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NA Fairlane and DA LTDJun 1988

NA Fairlane and DA LTD

The EA Falcon-based Fairlane and LTD saw the biggest changes to date.Ford had once again rediscovered the advantages of differentiating the styling from its Falcon donor – but once again Fairlane and LTD were only cosmetically different.A striking, American-influenced body design heralded better aerodynamics, more interior space and improved ergonomics, while upgraded mechanicals ran to re-engineered I6 engines featuring overhead-cam (OHC) design, new front suspension, a change to rack and pinion steering and fuel injection across the range.The old three-speed auto gearbox carried on. Early quality glitches affected the cars’ reputation, though scores of improvements were continuously implemented.The only engine available was the new 139kW multi-point EFI 3.9-litre OHC six-cylinder unit. A troublesome self-levelling suspension system was also introduced.All models now featured climate control air-con, alloy wheels, fully adjustable steering column, split/fold rear seats, and upgraded audio systems.The Fairlane had a controversial body-coloured egg-crate grille until May ‘89, when Ford chromed it instead, while the LTD retained its more dignified vertical number.

GDOct 1987

GD

Smoother, quieter, stronger and more spacious, the 3rd-generation, front-wheel drive, GD series 626 was significantly tougher and more refined than its lightweight predecessor.All models’ handling, ride and refinement qualities benefited from extra body rigidity and improved suspension, while better quality ensured greater reliability and durability. But the body styling – again in sedan, hatch and coupe formats, with the latter renamed MX6 – looked similar.The sedan and hatch model variations were reduced to a single Super Deluxe specification. A handsome 4-door 626 Estate wagon in 5-seat and 7-seat models joined the range in June ’88.A new 2.2L 12-valve 4-cylinder engine, producing 84kW of power, powered all 626 models. Except for the MX6, which used a turbocharged 100kW 2.2L engine, and featured anti-lock brakes. A new 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual transmission was available.In early ’89, the Super Deluxe tag was dropped, there were minor changes to trim, and the turbo engine was added as an option to the 626 hatch.A new top-line 626 4WS hatch boasting the same complex 4-wheel steering system, that debuted in the MX6 a few months earlier, was available from April ’89 to early ‘90.In January ’90 a small facelift saw a new grille, revised taillights, redesigned alloy wheels, minor trim changes and reduced noise intrusion.A special edition Eclipse model arrived in May ’90, boosting sales and standard equipment levels. All non-turbo models wore alloy wheels, slightly softer suspension tuning, and blacked out trim from September ’90. Ford offered the GD 626 as the AT Telstar until the failed Corsair bumped out the sedans in late 1989, although the Telstar hatchback continued on as the AV model.

DB11 (Mk1) 121Mar 1987

DB11 (Mk1) 121

Mazda worked with shareholder Ford to produce its first modern light car class entry, the 121.Built in Japan and slotting below the bigger 323, the 121 was offered in a single body, engine and gearbox configuration: a 3-door hatchback, powered by a 46kW 1.3L single-cam 4-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual.Unique for its time was the 121’s sliding rear bench, which added up to 180mm to luggage space at the expense of rear legroom.There was the base Deluxe, well-equipped Super Deluxe, and the Super Deluxe-based Fun Top, so called because of its large electric sliding canvas sunroof.The mid-range Super Deluxe gave way to the Shades model from October ’88. De rigueur for the segment was the 121’s front-wheel drive, torsion beam rear suspension, and rack and pinion steering.

Mk3 B Series BravoJun 1985

Mk3 B Series Bravo

The next-generation B Series, again twinned with the Japanese built Ford Courier, arrived with a larger, stronger and more refined body.It was also made available with more comfort features as well as a far-wider variety of models and styles – including rear-seat Dual Cab and Super Cab variations.The rear-drive 2WD models were joined by the option of high and low-range four-wheel drive (4WD) in both pickup (’87) and cab-chassis (’88) guises.Petrol engines in the 4x2 models were now 84kW/155Nm 2.0-litre (’85-’88 B2000), 68kW/171Nm 2.2 (’89-’93 B2200) and 92kW/206Nm 2.6 (’91-’99 B2600), while a 47kW/135Nm 2.2 diesel B2200 lasted until a 64kW/174Nm 2.5 diesel B2500 usurped it in April ’96.Mazda suffixed the alphanumerical name with Bravo from 1991.In 4x4 B Series there was the 73kW/182Nm 2.6-litre until the larger 92kW/206Nm 2.6 found in the 4x2 models replaced it in ’92.

