length of a downsized GM car from the 80's. The wheelbase and width are fulllsized. Thank you for sharing the South African Ford Fairlane.
@@OLDS98 Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Both Jack Telnack and Brian Rossi were great designers. I do own quite a few Telnack designed US cars including my 79 Cobra Mustang and the 86 Thunderbird. He had a big influence on the industry for sure. I like the rear spats on my 76 Grand Marquis, because it has the length, however, our Fairlane was too small for that treatment in my view? 👍
@@markbehr88 The series keeps getting interesting by the video. You keep doing what you are doing. Oh, Jack Telnack's influence runs deep at Ford and he carried Ford for quite sometime when GM was faltering in the United States. I did not know you owned a 1976 Mercury Grand Marquis. That was one of the Grand Marquis I like. It was the 1975-1978 era. I liked other eras also. Still no power windows and seats on the Fairlane yet I see. I do understand about the Fairlane not having skirted wheels because of the length. It makes complete sense. I sent you a video on your other recent video about the plans Ford has to introduce a 4 door Mustang to compete in the Dodge Charger space: ua-cam.com/video/MTw-TKDZoHc/v-deo.html
@@OLDS98 Yes, I have a silver 76 Grand Marquis 4 door pillared hardtop in silver and a 77 model in Chocolate brown and a 78 cream Colony Park wagon. I really love the look of those cars. Very handsome. I did an episode a while back on the wagon as I drove that one across America. Thanks for the video. I will check it out but I already know a four door Mustang is a really really bad idea. It shows a complete lack of understanding of both the car industry and brand. 🫣
@@markbehr88 I recall the Colony Park wagon video. You drove iot across the United States. You have a valid point on the understanding of the market. GM and Ford and Stellantis have issues there. GM has three brands that should not be dead( Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Holden) Ford has no sedans in the United States, but has Taurus in The Middle East and China and a Lincoln Zephyr in China and Stellantis is killing Chrysler and Dodge by the day right now. What if Ford used that Mustang platform and and made a new Falcon on that platform and sold it globally?
@@OLDS98 My issue is the use of the Mustang name. They are just diluting it. For example the Mustang Mach E (sales flop and not lunching off Mustang nameplate as it is a different market) should have been called simply Mach E and lose the horse logos and probably the rear tail lights. Just make it the Mach E. If they are planning a four door that will be another mistake. Don’t use Mustang themes. By all means make a sporty sedan although I am not sure who will buy it as Kia made the very good looking Stinger and could not make a go of it globally, even with twin turbo and four wheel drive. If they do release such a car then call it the Mach 4 (if it is a four door) or something like that but not Mustang. Same for GM wanting to do a Corvette SUV. They all must be reading the book “How to destroy your brand in five easy lessons”. 🫣
Great work Mark, I am loving the Fairlane history. My Grandfather part owned a Ford dealership is the 1960's, he had a maybe 65 or 66 Galaxy painted Coral Pink at the request of his second wife. I was about 9 yo and cleaned for 20p, it took ages. I also owned a ZJ 351, but I'll tell you about that when you get up that that series. Cant wait. Regards.
They where a really nice highway cruiser the old fairlanes , they had really nice power steering too . I've got a feeling they still had the old style power steering with a hydraulic ram attached to the drag link .
Liked your commentary on the Fairlane. Remember reading about Fairlanes with the big V8 and manual transmission a few years on a similar channel to yours. Thanks for your work.
Hi Mark, good news on your 6000 subscribers. I like the look of the ZC 5.8 V8 4-speed manual I bet it was a bit of a beast. I like these cars, when I was younger watching American programs and the cops using these cars black cars with white doors. I did not know this car was in South Africa as well. As always a great video take care
@@markbehr88any idea on number of said 351 manual ZC's , would have thought not many over 1 ! I seem to recall as an apprentice at Melford Sth Melb Division , a certain jockey , had his car there for service , supposedly a 500 , 351 manual .
Great channel Mark. Very enjoyable. To answer your questions, there were 1366 ZC Custom models of the 12513 total production. The 351 4 speed manuals - there were 26 produced in the 500 series, and only one in the Custom series, so very rare!
Thanks very much. I thought the Custom would be low volume. Gee, great to get the production numbers for the 351 manuals too. I wonder if that single Custom was just initial allocation stock as factories normally build at least one of every model and option? 🤔👍
Another great video to watch Mark and thanks for sharing it. I had absolutely no idea that manual Fairlane's were available until now that is. It looks like Chrysler were much more serious in their effort to have a go at the Fairlane than Holden was. Around the mid seventies I worked with a bloke who had a VF VIP. It had some serious rust issues though. That padded vinyl roof was apparently added to hide the weld marks from the extended roof line and smaller rear window, the perfect home for rust to get comfy in.
@@area51isreal71 Thanks very much. If you add up VIP sales they actually outsold Brougham sales - so you are right, Chrysler did do a better job going up against Fairlane. Fairlane sold 3 times the opposition though. 👍
Mark, where do you find these Gems? oh my gosh, I love this Ford Fairlane ZC. Great video review, I am a Ford Nutt, so I am biased. Lol, THAK YOU FOR POSTING.
Yes,as per the prior mention of my memory of the ZD Fairlane on my 1974 visit, earlier this year we were @ the SD Museum in South Kempsey NSW, sure enough the famous purple,yes,' 71 ZD Fairlane is there,auto on the column. My memory is faint ,re: '74 visit per my grandfathers vehicle, but did these also have auto floor shift? Cheers
Another great video mark Zc Zd I always wanted one I did look at one ZD white with black roof 351 Cleveland and the guy wanted ten grand for it I think it was around late nineties or early 2000 s but I didn’t have that sort of money back then It was a good price but I was just a poor working man with small children and a mortgage so no car money 😢😢
This was the only car I wanted when I was about 16. I could have bought a second hand one pretty cheaply too, at the time (early 90's). Always loved the vertical headlights and American styling. 1969 was a good year for cars!
Certainly a nice Ford but I reckon the 67 Fairlane was a better looker . 👍🏻. But I will say the VIP interior was way ahead of Ford . Having the floor shift set it apart and the seat trim was beautiful . Gotta love a none smog 318 Mopar . Even so both are nice cars .👍🏻🇦🇺✌️.
I bought a Reef Green 351 ZC Custom 500 from a car yard for next to nothing that had new plugs ,carby kit new leads/points but ran & knocked badly on spotting the errant white timing mark being 10 degrees ATDC instead of BTDC Tongue in cheek the deal was done! 1/2 hr later & Turning the Dizzy back to 10 deg. Before Top Dead Centre it ran like a swiss watch--A brilliant car to drive with plenty of grunt if needed! What a Steal LOL!!
@@michaelbyrnes7944 It’s definitely the ZC. It was not offered on the following ZD (high compression 351) although you could still buy a 351 but not as powerful. 👍
"The Fairlane still significantly outsold it and I'll go into a few reasons why" I mean, just look at it! This is by far my favourite looking Fairlane for much the same reason that the XW is up there for my favourite Falcons. It just looks so muscular and for the Fairlane, vertical headlights have always been a weakness of mine
Mark, you've done it again. How beautiful are these cars? With the 351 4v, would have taken some serious effort to stop from 100MPH! I'd love on of these for a project car.
