My Muscle Car
What is it?
“It’s a November 1971 XY Fairmont, registered in February 1972. It’s finished in Bronze Wine duco with black trim. It originally fitted with a 6cyl engine and column-shift auto but now has a 393 ci Cleveland.”
When did you buy it?
“I first bought the car in March 2006, I saw it for sale on the front cover of the Auto Supermarket magazine Issue 1000, wish I had a copy as I have issue 1001.”
Why did you buy it?
“I had an XY Fairmont GS previously which I sold back in 2003 once my daughter was born. I sadly missed this car after three years, and then I saw this Fairmont advertised which caught my attention. I rang the owner, Jason, and we chatted and he spoke very lightly of the car. Back then he had many people say to him that they were interested in coming and they wouldn’t show up, so he thought I was one of them. I turned up the next day as soon as I could. When I arrived Jason took the cover off and reversed it out of the shed – and my jaw dropped. I couldn’t spot much rust at all, the body was nice and straight and the paint work was mostly original. The interior was all original apart from the dash pad. The back seat was like new! I drove the car and it was superb: no vibrations, wind noise or rattles. I was in love and bought it.”
What do you know about its history?
“It was sold new by B.S Stillwell Ford Cotham Rd Victoria, to Mrs E.R Richardson. She owned it for approximately 19 years and sold it to her psychologist (Keith Adey) in September, 1991, with approximately 79,000 miles. Keith had it for a short time and put approximately 5,000 miles on it and sold it to his family friend Jason Kuhnell in May 1992. In the 14 years Jason had it, he had rebuilt the engine and transmission (6cyl), touched up a couple of scratches, fitted 12 slotter wheels and a sports steering wheel. He put about 80,000 miles on it, so in total I bought it with 164,000 miles in March, 2006. I’m the proud fourth owner and I need to beat the record of ownership.”
How does it go?
“I built a 393 Cleveland that produces approximately 560hp. It’s fitted to a C4 columnshift auto transmission with a 3000rpm stall converter, and nine-inch differential. With all the added sound deadener it cruises nicely and has plenty of punch when needed (Sleeper).”
Anything you’d like to add?
“In April 2013 I decided to do a full restoration. I wanted to leave the car as it was optioned apart from the drive train; the look I was aiming for was a factory H code (GT-HO) Fairmont. I spent a lot of time refurbishing everything, and the restoration was definitely a challenge. It was completed in September 2016.
Special thanks to Dean from Indy Kustoms Body and Paint work, Danny Valencic helping me install the engine and Allan Morley helping me convert the wiring harness.”
What is it?
“It’s a February 2009 FG GT 5th Anniversary edition. It’s got the 5th Anniversary logo embossed in the headrests.”
When did you buy it?
“November 2011.”
Why did you buy it?
“I’ve been a Ford fan for a long, long time and I was looking for a replacement FPV.”
What do you know about its history?
“It was owned by someone who did not look after it too well in the previous two years before I saved it. It was full of dust and the undercarriage and exhaust was in a mess from mud and stones.
I found it in a two-bob caryard on Brisbane’s Southside just sitting sad in the corner.”
How does it go?
“Not bad for a big barge of a car!”
Anything else you’d like to add?
“FPV chose to build the 5th Anniversary edition in just two colours, ‘Lightning Strike’ or ‘Silhouette.’ The car is identified by striping, an exclusive decal and a special multi-spoke design of alloy wheel in a 19-inch diameter and finished in Alpine Silver. There were 80 ‘Lightning Strike’ examples built, 55 autos and 25 manuals, and 120 ‘Silhouette’ consisting of 76 Automatic and 44 Manual Transmission units.”