Here is episode 1 in the Ford Fairlane History Series. Starting with the ZA. Please Like 👍 and Sbscribe plus check out the full Falcon history on the playlist. Thanks for watching. 👍
Here is the first episode in a new Ford Fairlane History. The first model is the ZA and we will cover all the models to the BF. Please give the episode a 👍Like👍 and be sure to Subscribe. Plus, if you haven’t already, check out the Falcon History series. There is a full playlist so you can view XK right through to FG-X. I hope you enjoy and thanks for watching. 👍
Your flat out like a lizard drinking but if you could consider giving your subscribers a guided tour of bathurst narrating as you do a circuit the famous and infamous locations there would be many this would be a fitting salute to this legendary australian racetrack please consider 🇦🇺
Way back in 1983, my then girl friend shared an XY falcon with her brother. One day he had an accident and the car needed repairs. My GF being a uni student needed a car and I was at a Ford dealership when a ZA Fairlane 500 was tradedin and I bought this near perfect example for $350 and gave it to my GF. We have been married for 38 years and we still fondly remember the back seat of the FL. It was a great car but rust took its toll.
My Dad had the ZA fairlane 500 maroon in color..in top condition. My Brother is looking after it now, once a classic always a classic.Thanks for the great vlog.
Mark when I see you have a new Ford story on TH-cam I start to shake with excitement, cant wait to see my favorite ZD Fairlane in 3 more episodes . Keep up the great work that you put into your channel.
I owned a ZD from 1997 to 2003 and it was the car I dreamed of as a 10 yr old and got to own it as my 1st. You never forget your 1st car but I also cried when I saw her drive away.
Mark Behr, there may be a renewed interest for these Fairlaine V8 cruisers. You certainly stirred a desire to add a ZD Fairlaine 500 to my garage. Looking forward to the next Fairlaine episode. ☺
Big hits with farmers during this period were Valiants and Fairlane, as you stated. Not a lot of safety or standard features by today's standards, but they made up for that in style, and a great engine sound. In those days, you bought a V8 mainly for the performance, and got the sound thrown in as a bonus. I never knew the early 60's Fairlanes had model codings. Well there you go!
I have had 6 Fairlanes and 1 LTD over the last 44 years, in order 1. ZD 351 V8 - 1971 2. ZC 351 V8 - 1969 3. ZH 302 V8 - 1977 4. P6 351 V8 - 1978 - wished I still had it. $17,000 traid-in for the AU 2 5. NA 3.9 S6, New - 1990 - wifes car 6 AU 2 4L Tickford, NEW - 2002 - Still driving 7 AU 1 4L Tickford - 1999 my ex-wife took it Got my first Fairlane in 1980 and have always had a Fairlane or LTD over the last 44 years. Best looking was the P6, best driving is the AU 2, .......... NA Fairlane, rusty boot lid and LCD dash with a mind of it's own that worked some times, put a NC dash in to fix it.
My uncle had a successful tile business and bought a series of fairlanes, LTDs and even a Landau starting with the ZA. As a little kid riding in the ZA was a big deal! Going anywhere on my booster seat in this giant beast was sooo exciting 😂
Thanks for the memories Mark , I miss these old cars , built for comfort, they had character and were just bloody good cruisers . It’s a real shame young people today driving soulless characterless smart phones on wheels , the vast majority will never have experienced just how good these oldies were. I’m in the outer burbs of Melbourne in a very car centric area , and you almost never see oldies like this anymore sadly .
Thanks Mark, couldn't wait for these! Looking forward to the rest. There's something about these long wheelbase cars. They were built at a time where they were affordable; these days, I don't think a LWB car is within reach of a lot of people.
Two firsts for me in this episode My first falcon was an xr faimont in that dark red colour and I restored a 63 compact in the early 80s Was black with bright red interior and was from the local funeral directors in Rockingham Had 260 v8 I put XC Fairmont mags on it and it looked amazing
Before by time but I do appreciate era of Ford Australia. I remember the 80's era Fairlane and LTD espexjally5 the I guess NB version (which is based on EB) as one of the bosses had one and I got oondrive it every now and then they had the Fuel Injected Windsor V8 and were just so smooth and powerful for back then
Awesome episode Mark👍, thanks for making these vids they mean alot to me. Hopefully future generations will appreciate the cars that were made here back in the day.
G’day Mark, Always liked the ZA ever since seeing one on Skippy, those horizontal headlight arrangement just looks awesome. There is a black one parked in the back streets of Seddon near the cafe Fig & Olive between Yarraville and Footscray. Go out of my way just to check it out every now and then. Cheers Louis Kats 👍
We used to buy them rusty and cheap for our V8 early falcon conversions...Easy weekend swap at home including the use of the disc brakes ! Looking forward to this new series... CHEERS Mark .😁
The Fairlane was always a great car. The basic styling of the ZA/ZB was remarkably similar to the 1965-72 Vauxhall Cresta PC / 1966-72 Vauxhall Viscount, though both these models, neither of which were sold in Australia, only had inline sixes.
