To be fair, this 1979 Ford Fairmont wagon is not a barn find. But it is most certainly a hot-rod we can all appreciate, which started out with a survivor-grade example that made it the perfect platform for an OEM+ style build. The Fairmont features a Mustang GT drivetrain, complete paint job, a five-lug conversion, rear disc brakes, and more. It’s an awesome cruiser that has seemingly all of the heavy lifting done, and it’s listed here on eBay with bids at $7,600.
There is a reserve and it remains unmet. This photo just looks like a perfect scene for a Fox Body enthusiast, with a southern homestead sitting quietly in the background, some very nice looking Mustangs and the super clean Fairmont in question just relaxing in the calming surroundings of the Mississippi countryside. With the suspension upgrades this Fairmont benefits from, it seems likely that it handles well enough to tackle the occasional twisty road in addition to straight cruising. The wood-style paneling looks well-preserved, and they were removed prior to the $7,000 repaint.
The seller doesn’t detail the work done to the interior specifically, just stating that the Fairmont was restored before he got his hands on it. There are some custom touches in here that I could live without, particularly the gauge cluster; the stock arrangement worked fine, so why change it. The steering wheel looks cheap and out of place, and I’d love to see if a stock Mustang SVO steering wheel could work. Large aftermarket speakers grace the door panels, and some additional fake wood trim can be found around the floor shift automatic transmission.
The 5.0L V8 really sits in there quite nicely, and the seller notes that the EFI setup looks exactly like you’d find in any other 1992 Mustang. This updated drivetrain makes it seem was more feasible that this Fairmont could be driven confidently from one end of the country to the other, all the while being able to find the parts you need at practically any NAPA, nationwide. Other mechanical upgrades include an aluminum driveshaft, front brakes from a V8 Mustang, automatic transmission with PTC stall converter, and a custom chip. Is this Fairmont a car you would drive daily?
Interesting… My mother had a Fairmont and I always thought the dash was pretty cheesy looking. The stock steering wheel did nothing for me either but I agree the replacement on this car doesn’t look quite right. That said, this is a nice looking, well done build.
If the guy started with a Mexican car it could have been a factory stick shift.
Could get a factory stick shift in the USA too! My family owned two 1980 Wagons with a 4 speed manual overdrive floor shift. Great cars!
Agree swap dash & wheel for something more stockist. Otherwise like it
I love it! And I see the A/C is hooked up, I wonder if it works… A older fella I grew up watching build cars built 2 Fairmonts with 5liter Mustang engines. One peach colored and one light gray. They are still around and look just like the day her rolled them out of the garage!
Yes the AC has been completely converted to R134 properly with the correct condenser out front. (with the smaller tubes for the R134 molecule). It makes those summer car show drives a pleasure. The heater core is also new. I fixed that and a few other things after I bought it.
Who spends $7k to paint a Fairmont? That’s like 10x book value…
I agree. I see $35,000 1965 Mustangs all the time that sold for $3500 new. What is the world coming to?
All in all it’s a clean looking and decently executed build however as so often the case, some of the mods will prove to be detractors. I personally could live with the interior mods but I don’t dig the shaved door handles one bit. A Fairmont Squire looks a bit peculiar sans door handles and lock cylinders. That particular bit isn’t my cup of tea. I remember these fox-boxes being very common here in Western New York when I was a pre-adolescent in the ‘80s and by the time I graduated high school in ‘96 most were gone from the streets due to rusted unibody or plain old neglect. I’ve logged many hours being driven by family members who owned ‘Monts however I’ve only driven one; a ‘78 two door sedan in typical powder blue with the 200 cube straight six, auto and power steering but manual brakes. It was nothing to write home about but nothing particularly awful either. Just basic, economical transportation that seemed right for the times in which it was produced. I’m a wagon nut, having owned 4 Volvo wagons, a Parisienne Safari, 2 Taurus LX wagons (first gen.), an Eagle Limited, a Saab 9-5 wagon that was modded to Aero specs and spent many hours being chauffeured around in family owned LTD( 78-460) and an Aspen ( ‘76-318) wagons over the years. I find the utility of a wagon to be wholly useful and if only this old girl still had exterior door handles, it would rank quite high in my book.
