FEATURE - 1970 Ford XW Fairmont station wagon
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Classic Motor Studio
The amount of XW and XY Fairmonts that have been transformed into GT clones over the years would have to number in the hundreds, if not thousands. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s nice to see a Fairmont that’s been taken in a different direction, like the car featured.
While it looks like a mildly tweaked and lowered XW Fairmont wagon with the GS option, this car is much more than that. Yes, it is running the V8 and automatic you’d expect in a Fairmont of this era, but it’s not the drivetrain you’d expect. Same goes for the paint – it’s period correct, but not what this car was originally finished in…
A Little Extra Luxury
The XW Fairmont was the fourth iteration of a model that had been introduced to Ford Australia’s lineup with the XP Series. Launched in September, 1965, six months after the rest of the XP range, the Fairmont replaced the Futura sedan and Squire wagon, with features and trim designed to make it a more direct rival for the Holden Premier and Chrysler’s Valiant Regal.
Against an XP Falcon, the XP Fairmont offered the larger, 200ci six-cylinder engine and power-assisted disc front brakes as standard. Additionally, reclining front bucket seats, a padded dash, console storage, full carpeting and smatterings of artificial woodgrain trim further elevated the Fairmont above a Falcon.
Fairmonts also benefitted from the structural and mechanical durability that Ford had finally achieved on the Falcon following its somewhat disastrous introduction to Australia with the XK Series.
The template set with the XP Fairmont continued on the XR and XT Series, introducing a V8 and power steering (both optional), plus improved transmissions, like the Cruise-O-Matic which offered a level of manual control and could be optioned with a floor shifter.
A New-ish Look
With the arrival of the XW Series in June, 1969, both the Falcon and Fairmont got a new look. Changes to the grille, front end and tail lights were obvious, but almost every other XW panel was different from the XT, even if it didn’t look like it.
The Futura returned to the range, while the popularity of the GT saw Ford introduce a low-cost way of adding some of that image in the form of the ‘GS Rally Pack’. Available on both the Falcon and Fairmont, the GS option consisted of chromed wheel covers and bodyside stripes that terminated in a ‘GS’ logo on the rear quarters, plus the steering wheel and full-gauge dash from the Falcon GT.
Curiously, Ford’s press release of the time only refers to the GS Rally Pack as an option for sedans, even though there was nothing to prevent it being added to a Falcon or Fairmont wagon. With the XY Series, Ford was more specific about the option being available for sedans and wagons.
Other notables on the XW Series included more power from the six-cylinder engines, which had increased in capacity for the XT Series from 170ci to 188ci and 200ci to 221ci. The 302 V8 was still available for non-GT models (which had upsized to the 351 V8), the three-speed column manual transmission offered full synchromesh for the first time and floor shifters for manuals and autos with a six-cylinder were new.
Air conditioning that was built in (as opposed to being tacked on under the dash) was another new option, along with a remote driver’s side mirror and improved bucket seats, referred to as “Twin-Comfort front lounge seats” in the Fairmont.
Lots to Choose
In addition to sedan and wagon bodies, the XW Fairmont buyer could also select 14 paint options and five interior trim colours with teak-look vinyl accents. Full-width wheel covers, two-speed wipers, reversing lights, full carpeting, a lockable glovebox and reading lights in the C-pillars for rear seat passengers were all standard. This was still a Ford, though, so options included some things taken for granted today, like power steering, radial tyres, a push-button radio and the aforementioned air conditioning. And while it’s a feature on most restored XW Fairmonts you see today, the vinyl roof was an option, too.
Both Falcon and Fairmont wagons offered a claimed 75 cubic feet (2.12 cubic metres) of cargo space, with a 7-foot (2.13m) load length with the tailgate closed and rear seats folded. Fairmont wagons also came with a power-operated tailgate window that was an extra-cost option on the Falcon.
A Fairmont Transformed
The 1970 XW Fairmont wagon featured looks mostly stock, but is a long way removed from its original specification.
The ID plate shows it was built with the 221ci six and Ford-O-Matic three-speed column auto, finished in Reef Green with a Polar White roof and Dark Saddle interior vinyl trim.
The early history of this car is unknown, but it’s believed to have had a rebuild in 2011. Whether the Track Red paint and GS options were applied at this time is unknown. Same goes for the GT-style bonnet scoop and GT-HO front spoiler.
The major modification to this vehicle occurred in Tasmania a few years later, when a 5.0-litre V8 and four-speed automatic from a 1998 NC Fairlane were fitted, along with an increase in wheel size from the factory 14-inch to 17-inch. A mod plate in the engine bay shows this was completed and signed off in 2018.
Currently for sale through Classic Motor Studio in South Australia, this custom Fairmont wagon was previously advertised with JUST CARS in 2021. At that time, it was registered in Victoria and rolling on 14-inch wheels, so maybe the GS striping, wheel covers and interior were applied after its Tasmanian transformation.
What is known is that this wagon went to SA in 2021 and received a full engine rebuild there in the last 12 months, with only 100km covered since.
Brakes remain the factory disc front and drum rear, but a brake booster has been fitted, along with new shoes, pads, cylinders and hoses.
An interior retrim in Saddle vinyl includes a few extras, like small ‘F’ flourishes on the front door trims, a wood-rimmed aftermarket steering wheel and venetians in the rear side windows. The period look to the interior includes making an effort to integrate and colour-match the later model centre console.
The Super Fringe radio remains in place, but a hidden Kenwood sound system has been added, with remote operation and additional speakers in the rear.
Outside, white-stripe tyres, front guard windsplitters, a bonnet emblem, dual mirrors and stone guards on the lights are notable additions, none of which were standard on an XW Fairmont when new.
The reasons for rebuilding this Fairmont and fitting a modern drivetrain are unclear, but it’s a safe bet to say it was intended for cruising, not to be a full-on show car. With some minor attention to the interior and detailing of the engine bay, it could certainly be stepped up to that level, though.
If you’re a Ford fan that’s looking for something different – that’s not another GT clone! – this classic Fairmont wagon with a modern twist could be right up your alley.
Thanks to Motor Book World for research material used in this article.
Motor Book World, VIC
Ph: (03) 9830 2644
For Sale
This customised 1970 Ford XW Fairmont wagon is listed for sale with Classic Motor Studio in Mount Barker, South Australia.
In SA since 2021, but only put on the market recently, the late-model Fairlane drivetrain fitted to this car make it a reliable cruiser for the family, or maybe a great promotional vehicle for a small business.
Listed mileage of 87,223km presumably covers the period since the Fairlane V8 and auto transmission were added in 2018. Only 100km have been recorded since a recent engine rebuild.
On historic registration in South Australia, the asking price for this car is $69,900.
See the advert online with ad code JAFFD5301954.
For more details, contact Matt at Classic Motor Studio on 0412 052 232.