Great stuff mark i was just watching the XF again the other night this is a huge effort on your behalf to do these videos. Much appreciated. Cheers Blue
@@grumpybear663 Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. I thought it was important to mention. Should have also said Fair Lane was the name of Henry Ford’s home in Michigan, which I have toured through. 👍
@@markbehr88 yeah. Fairlanes have been a huge part of the family. My dad had the Yank Tank sedan, ZA, ZC, ZH, ZJ & ZK. Grandfather had the Ranch Wagon, plus others including the LTD. I've had the ZH & NF. So looking forward for the rest of this series
Hi Mark, Hope tour well, Great another car series ,I liked the Falcon Story. Fairlane a nice big luxury Ford of Australia with the V8 Mustang power, If a Mustang had four doors it would look like this, I like the badge with the stars of the Australian flag. I can see how business people would prefer the Fairlane to a Jaguar at the time. I like the styling of these American styled Australian built Fords. Just a thought here was the Mustang ever produced in Australia as I have seen RHD Mustangs and watch Mustang racing on Tv at Bathurst and other race circuits. How are you getting on with your Fox body Mustang. As always a great video, Take care
Thanks Shaun. Glad you liked it. Ford Australia did bring in about 200 or so first model Mustangs and converted them back in the day. Tickford also sold and converted Mustang Cobras around 1999-2000. They were never built here though. Fox body Mustang has had a service, clutch freed up and brakes done. Still a bit to do but it will have to wait it’s turn. 👍
What a car hey mate. You could buy one of these for $2,000 max and all the other Z series LANES. I have a personal connection to all FAIRLANES. AND THE ODD LTD. But I’ve always preferred the long wheel base FORDS. JUST THE BEST.👍👍🇦🇺❤️ cheers for the show 👍👍
I’m taking in the very late 80s early 90 s we were a lucky age as these were our dailies as kids finding our way in the NUT CRACKER WORLD. But thanks for the memories 👍👍🇦🇺❤️
Gday Mark, love your channel mate and have watched a stack of your videos. I’ve been waiting for these cars to come up in you videos, I love checking out the similarities and differences between the Aussie cars and my US wagon. Cheers
That was great Mark and very interesting for although I was around when the ZA was released I was too young to notice. I do however look forward to the rest of the series on the Fairlane and eventually the LTD.
Fabulous car and the default choice for executives for decades and incredibly popular in the bush. The word ‘Fairlane’ was written into so many senior management packages well into the 1990’s.
I always liked how the taillights of the ZA through to ZD echoed the Falcon taillights of the equivalent model. Eg: The XR Falcon had round dot indicators in the centre -- the ZA had rectangular indicators in the centre. The XT went to cross bar indicators -- so did the ZB. And so on.......
Love the video nice… 64 compact Fairlane is my favourite model along with the 63 model I remember pulling out three tank Fairlane 9 inch diffs as a kid at the wrecking yard we sold to a car club from Goldcoast Qld .. back then 1000 bucks per diff 😂
Great Episode, as were all the Falcon episodes. I would ask in this Fairlane series to talk about the Holden Brougham cars and how they compared and fit into the marketplace against the Fairlane. Did the Brougham come out for sale alongside the ZB? What points of differentiation for the GM and Ford would the buyer of '68 be expecting?
@@RE1974 Thanks very much. Yes, I will cover the Brougham and VIP as part of the response in the ZB episodes although these models will also receive their own detailed episodes down the track too. 👍
Very nice production Mark. If only we could go back in time and live a week in the life of a new ZA Fairlane owner. I wonder what they felt as they drove it from the dealership for the first time? My parents had a FB 1962 Compact when I was young and they used to have to roll start it sometimes. It was a 2spd Automatic. Love the class of the ZA 500
Thank you Mark. This was quite intereting amd detailed. I now understand hoiw it became a car based off the Falcon, The Australiajs are quite good ay making due with less. I appreciated the information about the car and how it created a segment. No Holden Brougham yet I see....That car has a better interior than the Amerucan Fords. I noticed the Lincoln touches as well. That was impressive to see. Thank you for sharing the dimensions. This car was big as a downsized 1980's American GM fullsized. They were 196-198 inches long when they were downsized. This car has a wide track and a long wheelbase. The close equal to this car in current times would be a Mercury Sable loaded. I have to hand it to Ford of Australia for doing this car. They started with a Falcon took American Fairlane and Lincoln parts and came up with some grand. This series going to get interesting. The reason for the delay in my response is we were hit with a hurriucane here in the United States in Texas. I just got my internet back. Thank you for the video.
Hi Olds98. I hope you and your family and friends are ok? While we deal with bushfires and floods, we don’t really get Hurricanes or Tornados. Maybe up north we receive Cyclones but not in NSW or VIc really. There are always exceptions. Yes, the Fairlane was an excellent offering by Ford Australia and was very nicely executed, creating a new segment, soon to be followed by Holden and Chrysler. I will cover those responses off when I do the ZB model. Next, I plan to do the VB Commodore as Part 1 in the Commodore series and then R Series Valiant as Part 1 in the Chrysler Australia Valiant series. 👍
@@markbehr88 Hello Mark. Everyone is okay. The recoivery part is going on right now and the clean up and restoration of electricity and internet and more. There are still peoplev without electricity, water, and the debris and trees need to be cleaned. Many haeve to repair their homes because trees fell on them.. It seems we all are impacted by weather all over the world, You are right about the execution, No Fords during the 1960's were nice except Lincoln and Thunderbird maybe LTD. I look forward to these series.
@@robertknights1028 Thanks Rob. Hope you’re well and I’ll still do an episode on your car as a standalone if you’re interested. Yes, please send pics to mjbehr@yahoo.com.au 👍👍
YES we need fairlane stuff!!! Will you also do the LTD as well ? as a 27 year old. Why cant we just remake 30s to 80s cars haha. I love them stock and factory :)
@@markbehr88 Sweet how i like it. Good to see someone FINELY see the LTD is not the same as a Fairlane ( even if its based on it :) ) AND when i had my 1984 ( sep built so very early XF ) fairmont took ages to get me a cassette player am all into factory stock for sure :) ALSO funny how the XF fairmont hubcaps came the Base EA GL hub caps.
