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General Comment: ED Fairmont
GHIA
(back to
INDEX)
In the same manner as the ED Fairmont to the EB series II
version of the same, the ED Fairmont Ghia was barely any different to the
model before it - save a different grill. Owners who
fronted up to trade in their EB II Fairmont Ghia on the new model must have been
bitterly disappointed with the lack of change to say the least! However,
with the passage of time, perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing after all with the EB II Fairmont Ghia being such a good
thing... ABS
brakes were standard for only the second ever model in Falcon history, while
surprisingly the Fairmont Ghia continued with the same suspension settings introduced with the ED GLi and
Futura, so any extra comfort was only in the way of it's seats.
Unfortunately for the wagon owner & affectionado, the ED
brought bad news with the Fairmont Ghia wagon being discontinued - leaving the
Fairmont as the highest specification available to those seeking the extra
cargo carrying ability and five seats. Fortunately, the XR6 was now
available in station wagon format helping make up for the loss...sort-of.
Unlike the Fairmont, the Fairmont Ghia suffers no identity
issues and is quite sought after - both for it's exterior &
interior appointments as well as overall feel - as being the best equipped
Falcon available at the time. With most of the extra items over and
above Fairmont being those little 'luxury' touches, the Fairmont Ghia has had
no problems finding owners second hand and is a favourite of young buyers,
closely following of course the XR twins.
Although now two models old, the 15" alloys originally found on the
EB series II Fairmont Ghia looked as fresh as the day they were introduced -
providing plenty of reason to keep this Falcon for stock, if one so choses...
Compared to the Commodore and small car options available, the Falcon speaks
of safety on every corner with much higher levels of strength built in no
matter where you look. Hence the Fairmont Ghia is a great
choice second hand for those wanting a car with a little more pizzazz - with
luxury exuding at the seams!
GM direct rival: VR Commodore
Calais.
Current Condition &
Buying Tips:
There is no doubting the ED Fairmont
Ghia - like every ED model - ain't getting any younger! Subsequently
the advice is buyer beware as a second rate example can quickly set you back more
than the car is worth with head gasket and gearbox repairs - along with a
whole lot of extra stuff (i.e. technology) to deal with. - Not that the
luxury touches were particularly
troublesome, just that if you are buying a Fairmont Ghia for it's extra equipment you
had better want to make sure it all still works as you had hoped!

Above: The very similarly styled ED Fairmont wearing optional
16" rims, genuine body kit & boot lid spoiler.
Avoid cars that look like they
have not been looked after (although much rarer to find in abused condition
than the other Falcon variants) and be prepared
to pay a little extra & spend a little more time looking for owners who
have looked after their car like it should have been. Fortunately
for the Fairmont Ghia, there are probably more owners who paid them their due
respect than any of the cheaper models - so finding a good one shouldn't be all too
difficult. Still, the owner's passion for their car should show easily as they walk you round it - as well as
in the overall general condition. Pay particular attention to coolant
condition, presence and change routines - as well as gearbox condition as
these are both particular weak points for any pre-AU OHC Falcon 6 / 4 speed
auto.
Watch out for poor quality
interior mods or left-over holes from removed big-bore stereo systems (a
favourite of the younger set) and avoid cars that have not been properly
maintained by owners who simply want to drive...and never fix anything! Check for leather
condition before buying as it is not nearly as hardy as some of the lesser
cloth based interior choices.
Collectability:
Being eclipsed only by
the ED XR8 Sprint as far as ED collectability goes - as time passes you will find the
Ghia by far the easiest to find to it's early recognition by the market and
subsequent preservation. Subsequently, as the top
Falcon in terms of luxury, there will always be a reasonable demand for it's
services - but it will never be in the order of say a GT!
Like any Falcon, if you want a ED Fairmont
Ghia that will be talked about in years to come,
look for one with a factory options such as the 5.0L V8, sunroof, body kit,
sports suspension or 16" wheels - with the rarest containing all of the
items listed! As the Fairmont Ghia was not exactly thick on the ground
to start with, finding one so equipped will take even more patience,
especially as many owners were quite satisfied to leave their Ghia in the same
condition Ford so opulently specified it in.