GN SigmaJun 1985

GN Sigma

Lightning did strike twice for Mitsubishi, as the 1979-1983 Japanese Sigma’s replacement arrived here, suitably beefed up and widened, in mid-’85 as the historic front-wheel drive TM Magna.And sales and critics alike went berserk for it.Meanwhile the very homely Sigma soldiered on with a near-invisible grille and trim facelift on the GN sedan, but the wagon gained a high-roof for extra cargo capacity. This was deemed necessary as the Australian conceived Magna wagon was still two years away.Better still, the GN Sigma gained the much-improved 2.6 Astron from the Magna, resulting in much smoother operation and better performance due to its 83kW/201Nm output.The 1.6 finally disappeared, as did all models bar the GL in a much reduced range now that the Magna was the boss, but the 70kW/152Nm 2.0 Astron remained.So the Galant never actually went away through the Sigma (fourth-generation Galant) and Magna (fifth-generation Galant) years, despite not actually appearing on a car from May 1980.But that was all about to change now that the Magna had become a Ford Falcon competitor.

RB GeminiMay 1985

RB Gemini

Remember the RB Gemini? Few do. Only the name remained the same when this all-new, second generation model replaced the once popular decade-old T-car Gemini.Once again co-developed with Isuzu motors in Japan as the “R-Car”, the RB was a General Motors “World Car” in as much as it was sold in many countries under different names.Switching to front-wheel drive meant space and packaging progress from the cramped old rear-drive model, but curiously there was no five-door hatchback – vital for success in Australia’s small-car segment during the 1980s just a dumpy four-door sedan.Holden didn’t even bother bringing in the slightly more interesting three-door hatchback variant offered abroad.This, combined with utterly conventional engineering, mediocre ride and handling traits, lukewarm critical reaction and a lacklustre 52kW/117Nm 1.5-litre OHC four-cylinder engine, meant that few people noticed or cared.GMH didn’t help the issue by offering four disparate sub-2.0-litre models at the time – the Barina 1.3, Astra 1.5 hatchback and Camira 1.6 and 1.8 models – that, bar the Camira, didn’t feel like a real Holden anyway.Two models were offered – a base SL/X and well-equipped SL/E – in either three-speed auto or five-speed manual guises.Sadly for the beleaguered Holden, buyers were making beelines towards the spectacularly successful 1985 Ford KC Laser “bubble-back” and front-wheel drive Toyota Corolla.A minor specification and trim reshuffle in June ’86 was ignored, so Holden replaced the car only after two years with the Nissan-built LD Astra that it help co-engineer for local conditions.

GJ SigmaMar 1982

GJ Sigma

The fourth-generation GJ Sigma ‘Galant’ went to a larger four-door sedan body, although the GJ wagon carried over the old GE-GH body but with the new nose and interior and revised engines.But by now Australia’s love affair with the Sigma – as well as four-cylinder models as family cars – began to wane, as Ford’s full-sized Falcon took over as Australia’s best-seller for much of the 1980s.The problem with the Sigma, suddenly, was that it was rear-wheel drive and too derivative of the 1977 GE, just as the medium-sized segment went front-wheel drive with progressive designs like the Holden JB Camira, Ford Telstar and Mazda 626 FWD.Engines were still ancient Saturn 1.6 (now 66kW and 117Nm), ageing Astron 2.0 (70kW and 152Nm) and hoary 2.6 (now 76kW and 192Nm). Five-speed manuals were frequent, four-speed manual was still the standard gearbox while the auto remained a three-speeder device.‘Sigma’ was the base stripped out model, followed by XL, GL, evergreen SE and new sporty GSR, with attractive alloy wheels and blackened trim, while an even more salubrious Super Saloon model was introduced. There was no official turbo version for the GJ.

ZK Fairlane and FD LTDMar 1982

ZK Fairlane and FD LTD

Behind the redesigned grille, wheel trims and taillights lay a revolution. As part of the XE Falcon program, at last coil springs replaced the ancient leaf springs, while more efficient engines, better refinement, greater dynamics, a revised dash, improved seating, and a usefully bigger boot backed that up.The base 4.1-litre six-cylinder motor now produced 105kW, with the carryover 4.9 and 5.8 V8s remaining as options. But only until late ’82, when Ford discontinued V8 manufacture locally in favour of a 111kW, fuel-injected 4.1 – now the standard LTD powerplant.The Fairlane gained an electric boot release, rear head restraints, driver’s seat lumber support, and power mirrors, while the LTD now featured a sunroof.A wool and two-tone painted Fairlane Sportsman special edition was added in early ’83. A total of 16,896 ZK Fairlanes and 3436 FD LTDs were manufactured.

