Falcon Facts: ZH Fairlane / P6 LTD

Ford ZH Fairlane / P6 LTD

On Sale: May 1976 - May 1979, LTD: September 1976 - May 1979

How do I know it's a ZH? Squarer styling, with horizontal twin headlights in full width grille. Grille has fine egg-crate design with Fairlane badge in centre and Ford badge in centre of bonnet (May 1978-, Ford blue oval badge in centre of grille, grille made up of horizontal lines). Wraparound indicators, horizontal rectangular tail lights divided into six squares. Marquis has badge in C-pillar.
How do I know it's a P6? Twin circular headlights (larger diameter on outside), Rolls Royce style vertical-bar grille, LTD by Ford badge in lower right corner. Indicators in front bumper and front & rear guards. Body and tail lights similar to Fairlane.

Models available:

Fairlane 500:
Fairlane Marquis:
LTD:

sedan
sedan
sedan

Option packs/prototypes/limited editions:

Fairlane Sportsman:

LTD Silver Monarch:

LTD Town Car:

(Limited Edition) Colour-keyed vinyl roof, Volante alloy wheels, body striping, chrome-plated door mirrors, 1978.
(Option Pack) Super luxury version of LTD. Stardust Silver in colour with Normandy Grain silver vinyl roof, Cranberry Red crushed velour seats.
(Limited Edition) 1978.

What’s new? Further differentation from Falcon, Marquis, new interior

Firsts: Plastic instrument panel, optional outback suspension and towbar, first Fairlane Sportsman, first LTD to feature trademark vertical-bar grille

Prices at introduction: 500 - $9149, Marquis - $10986, LTD - $13167

Total ZHs built: 22982, P6 LTDs: 5896

Transmission: 3 speed automatic

Engines:
4.9 V8 (Fairlane 500)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 151kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 364Nm at 2200rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Two barrel carburettor
Compression ratio: 9.2:1

5.8 V8 (Marquis, LTD, optional on Fairlane 500)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 89 mm
Power: 162kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 429Nm at 2200rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Four barrel carburettor
Compression ratio: 8.9:1

Fuel consumption: 19.1L/100km (Fairlane Marquis 5.8, Modern Motor magazine)

Performance (Fairlane Marquis 5.8, 3 spd auto):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 71km/h
2nd: 120km/h
3rd: 181km/h
0-100km/h: 10.3 seconds
Standing 400m: 17.4 seconds

(LTD 5.8 V8, 3 spd auto):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 79km/h
2nd: 125km/h
3rd: 180km/h
0-100km/h: 11.9 seconds
Standing 400m: 17.1 seconds

Suspension:
Front
Rubber bushed upper arms, angle poised ball joint type, coil springs with hydraulic shock absorbers, torsion bar ride stabiliser, antidive geometry

Rear
Semi-elliptic asymmetrical, variable rate leaf springs, diagonally mounted hydraulic shock absorbers rubber bushed shackles, ISO-clamp axle mounting

Brakes:
Front
Floating caliper type power assisted discs, turbo-cooled, ventilated 286mm diameter

Rear
Floating caliper type power assisted discs, turbo-cooled, ventilated 286mm diameter

Steering: Variable ratio power steering

Wheels: Pressed steel disc wheels with safety rims. LTD: 6 x 14 steel disc wheels

Tyres: 500 4.9L - ER78 S14 BSW, 500 5.8L and Marquis - FR78 S14 BSW, optional - FR78 S14 WSW, FR70 H14 BSW. LTD - FR78 S14 steel belt radials

Dimensions:

Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase:
Front track:
Rear track:
Kerb weight:
Turning circle:
Fuel tank:
Boot space:

Fairlane
5196mm
1956mm
1367mm
2946mm
1537mm
1524mm
1768kg
12.6 m
79.5 litres
494.7 litres

LTD
5364mm
1956mm
1366mm
3074mm
1537mm
1524mm
1832kg
12.9 m
79.5 litres
494.7 litres

Interior dimensions:

Front headroom:
Rear headroom:
Front shoulder room:
Rear shoulder room:
Front hip room:
Rear hip room:
Front legroom:
Rear legroom:

Fairlane
950mm
927mm
1524mm
1524mm
1529mm
1529mm
1054mm
974mm

LTD
965mm
927mm
1524mm
1524mm
1529mm
1529mm
1033mm
1067mm

Features:

Awards:

Fairlane Rivals: Holden HJ/HX/HZ Statesman, CK Chrysler, CL/CM Chrysler Regal SE.
LTD Rivals: Holden HX/HZ Statesman Caprice

ZH Fairlane/ P6 LTD Links (new window)

Falcon Facts: XC Falcon
Falcon Facts: ZG Fairlane / P5 LTD/Landau
Falcon Facts: ZJ Fairlane / FC LTD

Where to now? Back to Fairlane/LTD main On to ZJ Fairlane / FC LTD»

Ford dropped the Custom, which left the 500 as the base Fairlane, and added the luxurious Marquis.
Both cars got more equipment with steel-belted radials, four wheel disc brakes, and limited slip differential standard. The Marquis added power windows and new “lounge” front seats with arm rests. There was a redesigned instrument panel, made of plastic for the first time. It had a horizontal speedometer - the Falcons had round gauges.
In May 1978, both Fairlanes saw changes to the carburettor to improve fuel consumption. Adding to the Marquis’ long equipment list was a leather interior and six-way electric adjustment to the front seats.

The P6 LTD was even more American than the Fairlane. Its large square-shaped chrome grille and round headlights gave the car a formal appearance, making it look even bigger than the first LTD. The grille resembled that of a Rolls Royce, but more importantly it started the LTD tradition of vertical-bar grilles. To further differentiate from the Fairlane, LTD’s sill line dipped slightly in the middle, and the tail lights were subtly altered. As before, the LTD had its own longer wheelbase, which was now stretched even more.
Ford’s 5.8L V8 powerplant continued, and it met new emission controls due in part to the addition of a Carter four-barrel carburettor. Optional handling improvements resulted in more precise handling and road holding for long distance touring; this was achieved by the inclusion of increased ride height, heavy duty shock absorbers and fade resistant brakes. Factory fitted towing packs made the LTD a prestigious cruiser which made light work of towing up to 3500 pounds (1589kg).
An new square dashboard, different from Fairlane’s, was lowered for improved forward vision, and in an effort to improve leg room, the steering wheel was flattened at the bottom, resulting in an oval shape. The driver’s parking brake was foot-engaged with a twist handle release, and leather trim and a radio cassette player was standard.