ED Fairmont
GHIA vs. ED Fairmont - what
you got extra:
-
Body coloured front and rear bumpers
including uppers (normally grey on other models)
-
Body coloured BSPM (Body Side
Protection Moulding) with silver / chrome strip insert.
-
'Argent' centre bar in
grill (vs. grey in Fairmont).
-
Factory applied belt-line pin
stripe.
-
Carried over from the EB II
were the unique & imaginitively named 'Sports styled wheels'.
Fortunately, they were also one of Ford's better efforts over the years...
-
Chrome exhaust
tip.
-
Leather
wrapped steering wheel.
-
Sports seats trimmed in
'Dresden' velour with leather bolsters.
-
Alpine Premium Sound System
featuring 9 speaker elements (inc sub-woofer) & 260 Watt output.
-
Interior colour schemes
limited to 'Slate' (vs. the choice available at Fairmont).
-
Limited exterior colour
choices (from the Fairmont's 12 available choices down to only 7 - see 'Body'
for a list of available colours)
-
Timber dress panel inserts on
door trims.
-
See-through leather wrapped
head rests in all four seating positions (excluding center rear).
ED Fairmont
GHIA vs. EB II
Fairmont GHIA:
Price When NEW:
4.0L sedan $39,806, 5.0L sedan
$42,454.
ED Fairmont Ghia Wagon no longer available.
The TBF challenge:
While these were the 'official' specifications listed by Ford for the ED
Fairmont GHIA, the occasional 'escapee' did get out with things that were not
supposed to be available - fitted from new! If you think you have such a
car, we want to hear about it - and encourage you to post details HERE...
(back to
INDEX)




BRAKES :
- Power assisted
four-wheel disc brakes.
- Front - 287mm dia ventilated discs.
- cast iron single
piston caliper (equalizing sliders). - Rear - 287 mm dia solid discs.
- aluminum single piston
caliper with integral
hand brake mechanism.
- Dash mounted hand brake
pull (left side
of steering wheel).
- ABS brakes standard
(four sensor, three channel).
- Taking up the 2300kg
rated tow-pack also saw heavy-duty brake pads fitted.
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SUSPENSION:
General
Comment:
Remarkably,
Ford made no claim for the Fairmont or Fairmont Ghia for improved suspension
specifications - leaving any pretensions of comfort to be taken up purely
and simply by the seats (which by the way, were very good). What that
means is that the Fairmont Ghia had to put up with what was essentially
exactly the same suspension system, spring and shock absorber rates as did
the GLi. Not that any of that should be a problem - with aftermarket
choices being so wide now-days!
Sedan:
- Coil sprung live axil.
- 4-link via trailing arms.
- Watts Link.
- Single rate coil springs.
- Twin tube telescopic
shock absorbers with "coil over" spring / shock absorber
mounting design.
- Stabilizer bar.
- Rubber trailing arm pivot
bushes.
Options:
- 'Heavy Duty' suspension
consisting of heavy duty springs, heavy duty shock absorbers and
increased rear ride height (approximately 20mm). As part of this package, the rear stabilizer bar was
deleted!!!
- A 'Sports Suspension'
option was available on ED Falcon sedans including
lower, stiffer
front and rear springs, sports tuned shock absorbers and bushes as
well as revised wheel alignment.
- Air adjustable rear shock
absorbers available as an option.
* FORUM:
How do you rate the Falcon's load carrying ability & how have you
improved yours? Discuss it here!
* FORUM:
What experiences have you had with different shock absorber brands &types - which are the best and which are the worst?
(back to
INDEX)
|


STEERING :
- Cruise control as standard meant that
the ED Fairmont GHIA & other similar cruise-fitted Falcons missed out in
the ED's new look steering wheel, having to make do with the not un-attractive previous steering wheel
design which despite looking identical to the EB and earlier, was in
fact slightly smaller in outside dia (introduced at EB II).
- Power assisted rack and pinion steering.
- Steering column adjustable for rake
& reach (see picture).
- Leather covered steering wheel standard.
- Minimum turning circles - 11.0m (sedan).
Right: Due to having
cruise control standard, the ED Fairmont GHIA received the 'old' style steering
wheel. |
 |
* FORUM:
Have you ever had any problems with your Falcon's steering? What
was it & how did you fix it? Discuss it
here!
(back to
INDEX)
. |