I bought that Galaxie for 500 bucks. Didn't run. Swapped out the Autolite carb and it ran. As I was reversing out the diff started cluncking. Had a locker. Had to be careful with grippy tires. Axles weren't cheap
I have a ZC that is almost ready to hit the road. It is in Grecian Gold which is the original colour, and it is appropriate colour for the amount of $'s that is has eaten up! It was an original numbers cars but I sold the engine ect, it is now running a 302 roller bottom with Cleveland heads and a nice Ford SVO cam, this coupled to a T5 and 9" disc brake rear .
Love your series as I am a beloved ford fan. I was looking to buy a ZD and I know you haven't covered them yet and it had a 4 speed top loader in it and I thought why would you had put that in that car so now I'm wondering if this may have been an option back then, I know I can google it but I'm going to wait until you do the story on the ZD.
Google translate says that the South African one only got a 2 barrel V8, for 250hp 351ci. I am rescuing a NF/NL Fairlane this Friday (not even 100% sure which model yet!) It is a 6cyl on gas, out of gas, with a fried fuel pump. Getting it towed to the servo to put some lpg in and hopefully she lives. It will compliment my rescued 97 NL Concorde 6 cylinder Fairlane and my work in progress 71 ZD Fairlane Custom 250ci 6 cyl. And my 2003 BA Factory LPG ex telstra wagon. I have a problem! 😂
Something weird going on with UA-cam Mark ( there's a first😂) , I watched your model T video which came up on the algorithm, and tried to give it a thumbs up ( love the model T by the way ) , it would not allow me to give a thumbs up , I tried to reload the video on my phone instead of the idiot box , and I cannot for the life of me bring up the model T video again . Maybe it's just my end I dunno , just thought I'd let you know anyway .
@@mikldude9376 Hi. Thanks. I am trying to reload it. It had copyright free music and I got pinged for the music even though it was clearly fine. So, I had to delete it and reload with different music. If they ping it again I will delete that whole section 👍
One thing I loved about the ZD was the hubcaps. I’ll get into where they came from when I do the episode. I also liked the grille and the rear decor trim. 👍
G'day Mark, Another top notch quality video. I presume it was a Windsor V8 did they go into Cleveland V8 like the XW Phase 1.5 or 2 during the XW run. With 290 hp was LSD a option for the arse end ? They really looked the part the ZC being a Fairlane were they riding on 15 inch wheel or still 14 inch. Keep the videos coming. Cheers Louis Kats 👍
@@louiskats5116 Thanks Louis. The ZC had 14” wheels, regardless of model. Radials were an option but standard on the 351. No limited slip diff was available. In terms of the engine, I can only find Windsor references so potentially they ran the Windsors out in these? I will need to look further into that or if anyone else has info on that? 👍
Forgot add, I believe that when they ran out of 351 Windsors in April 1970, from then onwards they fitted a 351 2V Cleveland V8 if you optioned the 351 in a ZC Fairlane. Very few were built. In ZD the 351 2V Clevo was the option.
That’s interesting as I am sure I have seen 302 Windsor ZD’s. It does make sense given the transition to Cleveland but the Falcon GT would have taken priority there and I am sure that Ford would have been happy to run out the Windsors in the Fairlanes as that buyer would not really care one way or the other. 🤔👍
In North America, I'd have been happy if they kept the 1966 body for several more years, if we could have gotten the drastically better Australian interiors.
290HP is appealing, compared to the VIP'S 230 HP . I personally think the VIP is a bit nicer looking car , but the Fairlane is larger, and as a result probably makes it more of a luxury car in most people's eyes. I know from driving Fords they certainly have a nice ride quality. One thing Iv'e noticed lately, is that the Australian versions of sixties and seventies American cars , were fitted with lap and sash seatbelts ( or just sash), whereas in America they seemed to be happy with just lap belts. I'm not a big fan of just lap belts , they're not particularly safe.
@@barrycuda3769 Yes, lap sash is definitely the way to go. Many Americans in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s would not even wear belts. In Australia I think,by 1974, seat belt use was pretty much 100%. 👍
@@markbehr88 Have you seen the Autotopia LA , UA-cam channel video in which they crashed a Mercury Comet , fitted with only lap belts , and the passenger face planted the dashboard? , it showed how effective lap belts are.
@@markbehr88 The other thing too is that lap/sash seatbelts were an ADR compulsory item for all cars sold in Australia, from 1/1/70 onwards & many manufacturers like Holden had them as factory standard from 1966 onwards.
The ZC Fairlane was nice, Mark. Am I mistaken or is that Oliver's Hill, Frankston that the cars are going up at 15:20? Graham Kennedy's place was just at the start of the hill, though I think that may be long gone.
Again a great video Mark. One question, in the ZC sales brochure 2 pages after the powertrain availability list, there is a pic of a T-bar floor shift without a console (similar to an XT GT auto). Was this what you got if you ordered the T-bar & the console was an extra option ? I've never seen one without a console in the flesh. Also I think it is worth mentioning the the front styling of the ZC/ZD not only mimics the Galaxies of the era, but is much more like the US Fairlanes of the era, the look is very similar. After all, this is where the rear panels were sourced. The US Falcons & Fairlanes (& Mustangs) were all built is the same basic platform.
@@terrybebbington3032Thanks. The T Bar console is not depicted in the brochure (it is in ZD) I think you are right though in terms of a console as I can’t remember seeing one without - but it has been a few years. Yes, the US Fairlane also had this front until 1967 but the Ford designers specifically were after a Galaxie look with the ZC and ZD. 👍
@@markbehr88 On further reading it gets a mention on the back page under options. It says that the "centre sports console" was an option with a floor shift & bucket seats but only for the Custom. Maybe it was standard if you ordered a T-bar in a Fairlane 500.
Recessed door handles were also a safety feature in side swipe they wont be ripped off maintaining their integrity for emergency first responder or occupant to egress if able to i think they could have been mandatory safety feature as more such things were gradually introduced into car design
When I sold Fords for a large part of my life I remember a Fairlane we termed as the 'compact model', I never sold one but recall they had very heavy steering and a hard brake pedal, which one am I speaking of?
We must be talking about different fairlanes , unless there was a version without power steering ? ( Maybe power steering was an option on the 6 cylinder version ? ) I've driven a few over the years and all the ones I drove had power steering , and the power steered models where nice and light .
Did they ever make a fairlane 500 wagon? I remember almost buying a black one for $200 in Tasmania but can't quite remember if it was a wagon. Regret #244, lol
My least favourite Fairlane tbh, by quite a margin. Likely coz as a kid I thought they were ugly as compared to our ZB 302. _[thanks btw Mark!]_ Didn't pull a Millard/Viscount/Quintrex any better than our ZB as far as I could tell & that styling drove me off for life. But if I saw one for the first time now...I'd still hate it lol. Just not for me Cheers Mark.
