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Brads EL Fairmont Ghia V8 now Sold :'(

PostPosted: May 14th, 2012, 10:49 pm
by braad
Hiya boys and girls, thought i'd put up a thread for the new addition to the family.

I'm sure a few of you saw it for sale on the net (when i called for insurance the bloke i dealt with was an e-series fan and had seen it. small world)

It's a 1996 EL Ghia V8 in Heritage Green with
- XR front
- Ticky Kit w/ no wing
- factory grey leather in excellent condition
- factory sunroof
- Koni shocks
- EL GT wheels
- resprayed at some point (colour-coded moulds)
- LPG installed recently

Apparently had other shit like the sunroof drain pipes cleaned out recently, new windscreen, new AC pump, brakes re-done yada yada... we'll find all that out soon enough

So how i came about this car and moving on from the XR8. I had been thinking about it for a while and spoken to a few people (family, mates, mechanic, etc). I decided if i did move on it had to be better than the XR8, as i've poured too much money into it to downgrade to a heap of shit.
So (as usual) i was looking on carsales and crap on and off. It was actually my missus who saw another EL V8 Ghia, which was super-clean low-km and fully optioned, up here in sydney on my route home from work. I called and it had already had a deposit on it, so i kept looking. I saw mine one night after TAFE and called the seller pretty late. Had a long chat about it and asked if he could hold it for 24 hours to see if i could organise everything. This was when my XR8 was getting it balancer, timing chain and cover replaced and costing me a chunk of cash. Getting the cash sorted, time off work and flying down to werribee was too hard at that point so I left it saying if it's still available after easter i'd look again.
I left it and kept looking at different things, even checking out Fairlanes, concordes and LTD's. It had to be an E-series, had to be V8 and have a sunroof.
As the Ghia was dropping in price i became more interested in it, and eventually called the bloke. Organised a deposit and sat on it for a few days. Booked flights and after a few mates & my gf tried and failed at getting work off, i went down with mum friday morning. Landed at about 9, drove the Ghia for 15 minutes, chewed the fat and bought it. It would've been nice if the guy HADN't put it on an Unregistered Vehicle Permit. drove it back with no plates. Such is life
So we started heading back to sydney straight away. we filled up somewhere between avalon airport and werribee. LPG & Petrol cost me ~$80. It was fucking windy!

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first impressions were pretty good. Steering was lighter than my XR8 and i was enjoying the comforts of a Ghia. We got stuck in a bit of traffic near the westgate bridge road (not sure what its called) and the car behaved well

First stop was at Avenel

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We stopped at albury and had some shithouse maccas, saw the local ferals and generally just feared for our lives.

Next stop was Holbrook, NSW, where theres a submarine in a park. It's a bit random, but whatever. The car was driving well, it was staying cool, was comfy and was quiet, especially since there's a glass panel in the roof. I found out the tyres it has a noisey, but i'm pretty sure they're gay el cheapos anyway

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On the road again, it was obvious were werent in Victoria anymore just by the general shitness of the Hume Hwy truck stops in NSW. The lack of signage in our lovely fucked up state was another obvious thing. In Vic there's a sign every 5 km or so, in NSW it's every 33.7km (or some other random distance), so if you miss it, you have to try your luck later on.
Next stop was Gundagai, for more LPG (it managed 500km on a full tank of LPG), and a general toilet stop etc. Saw the dog-on-a-tuckerbox whilst there. I thought it was bigger than it is, still, it is pretty cool

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interior pic for a mate to show wood, chrome & badge

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next are random pics of the sunset and the scenery

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we stopped and Goulburn for a refresh and then di the final stint to sydney & home

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after a quick wash the next morning it was obvious that the front lip had copped stone chips, and the car needed a general polish

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SO, plans for this are to keep it clean. It obviously needs rego ASAP and will become daily transport for me and the XR8 will be sold off. The V8 T5 will more than likely be sold off too, as i seriously doubt it'd go into the Ghia.
The front lip will need some attention so i might get some bits and peices re-done too. I'm weighing up what direction i'll eventually take, like keep the EL GT's and enjoy, re-do the chrome in the moulds, some 19" wheels

let me know what you think :drinks2:

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 14th, 2012, 10:51 pm
by josh_ef
that is soo much nicer then the xr

i love a ghia with xr nose

very nice pick up mate, glad ya got it

put the manual in it :grin:

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 14th, 2012, 10:57 pm
by someLS1
What was wrong with the xr8? looks alright in the pics just needed the red stripes redone

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 14th, 2012, 10:58 pm
by bng
Nothing now. You should buy it. Good car

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 14th, 2012, 10:58 pm
by nstg8a
josh_ef wrote:
i love a ghia with xr nose


agreed, perfect e series imo.

ghia luxury wit the looks of the xr.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 14th, 2012, 11:10 pm
by SLO247
Thats nice as, Heritage Green must be the best colour ever.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 14th, 2012, 11:12 pm
by someLS1
bng wrote:Nothing now. You should buy it. Good car


No thanks chief

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 14th, 2012, 11:24 pm
by superhuS!
Fuarken everyones getting XR Ghias now :P

Have to do the chrome again man. It really needs it.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 15th, 2012, 12:01 am
by braad
Thanks guys. I'm hoping it'll end up a nice car thats a bit of a reflection on me. I stopped training, became fatter and slower, so Ghia > XR8!