P910 Bluebird (Mk6)May 1981

P910 Bluebird (Mk6)

Absurdly launched as “The First Four Cylinder Limousine” while resurrecting the long dead (in Australia) Bluebird moniker, Datsun’s medium class 200B replacement righted most of its post-1600 predecessors’ wrongs nevertheless – thanks to elegant styling, more space, Australian-designed seats and rack and pinion steering.The four-door sedan and wagon GL and GX, as well as the new luxury LX sedan, were the designations, and each was powered by a revised version of the L20B 70kW/152Nm 2.0-litre OHC four-cylinder engine.A four or five-speed manual, or three-speed automatic, were the gearbox options.A limited run of late-’81 100 Bluebird GL Sports Special packs predated the youth-orientated TR-X sedan of June ’82, which boasted the usual firmer suspension and sports wheels, stripes and instrumentation addenda.A stripped-out fleet special simply called Bluebird also debuted, along with 2500 family-orientated Venturer packs, which added air-conditioning and heavy-duty cooling.In September ’83 the Series II facelift saw new bumpers, a redesigned grille, tail-lights, wheel covers and paint options.It also included a more powerful version of the venerable 2.0-litre engine (with 72kW of power and 155Nm of torque), some minor suspension revisions, the availability of digital instrumentation, updated seats and cabin trim, interior boot access and the addition of an LX wagon.A 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Bluebird GX added fancy wheels and trim to 500 cars in June ’84, while the Venturer pack returned in late ’84. The Series III facelift of April ’85 was the final.It resulted in an all-new 73kW/162Nm 2.0-litre CA20S four-cylinder engine for improved performance and efficiency, while new headlights, revised trim inside and out, an auto gearbox recalibration and model designation changes (now GL, GXE and GXE Ultra) completed the changes.Such updates were necessary, since the rear-wheel drive Datsun, already two years old in Japan at launch here, found the going tough.While the original Mazda 626, Mitsubishi Sigma, Toyota Corona and Ford Cortina were also rear-drive in ’81, by ’83 the newer front-wheel drive 626 Mk2, Ford Telstar, Holden Camira and – eventually – the ’85 Mitsubishi Magna soon dominated.Consequently this was the last rear-drive Bluebird. Its U11-series front-wheel drive replacement – virtually identical in appearance – was passed up for the R31 Skyline and its four-cylinder Pintara sibling.

BD (Mk2) 323Oct 1980

BD (Mk2) 323

Mazda bet the farm on the crisply styled, Japanese built, 2nd-generation 323, which was the company’s real response to the trend-setting Golf.Everything was new, from the larger 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback body styles, front-wheel drive platform, 48kW 1.3L and 54kW 1.5L 4-cylinder engines, and 3-speed auto, 4-speed manual and 5-speed manual transaxles, independent rear suspension and rack and pinion steering, to the bigger, roomier, more refined interiors.Impressive power, economy, handling, ride and space utilisation led to widespread acclaim and success.However the station wagon was a carryover of the old model, and continued on with a more modern nose cone and an updated 323 engine (1.5L from Jan ’82) until December ‘85.The model range was now Special 1.3 3-door hatch, Deluxe 1.5 5-door hatch and sedan, Super Deluxe 1.5 5-door hatch and sedan, and SS 3-door hatch.And since the award winning 323 Mk2 was also co-developed by major shareholder Ford, there were also the highly successful – although locally made - Ford Laser/Meteor variants.

TE GeminiOct 1979

TE Gemini

The TE Gemini marked the model’s halcyon days. Holden altered almost every panel to create a sort of mini VB Commodore – then Australia’s favourite car.The coupe disappeared, new wheels, cabin trim, seats and instrumentation were implemented, the SL/X replaced the SL/E, and suspension modifications improved the harsh ride while not affecting the TD’s accomplished handling.Power dropped again (in the interests of fuel economy – a big selling point back in ’79), to 50kW and 110Nm.The omnipresent mechanical din was reduced too. Initially Gemini sales skyrocketed against ageing rear-drive rivals like the Ford Escort, Toyota Corolla and Datsun Sunny, until Ford’s original (KA) Laser blitzed all others and popularised front-wheel drive small cars to Australians.Suddenly the “Gem-Gem-Gemini” seemed very old and cramped indeed.The Sandpiper II special edition was all Holden could hurl at the Laser, along with a sluggish 40kW/105Nm 1.5-litre diesel SL/X sedan sourced from Isuzu that proved popular with country folk.