I know the ZB Fairlane had a CUSTOM model with 3 speed manual transmission column shift & drum brakes all around. These could be optioned with the V8 engine. A older workmate had a white ZB Fairlane Custom with a V8 . All factory fitted. 3 speed column manual & drum brakes all around. He traded it in on a brand new Holden Camira when the Camira's first came out.
G'day Mark.....Thanks for this and Oh My God were the Fairlanes beaut cars... Is the LTD later on considered as an updated Fairlane or were they a totally different entity..Guessing the latter ...Cheers
I noticed that you said the first Galaxies offered to Australians from the Australian factory, was the 1964 model . There were RHD 1963 (and earlier ) Galaxie's in NZ , and no doubt, in Australia as well , ( not nearly as many as Impala's though , it would seem) , so, did those, prior to 1964 Galaxies come to us from Canada in RHD form ?
Yes, those cars were not officially offered or marketed cars, at least in Australia. They were certainly around but there are no 1963 Ford Australia Galaxie brochures for example. 1964 is the first one. 👍
Hell, I grew up on the backseat of a 1968 302 ZA 500, what an utterly lovely car! Went well, rode beautifully, looked great but had crappy brakes, as we discovered towing our Millard. =) After the ZA, as a kid I absolutely hated the next ZC, they just looked so ugly next to ours, even if they had more 'luxury'. Thanks Mark. _I'll get to the FG, just it will make me a bit sad tbh. Ah, Homebush where they assembled my Laser!_
@@markbehr88 still have all the blinker covers and decals, bonnet emblem the lot. GS XB falcon and ZA Fairlane 500 the two best cars in the world and i was lucky enough to own them in the 80s besides others but they are the best looking imo. very cool.
@@noelgibson5956 Yes, maybe they were fitted locally or it was a specific request of the South African regional office as they were used to power windows on American cars? 🤔👍
I haven't read any of the comments below, so I'll still point out one recurring error I noticed; you refer to the red car as a Falcon. It isn't a Falcon, it's a Fairmont which is the up-market version of the Falcon. I have a Fairmont and recognize the name badge on the car. Still, a great presentation, brings back memories, many thanks and take care.
@@david.m.304 Thanks. I am referring to “Falcon” in the generic sense of the short wheelbase cars versus the LWB Fairlane. All the SWB models are Falcon based cars. I do know the differences. 👍
@@markbehr88 will watch them. I just remember this massive yank tank that was so much bigger than an already large Fairlane or Fairmont ghia it blew my mind. The length and width mad me think it was a Cadillac because I was young and uneducated lol
Same with me , about 1974 , travelling south with mum and dad in our AP 6 Valiant, just coming into Timaru ( nz) , and there was this big car in front of us with really big round taillights, I asked dad "what sort of car is that ? " , he said ," it's a Ford Galaxie " , it was a '63 model, and ever since, Iv'e wanted a '63 Galaxie. It may still happen, but Iv'e barely got enough garaging for the Valiants.
Sitting in my friends car. Cop comes up and says"far lane". We all say "no , it's a galaxy". "Far lane!" No they look similar but this is a galaxy.. Points at sign . All six of us in unison.. "OH, FIRE Lane!". American cops all have thick southern /country accents even if they are from a big city in the North. .
Fairlane By Ford reminds of How Holden used to have on the back of their cars, " Statesman by Holden" . I guess Ford and later GMH were trying to differentiate their domestic luxury vehicles from their everyday, bread & butter counterpart, like as if they were some sort of handcrafted vehicles made from better materials ….By the way I had to laugh at the initials at 14:11. B.S -Stilwell Ford…😂
@@thunderbird1454 My only thought was it related to their Total Performance era where they were heavily involved in motorsport. Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500 etc. 👍
I suppose the compact Fairlanes could be called small , but a number of years ago I was having a good look at a beautiful black unmolested survivor '64 Fairlane , and I thought it was actually quite a large bulky car , my AP6 is classed as a compact , but compared to the Fairlane, it's much more compact.
@@jamesfrench7299 My understanding was that it was ZF. Quite a while after the Brougham. Sales tell us that maybe spending more on differentiation was more important. 🤔👍
@@markbehr88 not so much now, but I used to view power windows as a prerequisite to being considered luxury. I imagine Holden simply gained access to GM's parts bin for power windows, not develop them for the Brougham. PWs were common in luxury cars in America in the 1950s and certainly in the 60s.
@@Eric-kn4yn I’d have to check my colour charts but off the top of my head - black, white, stratos grey, burgundy, navy blue, light metallic green, pale yellow, gold, silver. 👍
Have always had a sweet spot for the Fairlane. Ford never meant it to be a muscle car. Just a really good long distance performer. Some of you will understand how that works.
@@markbehr88 I bought a Compact 62 Fairlane. with a 260. Great car. Mint green, white roof. Had those old ROH 5 spoke mags. After this I tried a car from the dark side. I bought an HK Brougham. They sold it as a full size car but it just had 18" welded to a Premier boot.
