History
I bought this car from an elderly gentleman pensioner in Cober Peddy who told me he couldn't afford to run it anymore and had stored the car in a shed.
It has a factory fitted GT (code T) engine and most of the GT accessories. It started almost immediately yet didn't sound like it should, it had a single exhaust.
Someone had replaced the original rear bumper bar for the twin ehaust with one that suited a single exhaust.
I looked under the car and saw that there was the hollow that allowed for the other pipe, but it was strong and able to be driven. Once I got it home to Canberra I started searching for a bumper bar that had the two cut-outs suitable for a twin exhaust. I found one in Perth and had it shipped to my home then I went and had a new twin exhaust fitted.
I rang up Ford to get some history on this vehicle and was told that there were (I think from memory) about 6,179 ZH Fairlanes manufactured in 1978. Only a handful were fitted with the special GT engine. I have had it fitted with an original shaker to increase the speed of the 351 engine and it really flies.
As I drive it everyday, I once could not resist the urge to see how fast it would go after having the shaker fitted; I reached a speed of over 220 kph.
It felt as if I was motionless, just holding the steering wheel and everything was speeding in the opposite direction.
I don't like speeding and for me it was "brown trousers" time. My children tell me they know when I'm on my way home because they can hear my car two streets away.
I really enjoy driving this vehicle and it gets quite a bit of attention from other drivers, especially when I'm stopped at the traffic lights.
I service it regularly and since taking these photos the fairlane has had work on the suspension. It's had new bushes and brake pads and it has been fitted with new tyres and chrome 12 slot wheels.
I will keep this car as I am confident that it will appreciate exponentially as they become harder and harder to find in such great rustless condition.
Modifications
Shaker has been added over the original 780cfm Carter 4 barrell carburator.
Due to the increase in speed bonnet or hood locking pins where fitted for added security to ensure that the bonnet remains closed.
