|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|||||||
 |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
04-12-2012, 11:53 AM
|
#1 | ||
|
Once more with feeling
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 537
|
It’s turned into a bit of a LWB luxury renaissance party here in the AU Workshops section. We’ve currently got threads running on no less than 8 different cars in the first two pages alone;
auIILTD’s 5.6L AUII LTD Eagleheart’s 1999 Ford Fairlane EL.50’s The Couch on Wheels FAT245’s AUI Fairlane Ghia My own JR’s Trip Down AU Lane KR1STO’s FTe by KR1STO Sportsman V8’s AUII Fairlane Sportsman V8 xrghiawagon’s XRGhia’s AU2 Fairlane Ghia I know my reason for buying one was the great value for money (cheaper than equivalent year model & spec Fairmont Ghia's), and I think the design has actually grown to look better with age - not to mention it was better looking than the standard AU shape from the start.  But what other reasons are there for the upswing in popularity of the AU LWB sedan? I'd be interested to hear your opinions...
__________________
Cheers JR |
||
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 12:54 PM
|
#3 | ||
|
Adapt or perish...
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dip!@#$
Posts: 7,954
|
I've seen two excellent examples in my area in the last week and I seriously just want one. Cheap to purchase and good motoring.
__________________
Carless
|
||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 01:11 PM
|
#4 | |||
|
Defender of the faith
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albany, West Ubercoolische
Posts: 518
|
If I had my time again I would have got a 'lane over the 'mont.
__________________
Quote:
|
|||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 01:28 PM
|
#5 | ||
|
Just cruisin'
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 615
|
I liked the way our AU Ghia drove...not so much how it looked. Fairlane looks a lot better, but has the same comfort/seating position as the Fairmont, with extra rear and boot space too!! The head room in AUs is great compared to my EL too.
|
||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 01:31 PM
|
#6 | |||
|
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Port Lincoln, SA
Posts: 5,137
|
Quote:
__________________
cheers Shaun Current SY FPV F6X Territory #214 Previous FG MkII G6E Turbo built by Heinrichs Performance and Tuning BFII FPV TORNADO #0021 351rwkw - Heinrich Performance and Tuning "Milk is for babies. When you grow up you have to drink beer" - Arnold Schwarzenegger |
|||
|
|
|
| This user likes this post: |
|
04-12-2012, 01:34 PM
|
#7 | ||
|
Just cruisin'
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 615
|
I could have bought a Fairmont Ghia for a fair bit less than I paid for my Sportsman though....
|
||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 01:36 PM
|
#8 | ||
|
meh.
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Was Central Coast, Now Sydney NSW
Posts: 8,584
|
I only bought the Fairlane because it was cheap... Don't regret it either! Bloody comfortable, and has more then enough leg room all round, even with the front seats all the way back.
__________________
Previous - BF XR6T - 325rwkw, 6 Speed Auto, Process West, X-Force and Turbosmart gear |
||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 01:37 PM
|
#9 | |||
|
Defender of the faith
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albany, West Ubercoolische
Posts: 518
|
The lwb models have the presence straight off the bat. The swb really don't come to the fore until they are dropped a little imo - they just look a little too much like a forte (come at me forte owners
 )
__________________
Quote:
|
|||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 01:40 PM
|
#10 | |||
|
Donating Member
 Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,142
|
Quote:
|
|||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 02:12 PM
|
#11 | |||
|
Once more with feeling
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 537
|
Quote:
__________________
Cheers JR |
|||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 02:33 PM
|
#13 | ||
|
Irregular member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,941
|
I have noticed a slight increase in the presence of AU Fairlanes during my driving the past few months. It has always been rare to pull up to a red light next to one when in mine but I ended up in a rolling roadblock of three a few days ago!
I bought it because I am a Ford guy and much prefer very large sedans.
__________________
2000 AU II FAIRLANE 75th ANNIVERSARY - big and shiny My hovercraft is full of eels! Movie Car Chase of the Week: Gene Hackman driving a 1971 Pontiac LeMans to chase an elevated train in The French Connection (1971). |
||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 02:56 PM
|
#14 | ||
|
Rob
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: VN Capital
Posts: 1,584
|
Have noticed an increase on the forum, havn't noticed any difference when driving.
I'v never seen a nice clean one in the flesh (apart from Stu's on australia day), only old rugged ones in need of a good clean. kristo's is my favorite example on these forums. Otherwise id still prefer an AU XR over the AU LWB's any day, but thats just me.
__________________
99 liquid silver AU Classic -Sold
Supercharged Nissan 350z 280rwkw Blueprint series 3 AU V8 manual |
||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 03:55 PM
|
#15 | |||
|
RIP...
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,524
|
Quote:
 BTW, what does the Sportsman have over and above the plain vanilla Ghia?
__________________
. Oval Everywhere... |
|||
|
|
|
| This user likes this post: |
|
04-12-2012, 03:57 PM
|
#16 | ||
|
Regular Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Yass NSW
Posts: 155
|
I specifically chose an AU because they are comfy, well appointed, look good and are reliable. I'm a taxi driver and the BA's have proven to be nowhere near as reliable as the AUIIIs, in my experience.