@@UncleJoeLITE Fair enough. I am sure if you drove a 351 version you would be very impressed with the power. My brother also had a white ZB. Lovely car but the 351 ZC had a lot more go. 👍
@@markbehr88 👍 But as a kid, the 302 seemed plenty fast, I really couldn't tell the difference riding in a ZC. I'm not even sure I'd like the extra power, this a big, very basic rwd car & I'm a fwd guy. My brother's I6 XB was scary enough for me when I grew up! That thing was sketchy as in the wet. All the best with growing the channel, you offer something different to other car guys. 6k of real subs is good work. _ps: you may as well 'like' every comment for the algorithm! I scroll down & 'like' everything here._
@@markbehr88 4door mustang aint no mustang i think mustangs high point was steve McQueens bullitt although him smoking the tyres truth is props put smoke grenades under rear wheel arches
Never late with a 5.8 interesting these were available with manuals would be very rare like you say your not buying a luxo barge to change gears your self
@@JimmyShields-z2h I haven’t seen the Navigator. Lincolns are actually my favourite cars as I have Mark 111, IV’s, V’s, VI’s, VII and VIII’s plus Continentals and Town Cars but since Lincoln no longer make cars - just SUVs, my interest is very low. 👍
Here is Part 3 of my Ford Fairlane History Series - the ZC Fairlane. Please be sure to check out the ZA and ZB Fairlane episode. In this episode we cover one of my all time favourite Fairlanes - the ZC. Please Subscribe and give the episode a Like 👍. It doesn’t cost a thing and will help the channel. Thanks for watching. 👍
South african export market would have been finnished when anti aparthied campagin kicked off with embargoes on white regime ?
Did fairlanes drive handle roadholding differ much over falcon.
@@Eric-kn4yn Definitely a better ride and with power steering a better drive depending on what you were after? Obviously a GT was more performance focussed and lighter plus tighter suspension but ride suffered. 👍
So good i watch them x2 👍.
@@Eric-kn4yn Thanks Eric! 👍
Great story for the ZC Fairlane...our workshop cleaner Lenny had such a car ...light blue with 351Windsor 4 speed from new...once being stolen by thieves the word soon got out to our tow trucks...it was spotted running through a large carpark where the chase was on...the towy was able to hook the f100 front bar into the Fairlanes back bar...stopping the car and the thieves running off...Old Lenny got his beloved Fairlane back with little damage !
wow great story
2001 i was working in a mechanical workshop in Glen Waverley Melbourne,i managed the tyre side of the business ,i was on my way to Camberwell to pick up a job when my boss asked me to jump start a ladies car in East Malvern ,i arrived and she told me it was her late husbands ol Ford,under a tree in front yard with a heavy duty tarp on it ,i peeled back the canvas and a straight ZC Fairlane appeared with all the goodness 351W FMX 9 INCH out back .interior spot on ,grabbed a set of jump leads .squirt of petrol down the carb 28 seconds it roared to life ,she said she wants it off the property and would i be interested as i was drooling over the bonnet ,i said YES but i wanted her to give me a number she would be comfortable with ,she said she will speak to her grandson and i was to call back in morning ,i didnt sleep and turned up 9am for her to tell me her grandson said dont accept anything under 30K ,this was 2001 ,i betch she still has it under that wattle tree in East Malvern
@@Tonyclifton-q4f Shame they wanted asteroid prices for it. Silly Grandson, probably knew jack s about the values. 😒
Having grown up in the late 1960's & early seventies, the cars that impressed me most were, Fairlanes. Compared to what was common on Australian roads at the time, & what I was chauffeured around in then: i.e. Austin's, Humber's, Morris's, EH Holden's, early Falcon's. A standout moment when we went cruising in a Real Estate agent's, ZB Fairlane. Pure luxury, with silky smooth ride & comfort. The other standout feature of Fairlanes; having driven a ZC Fairlane in 1980, I never felt fatigued after a long trip; compared to it's counterparts.
@@sysmith9910 Yes great cars and the real estate agent’s best friend back in the day. 👍
My father had one. It was magnificent. I got to drive it a few times. I was underage but it was an amazing experience for a young fella.
@@blackburneflw Good on you. 👍
I've been privileged to have owned two Fairlanes (so far): a green ZL, which was just a delight to drive; and an NC2 Ghia V8 in blue with all the bells and whistles and was an absolute peach.
I left the NC at my brother's place to keep the battery charged while I was overseas on holiday. My sister-in-law drove her to work and was used to driving their Renault Fuego. Pitching the Fairlane into roundabouts and corners as if it was the Renault almost made her seasick, she reckoned!
@@Your.Uncle.AngMoh She just needs to learn how to cruise in the Fairlane rather than shooting through roundabouts 👍😀
Glad the door handles were the type they were , reliable and easy to use and mega strong
True. Some of those early recessed handles broke easily. 👍
@markbehr88. valiant flush fit from VH onwards were diecast snapped after much use cheap nasty design.
@@Eric-kn4yn The Ford ones could break too although my 72 Galaxie LTD handles are still perfect. 👍
Love the ZC, real tough looking.
@@H8_George_Soros 100% Agree with you. 👍
Dad had the ZC with a 351 said it went well and should never have sold it 😢
@@thebigw3377 Yes, same with my brother’s one. Terrific car. 👍
Great series Mark. The Fairlanes and LTDs are a bit mysterious in the 'Falcon' history. I'm really looking forward to some of the newer series. I wonder/hope you might have some developmental images and conceptual images.I was absolutely chuffed to see your note on the Chrysler V.I.P. which showed a beautiful last sitting regally in the back seat. That was my Mum! Made my day. Keep up the fantastic work buddy. Cheers, Mark
"beautiful lady"
@@BadHairDayBezerk Really. Wow. Very cool. Glad you like the series. 👍
@@markbehr88 I work with a fella named Malcolm Miller who was marketing manager (?) of Chrysler back in the day. A wealth of knowledge. I send him links to all your stuff. Some of the stories.... you should look him up as these fellas are getting on, and have all the good goss!!
The segment you did on export (Jap) Chargers. Did you know if they failed the spec test, they were given to staff as 6 month cars, then on sold. That kind of thing. He commissioned that weird early 80's Arcadipane-designed turbo Sigma too. We work in Edwardstown in Adelaide, and he can recount so many stories of what local shop did what to make certain models, especially the racers... just that bit more effective, yet look stock.
@@BadHairDayBezerk Thanks. You can send him my email address mjbehr@yahoo.com.au
👍
It’s a very detailed and interesting car design everywhere you look you discover new things I’m a full on Ford guy and I have never noticed the fins.
I would watch a full detailed series on the resto of that car, and I think many others would as well!!
@@tonxbezzina7015 Thanks
Glad you liked it. Stay tuned. 👍
In the US, most Ford models had moved on from stacked headlights by 1968. The US Fords of that year more resembled what we wouldn't get until the 1972 XA and ZF Fairlane.
If you look at an image of a 1968 Mercury Marquis, it's frontal treatment is a spitting image of the ZH Fairlane we didn't get until 1976!
Back then, we were years behind stateside offerings.
Yes, that’s correct although they made a comeback on 1977 Dodge Monaco, 1977 Ford LTD 11 and others. 👍
Another stellar production Mark,
Such great cars
Fantastic images of the contemporary mock ups of the interiors and exteriors that we cannot easily get anywhere else.
I haven't seen interior mock ups like you include in this video before.
I note the clear depiction of the cars being shod with Dunlop Aquajet radials that shows at 2:38 and 7:30,
they were all the rage in the day.
