Just appearing in contestant’s row on The Price Is Right is an exciting feat in itself, but to make it all the way into the showcase and win an automobile from Bob Barker is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Although no concrete evidence is provided, the seller tells us that this 1979 Ford Fairmont station wagon was originally won by a lucky participant in the longest-running daytime TV game show, and while that doesn’t add any real monetary value, it’s indeed a fun conversation starter for your local car shows. What’s more important here is that this one’s only traveled 40,000 miles and is full of new parts, so if you’re longing for a cool wagon from a different era, this 1979 Ford Fairmont here on Craigslist might be worth checking out. It’s priced at $10,500, and I’m not surprised to learn that this one’s located in California, in the community of Ladera Ranch in southern Orange County.
We’d like to thank Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the tip here! It’s not unusual for television promotional cars not to be equipped with the highest level of trim, and this one didn’t come with the Squire package, which would have included the faux wood paneling along the sides. However, somewhere along the way, colorful horizontal stripes were added instead, which probably attract more attention anyway. The outside shows some chips and blemishes in a few areas, but the panels seem solid overall, plus the surfboard does a fine job of drawing your attention away from any body flaws.
The Fairmont came standard with a four-cylinder engine, with an inline V6 coming in as the next step up in performance. However, some really exciting news is that this one is powered by a 302 V8, with another positive being that the automatic transmission is stated as new. Many other fresh parts are also listed, such as the radiator, brakes, tires, and some custom LED headlights. The seller says his wagon runs awesome, and equates the ride quality to that of a Cadillac, which sort of reminds me of the seventies marketing campaign where Ford compares its Granada ESS to a Mercedes-Benz 280SE.
Some of the interior mods might be more at home in a Mustang, as I’m counting no less than half a dozen aftermarket gauges on top of and underneath the dash. On the other hand, it’s nice to be able to keep an eye on what’s going on with that 302 under the hood, plus the added back-up camera is another practical feature. Overall, this one seems like an enjoyable cruiser, whether you live in The Sunshine State or elsewhere. Any thoughts to share on this 1979 Ford Fairmont station wagon?
I think there is a fandom following for The Price Is Right. I know data exists for (for example) the historical percentage of wins for the various games. But I don’t know if info/video footage is accessible for decades-ago shows. Not that it matters, other than for trivia.
As for the car, it looks decent. I had to look up what a “Killer Dana” surf rack is; for me the surfboard would be the first to go. I actually like the multi-hued stripes; the overkill gauges and the LED headlights, not so much. Lots of maintenance items which is good.
Thanks Mike.
On Roku TV, there is a Price Is Right channel that only shows episodes from mostly the 70’s. My daughter gets a kick that I can still guess the prices of items from back then, but not today.
Also there is a Facebook Group named “The Price is Right Car Museum” that shows screenshots from the show of the cars that were prizes.
It’s a good thing the seller included a picture of the speedometer to prove the mileage, otherwise the condition and recent maintenance comes across more like 140,000 miles. There are a lot of personalized modifications such as gauges and headlight, luckily the surf paraphernalia looks like it can be disposed of with little effort. The price seems aggressive without documentation to back up some of the sellers claims.
Steve R
I’m surprised the surf stuff isn’t being sold separately. I do agree the LED headlights need to go, in the topshot they look almost painted-on.
This being a SoCal car, it’s possible that it’s the exact car won on TPIR; however, most contestants who won cars went home with vouchers they could take to a local dealership and buy a car. Taking the voucher was the smart option – the vouchers were for MSRP, and given typical dealer discounts, winners could get more car with the voucher. This one having a V-8 and air conditioning suggests it was bought with a voucher.
in line V6?
Nice catch Joe.
Rookie mistake Mike.
The rare “zero degree angle” V6 Joe.
“The Fairmont came standard with a four-cylinder engine, with an inline V6 coming in as the next step up in performance.”
At the risk of being pedantic I’ll point out that there is no such thing as an “inline V6”. :)
Volkswagen may disagree with you. VR6 anyone?
The VR6 isn’t an inline V6 – just a narrow angle V6 – 15 degree.
I always wished I could have found one of these when my kids were young in the late ’90s. Pretty much any modification you could do to a ’79-93 Mustang could be done on this since they share the FOX platform. A 5.0 T5 Fairmont wagon would have been much more fun than the 95 Caravan we had.
It’s a long way from stock. Nice to see you though. Ford should be making things like this and all those expensive huge SUVs and trucks that no one is buying.
And real compact trucks again!
“…huge SUV’s and trucks that no one is buying.” In 2024 Ford sold 1.4 F-Series trucks PER MINUTE. And the rate is higher so far this year.
I wish that were feasible but nobody buys station wagons outside of a few of us wagon freaks (I own 3). Technically the Outback is a station wagon and sells pretty well but other than that its a dead segment. Thank the Euros for still making them regardless of the American market. Oh and Toyota for making the goofy looking (I want one) Crown Signia.
drove one for 23 years – I loved it!
drove one for 23 years – I loved it!
That odometer has rolled over at least once lots of new unnecessary parts for only 40k miles and A lot of dirt and grime under the hood for the stated mileage
Although I don’t agree with the placement of the gauges. You need something in this car in order to keep tabs. As the only 2 gauges that came stock was the gas gauge and the speedometer. Everything else is monitored by idiot lights. I agree on the price being too strong. But if priced right and you don’t mind doing some work. This one is an easily modified Mustang wagon. Just remember that there is an additional 5.5 inches in wheel base so exhaust and subframe connectors need to be extended. And the tail pipes will be different.