BODY:
- Colours Available: Polynesian
Green, Biscayne Blue,
Cardinal Red, Platinum, Dynamic White, Black Pearl,
Cobalt Blue.
- Colours NOT available from the factory:
Stark White, Le Mans Red, Quartz, Reef Green, Sandstone, Magenta.
- Body coloured front bumper lower edge
extension.
- Metallic paint standard with
non-metallic paints available as a no-cost option.
- Remote boot lid release.
- Remote fuel filler door release
- Improved side impact protection - 30%
ahead of ADR 29 and partly responsible for the ED's overall weight
increase.
- Improved roof crush protection (carried
over from EBII) via epoxy resin reinforcement of both A & B
pilliars and thicker front and side glass - now able to withstand a 3
tonne load.
- Body VIN codes permanently marked on
major body components.
- Optional body styling kit including side
skirts, front and rear bibs attached to the lower extremities of the
bumper bars as well as a raised deck lid spoiler - available on sedan
only.
- Optional low-line boot lid
spoiler. Independent of body kit.
- Optional clear plastic bonnet leading
edge protector to guard against stone chips.

Above: The ED Fairmont GHIA was
unfortunately no
longer available
as a station wagon.
*
FORUM:
What
detail observations (other than the obvious styling related ones) have you
made on the differences between the ED & EA, EB? Ever bought
something off of one of these models thinking 'it should be the same' but
isn't?
Add your
experience HERE!
(back to
INDEX)
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EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS:
| Exterior
(mm)
Overall
length
Overall height
Overall width
Wheelbase
Front track
Rear track
Front overhang
Rear overhang |
Sedan
4811
1399
1857
2794
1554
1533
878
1139 |
(back to
INDEX)
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IDENTIFICATION / APPEARANCE:
- Red and amber reflex rear applique (french for reflective panel between tail lights).
- Body coloured door handles & mirrors.
- Chrome sleeve in grill / 'Argent' centre
bar, body coloured surround.
- Body coloured front and rear bumpers
including uppers (normally grey on other models).
- Body coloured body side protection
moulding.
- Silver / chrome strip insert in bumpers
& body side protection moulding.
- Chrome exhaust tip standard.
- Dark grey number plate / reversing light
enclosure (vs. black for the EB)
- Smooth vent-less C-pilliar cover in body
colour (EA had slotted vent here)
- Reversing lamps next to the rear number
plate (incorporated in the tail lamps in the EA)
- Body styling kit optional when new.
|
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* FORUM:
Did we miss
anything? Add it HERE!
(back to
INDEX)
.
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VISION / WINDOWS:
- Electric Windows in all four doors -
centrally located switches located in centre consol, including a
lock-out button to prevent children from using power windows in rear.
- Separately mounted electric window
switches in back side doors.
- Fold-away (to avoid damage) electric
remote operated exterior rear view mirrors on each side - body
coloured painted shell.
- Prismatic day/night interior rear view
mirror.
- Twin dual jet windscreen washers.
- Two speed front windscreen wipers with intermittent
setting (fixed delay period) and demand wipe feature giving one-touch
control for single sweep wiping..
- Rear window demist with timed automatic
off feature.
- Rear window 'ceramic' sunshade -
painted bands at the top standard.
- Cloth covered
sunvisors with passenger vanity mirror.
- Tinted windscreen with dark tinted band
at top.
- Factory tinted side and rear glass.
- A "German manufactured"
sunroof was available as an extra cost
option when new featuring tilt vent operation as well as full
retraction slide away - also included was an automatic pop-up wind
deflector.
- Optional "Aero Profile" rear
sunshade constructed of dark grey translucent acrylic.
- Aerodynamic front windscreen sunshade
optional.
- Exterior fitted rear windscreen louver
optional.
- Optional front side weather shields in
clear acrylic.
*
FORUM: What tint
level do you have, which company did you use & how satisfied have you
been with it? Add your experiences here!
(back to
INDEX)
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LIGHTS:
- Glass fronted twin-element headlights -
EA/ED headlights were always noted for their exceptional performance
vs. both previous & later models - a very real strong point of
these models.
- High mounted auxiliary stop light on
both sedan and wagon.
- Reversing lamps next to the rear number
plate (incorporated in the tail lamps in the EA)
- NOTE Special 'towing' turn-signal
flasher fitted to vehicles fitted with tow-bar.
* FORUM: How do you
rate the ED Falcon's headlights, and what have you done to upgrade them?
(back to
INDEX)
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SECURITY:
- Optional Car Alarm (dealer fitted
option)
- "Smart Lock" electronic immobilization
and remote-keyless entry system.
- Central locking.
- 'Tibbe' high security locking system on
doors, ignition lock, and boot lid.
- Recessed door lock buttons.
- 'Strengthened' steering column lock
housing.
- Lockable glove box (low security - as it
is
only as good as it's plastic lid)
- Body VIN codes permanently marked on
major body components.
- Optional smart-lock integrated car
alarm.
- Illuminated entry system
including exterior door locks, foot well lights, interior light &
ignition lock.
* FORUM:
Have you ever had
a late model Falcon, Fairlane or LTD broken into or stolen? How did
they gain entry, and what was broken / stolen?
Right:
Standard Falcon remote & Tibbe key.
(back to
INDEX)
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INTERIOR HEATING & COOLING:
- Air conditioning standard - CFC free (change vs.
EB) - also bringing increased performance vs. previous model.
- Automatic Climate Control with 10-speed fan boosted ventilation with
both front footwell and rear seat ducts (incorporated into the back
of the centre consol) and air conditioning control.
- 2 air outlets each side of the dash.
- 2 air outlets located centrally within
the dash.
- 2 air outlets located within the rear of
the center consol.
- Ergonomically located easy-to-reach fan
& climate adjust controls right next to steering wheel (LHS).
- Standard tint in windows (albeit
minimal).
Right:
The Falcon's conveniently mounted climate control centre included
the important words "CFC free" for the first time in
Falcon history!
* FORUM: What have you had
fail on your ED Falcon's heating / cooling system, what did you do to fix
it & how much did it cost? |
 |
(back to
INDEX)
. |


