ZA Fairlane

In the mid 1960s Ford had an extremely bright and profitable idea.

It stretched the new-for-‘66 XR Falcon’s 2819mm wheelbase (to 2946mm) but retained its front and centre body section and grafted on a new twin headlight grille treatment, US Fairlane rear quarter panels and boot, and square taillights (when Falcons only ever wore round items).

But it didn't stop there. It then threw in a few token “luxury” items (carpet, heating), to create Australia’s first prestige model.

The ZA Fairlane was an instant sales hit, with local buyers responded to the ‘Coke bottle” American styling, posh name, acres of rear legroom, larger boot, and the Mustang’s rumbling 149kW 4.7L/289 cubic inch (ci) OHV V8 engine in the up-spec 500 model, which also included a 3-speed automatic, front disc brakes, power steering, bucket seats, fake wood and a clock.

The base “Fairlane” used the Falcon’s 90kW 3.3L/200ci inline 6-cylinder engine mated to a 3-speed column shift manual or auto gearbox.

In total 8814 ZAs were built.