1979 Ford Fairmont 4 door sedan from North America - Comments

The valve cover gasket kept leaking oil.

Rear end makes a small, but noticeable, clunk when you shift from park to reverse.

Front-left ball joint boot has a cut in it, allowing the grease to keep leaking out which in return makes the car make a blood-curdling bang when you make sharp, fast left turns or you hit something with the left side first.

Rear-left coil spring has begun to droop.

Valve guide seals leak oil into combustion chamber.

Quite a few major dings and dents in the car body.

After fixing most of the problems about a year ago, the engine has returned to putting out almost all 85 horses and 154ft.lbs or torque.

The body is still pretty shoddy, but it can still look good after being washed and having a coat of wax put on.

Even though I haven't repaired the differential yet, it is still only a minor problem.

After putting on a new exhaust system (including a high-flow catalytic converter, aluminized 2 inch pipe from the manifold flange back, and a high-output turbo muffler), this car has serious high and low end torque in all 3 transmission bands, and will take off like it's a cat with its tail on fire!

I just have to say this; I whooped the H-E-double-hockey-sticks out of a Nissan maxima when the idiot wanted to race!!! I love this car!

I wish that Ford had made a new version for the 2000 year on through now.

Why would anyone spend money trying to turn a 200-cid six cylinder into a "performance" engine? If you want a "sleeper" then get a Fairmont with a V8, they aren't that hard to find...

I have a 1979 Ford Fairmont, four door, with a v6 engine. It's in fair/poor body condition, but runs pretty good. My husband uses it to drive to work every day. I've been told that the car is worth more than a couple hundred dollars because it's 25 years old. Do you know if that's true? The person at the Secretary of State and a few other people have told me I could get $5,000 for it. I don't know a thing about cars but thought it was worth asking someone.

Re the above comment, anyone who told you that you could get $5000 for a '79 Fairmont was either pulling your leg or is completely misinformed as to the value of cars. You would have difficulty getting $5000 for even a mint condition '79 Fairmont with only 10 miles on it.

Your car is not a collectors item and will not be for many more years yet. If the body is in poor shape it has no more value than whatever it is worth for transportation.

I hate to be rude, but that guy's right. A Fairmont in fair to poor condition is not a collectible by a long shot. The design and performance of the car were both pretty plain, offering collectors little of interest. Enjoy it for what it is, knowing that it isn't going to be a sought-after classic, and appreciate it for the service it provides.

I have seen these cars sell for that and much more. The ford 1979 fairmont futura was als0 called the baby bird. These cars are getting harder and harder to find and yes people do collect them. Do some research on the internet you will see that I am correct. The 1979 2 dr baby bird was a limited addition.

This comment is for the lady who has the 79 Fairmont with the "v6". I have always loved the older fords and just wanted to let you know that if you have a 6 cyl Fairmont, it has a 200 cid inline 6 cyl not a v6. There is a difference. Thought you would like to know.

There was no "baby bird" edition of the Fairmont...

Perhaps that person was talking about the Aussie Fairmont?

I just purchased a beautiful, rust-free 1979 Fairmont 4 door. 40,100 original, documented miles. The original owner passed away, and I was a neighbor. I remember the car from my childhood. I know he only drove it around town a couple of days a week. Garage kept the whole time. Never saw a drop of rain or snow. I replaced all of the fluids, battery & a minor steering coupling. She has a minor oil leak, but, I'll fix that in the near future. I will also fix the air. It still has beautiful glossy green paint & a 'chamois' vinyl top & matching interior. All original & spotless. I can't wait to detail it and cruise. While many don't consider this a classic, it will always be one in my eyes, and, for $250, it was a can't miss purchase. I am looking for others who may be interested in starting a group for Fairmonts/Zephers. If interested, email me at mmartinez12000@yahoo.com. Thanks.

I purchased a '79 XC Ford Fairmont 5 months ago and it is in mint condition. It cost me 10,000 New Zealand dollars, and I was offered 15,000, which I declined as I love the car.

I agree that at this point in time they are not as sought after as the XY and other earlier models, but if you have a spotless 77 78 79 XC Fairmont, look after it, because the day will come when they will fetch big money, just as the earlier model Falcons and Fairlanes are doing now. But more importantly, enjoy your ride.

Regards Malcolm Pitman, NZ.

P.s. mine is a 302 V8 Cleveland

Somehow I get the feeling that the '79 Ford Fairmont 4-door we know in the U.S. is not the same '79 Ford Fairmont available in Australia or New Zealand. The boxy Mercury Monarch lookalike Fairmont was just a drive-around car, and was never meant to be anything more special than transportation. I don't mean to rain on anybody, and I support the people who have found ones in good condition for cheap money -- way to go! But collectible? No way. On the other hand, maybe they were actually offered as a muscle car by Ford in Australia. Just like the Charger in Australia was a totally different car than it was in the U.S.