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Any Fairmont experts here?

September 30, 2005, 02:41:19 AM

I saw an 82 Fairmont Futura Coupe for sale today in Spokane WA for $1,500 or make offer.  It's 4 cly and 4 speed with bucket seats, bright red.  I thought this would make an excellent new Cadillac Project, the book said the curb weight is 700 pounds less than a Turbo Coupe.

Anyway do you guys know if these are exactly the same as the Mustang.  Rear upper and lower control arms and front suspension?  Or are they different like the T-Bird.  I notice the wheelbase is 5 inches longer.

If anybody is in the Spokane area (I'm 320 miles away) and would like the phone number let me know.  This would save me a lot of trouble if someone else purchased it.  Bright red and pretty good looking.

TED

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Re: Any Fairmont experts here?

Reply #1 – September 30, 2005, 07:36:03 AM

The strut tower brace (if you want to install one) and the front control arms are the same as the Mustang ones.  I know Fairmont guys who only use Mustang parts books to hot rod their car - everything from shocks and struts to brake parts, wheels, exhaust components and everything else.

The 1978 Fairmont was the 1st to use the Fox platform.  The 78 is a super light weight car.  I've been in a 1978 Ford Fairmont ES302 (it's in the family in showroom condition) a ton of times and it's fast, nimble, and it handles great thanks to the King Cobra factory installed suspension.

The current issue of Car Craft Magazine has a Fairmont or Futura on the cover.

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Re: Any Fairmont experts here?

Reply #2 – September 30, 2005, 08:06:23 AM

I'm 99% certain the rear control arms are the same as a Mustang as well.  The difference in the wheel base is in the floorpan.  I was under the '80 last night and the upper arms didn't look inordinately long....I'll have to be sure to measure them when I'm under there fitting the SCFs.

They are pretty light though.  The Futuras are heavier than the 2 and 4-door sedans, but still under 3000#

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