![NONT TANONT - ดอกไม้ที่รอฝน (spring) - Reimagined [Live Session]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nY2PsFZFEOg/mqdefault.jpg)
Here is the first episode in a new Ford Fairlane History. The first model is the ZA and we will cover all the models to the BF. Please give the episode a 👍Like👍 and be sure to Subscribe. Plus, if you haven’t already, check out the Falcon History series. There is a full playlist so you can view XK right through to FG-X. I hope you enjoy and thanks for watching. 👍
Your flat out like a lizard drinking but if you could consider giving your subscribers a guided tour of bathurst narrating as you do a circuit the famous and infamous locations there would be many this would be a fitting salute to this legendary australian racetrack please consider 🇦🇺
Did govt use fairlane for pollies..
Ford got the jump on holden valiant with the lux vehcile market ?
@@Eric-kn4yn Yes and Galaxies. 👍
@@Eric-kn4yn I’m more road car history than race cars. 👍
Fair dinkum, how good is TH-cam some days!! Thanks Mark, legend. 👍
Thanks mate. Appreciate it. 👍
I concur.
@@barrycuda3769 Thanks 👍
Its always good when Mark drops a video.
@@triggeredleftyvegan6004 Thanks 😀👍
Looking at these fords mid 1960s makes you realise how excellent the aesthetics design of the ford mustang was.
@@Eric-kn4yn I am sure they both influenced each other. 🤔👍
My father bought a ZA brand new in October of 67 what a great car white with black interior with the 289
@@user-by8gj7vu3v Very nice. 👍
Looking forward to this one, mate! Love your channel.
Thanks very much. Enjoy. 👍
Way back in 1983, my then girl friend shared an XY falcon with her brother. One day he had an accident and the car needed repairs. My GF being a uni student needed a car and I was at a Ford dealership when a ZA Fairlane 500 was tradedin and I bought this near perfect example for $350 and gave it to my GF. We have been married for 38 years and we still fondly remember the back seat of the FL. It was a great car but rust took its toll.
@@aussietaipan8700 It would have been roomier than my VC Valiant's back seat , but you make do.
And i remember as a kid...our next door neighbor was a sales manager at Stillwell Ford and always came home from work with a new model !
@@romemancer7905 Yes. Those were the days. Tricked out demonstrators of the latest models. 👍
Another great episode thanks mark
@@GerardDaly-y1n Thanks Gerard. 👍
My Dad had the ZA fairlane 500 maroon in color..in top condition. My Brother is looking after it now, once a classic always a classic.Thanks for the great vlog.
@@MickB52s Thanks. Great colour 👍
Mark when I see you have a new Ford story on TH-cam I start to shake with excitement, cant wait to see my favorite ZD Fairlane in 3 more episodes . Keep up the great work that you put into your channel.
@@peterguertler2752 Thanks very much indeed. 👍
I had a ZA from 1990 to 2005, brilliant car and I literally cried the day I sold it.
@@Binzy-jq2xq I can understand that. 👍
I owned a ZD from 1997 to 2003 and it was the car I dreamed of as a 10 yr old and got to own it as my 1st. You never forget your 1st car but I also cried when I saw her drive away.
@@stevenborham1584 Understandable. The ZD looked terrific. I especially liked the Lincoln inspired hubcaps, which I’ll cover in my ZD episode. 👍
Mark Behr, there may be a renewed interest for these Fairlaine V8 cruisers.
You certainly stirred a desire to add a ZD Fairlaine 500 to my garage.
Looking forward to the next Fairlaine episode. ☺
@@warrenbrown5621 Thanks. Good luck in your search. 👍
Big hits with farmers during this period were Valiants and Fairlane, as you stated. Not a lot of safety or standard features by today's standards, but they made up for that in style, and a great engine sound. In those days, you bought a V8 mainly for the performance, and got the sound thrown in as a bonus.
I never knew the early 60's Fairlanes had model codings. Well there you go!
@@noelgibson5956 I guess they were somewhat safer with seat belts and front discs compared to what they traded in? 😀👍
…. and yes, PLEASE do a series on the local Galaxy models.
@@ashleygordon3467 I will. 👍
I have had 6 Fairlanes and 1 LTD over the last 44 years, in order
1. ZD 351 V8 - 1971
2. ZC 351 V8 - 1969
3. ZH 302 V8 - 1977
4. P6 351 V8 - 1978 - wished I still had it. $17,000 traid-in for the AU 2
5. NA 3.9 S6, New - 1990 - wifes car
6 AU 2 4L Tickford, NEW - 2002 - Still driving
7 AU 1 4L Tickford - 1999 my ex-wife took it
Got my first Fairlane in 1980 and have always had a Fairlane or LTD over the last 44 years.
Best looking was the P6, best driving is the AU 2, .......... NA Fairlane, rusty boot lid and LCD dash with a mind of it's own that worked some times, put a NC dash in to fix it.
That's an awesome selection over the years. I currently have a 94 NC2 V8 Fairlane Ghia and a 1979 P6 LTD.
@@Aquarium-Downunder Very nice list f cars there. I will be covering them all so please Subscribe. 👍
@@andrewg2618 Very cool. I do like the P6. I will be doing an LTD series. 👍
Farmers or cattle station owners were the fairlanes popular for towing horse floats or cattle floats etc.
@@Eric-kn4ynDefinitely. And Real Estate agents. 👍
My uncle had a successful tile business and bought a series of fairlanes, LTDs and even a Landau starting with the ZA. As a little kid riding in the ZA was a big deal! Going anywhere on my booster seat in this giant beast was sooo exciting 😂
@@MitchTube I can imagine. Sounds like your uncle had some cool cars. 👍
Thanks for the memories Mark , I miss these old cars , built for comfort, they had character and were just bloody good cruisers .
