Submitted 14-09-2003.
Toby's EL Fairmont:
Wagon Style!
Now those of you who are regulars on this site will know how much of stickers we are for a good wagon (after all, between the two of us we own four!) so when a rarity such as this EL Fairmont comes our way, who were we to say no? But we did send Toby back for another shot at taking some photos - and this time he came back with some rippers! Now before we go on too far, you've got to understand this Navy Blue beauty is Toby's main steed for driving plenty of country kilometres and as such makes plenty of sense when you consider the direction he's taken with his select modification scheme.
Keeping Toby's ride from scraping it's underside are a stylish looking set of EF XR6 15 x 7" rims (wrapped in Pirelli P6000 Powergy 215/60’s) with Polyair-Airbags assisting the rear springs for when Toby chooses to make use of that heavy duty Hayman-Reese hanging out the back. While no show pony (Toby's choice of accessories should convince you of that) this is one work-horse that looks the goods thanks to Toby's thorough detailing helping to accent the EL's inherently good looks.
| Many things have been said of
Ford's lighting efforts in both the EF & EL - and usually none of it's
good. Toby wasn't one to mince his words so quickly got about to
rectifying the situation - with devastating results. - Courtesy of
one pair of Cibie Super Oscars (the big ones) at 100 watt each, and one of
Cibie Airport 35’s (fogs) at a comparably sane 55 watt each, all sitting
on a custom mounting bracket helping avoid drilling any un-necessary holes
in that classic bumper bar.
And as if that wasn't enough, Tobay also replaced the
standard headlight globes 90/100 watt |
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Surprisingly considering the light show up front, Toby reports that he has had no alternator trouble as yet (with the Falcon's 110 amp output doing it's job admaribly) and with only one flat battery (now upgraded to a 13 plater) to speak of in just over two years of ownership. And the headlights themselves? Says Toby "Apart from one melted plug, the lenses themselves are fine - I think as long as you stick with a good brand - I've used Hansa / Cibie globes."
| Engine wise, things are still
pretty much the same as Ford intended it except for a "Power Green" fuel
filter unit (which Toby claims gives him a small but noticeable increase
in fuel economy and power) and 2 1/2" cat back exhaust with
straight-through mufflers for just that right note...
In the audio department all those long k's have driven Toby to replace the standard head unit with a Kenwood sourced KDC-4010 along with a same brand 6 disc stacker to play tunes to a pair of Kenwood 7x10’s customised into the tailgate while the factory front speakers remain. |
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An Alpine MRV-400 V12 amp powers up 2 10” Boss Audio 800 watt sub woofers in a blue neon enclosure for just the right mood to suit the outside paintwork. Toby also adds he has a Uniden UH-013, 40 channel UHFx 40 channel scanner "as I do a lot of country driving" which is fair enough too - gotta have something to keep you entertained on those long drives!
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...And that's in addition to
the creature comforts already present in every Fairmont!
All in all, we love it - and Toby is to be congratulated on this unique interpretation of one of Ford's finest wagons. Check out our Discussion Pages to ask questions or leave comments in regard to Toby's ride. We look forward to seeing you there! (Back to EL Visitors Cars) |