Bob, I’ll bid $10,499.00.
SoCal car is showing a heap of rust. Lives near salt water?
And +1 on 140K.
40,000 miles on a running 45 year old economy wagon? 3 miles per day? The rust might be legit for a car pushing a 1/2 century, since it Cali, but that drivers seat belt is so frayed it’s not believable. If you’re asking for all the money, shampoo those carpet and seat stains, lose the Sex Wax deodorizer and show an underside shot.
Might be 240k miles, as well. That frayed seat belt suggests LOTS of short-haul in-and-out use. But 40K? Next joke.
I owned a 1980 Fairmont wagon about 30 years ago. What I remember most about it is how cold the vinyl seats were on winter mornings. 🥶😂
This car was made and marketed during the gas crunch, and you had the odd even days with the 100 car long gas lines.
Not to insult the seller, but, I was there, and nobody wanted them.
By the mid / late 80’s most of them went to the Scrapper.
By the mid 90’s you had to pay a junker to take it away, average price was $100.
Like a lot of fleet vehicles of the time; Hollywood destroyed them by the thousands.
I have an ’81 Fairmont Futura Squire Wagon because I just love how basic these cars were. Mine was oddly optioned with the STRAIGHT 6 (maybe standard on Squires) NO AC but it has functioning Cruise Control and intermittent wipers. It’s very smooth and slow but I still enjoy it after 4 years and 13,000 miles. Just topped 100,000 miles too… NO RUST
I love watching vintage TPIR episodes (search The Barker Era online its everywhere) and Fairmonts come up quite often. 1982 Futura Coupe seems to be the most popular.
I always thought Fairmonts had nice ergonomics. Too bad about all the rust.
I’m very happy with my daily, basically this same wagon, a 6 yr newer (also ‘fox’ platform) ’85 LTD. Performance can be found in the LX model (a ‘4 dor mustang’) some of the1st merican attempts to challenge the europeans in the ‘executive’ car class.
The fairmont had 5 engines (none the bent6): 2.3L i4 turbo, 140ci i4, 200ci i6 (my fav), the 302bent8 (changed to 255ci bent8 a dog). This was near the last (I’d say nxt gen = last) of manufacturers offering lots of choices (tickle more $ out of customers) as cost of goods more equaled incomes. All in same model: sedans (FB, liftback, notch and standard), coups (same) wagons, verts, sedan/pick up, etc were offered. 4, 5 motors. 3, 4 transmissions. Trim levels also had a small spread w/in each model. “Face lifts” came in then asa way to entice back to dealers while still in same generation’ (3 – 5 yrs – usually).
Another transition was to come in nxt gen autos (more complicated ignition computers and efi – ‘throttle body” like). But I dont believe this fairmont/zephyr was any worse than nxt 1 in challenging the Japanese invasion. More roomie, better performance, but as heavier – no MPG match. That’s all some sought when shopping.
Hey guys, cool to see my car on here.
First, yes, it is a V8.
Second, surfboard is mine but could be included if it is a deal breaker. Being from So. Cal and growing up surfing, it’s fits the car out here, but maybe not so much in other parts of the world.
Story on the car…..I bought this off of a friend of mine whose good friend’s mom won it on the Price is Right. I don’t know if it was a voucher or not. Never thought to ask.
The mom drove it in the early 80’s and then passed away. The son didn’t have the heart to sell it so he parked it in his backyard for over 30 years and never drove it. Not sure where he lived exactly, but it was in So. Cal. somewhere.
You all know what time can do sitting in one place for so long. The rust on the hood is from a pile of leaves that sat on the hood forever. There is a little rust on the back tailgate lift door at the top in the rain channel. Other than that there is no other rust aside from the sheen in a few places. The body is in amazingly great shape.
My friend being a 70’s hipster and a mechanic bought the car off his buddy to bring it to life. He got it running, put the gauges in, pulled off the crappy faux wood paneling and painted the “Burger King” stripes on it and then cruised it around town for a few months before he decided to sell it for another project. Both him and his buddy were adamant about “no roll-over” on the 35,000 miles when I bought it, but think what you want. I have no reason to doubt them. Decades of resting outside does strange things to a car.
I bought this off of him because my 16 year old son wanted a wagon to cruise in to high school, the beach and back. His girlfriend hated it…hahaha.
All the stuff I fixed was to ensure my boy had a safe car to drive and yes, the kids dug it at school.
I put the surf racks and long board on it and it is definitely a conversation peace with thumbs up where ever we go.
It’s not restored, not perfect, needs a little more love and care, but my boy moved to New York to attend Army West Point where he is playing rugby and getting an amazing education.
We have no need for the car anymore and although I love to cruise it to the beach still, it’s time to let her go to someone else that can appreciate a Fairmont Wagon.
Hope that answers any questions about the car.
Cheers!
I suspect the girlfriend’s Dad didn’t like the station wagon either.
Interesting story. Please explain the seat belt wear.
My boss at a bakery in New Jersey had one of these in green in the very early 80’s. I then went to college. Came back for summer to resume my job and did not see it parked in the back of the strip mall where the bakery was. In its place there was a brand new Ferrari 308 in red. Turns out my boss won the lottery for 7 million. Bought that car and a vacation house on the Jersey shore. Still worked 7 days a week getting in at 4AM
Price dropped to $9,800. Tempting! (since I have many Fox/Mustang) suspension goodies lying around.