Home » Fairlane/LTD » NA Fairlane / DA LTD
Ford Falcon Facts
In June 1988, an all new Fairlane/LTD range was released. The new cars’ sleek, American styling was a hit; it looked nothing like the EA Falcon, with the only giveaway being the doors. The NA Fairlane featured alloy wheels (carried over from the FE LTD) and a slimline body-coloured, egg-crate grille.
NA Fairlane / DA LTD(1988 - 1991)
The DA LTD kept its trademark grille and rear louvres and featured body-coloured mirrors and drilled alloy wheels.
The brand new interior continued with the digital gadgetry, and the steering wheel now housed the cruise control buttons. There was also better adjustment of the seats and steering wheel. The LTD added a better sound system, deeply padded velour seats and a woodgrain finish on the door panels.
As before, the Fairlane/LTD shared the Falcon wagon’s wheelbase. It also shared all of the running gear improvements of the Falcon, including the new short and long arm long spindle (SLALS) front suspension, designed to match state of the art Hondas. Fairlane/LTD’s suspension was modified to make the ride smoother than ever, appealing to Fairlane buyers.
Under the bonnet was the 3.9L multi-point fuel injected engine, the best of the EA Falcon’s three engines.
Fairlane was given a chrome grille in May 1989, because buyers frequently had their body-coloured grilles either chrome-plated or replaced with an LTD grille.
With the Series II update of October 1989, a new four speed automatic replaced the old three speed. This change brought lower fuel consumption and an overall lively feel. Other changes included improved handling, Tibbe locks and for the LTD: leather trim, power adjustable seat, bonnet ornament and rear boot lid badge.
NA Fairlane / DA LTD Photos (photos are cropped, click to enlarge)
         
Ford NA Fairlane / DA LTD
On Sale: June 1988 - July 1991 (Series II: October 1989)
How do I know it's an NA? All new slimline body. Egg-crate grille with Ford badge in centre, wide headlights with amber wrap-around indicators, smoked square tail lights, FE LTD alloy wheels.
How do I know it's a DA? As for NA Fairlane, with LTD vertical bar grille, body-coloured mirrors, C-pillar window louvres, drilled alloy wheels. Series II has bonnet ornament, rear boot lid badge and leather trim.
Models available:
Fairlane:
LTD:		 sedan
sedan
Option packs/prototypes/limited editions:
Fairlane Sportsman:

SVO MD Fairlane:

Brock Fairlane:		 (Limited Edition) Two-tone paint - white or silver with dark grey below, grey velour interior, alloy wheels.
(Aftermarket) Fairlane with improved Bilstein suspension, steering changes, better breathing exhaust, velour interior, SVO wheels, red LTD grille.
(Aftermarket) Brock alloy wheels, interior changes, lowered and firmer suspension. Rosewood or Silver Slate.
What’s new? New American styling, redesigned front suspension
Firsts: Four speed auto (Series II)
Prices at introduction: Fairlane - $33960, LTD - $47339
Total NAs built: 19798, DAs: 3350
Transmission: 3 speed automatic, 4 speed automatic (Series II)
Engine:
3.9L multi-point 6 cyl
Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm
Power: 139kW at 4250rpm
Torque: 338Nm at 3500rpm
Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC IV fuel injection
Compression ratio: 8.8:1		  
Fuel consumption: 14.5L/100km (Fairlane, Wheels magazine)
Performance:
(Fairlane sedan, 3 speed auto):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 79km/h
2nd: 128km/h
3rd: 190km/h
0-100km/h: 12.2 seconds
Standing 400m: 17.9 seconds
(LTD, 3 speed auto):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 89km/h
2nd: 147km/h
3rd: 199km/h
0-100km/h: 10.45 seconds
Standing 400m: 17.39 seconds
Suspension:
Front
Short and long arm, long spindle with single rate coil springs, twin tube telescopic shock absorbers and stabiliser bar
Rear
Live axle with Watts linkage telescopic shock absorbers, coil springs and stabiliser bar
Brakes:
Front
Power assisted 287mm ventilated discs
Rear
Power assisted 287mm discs
Steering: Power assisted AE Bishop variable ratio rack and pinion
Wheels: 15 x 6.5 inch aluminium alloy
Tyres: P205/65 HR15
Dimensions:

Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase:
Front track:
Rear track:
Kerb weight:
Turning circle:
Fuel tank:
Boot space:		 Fairlane/LTD
5220mm
1857mm
1420/1414mm
2921mm
1558mm
1545mm
1555/1612kg
11.4m
68 litres
481 litres
Interior dimensions:

Front headroom:
Rear headroom:
Front shoulder room:
Rear shoulder room:
Front hip room:
Rear hip room:
Front legroom:
Rear legroom:		 Fairlane/LTD
977mm
985mm
1527mm
1515mm
1475mm
1245mm
1070mm
1075mm
Features: Legend

Automatic
Air conditioning
Power steering
Power windows
Power mirrors
Central locking
Radio cassette
  (speakers)
Steering adj.
Seat height adj.
Seats
Speedometer
Tachometer
Trip computer
Cruise control
Alloy wheels		 Fairlane
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• (4)
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cloth
digital
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•		 LTD
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• (6)
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velour
digital
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Awards:
Fairlane Rivals: Holden VQ Statesman
LTD Rivals: Holden VQ Caprice
 
NA Fairlane / DA LTD Links (new window) Related pages
Bryan's Aussie NA Fairlane Page
Bryan's Aussie DA LTD Page
Ford LTD (Australia)
Drive.com.au: NA Fairlane review 		Falcon Facts: EA Falcon
Falcon Facts: ZL Fairlane / FE LTD
Falcon Facts: NC Fairlane / DC LTD
 
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