When I found my Sportsman I nearly fell over myself to get up to Sydney and have as look at it because it was the exact car was looking for, just for the wheels and different trim over the Ghia really. I wanted a V8 because luxo barges should be an eight, once again, in my humble opinion.
__________________
Cheers, Muz |
||
|
|
|
| This user likes this post: |
|
04-12-2012, 04:10 PM
|
#17 | |||
|
Just cruisin'
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 615
|
Quote:
Doesn't sound like much, but overall, as a package, they are quite a special car |
|||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 04:51 PM
|
#18 | ||
|
Former BTIKD
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sunny Downtown Wagga Wagga. NSW.
Posts: 53,197
|
If you drive a Fairlane you tend to think that a Fairmont is just a Falcon with electric windows !!
__________________
Dying at your job is natures way of saying that you're in the wrong line of work.
|
||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 07:23 PM
|
#19 | ||
|
When in doubt, GAS IT!!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Lower Eyre Peninsula, SA
Posts: 3,018
|
The question isn't why would you want one but rather why wouldn't you want one. They are the pick of the crop unless you really want to go the go fast XR or ute route.
__________________
. HERS- BFIII Wagon Gold, alloys, dual fuel, bullbar, big tow pack, trans cooler, fully rebuilt HD suspension, Clarion, alarmed, full 2 1/2" sports system, mint body MINE- AUII Forte Meteorite, dual fuel but otherwise bog stock. MINE- AUII Fairlane Sportsman Liquid Silver over meteorite,HIDs', Airhog, Eagle Leads, dual fuel, custom rear springs, BA slotted discs + a second one for spares . |
||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 07:56 PM
|
#20 | ||
|
Irregular member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,941
|
The Fairlane 75th Anniversary has all the same equipment as the Sportsman, except I was told by the dealer that the Sportsman has sports-tuned suspension of some kind.
__________________
2000 AU II FAIRLANE 75th ANNIVERSARY - big and shiny My hovercraft is full of eels! Movie Car Chase of the Week: Gene Hackman driving a 1971 Pontiac LeMans to chase an elevated train in The French Connection (1971). |
||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 08:21 PM
|
#21 | ||
|
Just another mock-up..
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: In an AU Fairlane somewhere...
Posts: 9,966
|
Hahaha.. I was thinking of starting a thread outlining this JR..
I noticed the LWB's have been sitting at the top of the list of AU workshop builds for the last few days.. The AU LWB is a whole lot of car, for quite a low price.. I've seen them sell for dirt cheap, with low k's and in great condition.. I saw a 2001 Fairlane V8 with black leather and 17's and 140,000 sell for $2250 the other week.. At that price, you would never get better..! It's great to see so many people getting into the LWB's now, especially since Ford is not producing any more..
__________________
Desire isn't driven by the heart, the mind or the wallet. Desire comes from another place. It's created by the smell of burnt fuel under full throttle and the look a car gives you when you're washing it alone at night... see my car here: Built my own TL50!!! [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
|
||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 08:27 PM
|
#22 | |||
|
Donating Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,142
|
Quote:
Its worth no more than the pittance I paid for it, thus is far more deserving of being kept. I had this idea with the ZL, but its hard to ignore a V8 AU barge. |
|||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 08:38 PM
|
#23 | |||
|
Just another mock-up..
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: In an AU Fairlane somewhere...
Posts: 9,966
|
Quote:
I'm really surprised at how low the prices are.. Saw a black LTD on a nature strip in for sale.. 170,000kms, LPG, Sat nav, V8, very clean, $4500ono. If only I could convince the missus that we need another big car..!!
__________________
Desire isn't driven by the heart, the mind or the wallet. Desire comes from another place. It's created by the smell of burnt fuel under full throttle and the look a car gives you when you're washing it alone at night... see my car here: Built my own TL50!!! [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
|
|||
|
|
|
|
04-12-2012, 08:41 PM
|
#24 | |||
|
Donating Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,142
|
Quote:
It would be a crime to not have an AU of some sort in my shed, so it stays. |
|||
|
|
|
|
05-12-2012, 10:29 AM
|
#25 | ||
|
5.6L x 2 pilot
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Canbra
Posts: 15,065
|
For me, I have always loved a Ford LWB. When I was a young fella, my old man owned a couple of ZJ Fairlanes - 302C. Beautiful cars. Since then, I have always had a soft spot.
