My Muscle Car
Car: XC Fairmont Hardtop Hometown: Tumbarumba, NSW
AMC readers show us their muscle cars.
What is it?
“My hardtop is a 1976 XC Fairmont model with a 351. The colour is Ford’s Sparkling Burgundy Pearl from the AU range in 2000. It was originally Red Flame.”
When did you buy it?
“A mate I played cricket with in the 1990s decided to sell it and I made him an offer that he accepted, albeit some 12 months later, in 1994.”
Why did you buy it?
“I fell in love with the muscular shape, especially with big rubber under them, when I first saw the hardtop range. Then, after the 1977 Bathurst one- two, even more so.”
What can you tell us about its life?
“I had to do the engine up, as that was in poor condition. So while it was out I had it resprayed, in 2000. After that, the engine sat on a stand and the car in the shed for many years until my youngest son got engaged in 2011 and suggested it would be good to have it going for his wedding. So two years later, 2013, it was ready for the big day.”
How does it go?
“It goes great and sounds great and has lots of lowdown old school grunt. It handles better after replacing the front suspension with coil-over shocks and upgraded brakes. I have a few jobs in the pipeline: the first is to reduce the road noise and fit air-conditioning for my wife, Sharlene. Next is to fit a fuel-injection kit and a five-speed gearbox that are sitting at my workshop. And last is to just enjoy driving it as much as possible, especially up here in the mountains with the newly formed Tumbarumba Motor Club.”
Anything you’d like to add?
“Tumbarumba is at the foot of the Snowy Mountains and for your magazine’s readers there is plenty to see and some great drives if they came down to explore with their cars.