It’s a real shame young people today driving soulless characterless smart phones on wheels , the vast majority will never have experienced just how good these oldies were.
I’m in the outer burbs of Melbourne in a very car centric area , and you almost never see oldies like this anymore sadly .
@@mikldude9376 Thanks very much. I completely agree with you. 👍
Thanks Mark, couldn't wait for these! Looking forward to the rest.
There's something about these long wheelbase cars. They were built at a time where they were affordable; these days, I don't think a LWB car is within reach of a lot of people.
Thanks. Like you, I love the LWB cars too. 👍
I particularly liked the ZH, NA and AU models because there was so much model differentiation from the Falcon donor cars.
@@philnorbury9032 The ZH is one of my favourites. 👍
Two firsts for me in this episode
My first falcon was an xr faimont in that dark red colour and I restored a 63 compact in the early 80s
Was black with bright red interior and was from the local funeral directors in Rockingham
Had 260 v8
I put XC Fairmont mags on it and it looked amazing
@@davidbarnsley8486 Very cool. 👍😎
Thanks Mark for this. You know your stuff.
@@chuckselvage3157 Thanks very much. 👍
Before by time but I do appreciate era of Ford Australia.
I remember the 80's era Fairlane and LTD espexjally5 the I guess NB version (which is based on EB) as one of the bosses had one and I got oondrive it every now and then they had the Fuel Injected Windsor V8 and were just so smooth and powerful for back then
@@theov2670 yes. My favourites are the 1960’s and 70’s but I do have an 82 ZK and a 99 AU.
great episode MB!
@@DavidBurrell-z8h Thanks very much David. 👍
Good work Mark. We liked it.
@@briansroadrunnergarage3560 Thanks Brian. 👍
Awesome episode Mark👍, thanks for making these vids they mean alot to me. Hopefully future generations will appreciate the cars that were made here back in the day.
@@chrisF351 Thanks very much. Glad you liked it. Hopefully these cars will always be appreciated. 👍
G’day Mark,
Always liked the ZA ever since seeing one on Skippy, those horizontal headlight arrangement just looks awesome.
There is a black one parked in the back streets of Seddon near the cafe
Fig & Olive between Yarraville and Footscray.
Go out of my way just to check it out every now and then.
Cheers
Louis Kats 👍
Thanks Louis. Very nice. I agree, they are a very nice looking car, as was the XR Falcon and Fairmont series. And who doesn’t like Skippy! 😀👍
@@markbehr88 👍👍👍
The rustle of silk, the sparkle of diamonds... that guy is clearly picking up his mistress 😂
@@onedayiwillmakesomecontent Sounds like it. 🤔👍
We used to buy them rusty and cheap for our V8 early falcon conversions...Easy weekend swap at home including the use of the disc brakes ! Looking forward to this new series... CHEERS Mark .😁
@@romemancer7905 I know. The things we used to do! 🤔👍
The Fairlane was always a great car. The basic styling of the ZA/ZB was remarkably similar to the 1965-72 Vauxhall Cresta PC / 1966-72 Vauxhall Viscount, though both these models, neither of which were sold in Australia, only had inline sixes.
Agree. Always love my Fairlanes. Interesting similarity with the Viscount too. 👍
Great new series, Mark!!! Looking forward to the ZB 🙂
@@couttsy222 Thanks. There will also be a Valiant and Commodore series too. 👍
@@markbehr88 -- Then British Leyland (Australia) / JLR......
Or AMC, even!
@@couttsy222 Yes. Plenty of material. 👍
Ohh lol I’m waiting for the G8 show. Could Evan show you a nice one I’ve spent $$$$ but Mann it’s nice.👍
Yes, I’ll certainly cover those models. Good that you have one too. 👍
Great stuff mark i was just watching the XF again the other night this is a huge effort on your behalf to do these videos.
Much appreciated.
Cheers Blue
@@BluesShed Thanks Blue. Much appreciated and glad you like them. 👍
The instrument panel was based on the Lincoln Continental’s design as used for the Australian Ford Galaxies.
Yes. 👍
Loved how you covered the Yank Tank at the start. 👍
@@grumpybear663 Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. I thought it was important to mention. Should have also said Fair Lane was the name of Henry Ford’s home in Michigan, which I have toured through. 👍
@@markbehr88 yeah. Fairlanes have been a huge part of the family. My dad had the Yank Tank sedan, ZA, ZC, ZH, ZJ & ZK. Grandfather had the Ranch Wagon, plus others including the LTD. I've had the ZH & NF. So looking forward for the rest of this series
@@grumpybear663 What great cars hey! 👍
Hi Mark, Hope tour well, Great another car series ,I liked the Falcon Story. Fairlane a nice big luxury Ford of Australia with the V8 Mustang power, If a Mustang had four doors it would look like this, I like the badge with the stars of the Australian flag. I can see how business people would prefer the Fairlane to a Jaguar at the time. I like the styling of these American styled Australian built Fords. Just a thought here was the Mustang ever produced in Australia as I have seen RHD Mustangs and watch Mustang racing on Tv at Bathurst and other race circuits. How are you getting on with your Fox body Mustang.