I once saw a Custom with the 3.6 and four speed floor shift a guy had near the Cheetham salt works down at Geelong,
I couldn't believe that they made a 6 cylinder Fairlane!
Hints that there is another video entirely devoted to the underrated Valiant VIP?
Thanks again Mark.
Love your work.
@@nkelly.9 Thanks very much. I source some of those through my friend at Retroautos. I’ll certainly do the VIPs in due course too. 👍
My dad bought a 302 ZC 500 in 1990, then parked it in shed in 1994. It's still there.
@@derekhobbs1102 Still in good condition? What colour is it?🤔👍
Needs a resto, polar white, burgundy interior, but that was redone in Commodore rib previously. Was parked because it needed too much mechanical work to survive planned interstate trip.
@@derekhobbs1102 Worth fixing up for sure. 👍
Thanks Mark, old memories come back. I think the Fairlane Custom with a six was the "teaser" offer for the Govt/Hire car fleets. Back in the day if you were a certain level/rank in the public service you could book a Commonwealth car (generally black with a Z number plate) with driver, to transport you on official business. My father worked for the Post- Master General's department ("PMG"), the predecessor to Telstra/Australia Post, and on rare occasions such a car would turn up at home to pick him up It was rare enough for me to recall the event of a car like the ZC waiting outside our modest '50's brick veneer home.
My father must have reflected on the times changing, as he started at the age of 14 years as a telegram boy at the Nhill Post Office, but of course he never said anything!
Good old Nhill , I used to stop in the roadhouse every day 😊.
@@nhilltiger Small world. My dad was a draftsman at the PMG, later Telstra. 👍
Ha! My dad worked at nhill pmg doing the mail deliveries, filling in on the switchboard sometimes, and my mum even worked at Fischer Ford when a few GT's went out the door!!
@@onedayiwillmakesomecontent cool hey!
@@onedayiwillmakesomecontent
Another great vid Mark, love it.
Thanks very much. 👍
My Dad purchased a ZC Fairlane new from Stilwell Ford, Kew in Melbourne. Was a Custom with a 302. Ah, the days when you could buy a car made in your home town! Thanks for posting images I had never seen before. Me and my siblings all got photographed in front of it at some time. Lots of memories of that car. The Super Fringe push button radio for one. I still check Car Sales regularly to see if any are for sale. You “nailed” those details like the placement of the 351 and V8 badges! With 20/20 hindsight I could have got some more pics for your video. I purchased an XW Falcon in 1982. I have a genuine Ford workshop manual which covers the Fairlane, Falcon 500 and the GT. The old Ford dealership is now an annexe of the school next door, though some of the old infrastructure is still visible.
Hey David got the same manual but for XYs probably bought it same year as you
Thanks very much. Glad you liked it. Great days. Great cars. 👍
Another great video Mark..The cars... The memories...The journey...And the making of great friends along the way ...if i went back in time i wouldnt change a thing !!! Cheers.😁👍
@@romemancer7905 Yes, me too. Except knowing the lotto numbers. 😀👍
This one got you a new sub. When I was a kid in the late 70's early 80's, there a was a guy across the road from my house that owned a ZC. It was white and he drove it maybe twice a month if that....to this day, I can still hear the muffled adult conversation whenever it came out of his purpose built garage in his tiny backyard..." How can he afford a car like that? He must sell drugs, He is Lebanese after all...." TRUE unadulterated Australian JEALOUSY and RACISM in one sentence right there.....over a car. These were MY childhood role models we're talking about, I'm glad their racism and bigotry stopped with them, I was friends with the guy's kids, we used to do what boys did at 12 years old BEFORE the home PC existed....I have the expunged police record to prove it...and still NO IDEA what the guy did for a crust....
@@bitemykrank1970 Thanks for the sub and glad it evoked some childhood memories. 👍
I was in year 10 at school when these cars were around. The kids who loved cars used to worship the ones with the 351 badge. I remember being in the train with a friend and we saw one with the 351 badge. He got quite excited! Apparently they were cheaper to insure than a GT, with similar performance.
@@kimjones5783 They probably were cheaper to insure as the risk with the average Fairlane owner would be much cheaper. 👍
Really enjoyed this. I was never much of a fan of this era Ford or Holden, but as a car obsessed kid from the very early 80s, I spent a lot of time “car-spotting” the different details, working out how to tell the different models, and reading back issues out of my Dad’s car magazine collection. This era of car was everywhere. We had a family friend with a rough ZC 6 cylinder. I remember thinking how huge it was in the back seat. The front end always squeaked coming into our driveway, and the black paint was already stuffed at only 10-12 years of age. I remember my dad telling me about the “red Z” government Fairlanes in NSW, and noted other comments on here about the PMG in VIC doing the same. He didn’t have many compliments for them, and recounted the story several times over the years from when he had to do a work trip with a colleague to drop a new one off to a regional area somewhere, and it broke down twice between Sydney and Goulburn, and lost the speedo before it got to the destination.
I wrongly thought for a while that this era of fairlane wasn’t special, because I was comparing that family friend’s basic spec ZC with other family and school friends who had 302 V8 XW/XY sedans and wagons, with nicer interiors. The Brougham across the road, from the same era, had power windows, and seemed far more luxurious!
I never knew the 351 in these was the 4 barrel, but that does explain why they were so sought after in the 80s to “donate” running gear for GT mockups.
Thanks. Glad you liked it. As I mentioned in the episode, my brother’s 351 was a terrific car. Really good to drive. Comfortable, easy to handle and went hard. And looked good doing it. 👍
I bought a 1969 ZC Fairlane sitting behind a car yard in 1986. It was a Fairlane Custom - 351 Windsor, column shift FMX and the 9" diff....bench seat, no A/C or Power steer...and no vinyl roof. It was the base model , but with all the 351 running gear. Someone ripped off the Autolite 4 barrel carby. I paid $600 for it
@@Darrell-t9g What a bargain!
Hi mark loved your story on the zc fairlane. My parents uses too have a diamond white black trim 351 windsor v8. Ps I have seen a polo white with a burgundy painted roof zc fairlane with a 351 cleveland. I found out between September to November of 1970 the last lot of zc fairlanes where fitted with a 351 cleveland. From the factory. Cheers 👌
Thanks very much. 👍
Very interesting. I'm looking forward to the ZD story.