XD Falcon uteAug 1979

XD Falcon ute

Crisp, glassy Euro-style Australian design that sat on carryover XC Falcon mechanicals marked the XD as a total re-skin of the 19-year-old series.It gave Ford a decided advantage over Holden, which persisted with the ageing 1971 HQ-based HZ series.But Ford still could not offer a rival to the 1000kg payload Holden Cab Chassis tray. GL replaced the “500” while the base model was simply known as “Falcon.” Weight-saving plastic abounded.The standard GL spec included an 82kW/228Nm 3.3L in-line OHV six (I6) mated to a column-shift three-speed manual (a floor-mounted four-speeder was optional), though most buyers chose the three-speed auto. Payload was 750kg against Holden’s 775kg.The sporty Sundowner van from October ’79 featured stripes and decals, and a reduced payload of 500kg.Engine options: 94kW/295Nm 4.1L I6, 140kW/344Nm 4.9L V8, 194kW/415Nm 5.8L V8.

ZJ Fairlane and FC LTDMay 1979

ZJ Fairlane and FC LTD

Ford Australia rationalised its LWB XD Falcon-based prestige brands to the single sized Fairlane and LTD versions, meaning that only minor cosmetic changes differentiated the two.Gone were the differences in length, wheelbase and sheet metal, the 500, and the Marquis.Banished also was the Americanised styling theme, replaced by the crisp, glassy Euro-style Australian design featuring the extra side window that became the brand’s trademark. It sat on carryover XC Falcon mechanicals.Weight-saving plastic abounded, especially in the spacious and very Euro-influenced cabin. The leather trimmed LTD now included air-con, central locking, power windows, a limited slip diff, power front seats, power windows, and a radio cassette player.Initially, the standard engine was the locally made 140kW 4.9-litre V8 (Fairlane) and 149kW 5.8 V8 (LTD), but the looming fuel crisis prompted Ford to reintroduce the 4.1 six-cylinder engine in October ’79, not seen since the ZG, and now producing 94kW of power.The chintzy LTD Cartier limited edition heralded the reshuffled engine range. The three-speed auto transmission continued.In July ’80, a 22kg lighter engine head and electronic ignition improved the 4.1's performance, economy and sales, while minor trim alterations and “alloy head” badges identify the changes.The two V8s remained as options up to March ’82, when 20,888 ZJ Fairlanes and 3979 FC LTDs were produced.

XD Falcon GLMar 1979

XD Falcon GL

For the first time, Broadmeadows looked to Germany (and specifically the Ford Granada) rather than to America, for Falcon design inspiration.The result was the very crisp and glassy XD. But it still drove like the carryover XC Falcon its mechanicals were based upon, unlike the German Opel-derived Holden VB Commodore.The GL badge replaced fleet “Falcon” and “500” as the base models. Weight-saving plastic abounded.The standard GL spec included an 82kW/228Nm 3.3L in-line OHV six (I6) mated to a column-shift 3-speed manual (a floor-mounted 4-speeder was optional), though most buyers chose the 3-speed auto.Space and fuel economy advantages over its Holden Commodore rival saw the XD eventually topple it after a slow sales start. Standard features: Reclining bucket seats, front folding armrest, childproof door locks, carpet, AM radio, radial tyres, front disc brakes, hazard flashers, halogen headlights, rear wiper/washer (wagon only).Engine options: 94kW/295Nm 4.1L I6, 140kW/344Nm 4.9L V8, 193kW/415Nm 5.8L V8 (not wagon)

MK1 CourierNov 1978

MK1 Courier

ALTHOUGH Mazda shareholder Ford in America had been marketing a badge-engineered version of the Mazda B-series truck as the Courier since 1972, it wasn’t until November 1978 when Australians saw it.With a 2865mm wheelbase, the Courier was built in Japan to compete against the likes of the Toyota HiLux one-tonne trucks.Initially two utility and cab-chassis models were introduced, the base Courier (1000kg payload) with a 59kW/132Nm 1.8-litre carburettor-fed four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox, or the better-equipped 750kg-payload XLT.Front disc brakes arrived during 1980, while a 46kW/122Nm 2.2-litre diesel four-cylinder base utility with a 1000kg payload was launched in April ’81.A Ford Laser-like square headlight grille was implemented in February ’82. In November ’82 a slightly larger, 58kW/138Nm 1.8-litre petrol engine replaced the 59kW unit, and was fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox.

HZ StatesmanNov 1977

HZ Statesman

Holden’s radial tuned suspension (RTS) - a thorough revision of the suspension and steering components - resulted in a handling and driveability transformation in local cars.RTS completely overshadowed the other improvements to the facelifted HZ range – an egg-crate design grille, relocated badges, more standard features and new trim.The 5.0-litre V8’s DIN power output was now 125kW, with improved performance and refinement. It was mated to a three-speed automatic transmission.Air-conditioning and central locking became standard in April ’78, while a year later the Classic Edition added spoke wire wheels, power windows and metallic paint.To upset the rebodied XD Falcon-derived ZJ Fairlane, July '79’s SL/E was introduced, sitting between the De Ville and Caprice.But Statesman could not catch its Ford foe.

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