As always a great video, Take care
Thanks Shaun. Glad you liked it. Ford Australia did bring in about 200 or so first model Mustangs and converted them back in the day. Tickford also sold and converted Mustang Cobras around 1999-2000. They were never built here though. Fox body Mustang has had a service, clutch freed up and brakes done. Still a bit to do but it will have to wait it’s turn. 👍
What a car hey mate. You could buy one of these for $2,000 max and all the other Z series LANES. I have a personal connection to all FAIRLANES. AND THE ODD LTD. But I’ve always preferred the long wheel base FORDS. JUST THE BEST.👍👍🇦🇺❤️ cheers for the show 👍👍
I’m taking in the very late 80s early 90 s we were a lucky age as these were our dailies as kids finding our way in the NUT CRACKER WORLD. But thanks for the memories 👍👍🇦🇺❤️
@@patrickaussieMilartry Thanks very much. Yes, they were cheap once, especially during 1980’s fuel strikes. 👍
@@patrickaussieMilartry Yes. I was there! Cheers. 👍
I’d recommend to anyone if you find any nice tidy fairlane GRAB IT THEY WILL BE GOLD MINES IN THE YEARS TO COME. I GOT A FEW. LOVE THEM.
@@markbehr88 Rippa mate sorry got a tad excited 😜 but I’m a sucker for a big boot 😜👍
Gday Mark, love your channel mate and have watched a stack of your videos.
I’ve been waiting for these cars to come up in you videos, I love checking out the similarities and differences between the Aussie cars and my US wagon.
Cheers
Thanks very much. Glad you are enjoying the channel. 👍
Most comfortable car ever
@@paulheywood2116 Yes and rugged. 👍
Tremendous video Mark thanks. Fairlane by Ford were some of the few nest vehicles we ever produced.
Thanks very much. 👍
That was great Mark and very interesting for although I was around when the ZA was released I was too young to notice. I do however look forward to the rest of the series on the Fairlane and eventually the LTD.
@@AussiePom Thanks very much. Glad you liked it. 👍
I have been patiently watching the Falcon episodes in anticipation for this series to start can’t wait for the ZD!!!!
@@tonxbezzina7015 Thanks. I am looking forward to doing them. 👍
Taxi in Newcastle NSW had these Fairlanes in black iv been in them many times. 👍🏻.
@@brianandglendaharkin9457 That sounds like Silver Service! 😀👍
Fabulous car and the default choice for executives for decades and incredibly popular in the bush. The word ‘Fairlane’ was written into so many senior management packages well into the 1990’s.
@@ashleygordon3467 Absolutely. 👍
Very interesting and informative Mark. Looking forward to the next one. 👍
@@alanbrown8837Thanks very much. 👍
Another great series Mark. I love the research and detail you provide. Looking forward to the next.
@@George-dl7gv Thanks very much. Glad you enjoy them. 👍
I’ve been waiting for the Fairlane series to begin! Great work again mate.
@@andrewbrown7675 Thanks very much. 👍
I always liked how the taillights of the ZA through to ZD echoed the Falcon taillights of the equivalent model. Eg: The XR Falcon had round dot indicators in the centre -- the ZA had rectangular indicators in the centre. The XT went to cross bar indicators -- so did the ZB. And so on.......
@@couttsy222 Yes. Good observation. 👍
Legendary, Mark! These were beautiful cars. Cheers.
@@coalfacechris1336 Thanks Chris. I agree. 👍
Love the video nice… 64 compact Fairlane is my favourite model along with the 63 model I remember pulling out three tank Fairlane 9 inch diffs as a kid at the wrecking yard we sold to a car club from Goldcoast Qld .. back then 1000 bucks per diff 😂
@@michaelbyrnes7944 Thanks very much. That is good money for those diffs. 👍
Great Episode, as were all the Falcon episodes. I would ask in this Fairlane series to talk about the Holden Brougham cars and how they compared and fit into the marketplace against the Fairlane. Did the Brougham come out for sale alongside the ZB? What points of differentiation for the GM and Ford would the buyer of '68 be expecting?
@@RE1974 Thanks very much. Yes, I will cover the Brougham and VIP as part of the response in the ZB episodes although these models will also receive their own detailed episodes down the track too. 👍
Bring it on! 😃
@@user-qs4xw7ye5s 👍
Very nice production Mark. If only we could go back in time and live a week in the life of a new ZA Fairlane owner. I wonder what they felt as they drove it from the dealership for the first time? My parents had a FB 1962 Compact when I was young and they used to have to roll start it sometimes. It was a 2spd Automatic. Love the class of the ZA 500
@@scottrobertson6949 Thanks. Agree. It would have been something really special. 👍
I started as a apprentice Ford dealership mechanic in 1971 .... stupid FORD all the days till end of days in Australia.
@@tonybennett638 Certainly sad to see the end of local production. 🤔👍
@@markbehr88 terrible mate ...
Another awesome video Mark! But I knew that before i even began watching.
@@andrewg2618 Thanks very much. 👍
Thank you Mark. This was quite intereting amd detailed. I now understand hoiw it became a car based off the Falcon, The Australiajs are quite good ay making due with less. I appreciated the information about the car and how it created a segment. No Holden Brougham yet I see....That car has a better interior than the Amerucan Fords. I noticed the Lincoln touches as well. That was impressive to see. Thank you for sharing the dimensions. This car was big as a downsized 1980's American GM fullsized. They were 196-198 inches long when they were downsized. This car has a wide track and a long wheelbase. The close equal to this car in current times would be a Mercury Sable loaded. I have to hand it to Ford of Australia for doing this car. They started with a Falcon took American Fairlane and Lincoln parts and came up with some grand. This series going to get interesting. The reason for the delay in my response is we were hit with a hurriucane here in the United States in Texas. I just got my internet back. Thank you for the video.