@@bossdog1480 Thanks. Glad you liked it. 👍
Looking forward to listening/ watching this particular,reasons being I remember my grazier grandfather Walgett NSW from memory had this vehicle, unsure if was 69-70-71. I have lived here since 1982, originally from Boston USA. He passed 1976, on a family visit 1974, he had this. In visit 1968, he had the 65 or 66 Galaxie. Both automatic transmission I'm sure. As I say, these memories are main reason why I like your channel. The Australian Chrysler vehicles are also interesting, in their relation & evolution from their North American origins. Thank you again for your channel, taking the time to explain the history's of these,& the others too,which over time I'll also check out segments
@@PaulBartlett-jz4bg Thanks very much. I am glad you enjoy them. It’s amazing how cars can evoke those great memories of family and friends. 👍
Yes, I see his could have even been a '72, with the vertical headlights,then the look changed in the year after that, interesting
@@PaulBartlett-jz4bg Yes, I will be doing the ZD next. 👍
Yes,& according to what you indicated, that 65-66 Galaxie in Australia,may have been into early 1967. As you know, that had already changed in North America,for the 1967 model(s)
@@PaulBartlett-jz4bg The gold one I showed in the episode was the Australian 1967 Galaxie but also the US model. The difference being we sold it right through 1967 whereas in September 1967 the US market received the 1968 model (which we also received in 1968 but only with the Galaxie 500 front and not the lovely concealed headlight LTD you got). I liked that 1968 LTD so much I imported a gold Brougham. 👍
ZD chapter.......... don't forget Slim Dusty and ol purple! 💜🤠👍
I already have the pics, so you can go and have a drink with Duncan. 😀👍
my late dad bought his first fairlane a 64 compact 500, i still have the original invoice for this car, and he owned every new model fairlane that came out, to the very last fairlane that was produced before he passed, so i grew up with all these cars
@@jack-nn2km ayes, many Fairlane owners had multiple models over the years. Even the TV ads depicted this. 👍
Keep it coming. I love how in depth you go with these.
@@joellamoureux7914 Thanks very much. 👍
My Dad bought one new, bright orange with white roof trim, white leather upholstery and a 351 with T-bar auto. Roh mags with the red stripes and an 8 track! It was a special order job. What a car it was.
@@planet43 Sounds like a great car. A ZD I am betting? I have actually seen such a car in Sydney years ago. 👍
Fantastic presentation.
Great work.
Thanks very much. 👍
Thank you Mark. Jack Telanack was on his game back then. That is interesting to know. As you know he went on the make Ford the world beater in the 80's and 90's. The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable came out under his watch and he created that 80's Ford look for the North American cars. The front of this Fairlane looks like a Mercury Comet and the 1965 Galaxie 500 and LTD. I smiled when I saw Holden Brougham. Ford was winning the race. The VIP in the United States was a Plymouth and different. I liked the design proposals. I wished they had used flush door handles. Eventually they did. The ones with the skirted rear wheels looked interesting. That theme really took off in the United States. The intereior design proposals are interesting as they were front bench seats. The instrumentation cluster is interesting too. You do a great job explaining and sharing. The length is still not 200 plus inches yet. It is still the length of a downsized GM car from the 80's. The wheelbase and width are fulllsized. Thank you for sharing the South African Ford Fairlane.
@@OLDS98 Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Both Jack Telnack and Brian Rossi were great designers. I do own quite a few Telnack designed US cars including my 79 Cobra Mustang and the 86 Thunderbird. He had a big influence on the industry for sure. I like the rear spats on my 76 Grand Marquis, because it has the length, however, our Fairlane was too small for that treatment in my view? 👍
@@markbehr88 The series keeps getting interesting by the video. You keep doing what you are doing. Oh, Jack Telnack's influence runs deep at Ford and he carried Ford for quite sometime when GM was faltering in the United States. I did not know you owned a 1976 Mercury Grand Marquis. That was one of the Grand Marquis I like. It was the 1975-1978 era. I liked other eras also. Still no power windows and seats on the Fairlane yet I see. I do understand about the Fairlane not having skirted wheels because of the length. It makes complete sense. I sent you a video on your other recent video about the plans Ford has to introduce a 4 door Mustang to compete in the Dodge Charger space: ua-cam.com/video/MTw-TKDZoHc/v-deo.html
@@OLDS98 Yes, I have a silver 76 Grand Marquis 4 door pillared hardtop in silver and a 77 model in Chocolate brown and a 78 cream Colony Park wagon. I really love the look of those cars. Very handsome. I did an episode a while back on the wagon as I drove that one across America. Thanks for the video. I will check it out but I already know a four door Mustang is a really really bad idea. It shows a complete lack of understanding of both the car industry and brand. 🫣
@@markbehr88 I recall the Colony Park wagon video. You drove iot across the United States. You have a valid point on the understanding of the market. GM and Ford and Stellantis have issues there. GM has three brands that should not be dead( Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Holden) Ford has no sedans in the United States, but has Taurus in The Middle East and China and a Lincoln Zephyr in China and Stellantis is killing Chrysler and Dodge by the day right now. What if Ford used that Mustang platform and and made a new Falcon on that platform and sold it globally?
@@OLDS98 My issue is the use of the Mustang name. They are just diluting it. For example the Mustang Mach E (sales flop and not lunching off Mustang nameplate as it is a different market) should have been called simply Mach E and lose the horse logos and probably the rear tail lights. Just make it the Mach E. If they are planning a four door that will be another mistake. Don’t use Mustang themes. By all means make a sporty sedan although I am not sure who will buy it as Kia made the very good looking Stinger and could not make a go of it globally, even with twin turbo and four wheel drive. If they do release such a car then call it the Mach 4 (if it is a four door) or something like that but not Mustang. Same for GM wanting to do a Corvette SUV. They all must be reading the book “How to destroy your brand in five easy lessons”. 🫣
Great work Mark, I am loving the Fairlane history. My Grandfather part owned a Ford dealership is the 1960's, he had a maybe 65 or 66 Galaxy painted Coral Pink at the request of his second wife. I was about 9 yo and cleaned for 20p, it took ages. I also owned a ZJ 351, but I'll tell you about that when you get up that that series. Cant wait. Regards.
Thanks very much. Glad you are enjoying them. Love a ZJ. I have a 302 ZK. 👍
I love the way you do your videos cool as looking forward to more
@@michaelbyrnes7944 Thanks very much 👍
They where a really nice highway cruiser the old fairlanes , they had really nice power steering too .
I've got a feeling they still had the old style power steering with a hydraulic ram attached to the drag link .
@@mikldude9376 Yes that model does. The ZD gets the better steering. 👍
My parents got given my grandparents ZD. Immaculate, had it for many, many rears. Mexican 302W. Went HARD for what it was.
Lucky them. What colour? 👍
Liked your commentary on the Fairlane.
Remember reading about Fairlanes with the big V8 and manual transmission a few years on a similar channel to yours.
Thanks for your work.
@@JamieSaunders-yn9nu Pleasure. Glad you liked it 👍
The ZC and ZDs were my favourite Fairlanes loved the look of them. My dads mate owned a ZC 351 when i was young and i was fascinated with it.
@@chuckselvage3157 Yes. Terrific looking cars. 👍
Hi Mark, good news on your 6000 subscribers. I like the look of the ZC 5.8 V8 4-speed manual I bet it was a bit of a beast. I like these cars, when I was younger watching American programs and the cops using these cars black cars with white doors. I did not know this car was in South Africa as well. As always a great video take care
@@shaun30-3-mg9zs Thanks Shaun. Yes, what a beast. 👍
@@markbehr88any idea on number of said 351 manual ZC's , would have thought not many over 1 ! I seem to recall as an apprentice at Melford Sth Melb Division , a certain jockey , had his car there for service , supposedly a 500 , 351 manual .
@@robertmorris6529 One of our Subscribers said 26 Fairlane 500 and 1 Custom. 👍
Great channel Mark. Very enjoyable. To answer your questions, there were 1366 ZC Custom models of the 12513 total production. The 351 4 speed manuals - there were 26 produced in the 500 series, and only one in the Custom series, so very rare!
