Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated.

Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > General Topics > The Pub

The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-08-2012, 05:42 PM   #1
HappilyInsane
Starter Motor
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3
Exclamation (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

I'm not sure where to put this post but I need some information.

Originally the car needed about $1500 spent to make it roadworthy, I took it to a different mechanic and he said he could do it for cheaper.

Long story short, I dont know what's been done or what's left for roadworthy.

Since then the battery has died, couple tires going flat and looks like small surface rust is appearing in the usual places.

I know ford do not make fairlanes anymore, ZL's are hard to find, 87 model had the introduction of the EFI, rims are ghia snowflake.

Is it worth keeping to restore? Sure, I like it but dont have the funds either.
What would it be worth to other people? are people looking for such a car to restore or mostly just for parts?

Either way, what can I realistically get for it if i wanted to sell it?

Can add pics if needed.

HappilyInsane is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 07-08-2012, 05:49 PM   #2
BPXR6T
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,910
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

Clean one down the road here for $800.
BPXR6T is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 07-08-2012, 05:52 PM   #3
Kryton
 
Kryton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 9,292
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

$500 - if you can find a buyer that is.
Kryton is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-08-2012, 04:28 PM   #4
aussie muscle
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
aussie muscle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,312
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

While it'd be nice to save an old fairlane, no they aren't worth restoring them. only ones likely to break even are Early GTs (XY-XC), early Monaros and E38/49 Charger.
__________________
My ride: 2007 Falcon Ute BF XR8 Orange, MTO.
aussie muscle is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-08-2012, 04:41 PM   #5
nstg8a
3..2..1..
 
nstg8a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bellbird park
Posts: 7,218
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

They're worth restoring, but not if you think you might sell it in the near future, it will be a looooooooong time before the values start heading up, if ever.

Lwb fords generally aren't investment material.

But if you want a cool comfy old cruiser then you could do a lot worse IMO.


Oh, and efi came in well before 87.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by pottery beige View Post
Happy mcgadget meal orphan mcboofhead
nstg8a is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-08-2012, 05:45 PM   #6
smally289
growing up is optional
 
smally289's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Gawler area SA
Posts: 3,303
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

Sadly, as others have already said, it's not worth much or very desirable. You would probably make more money by parting it out.
smally289 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-08-2012, 05:47 PM   #7
nstg8a
3..2..1..
 
nstg8a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bellbird park
Posts: 7,218
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

barely worth parting, the parts arent worth sod all either.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by pottery beige View Post
Happy mcgadget meal orphan mcboofhead
nstg8a is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-08-2012, 05:57 PM   #8
HappilyInsane
Starter Motor
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

Thanks for all the replies guys.

It was going to be for personal use and not to resell in the near future as
nstg8a commented on.

I guess i'll have to pass on fixing it, a shame though because it sure is a comfy ride with electric everything and a touch of the old school look...

I probably wouldnt be posting this if the other mechanics didn't burn me lol
HappilyInsane is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-08-2012, 07:02 PM   #9
blackf6
R51 Pathy, 91 Jayco Swan
 
blackf6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Mackay, QLD
Posts: 3,635
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

The answer to your question is- if you like the vehicle, then yes it is worth restoring. Chuck a v8 in there. Put a turbo on it. Have it as a project. I'm not in your position but I hope I might have given you some other options.
blackf6 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-08-2012, 07:15 PM   #10
SSD-85
Donating Member
Donating Member1
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,142
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

As a ZL owner, I can honestly say that this car is only worth your time if you like it. Theres nothing more original than the EFI 250 humming along.

As many have said, theyre lucky to be worth around a grand. And parts are practically given away. But if the trend on 80s Fords going up in price continues, then expect that to change. Regardless of engine cylinders.

Thats only pure speculation of course, but cars should never be used as an investment. So in summary, keep it if you like it & want to take the time to do it up, otherwise palm it off to someone who does.
SSD-85 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 12-08-2012, 10:38 PM   #11
janddbone
B1 - J & D Services
Donating Member1
 
janddbone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brim, Victoria
Posts: 1,634
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

A ZD can go for $20K these days and a ZH for around $7K plus... I have no doubt, in time, that these will be worth more than the 10 cents they are now... (Yes I do have my grandfathers ZL as a daily driver!)
__________________
Mr. Brett Johnstone.
2002 Ford Laser
2000 Ford Falcon Wagon Egas
1999 Subaru Imprezza Sportwagon
1998 Holden Suburban 2500
1995 Land Rover Discovery TDI
1994 XG XR6 Longreach
1983 Holden Rodeo
1975 Datsun 120Y wagon
1970 MG Midget
1967 Rover 2000TC
Soon: Model T.
janddbone is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 12-08-2012, 10:45 PM   #12
MrEL
Sick Puppy
 
MrEL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,963
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

Quote:
Originally Posted by BPXR6T
Clean one down the road here for $800.
Where abouts is that?
I would love one to chuck an EFI 5.0 into for a cruiser.
MrEL is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 12-08-2012, 10:51 PM   #13
Nic302ef
Cocoloko
 
Nic302ef's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 539
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

like any model car, demand vs avliabiltiy, ZL's are still pretty abundent like the XF counter part, however look how hard XD/ZJ's are to come buy in any reasonable form, and decent ones fetch ok prices (compared to what there worth new)

If you got plenty of space, keep it covered, i owned the FE LTD version and one of the most comfiest car i have ever owned, just got destroyed by people running into it, i would still have it today other wise :(
__________________
94 ED XR8 Sprint: SVO alloy heads, FMS F303 cam, AU EECV ECU, T5, on going build.

2010 Territory: family bus.



79 P7 LTD 351.
Nic302ef is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 12-08-2012, 10:58 PM   #14
dave351cid
playing in my big shed
 
dave351cid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: miriam vale , qld
Posts: 3,302
Default Re: (vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

if the car is in solid condition and fairly tidy, then while it may be not worth much now, it still could be a keeper.

if you are wanting a good cruiser car then you have to look at what it will cost to get it back on the road compared to what you will buy another car for that will match it as a replacement. if you were thinking of restoring it to sell then there is little chance of breaking even short term, however the longer you keep it the better value you will get out of the restoration.

its only a few years ago that the fairlanes and LTDs of the `70s were only worth scrap value. wish i had bought a few ZHs and had somewhere to store them , or some P5 - P6 LTDs.
__________________
`75 XB FAIRMONT sedan . mushroom beige, injected 351, toploader, 9inch
`10 FG XR50 Turbo ute. Nitro blue, 6 sp Auto, Leather trim.
`04 BA RTV tray back, Red, V8 auto,
`04 BA XR6 Turbo sedan. Blueprint. auto, Leather trim.
`03 BA XLS ute . Acid Rush, factory lpg, auto,
`48 TEA20 Grey Ferguson,
`62 Willys 6-230 , 4x4 light truck
`04 Yamaha TTR 250
dave351cid is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Reply


Forum Jump


All times are GMT +11. The time now is 09:34 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Other than what is legally copyrighted by the respective owners, this site is copyright www.fordforums.com.au
Positive SSL