I bought my first LWB back in around 2000. A FE LTD. That was it, I was hooked. I thought the Fairlanes were special - until I owned my first LTD! Around 2003, I had to make the decision to update. Found a NL Fairlane - Loved it. Lowered it, threw some whiteline swaybars at it and some Billet rims from the US. That was about it.  Until it got rear-ended and written off. Went on the hunt for another car, then found my LTD over 1000km away. Put a deposit down sight unseen.  Was not really looking for an AU, but I had to have this car. It has only been later that I have found out how good these cars are. Even later that I found out AUII LTDs are quite rare. I made a couple of basic mods at start, but then the rest is history. End result, I believe I have the best of both worlds. First class luxury with performance! Cheers Stu
__________________
2002 AU II LTD 5.6L 342ci T3 Short, AFR165 heads, Comp XE270HR-12 Cam, Brembo 4/4s(355/330), T3 5 spokes, LC-1 wideband, Whiteline HD swaybars, TCE 3K Hi Stall, PWR Auto Trans Cooler, Koni shocks, King Low Springs, Hurricane headers, 100 cpsi cats, Twin 2.5" exhaust. Quarter Mile: 13.73 @ 105.86mph Runner Up NA/DA to BF Fairlane/LTD Geelong AFD 2024  2002 XR8 pursuit 250 Custom twin 2.5" exhaust w Herrod modifed extractors, Tuned with Moates QH
|
||
|
|
|
|
05-12-2012, 11:04 AM
|
#26 | ||
|
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Topend of Oz since 1980
Posts: 5,299
|
Here is part of a recent post I made about a trip I am on at the moment.
" 9) With the exception of 11 vehicles, every car / caravan I passed between Perth and Canberra was towed / pulled by a SUV, 4x4, LandCruiser, Patrol, Prado, Audi Q7, Ford F series etc and there were mobs of them. The 11 exceptions were 10 Falcon / Fairlane varients and one lone commodore. 1 EL, 1EF, 1 BA and 7 AU's of which 4 were Fairlane / Ghias." Cheers to all Vincenzo
__________________
$DO || ! $DO : try try: command not found - (YODA the Geek) "WRC is for boys, Group B was for men" - Juha Kankkunen 4 times World Rally Champion Romanes Eunt Domus - 'people called Romanes they go the house' - You mean Romani Ite Domum [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] |
||
|
|
|
| This user likes this post: |
|
07-12-2012, 12:07 PM
|
#27 | ||
|
5.6L x 2 pilot
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Canbra
Posts: 15,065
|
Guys, with the recent sparked interest in our AU LWBs, it would be great to get together for a photo shoot. It would be incredible to see all these big girls lined up together.
May I suggest, if it is possible to have as many of us at Albury on Australia day. This would be a perfect opportunity to get some awesome snaps of what would possibly the largest gathering of AU LWBs ever! Maybe the Ford production line might have beaten us! Details of the event are here: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11381524 Hope to see some there together. Tony, I hope that your big girl is up to the trip - would love to see the Fairlane rather than your wagon. We already have a convoy of cars heading south from Canberra on the day. Just need the Melbourne guys to make the effort (yes, that is directed at you Kristo) to come up and be a part of it! Dauphin's 75th was there last year, I just ran out of time to have gander at it! Hope to see as many LWBs as possible. Cheers Stu
__________________
2002 AU II LTD 5.6L 342ci T3 Short, AFR165 heads, Comp XE270HR-12 Cam, Brembo 4/4s(355/330), T3 5 spokes, LC-1 wideband, Whiteline HD swaybars, TCE 3K Hi Stall, PWR Auto Trans Cooler, Koni shocks, King Low Springs, Hurricane headers, 100 cpsi cats, Twin 2.5" exhaust. Quarter Mile: 13.73 @ 105.86mph Runner Up NA/DA to BF Fairlane/LTD Geelong AFD 2024 2002 XR8 pursuit 250 Custom twin 2.5" exhaust w Herrod modifed extractors, Tuned with Moates QH
|
||
|
|
|
| This user likes this post: |
|
07-12-2012, 12:20 PM
|
#28 | ||
|
Just cruisin'
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 615
|
I'll come if Kristo comes :P
|
||
|
|
|
|
07-12-2012, 12:51 PM
|
#29 | ||
|
Just another mock-up..
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: In an AU Fairlane somewhere...
Posts: 9,966
|
I'll come if all the LWB's that JR listed in the first post come..!
__________________
Desire isn't driven by the heart, the mind or the wallet. Desire comes from another place. It's created by the smell of burnt fuel under full throttle and the look a car gives you when you're washing it alone at night... see my car here: Built my own TL50!!! [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
|
||
|
|
|
|
07-12-2012, 12:56 PM
|
#30 | |||
|
5.6L x 2 pilot
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Canbra
Posts: 15,065
|
Quote:
 I am going (Well, I am sort of organising it!) Commit you big girls! Stu
__________________
2002 AU II LTD 5.6L 342ci T3 Short, AFR165 heads, Comp XE270HR-12 Cam, Brembo 4/4s(355/330), T3 5 spokes, LC-1 wideband, Whiteline HD swaybars, TCE 3K Hi Stall, PWR Auto Trans Cooler, Koni shocks, King Low Springs, Hurricane headers, 100 cpsi cats, Twin 2.5" exhaust. Quarter Mile: 13.73 @ 105.86mph Runner Up NA/DA to BF Fairlane/LTD Geelong AFD 2024 2002 XR8 pursuit 250 Custom twin 2.5" exhaust w Herrod modifed extractors, Tuned with Moates QH
|
|||
|
|
|
Going for LWB luxury is the new AU trend???
Linear Mode