Thanks very much. I thought the Custom would be low volume. Gee, great to get the production numbers for the 351 manuals too. I wonder if that single Custom was just initial allocation stock as factories normally build at least one of every model and option? 🤔👍
great review i owned a custom , bench seat columm auto and 302 two barrel fantastic car
Thanks very much. Cool car. 👍
Another great video to watch Mark and thanks for sharing it. I had absolutely no idea that manual Fairlane's were available until now that is. It looks like Chrysler were much more serious in their effort to have a go at the Fairlane than Holden was. Around the mid seventies I worked with a bloke who had a VF VIP. It had some serious rust issues though. That padded vinyl roof was apparently added to hide the weld marks from the extended roof line and smaller rear window, the perfect home for rust to get comfy in.
@@area51isreal71 Thanks very much. If you add up VIP sales they actually outsold Brougham sales - so you are right, Chrysler did do a better job going up against Fairlane. Fairlane sold 3 times the opposition though. 👍
@@markbehr88 i had a VF VIP 318 yes padded vinyl roof maybe to reduce road noise power steering was overkill but V8 sound was fantastic.
@@Eric-kn4yn They extended the wheelbase and roof so the vinyl also would cover that too. Nice car. 👍
Mark, where do you find these Gems? oh my gosh, I love this Ford Fairlane ZC. Great video review, I am a Ford Nutt, so I am biased. Lol, THAK YOU FOR POSTING.
@@commandertopgun Thanks. Glad you enjoy the episodes. 👍
Another awesome video Mark, full of facts.
Thanks very much. 👍
The ZC is my favourite as well, I think Slim Dusty even had one..
@@johnphillips519 Yes. Cool cars. Definitely in my Top 3. I thought Slim’s was a Wild Violet ZD? 🤔👍
Yes,as per the prior mention of my memory of the ZD Fairlane on my 1974 visit, earlier this year we were @ the SD Museum in South Kempsey NSW, sure enough the famous purple,yes,' 71 ZD Fairlane is there,auto on the column. My memory is faint ,re: '74 visit per my grandfathers vehicle, but did these also have auto floor shift? Cheers
@@markbehr88 Beg my pardon i could be wrong
@@PaulBartlett-jz4bg Yes, you could get a t bar auto floor shift as an option. 👍
@@johnphillips519 If you look at my Coming Soon ZD Fairlane in the Community section, you’ll see a picture of Slim’s ZD. 👍
Another great video mark
Zc Zd I always wanted one
I did look at one ZD white with black roof 351 Cleveland and the guy wanted ten grand for it
I think it was around late nineties or early 2000 s but I didn’t have that sort of money back then
It was a good price but I was just a poor working man with small children and a mortgage so no car money 😢😢
@@davidbarnsley8486 Thanks very much. $10k was a bit of money back then for sure. 👍
This was the only car I wanted when I was about 16. I could have bought a second hand one pretty cheaply too, at the time (early 90's). Always loved the vertical headlights and American styling. 1969 was a good year for cars!
@@danozism Yes they were a really good package and as you say, there were a lot of good looking cars in 1969. 👍
This made me appreciate the model even if I don't go for the front end style. The rear, however is nice although reminds me of the Holden Brougham.
@@jamesfrench7299 I’m glad you enjoyed it. As I said in the video, this ZC model is in my Top 3 Best Fairlanes. 👍
I absolutely agree, except I'd argue that every aspect of style was a backward step from the ZB. Cheers from Canberra.
@@UncleJoeLITE Fair enough. The ZA and ZB were less “in your face” if that makes sense? 🤔
@@markbehr88 and had a far nicer face.
@@jamesfrench7299 To some. 😀
Doing a restomod us 66 Fairlane. 2 dr. hardtop. Going with a Coyote, 2.6 tvs and Tremec magnum 6 speed. Thanks for the video.
@@cjespers Wow. Sounds cool. 😎
Interesting to see at the 2:11 mark the RHD fair lane has LHD wipers
@@darrenvictoriathornhill1170 I didn’t notice that?
Awesome mate, 547 liked
Thanks. 👍👍
One of my first memories of the fairlane is the ZC, the vertical headlights are a great feature
@@biastv1234 Agree. Great cars. 👍
Vertical Headlights also called ' stacked quads '.
@@herbnalis3723 That’s right. 👍
Certainly a nice Ford but I reckon the 67 Fairlane was a better looker . 👍🏻. But I will say the VIP interior was way ahead of Ford . Having the floor shift set it apart and the seat trim was beautiful . Gotta love a none smog 318 Mopar . Even so both are nice cars .👍🏻🇦🇺✌️.
@@brianandglendaharkin9457 Yes, both nice cars. Performance wise the Chrysler was closer to the 302 I reckon. The 351 was in another league. 👍
I bought a Reef Green 351 ZC Custom 500 from a car yard for next to nothing that had new plugs ,carby kit new leads/points but ran & knocked badly on spotting the errant white timing mark being 10 degrees ATDC instead of BTDC Tongue in cheek the deal was done! 1/2 hr later & Turning the Dizzy back to 10 deg. Before Top Dead Centre it ran like a swiss watch--A brilliant car to drive with plenty of grunt if needed! What a Steal LOL!!
Well bought and a great colour. 👍
I never knew about the GT heart ❤️ in this car or the 4 speed manual option 😮 I thought the ZB was the pimp one 🎉
@@michaelbyrnes7944 It’s definitely the ZC. It was not offered on the following ZD (high compression 351) although you could still buy a 351 but not as powerful. 👍
Thanks Mark top stuff. Wouldn't a 351 4 speed one of those be a ripper? Oh well, keep on dreaming. Cheers.
@@slepper98 Thanks. Yes. Amazing. Or any 351 version really. 👍
"The Fairlane still significantly outsold it and I'll go into a few reasons why"
I mean, just look at it! This is by far my favourite looking Fairlane for much the same reason that the XW is up there for my favourite Falcons. It just looks so muscular and for the Fairlane, vertical headlights have always been a weakness of mine
@@MuscleCarLover Agree. 👍
Mark, you've done it again. How beautiful are these cars? With the 351 4v, would have taken some serious effort to stop from 100MPH! I'd love on of these for a project car.
100mph how about 120+ mph speak to allan moffat about that
@@coalfacechris1336 Agree. Terrific cars. 👍
@@Eric-kn4yn Moffat?
@@Eric-kn4yn Moff said in an interview braking in the big Fords was an option.
True enough at those speeds on those tracks. 👍
I bought that Galaxie for 500 bucks. Didn't run. Swapped out the Autolite carb and it ran. As I was reversing out the diff started cluncking. Had a locker. Had to be careful with grippy tires. Axles weren't cheap
@@royferntorp You mean the gold 69 with the red interior?
I have a ZC that is almost ready to hit the road. It is in Grecian Gold which is the original colour, and it is appropriate colour for the amount of $'s that is has eaten up! It was an original numbers cars but I sold the engine ect, it is now running a 302 roller bottom with Cleveland heads and a nice Ford SVO cam, this coupled to a T5 and 9" disc brake rear .