Hi Olds98. I hope you and your family and friends are ok? While we deal with bushfires and floods, we don’t really get Hurricanes or Tornados. Maybe up north we receive Cyclones but not in NSW or VIc really. There are always exceptions. Yes, the Fairlane was an excellent offering by Ford Australia and was very nicely executed, creating a new segment, soon to be followed by Holden and Chrysler. I will cover those responses off when I do the ZB model. Next, I plan to do the VB Commodore as Part 1 in the Commodore series and then R Series Valiant as Part 1 in the Chrysler Australia Valiant series. 👍
@@markbehr88 Hello Mark. Everyone is okay. The recoivery part is going on right now and the clean up and restoration of electricity and internet and more. There are still peoplev without electricity, water, and the debris and trees need to be cleaned. Many haeve to repair their homes because trees fell on them.. It seems we all are impacted by weather all over the world, You are right about the execution, No Fords during the 1960's were nice except Lincoln and Thunderbird maybe LTD. I look forward to these series.
@@OLDS98 Thanks Olds98. Glad everyone is safe. 👍
Finally, the Fairlane episodes! Nice one mate. Let me know if you need some ZB images for the next one.
@@robertknights1028 Thanks Rob. Hope you’re well and I’ll still do an episode on your car as a standalone if you’re interested. Yes, please send pics to mjbehr@yahoo.com.au
👍👍
Onya Mark, yes Galaxies please. I knew an old bloke who bought a gold ZA 289 new when he retired and owned it for 20 years.
@@feefyefoefum Thanks. I do love my Galaxies and have a couple. That gold Fairlane would have been a nice reward for years of hard work. 👍
YES we need fairlane stuff!!!
Will you also do the LTD as well ?
as a 27 year old. Why cant we just remake 30s to 80s cars haha.
I love them stock and factory :)
@@timfordfalconxf7714 Absolutely. I will do the entire Fairlane range and then a separate series on LTD and Landau. Agree. Stock is best. 👍
@@markbehr88 Sweet how i like it. Good to see someone FINELY see the LTD is not the same as a Fairlane ( even if its based on it :) )
AND when i had my 1984 ( sep built so very early XF ) fairmont took ages to get me a cassette player am all into factory stock for sure :)
ALSO funny how the XF fairmont hubcaps
came the Base EA GL hub caps.
@@timfordfalconxf7714 There’s always a lot of wheel and hubcap designs that trickle down the model range as the new updates come out. 👍
I know the ZB Fairlane had a CUSTOM model with 3 speed manual transmission column shift & drum brakes all around. These could be optioned with the V8 engine. A older workmate had a white ZB Fairlane Custom with a V8 . All factory fitted. 3 speed column manual & drum brakes all around. He traded it in on a brand new Holden Camira when the Camira's first came out.
@@herbnalis3723 That’s right. I will cover the ZB in the next Fairlane episode. 👍
G'day Mark.....Thanks for this and Oh My God were the Fairlanes beaut cars... Is the LTD later on considered as an updated Fairlane or were they a totally different entity..Guessing the latter ...Cheers
@@rodneymcgiveron7494 Thanks. I’ll do the LTD as a separate series that will include the Landaus. 👍
I noticed that you said the first Galaxies offered to Australians from the Australian factory, was the 1964 model . There were RHD 1963 (and earlier ) Galaxie's in NZ , and no doubt, in Australia as well , ( not nearly as many as Impala's though , it would seem) , so, did those, prior to 1964 Galaxies come to us from Canada in RHD form ?
Yes, those cars were not officially offered or marketed cars, at least in Australia. They were certainly around but there are no 1963 Ford Australia Galaxie brochures for example. 1964 is the first one. 👍
Hell, I grew up on the backseat of a 1968 302 ZA 500, what an utterly lovely car! Went well, rode beautifully, looked great but had crappy brakes, as we discovered towing our Millard. =) After the ZA, as a kid I absolutely hated the next ZC, they just looked so ugly next to ours, even if they had more 'luxury'. Thanks Mark.
_I'll get to the FG, just it will make me a bit sad tbh. Ah, Homebush where they assembled my Laser!_
@@UncleJoeLITE Thanks. Glad you liked it. Your parent’s ZA should have had a 289 V8 as the 302 V8 came out in the ZB. 👍
@@markbehr88 Ahh...it was a ZB bc it definitely had the 302, my Dad showed it off constantly. Thanks Mark.
@@markbehr88 still have all the blinker covers and decals, bonnet emblem the lot. GS XB falcon and ZA Fairlane 500 the two best cars in the world and i was lucky enough to own them in the 80s besides others but they are the best looking imo. very cool.
I can imagine fairlanes were 100% male owners & drivers.
@@Eric-kn4yn As I recall...yep!
I'm sure we'll find out later in the series but what Fairlane offered the option of power windows for the first time?
Yes, that will be the ZF model. 👍
In South Africa, I know the ZD offered them. For reasons that escape me, Australian customers had to wait for ZF to get them. 🤔
@@noelgibson5956 Yes, maybe they were fitted locally or it was a specific request of the South African regional office as they were used to power windows on American cars? 🤔👍
I haven't read any of the comments below, so I'll still point out one recurring error I noticed; you refer to the red car as a Falcon. It isn't a Falcon, it's a Fairmont which is the up-market version of the Falcon. I have a Fairmont and recognize the name badge on the car. Still, a great presentation, brings back memories, many thanks and take care.
@@david.m.304 Thanks. I am referring to “Falcon” in the generic sense of the short wheelbase cars versus the LWB Fairlane. All the SWB models are Falcon based cars. I do know the differences. 👍
@@markbehr88 With apologies Mark, I didn't see that. MANY thanks for your patience again and take care.
