The Ford Fairmont is a large car that has been built by Ford Australia since 1966. A more luxurious version of the
Falcon, the Fairmont remains in production today in Australia. In the United States the Fairmont was a rear wheel drive compact car that would sell from 1978 until 1983.
The Fairmont was originally based on the Ford Fox platform which it would eventually share with the Thunderbird, the Ford Granada, several models of the Mustang, as well as the Lincoln Continental. Replacing the Ford Maverick, the Ford Fairmont was a production twin with the Mercury Zephyr. When the Fairmont was introduced, it was available in a standard coupe, sedan, and station wagon bodies. Ford offered a variety of engines including four, six, and V8 options.
The Fairmont was moderately successful and received great reviews by all accounts, but American cars were getting smaller and smaller and Ford realized that the Fairmont probably wouldn't cut it in the United States anymore. In 1981 the Granada was introduced and by 1983 the Tempo was on the market to replace the Fairmont in the North American market. Though the Fairmont didn't last all that long in the United States, it continues to be a great success for the Ford Australia division.