INSTRUMENTATION:
- Full instrumentation pack (four
ancillary guages plus tachometer) - with volt meter & oil pressure
guage.
- Speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, fuel
guage & water temperature guage standard in addition to the above.
- Infinitely variable instrument cluster
illumination.
- WARNING LIGHTS: High beam, rear window demist on, turn
signal / hazard light, alternator fail, lights on, park-brake on,
washer fluid low, radiator coolant low, cruise control indicator and
low oil pressure.
- AUDIBLE WARNING CHIMES: low fuel, lights
on, low alternator charge, low oil pressure, high coolant temperature
and brake failure.
- Trip Computer standard featuring fuel
consumption figures, distance to empty, average speed & time
display.
* FORUM:
Have you had any
problems with your ED Falcon's instrument cluster & how did you
overcome it?
* FORUM:
List your custom modifications here! How
did you do it & what did you do?
* FORUM: How do you rate the accuracy of your Falcon's
instrument cluster? |
 |
(back to
INDEX)
.
|

 

DOOR TRIMS, PARCEL SHELF & FLOOR
COVERINGS:
- Interior colour schemes limited to
'Slate' (compared to Fairmont which featured two different colour
schemes available).
- Doors trimmed in velour with 'Dresden'
velour insert, topped with timber ('blackbean') dress panels.
- Vinyl trim not available on Futura,
Fairmont or Fairmont Ghia.
- Cloth covered sunvisors with passenger
vanity mirror.
- Moulded cloth covered headlining.
- Carpeted passenger & luggage
compartment floor.
- Carpet covered map pockets on front door
trims standard.
|
.* FORUM: What pieces of
your interior have you had wear first?
(back to
INDEX)
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TOWING:
Towing Options available when new:
- 1200kg rated tow pack.
- 2300kg rated tow pack.
Each
'Tow Pack' consisted of the following:
- Tow bar.
- Hitch and / or ball mount.
- Wiring harness with 'flat' 7-pin
electrical connector.
- Special 'towing' turn-signal flasher.
- Supplementary transmission cooler
(automatic transmissions only)
- Heavy duty brake pads (where not fitted
as standard).
- Hayman Reese towbar & load
distributing hitch for 2300kg kits.
Other
Towing related considerations:
- Despite opinions to the contrary, Ford's own advertising brochures
showed pictures of an automatic gearbox auxiliary oil cooler with these words
printed directly underneath: "Transmission oil cooler.
Helps avoid overheating and possible transmission damage.
Essential for towing with auto transmissions." You've
been warned!
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Above: Hayman Reece towbar
& load spreader as optional on ED Falcon's 2300kg tow kit.

Above: Standard 1200kg tow
pack 'tongue'.
|
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Above: An ED Fairmont sedan
struts it's stuff with fishing tackle on board...
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* FORUM:
What towing
experiences have you had - good & bad?
* FORUM:
How do you rate the Falcon's towing ability
to other cars you've owned?
* FORUM:
What sorts of things have you done to
improve your Falcon's already impressive towing ability?
(back to
INDEX)
. |
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by zardos_demon
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