All good. 👍👍
I've always wanted a Ford Galaxy since I first saw one as a young kid and remarked to dad what the hell is that !!!
@@mishham6388 Yes. Great cars. I have 1961, 1970 and 1972 Galaxies. There are a couple of episodes on the channel if you’re interested. 👍
@@markbehr88 will watch them. I just remember this massive yank tank that was so much bigger than an already large Fairlane or Fairmont ghia it blew my mind. The length and width mad me think it was a Cadillac because I was young and uneducated lol
Same with me , about 1974 , travelling south with mum and dad in our AP 6 Valiant, just coming into Timaru ( nz) , and there was this big car in front of us with really big round taillights, I asked dad "what sort of car is that ? " , he said ," it's a Ford Galaxie " , it was a '63 model, and ever since, Iv'e wanted a '63 Galaxie. It may still happen, but Iv'e barely got enough garaging for the Valiants.
@@barrycuda3769 63 Galaxies are very good looking cars. 👍
@@mishham6388 Yes. Very impressive to a young kid. 👍
was the 3.6 221 in the fairlane a v8?
we had the 221 in our xw falcon - 6cyl
@@georgeiliadis9240 Yes but different engines. Just same capacity. 👍
Sitting in my friends car. Cop comes up and says"far lane".
We all say "no , it's a galaxy".
"Far lane!"
No they look similar but this is a galaxy..
Points at sign
.
All six of us in unison.. "OH, FIRE Lane!".
American cops all have thick southern /country accents even if they are from a big city in the North. .
@@DeadCat-42 Gotta love it though. 👍
The copywriters layed it on thick didn't they
@@SS-yw7vo They sure did plus not the level of truth in advertising back then either. 👍
Fairlane By Ford reminds of How Holden used to have on the back of their cars, " Statesman by Holden" . I guess Ford and later GMH were trying to differentiate their domestic luxury vehicles from their everyday, bread & butter counterpart, like as if they were some sort of handcrafted vehicles made from better materials ….By the way I had to laugh at the initials at 14:11. B.S -Stilwell Ford…😂
@@paulsz6194 Yes. Trying to make it more upmarket. I’m sure there were jokes back in the day re those initials. 👍
what's the story (if there is one) on the "500" in the model names?
@@peterkirby1753 That was taken from the US. I think it may have come from Ford’s Total Performance years when it was very active in Racing. 👍
Hey Mark, where ever did Ford get the "500" from ?? ie Falcon 500, Fairlane 500, Galaxie 500. What is the history & background behind the 500 ?
@@thunderbird1454 My only thought was it related to their Total Performance era where they were heavily involved in motorsport. Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500 etc. 👍
I suppose the compact Fairlanes could be called small , but a number of years ago I was having a good look at a beautiful black unmolested survivor '64 Fairlane , and I thought it was actually quite a large bulky car , my AP6 is classed as a compact , but compared to the Fairlane, it's much more compact.
@@barrycuda3769 Yes, they were bigger than contemporary Falcons and Valiants but “compact” compared to the “Tank” they replaced. 👍
I wonder when power windows were first offered? Non of this generation seems to have them. Holden seems to have been first with their Brougham.
@@jamesfrench7299 My understanding was that it was ZF. Quite a while after the Brougham. Sales tell us that maybe spending more on differentiation was more important. 🤔👍
@@markbehr88 not so much now, but I used to view power windows as a prerequisite to being considered luxury. I imagine Holden simply gained access to GM's parts bin for power windows, not develop them for the Brougham. PWs were common in luxury cars in America in the 1950s and certainly in the 60s.
@@jamesfrench7299 Yes, most definitely and a relatively easy way to give their offering some class. 👍
Do you have very many of those left down there, Mark? Do you see any?
@@tonyscarcare5657 Hi Tony. I wouldn’t say many. There are a few still around but nothing like you used to see. A bit like the USA. 👍
Do you have an email I can send some historic pictures from Dawson street?
@@JimLahey21 Sure. It is mjbehr@yahoo.com.au
What color could you have for these fairlanes ?
@@Eric-kn4yn I’d have to check my colour charts but off the top of my head - black, white, stratos grey, burgundy, navy blue, light metallic green, pale yellow, gold, silver. 👍
@@markbehr88 a good selection similar to falcon thats near enough .
Yes, there was also a dark green and I am sure a few others plus special order colours too. 👍
Have always had a sweet spot for the Fairlane. Ford never meant it to be a muscle car. Just a really good long distance performer. Some of you will understand how that works.
@@royferntorp Yes, I have always loved the Fairlanes. I have three of them - ZH, ZK and AU. All 302 V8s. Great Aussie cars for long distances. 👍
@@markbehr88 I bought a Compact 62 Fairlane. with a 260. Great car. Mint green, white roof. Had those old ROH 5 spoke mags. After this I tried a car from the dark side. I bought an HK Brougham. They sold it as a full size car but it just had 18" welded to a Premier boot.
Very nice re the Fairlane. Some people unkindly called the Brougham the big booted Belmont! 🫣
@@markbehr88 I never heard that in the day. Still hilarious though. I gotta say though, that 307 and Powerglide never gave up.
@@royferntorp Yes, they drove pretty well for sure. Just needed more differentiation. 👍
Not an a/c in sight ?.
@@Eric-kn4yn Not until a bit later. ZC I think. 👍
100% male motoring im sure.
@@Eric-kn4yn There may be some ladies out there to take you to task! 😀👍