The Fairmont replaced Ford’s compact Maverick in 1978. Unlike the Maverick, Mustang, and Falcon before it, the new car was not based on the Falcon’s unibody platform. It was the first U.S. Ford to use the new Foxbody platform, which the Mustang would adopt in 1979. The Fairmont enjoyed a six-year run and more than 1.6 million cars sold. It’s another example of U.S. autos built during the so-called Malaise Era when quality was sometimes suspect. This 1983 Fairmont Futura (the swankier model) has been sitting in a field in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for a year and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $1,500 OBO. Our appreciation to “Lothar… of the Hill People” for the tip.
During the Fairmont’s run, it was sandwiched first between the Pinto and Granada models, and later between the Escort and LTD. Mercury sold a version of the Fairmont badged as the Zephyr. When the Fairmont’s tenure was over, it was replaced by the Tempo in 1984. The Futura wore a higher level of trim as it did back when the Falcon had a model wearing that name, too. The Fairmont had a 4-cylinder as standard, with a 200 cubic inch inline-six extra, which is what’s in this example.
We’re told this Fairmont has been sitting in a field or yard for more than a year. Besides the engine not running (from being idle or for other reasons), the brakes are locked up. The odometer reads just 40,000 miles and – given the clean interior in this car – that could be actual. The Ford has an automatic transmission, condition unknown.
The body looks okay except for a dent in the driver’s side front fender. However, the rear bumper is missing, and we’re told there is some rust in a few places. It looks to have a vinyl roof, and hopefully no corrosion has begun to form beneath it. The seller had planned to turn this into a drag car but used a Mustang for that purpose instead (perhaps it’s in some of the photos). So, it’s time for this Fairmont to go live somewhere else. Is it a good buy at $1,500 or less?
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