Great colour for the ZC. My brother’s favourite. 👍
Love your series as I am a beloved ford fan. I was looking to buy a ZD and I know you haven't covered them yet and it had a 4 speed top loader in it and I thought why would you had put that in that car so now I'm wondering if this may have been an option back then, I know I can google it but I'm going to wait until you do the story on the ZD.
Thanks very much. Glad you like them. ZD coming up next. 👍
Google translate says that the South African one only got a 2 barrel V8, for 250hp 351ci.
I am rescuing a NF/NL Fairlane this Friday (not even 100% sure which model yet!) It is a 6cyl on gas, out of gas, with a fried fuel pump. Getting it towed to the servo to put some lpg in and hopefully she lives. It will compliment my rescued 97 NL Concorde 6 cylinder Fairlane and my work in progress 71 ZD Fairlane Custom 250ci 6 cyl. And my 2003 BA Factory LPG ex telstra wagon.
I have a problem! 😂
@@onedayiwillmakesomecontent Makes sense. I noted the lower power. Maybe they had lousy fuel there? Good luck with the Fairlane. Another one saved! 😀👍
Great work keeping those old girls running.
@@twentyrothmans7308 👍
These had great visibility. Especially compared to new cars.
For sure. 👍
A blind person has great visibility compared to a modern car.
😀
Something weird going on with UA-cam Mark ( there's a first😂) , I watched your model T video which came up on the algorithm, and tried to give it a thumbs up ( love the model T by the way ) , it would not allow me to give a thumbs up , I tried to reload the video on my phone instead of the idiot box , and I cannot for the life of me bring up the model T video again .
Maybe it's just my end I dunno , just thought I'd let you know anyway .
@@mikldude9376 Hi. Thanks. I am trying to reload it. It had copyright free music and I got pinged for the music even though it was clearly fine. So, I had to delete it and reload with different music. If they ping it again I will delete that whole section 👍
Always love the fairlane in this model but Zd was my favourite , i had my brougham for 21 years and desired to put a Zd beside it but life changed
One thing I loved about the ZD was the hubcaps. I’ll get into where they came from when I do the episode. I also liked the grille and the rear decor trim. 👍
This model of fairlane came out the same year that I turned 1 yr old,1969
@@StephenMacDonald-o2l Those were the days! 👍
G'day Mark,
Another top notch quality video.
I presume it was a Windsor V8 did they go into Cleveland V8 like the XW Phase 1.5 or 2 during the XW run.
With 290 hp was LSD a option for the arse end ?
They really looked the part the ZC being a Fairlane were they riding on 15 inch wheel or still 14 inch.
Keep the videos coming.
Cheers
Louis Kats 👍
@@louiskats5116 Thanks Louis. The ZC had 14” wheels, regardless of model. Radials were an option but standard on the 351. No limited slip diff was available. In terms of the engine, I can only find Windsor references so potentially they ran the Windsors out in these? I will need to look further into that or if anyone else has info on that? 👍
@@markbehr88 I beg to differ mark. AFAIK all 351 ZDs had the Ford 9-inch 4-pinion LSD as standard.
Forgot add, I believe that when they ran out of 351 Windsors in April 1970, from then onwards they fitted a 351 2V Cleveland V8 if you optioned the 351 in a ZC Fairlane. Very few were built. In ZD the 351 2V Clevo was the option.
@@terrybebbington3032 It is not listed in the specifications or options?
That’s interesting as I am sure I have seen 302 Windsor ZD’s. It does make sense given the transition to Cleveland but the Falcon GT would have taken priority there and I am sure that Ford would have been happy to run out the Windsors in the Fairlanes as that buyer would not really care one way or the other. 🤔👍
In North America, I'd have been happy if they kept the 1966 body for several more years, if we could have gotten the drastically better Australian interiors.
@@alanblanes2876 Fair enough. 👍
I assume you will do a video on the landau?
@@ThepigfromthepotYes for sure. There are a couple of short videos on the channel.
My dad had one of these in the mid 90s, zc 500 with a 302, regrets getting rid of it to this day 😢
Yes, I’m sorry my brother sold his 351 example. 😢
@markbehr88 yeah, the ones that got away
@@Nigel_noongar78 Yes, I have had a few of those but not so many in the last 15 years. 👍
290HP is appealing, compared to the VIP'S 230 HP . I personally think the VIP is a bit nicer looking car , but the Fairlane is larger, and as a result probably makes it more of a luxury car in most people's eyes. I know from driving Fords they certainly have a nice ride quality. One thing Iv'e noticed lately, is that the Australian versions of sixties and seventies American cars , were fitted with lap and sash seatbelts ( or just sash), whereas in America they seemed to be happy with just lap belts. I'm not a big fan of just lap belts , they're not particularly safe.
@@barrycuda3769 Yes, lap sash is definitely the way to go. Many Americans in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s would not even wear belts. In Australia I think,by 1974, seat belt use was pretty much 100%. 👍
@@markbehr88 Have you seen the Autotopia LA , UA-cam channel video in which they crashed a Mercury Comet , fitted with only lap belts , and the passenger face planted the dashboard? , it showed how effective lap belts are.
@@barrycuda3769 I haven’t seen it but it sounds like what you’d expect. Still, probably better than being ejected through the windshield? 🤔
@@markbehr88 The other thing too is that lap/sash seatbelts were an ADR compulsory item for all cars sold in Australia, from 1/1/70 onwards & many manufacturers like Holden had them as factory standard from 1966 onwards.
@@markbehr88bullit is example when the bad guys buckel up lap belts & the fun starts but it wouldnt have saved them from that spin out.
The ZC Fairlane was nice, Mark. Am I mistaken or is that Oliver's Hill, Frankston that the cars are going up at 15:20? Graham Kennedy's place was just at the start of the hill, though I think that may be long gone.
Yes, I put a note on the screen where the XW ute and Surfer Roo are driving up the hill. 👍
@@markbehr88 👍Sadly, the guys wouldn't be allowed to ride in the back of the ute these days.
@@chrisweeks6973 Probably wise. 🤔
Again a great video Mark. One question, in the ZC sales brochure 2 pages after the powertrain availability list, there is a pic of a T-bar floor shift without a console (similar to an XT GT auto). Was this what you got if you ordered the T-bar & the console was an extra option ? I've never seen one without a console in the flesh. Also I think it is worth mentioning the the front styling of the ZC/ZD not only mimics the Galaxies of the era, but is much more like the US Fairlanes of the era, the look is very similar. After all, this is where the rear panels were sourced. The US Falcons & Fairlanes (& Mustangs) were all built is the same basic platform.
@@terrybebbington3032Thanks. The T Bar console is not depicted in the brochure (it is in ZD) I think you are right though in terms of a console as I can’t remember seeing one without - but it has been a few years. Yes, the US Fairlane also had this front until 1967 but the Ford designers specifically were after a Galaxie look with the ZC and ZD. 👍
@@markbehr88 On further reading it gets a mention on the back page under options. It says that the "centre sports console" was an option with a floor shift & bucket seats but only for the Custom. Maybe it was standard if you ordered a T-bar in a Fairlane 500.
@@terrybebbington3032 Could be? Makes sense. 👍
It really was the first of the 'Lincoln Type Design'.