Holy cow ! Wagon nut may be an understatement based on your list (impressive variety!). Splurge for some door handles and go get her ! I was going to do a 5.0 fox body wagon project for my family but now my youngest is 21…maybe not now lol. I could be the grandpa without ABS, stability control, air balloons, cabin filters, rocket ejection seats !
I feel the same on the door handles and I own it. I would rather it have them. I guess if the top was chopped, the body sectioned, they would fit right in but then the detractors would fire up and blaze us all.
As it is, it doesn’t hurt for attention anywhere it goes. Burger joint, Quick stops, grocery getting..
The wood around the floor shifter is real. When I bought the car the B&M floor shifter was in the wrong place to accommodate an AOD. The only option was to have a plate made and with the woody look, it fit right in. Aside from that, you either like Fairmont Wagons, or you hate them. Both types in my house. And yes, who spends $7000 to paint a Fairmont? Not me… but geeze someone lost big. I bought it for a lot less than the build cost. Time to move it on. Too many toys!
Cool car, good luck!
Hideous!
My wife feels the same way. She won’t ride in it unless walking is the only option LOL. I love the car and my wife. The car turns a lot of heads but when my wife walks by they all turn. So I’m keeping her for sure ha ha!!
I’m kind of mixed on this one. Never cared for the looks of these. Agree shaved handles are out of place and the steering wheel reminds me of all those ugly oak toilet seats of the 80’s. I would have spent more of my money with either building a modified 5.0 or installing a Pro-Charger and created a real wolf in woodie clothing.
Nice car, stupid hood scoop, way too much money.
Thanks for leaving a comment NOT!
I’ve been waking up to these forgotten cars. I missed a super clean white one reasonably priced on Craigsmess recently and am now on the hunt. I’m a musician and as such can use the cargo space but I’m sick of vans and SUVs so a wagon with some style seems the perfect thing to pull up to a gig in. Looks like a mini LTD wagon. Too rich for my blood but a cool ride in its own right.
If I had the room I’d try to buy it even though it is too far away. There aren’t many of these left, i really like the body design, and the modifications are interesting and make for a car one could use and not go crazy with a lot of mechanical nonsense. I am on the Left Coast and I have a further concern about being able to smog the car here. I also have several projects underway, and yes, no door handles is silly. Nice car. Someone buy it.
The only thing I would change is converting to a manual trans. Not a fan of shaved door handles, you can always put them back!
this or the ’83/6 LTD/Marquis (preferred) have been in my search for at least 3 yrs. But a clean slate…
Can U list out some stuff? Not so much on the motor but suspension, K member, breaks, etc. I see the frame stiffeners…
May B a great place to start (if priced right), not stuck w/anything folks have listed to chuck. Thnx for da dyn0mat~
Hey Owner, you are taking the criticism with grace, hats off to ya!
I like this for the most part. Sure, I would make some changes, but then it would be mine. Taste is very subjective & we all have different versions of it.
I would try to find the deluxe seats for it, with the fold down arm rest (gotta lean when cruisin’ through the ‘hood), and I would replace that steering wheel too. Outside, another doorhandle comment…I too think it’s a little goofy without them.
Miguel reminded us of the stick shift Fairmint. That would be a “must have” for this car. Again, I would make it mine. All in all, a great car, in my eyes. Good luck to both seller & buyer!
I almost went stick shift when I pulled out the 3 speed C-4. The AOD makes it a nice cruiser and I’m 51. I have a few 5 speed cars and I am about over it LOL…
That said, I can convert this to a 5 speed to the right buyer! Let’s make it happen! I can’t see spending what it would take to put the door handles back in. Lord have mercy what would that cost? You best just go on get new doors, re-wrap and hope your paint and wood grain match.
My comment is in regard to the article’s writer.His first words are ” to be fair, this is not a barn find” Perhaps this was his first day on the job? A majority of the cars featured each day are not barn finds!
wrap wpuld go w/so much more if price came dwn
(ate’s a lill hi).
Every X some1 ‘customizes’ values drop…
(my listed above waggys have the rear window wiper)
Excellent work. It’s a Ford, it’s got the hot 5.0 and most of all its not another Mustang. Hats off to the builder as most Fairmonts bit the dust years ago….
reserve unmet, relisted. Good luck~
Re & RePete:
“…Can U list out some stuff? Not so much on the motor but suspension, K member, breaks, etc. I see the frame stiffeners…”