The BF Fairlane and LTD – The End Of The Line.
The BF series of Fairlane and LTD launched in October 2005 and was a tale of two halves. On mechanical front, these cars mirrored the BF Falcon in having notable improvements in powertrain and overall refinement. On the other hand, the styling changes were extremely limited.
Mechanically, the BF LWB cars received the new 6-speed automatic transmission, paired to the newly refined Barra 190 inline six, or the revised Barra 230 3V V8. All models fitted with the V8 also received and new exhaust system and the performance brake package that was standard on XR6T and XR8. A revised NVH package included a new headlining, lofted outer dash, stiffer wheels, new exhaust isolators and additional bitumastic pads. Strengthened diff/trans mounts joined a new
ABS calibration the arrival of dynamic stability control.
The exterior changes were limited to the revised rear tail lamps that were common to all Falcon sedans, as well as the standardization of 17-inch wheels across the lineup. The change in wheel size also meant Sports Control Blade
IRS becoming standard on Fairlane Ghia and LTD, which was common to the Fairmont Ghia and Fairlane G8 (formally G220). Fairlane Ghia and LTD both had the same 7-spoke wheel, the G8 gained a rather out of character set of 5-spoke wheels. There was also a new Goodyear tyre in 225/50/R17 size. Apart from that, the exterior changes made for the BA MK II (accent coloured skirts, chrome door trims and mirror caps) carried over. The same happened on the interior with the exception of a new shifter (without woodgrain), new Ruby Mahogany woodgrain for Fairlane and Rabbit Rose woodgrain LTD.
Upon its launch in 2005, no one knew the BF would represent the end of Ford’s second longest serving model name in Australia. On May 11th, 2007, Tom Gorman announced in a statement released ahead of a monthly media briefing that the Fairlane and LTD would cease production at the end of 2007.
Quote:
"A significant decline in sales of vehicles in the upper large segment over the past few years has meant that local production of long wheelbase variants, primarily for domestic sale only, is currently no longer sustainable," Gorman said.
"The emotion of this decision has been very difficult. Sometimes the hard decision and the right decision are the same one."
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Safe to say that most of us were expecting that announcement at some point, seeing a new Fairlane or LTD on the road at the time was becoming rare. The considerably more modern Statesman and Caprice, along with Ford’s lack of investment with regards to styling differentiation really killed the Fairlane’s chances.
At 7.30am on January 25, 2008, the final Fairlane rolled off the line. That vehicle was a 6-cylinder Lightning Strike Fairlane Ghia, which was auctioned off for charity. Embarrassingly, that auction failed to even cover the retail cost of the vehicle.
https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...standing-15568
Quote:
Ford had anticipated “strong interest” in the event, but the Fairlane, a six cylinder Fairmont Ghia that retails for $58,625, managed to raise only $48,100 – and that's a driveway price including 12 month's registration.
In the lead-up to the auction, Ford described the car as the final example of more than 250,000 Fairlane and LTD vehicles manufactured between 1967 and 2008.
A total of 12 bidders registered for the auction which ended at 5pm on Sunday. It attracted 40 bids in total, with the winning bid coming just seconds before the end in typical eBay fashion.
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A sad and uneventful end to what once represented the most aspirational vehicle in Australian showrooms. All up, there 5247 BF Fairlane’s and 279 BF LTD’s made.
You will note a lack of images in this collection, Ford had basically thrown in the towel by then.