@@royferntorp Well, maybe GTD. Galaxie Type Design? 🤔👍
@@markbehr88 You are right there. I didn't think of that. Even though for a brief period I drove a 69 Galaxie with the FE 390. Was not a good car
Really? I have a black with red interior 1970 Galaxie 390 and love it. I would really like to get a 69 model too. 👍
Mine was all black interior. Not a performance car. My TG Cortina was actually faster. Cruising the Perth circuit in that thing was fun.
@@royferntorp Good in a straight line though and a wonderful cruiser. 👍
Hi Mark. Great series of videos. Even though you worked for Holden who in your opinion made the better and more robust car ? Ford, Holden or Valiant?
@@koulouri-o8161 Thanks. Hard question as a lot of variables. Taxi owners always favoured Fords. I’ll say Chrysler Engine, Holden Body, Ford Styling!
Easily the best looking car in its class at the time. Still a great looking car today. Would have been great with the GT motor!
@@MitchTube For sure. 👍
Recessed door handles were also a safety feature in side swipe they wont be ripped off maintaining their integrity for emergency first responder or occupant to egress if able to i think they could have been mandatory safety feature as more such things were gradually introduced into car design
@@Eric-kn4yn True. They did hang around well into the 1980’s in the US. In fact GM went to recessed and then back to the old style a few times.
@@markbehr88 areodynamics fuel efficency is big now so again recessed door handles more kilos/l k/l i still prefer MPG
@@Eric-kn4yn Yes, although modern cars have door handles that protrude, apart from Tesla’s elaborate electric recessed ones?
@@markbehr88 call them flush fitting with valiant from VH onwards
Yes and Chrysler in the USA had them much earlier. 1960 for example.
When I sold Fords for a large part of my life I remember a Fairlane we termed as the 'compact model', I never sold one but recall they had very heavy steering and a hard brake pedal, which one am I speaking of?
The american one sold here and nz early to mid 60's
We must be talking about different fairlanes , unless there was a version without power steering ? ( Maybe power steering was an option on the 6 cylinder version ? ) I've driven a few over the years and all the ones I drove had power steering , and the power steered models where nice and light .
@@lffit Yes, if you watch my ZA Fairlane episode you will see I cover those Compact US Fairlanes too. 👍
@@andrewmatyear5212 Yes, Australia had the American ones to 1964 and NZ received the 1965 model but we did not. 👍
@@mikldude9376 None of the American Compact Fairlanes we received had power steering to my knowledge (1962-4). 👍
What about the ZD k code the best of them all
@@GlenMahon-s4m The ZD was available with the 351 but not the high compression GT spec version. 👍
Did the ZC get the cleveland engine at the end like the XW ?
@@Gokizzmass Yes, the later ones 👍
The last month of production were Clevelands (I am talking 351). The 302 were all Windsors.
Hey Mark Manual transmission available in the Fairlane but not in the Fairmont. Is this right?
@@rusky351 The manuals were available in the XW Falcon but only with the Mustang 302 V8 not the 351. You had to buy a Fairlane or a GT. 👍
Did the Australian 1969 Galaxie get the U.S. LTD hidden headlights??
@@jonathanmorrisey5771 Yes. Same car. 👍
Did they ever make a fairlane 500 wagon? I remember almost buying a black one for $200 in Tasmania but can't quite remember if it was a wagon. Regret #244, lol
Black station wagon count ur blessings could have been a hearse ☠️
@@highplains No, only sedans. In America you could get a wagon, sedan, coupe and convertible plus the Ranchero in 1967 was Fairlane based (ute). 👍
@@Eric-kn4yn Maybe? 🤔
@@markbehr88 cheers, thanks.
@@Eric-kn4yn I don't think it was a hearse..I think it must have been a sedan. I passed it up because it had a leaking radiator _faceplant_ lol
My least favourite Fairlane tbh, by quite a margin. Likely coz as a kid I thought they were ugly as compared to our ZB 302. _[thanks btw Mark!]_ Didn't pull a Millard/Viscount/Quintrex any better than our ZB as far as I could tell & that styling drove me off for life. But if I saw one for the first time now...I'd still hate it lol. Just not for me Cheers Mark.
@@UncleJoeLITE Fair enough. I am sure if you drove a 351 version you would be very impressed with the power. My brother also had a white ZB. Lovely car but the 351 ZC had a lot more go. 👍
@@markbehr88 👍 But as a kid, the 302 seemed plenty fast, I really couldn't tell the difference riding in a ZC. I'm not even sure I'd like the extra power, this a big, very basic rwd car & I'm a fwd guy. My brother's I6 XB was scary enough for me when I grew up! That thing was sketchy as in the wet. All the best with growing the channel, you offer something different to other car guys. 6k of real subs is good work. _ps: you may as well 'like' every comment for the algorithm! I scroll down & 'like' everything here._
@@UncleJoeLITE Thanks very much. I drove my brother’s 351 ZC a fair bit and it was quite easy to control, even hanging the tail in the wet! 😀
Radio was optional on the 500?
@wizzard5442 manual tune std , push button , then Super Fringe tuner , then Super Fringe push button , $50 to $120 IIRC .
@@robertmorris6529 Ok tks
According to the brochure, push button radio was optional not standard. You can google the brochure and check the options list. It is there. 👍
How much extra weight where fairlanes over falcon equivalent drivetrain
@@Eric-kn4yn Probably 150 Kg or so. 👍
my brother had one of these. only thing good for IS GULPING PETROL
@@julesmarwell8023 And comfort, and style and performance…….and gulping petrol. 👍
What are your thoughts on the rumored 4 door Mustang?
@@MrDch1975 I just learned of it via Olds98 in the comments. You can read my response there. 👍
@@markbehr88 4door mustang aint no mustang i think mustangs high point was steve McQueens bullitt although him smoking the tyres truth is props put smoke grenades under rear wheel arches
@@Eric-kn4yn I agree. My favourite is the 1969 Mach 1. 👍
Never late with a 5.8 interesting these were available with manuals would be very rare like you say your not buying a luxo barge to change gears your self
Would be a very cool cruiser for sure. 👍
Grand pa was a Ford dealer, he had a Starlight blue, T, L code. I still have the paperwork…..not the car
@@paulp5775 Nice one. 👍
Wheel spats better areodynamics some fairlanes have bonnet / hood ornament and some dont arent they an antiquated bling .?
I am sure they had the aero of a brick - spats or no spats. That wasn’t a design consideration at all. 👍
@@markbehr88hood bonnet ornaments some fairlanes have them some dont ?
That’s right. Some just have badges. 👍
Skinny wheels where the go in the day and in such a large car stable as walking on stilts
@@Eric-kn4yn Good in the wet though. 👍
Like dash layouts of ZC, if you seen new 25 Lincoln Navigator its dash is bland, maybe should go n look ZC dash layouts for luxury inspiration.
@@JimmyShields-z2h I haven’t seen the Navigator. Lincolns are actually my favourite cars as I have Mark 111, IV’s, V’s, VI’s, VII and VIII’s plus Continentals and Town Cars but since Lincoln no longer make cars - just SUVs, my interest is very low. 👍
🥝✔️
@@deanstevenson6527 😀👍
Its a biggerer Falcon, lol.
@@Andronicus2007 Nothing wrong with that! 👍
@@markbehr88 Biggerer and betterer.
@@Andronicus2007 Yep. 👍