Josh, I'm pretty certain the manual will go somewhere other than in the car! I either keep it for a rainy day or sell it now

Hus, i'm still uncertain. Atm i'm liking the wheels and no chrome look. When i get jack of it i could then change to chrome & big wheels

Getting ahead of myself farrken. Not even rego'd

someLS1 wrote:What was wrong with the xr8? looks alright in the pics just needed the red stripes redone


Nothings wrong with it, it's just not a Ghia! I havent heard a nicer sounding e-series around my area and i'm yet to see another with coilovers, but i wanted a V8 Ghia (and have for a while. Stupid Hus). I'm sort of changing direction with cars, i just want a nice classy cruiser with the comforts rather than chasing the Trickflow topped manual EL XR8. A change of pace when really, im mechanicslly retarded so i'll keep it simple & cruisey

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 15th, 2012, 12:46 am
by someLS1
Fair enough mate love the look of the xrs. But they ghias are decent too i had one back in the day kit and all too

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 15th, 2012, 8:37 am
by vegabass
Id keep the t5 for a rainy day, incase the auto dies or you want all the class with a little poke. You own it now and it would be hard to fina another easily.

Nice car and you should add a momo or GT steering wheel to the list. Just sayin.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 15th, 2012, 8:51 am
by bng
Looks better in person.
Brad got home Friday night at night. So didn't get to see it until the next day. Gave it a bit of a poke on the night. Sounds really good. Just some new headers as they are pressed bent and maybe twin tips!

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 15th, 2012, 11:09 am
by someLS1
vegabass wrote:Id keep the t5 for a rainy day, incase the auto dies or you want all the class with a little poke. You own it now and it would be hard to fina another easily.

Nice car and you should add a momo or GT steering wheel to the list. Just sayin.


This for sure! my one regret during owning my el ghia is selling the t5 i had and never converting it

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 15th, 2012, 11:32 am
by Michael (HYPOEB)
Realy nice looking car mate! What are your plans with the coilovers in the XR8?

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 15th, 2012, 7:43 pm
by TUFF4D
Did see this floating around on carsales for a while. Looks tidy, if it were me I would throw the T5 in the fairmont. I use to have a T5 V8 fairmont, 2nd best car I've owned :)

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 16th, 2012, 4:52 pm
by braad
someLS1 wrote:Fair enough mate love the look of the xrs. But they ghias are decent too i had one back in the day kit and all too

TUFF4D wrote:Did see this floating around on carsales for a while. Looks tidy, if it were me I would throw the T5 in the fairmont. I use to have a T5 V8 fairmont, 2nd best car I've owned :)

vegabass wrote:Id keep the t5 for a rainy day, incase the auto dies or you want all the class with a little poke. You own it now and it would be hard to fina another easily.

Nice car and you should add a momo or GT steering wheel to the list. Just sayin.

Thanks guys, i appreciate the comments.
I know everyone would love me to chuck the T5 in it, but it just doesnt seem right. I'll put a price on the gearbox and see how it goes. I won't just throw it away for a pittance

Now Drew, where am i gonna find a momo or GT steering wheel? I'm not paying +$500 for a steering wheel! What were AU Ghia wheels like? Any different to EL?
bng wrote:Looks better in person.
Brad got home Friday night at night. So didn't get to see it until the next day. Gave it a bit of a poke on the night. Sounds really good. Just some new headers as they are pressed bent and maybe twin tips!

Thats somewhat the plan. It's never going to be a monster so might as well have it sounding nice and looking good. I dont think i'll bother with proper headers, well, not for a while. Different tip is a must
Michael (HYPOEB) wrote:Realy nice looking car mate! What are your plans with the coilovers in the XR8?

Thanks michael, the coilovers will more than likely stay in the XR8 and go with it to whoever buys it. It'd be nice to have the adjustability in the Ghia but the added expense doesn't seem worth it, as it already rides and handles beautifully

If i had the money i'd probably get them swapped so if i get 19's i could raise/lower accordingly


Going in for a blue slip (Like a RWC) on friday! Might be rego'd friday arvo if all goes well.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 16th, 2012, 5:06 pm
by superhuS!
[quote=braad]Now Drew, where am i gonna find a momo or GT steering wheel? I'm not paying +$500 for a steering wheel! What were AU Ghia wheels like? Any different to EL?[/quote]

AU Ghias are just black leather. AU Millenium Ghias (Fairmont and Fairlane) got partial wood momo Steering wheel. Any AU t-series wheel will fit. But get a fucking EL GT one.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 16th, 2012, 5:10 pm
by ClassicAU
LIES! My old man had an AUIII Ghia sedan, and it had the Momo wood/leather wheel. Very nice wheel, the thickness is somewhere between a stock wheel and the Momo XR option.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 16th, 2012, 5:28 pm
by superhuS!
it was probably a millenium Ev :P

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 16th, 2012, 5:50 pm
by ClassicAU
Nope, just fully optioned, was a regular series 3 VCT with everything but a sunroof. I've seen alot of AUII/III Ghia sedans with those wheels, must have been a popular option.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 16th, 2012, 6:39 pm
by braad
So which get timber?

Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 16th, 2012, 7:00 pm
by Ef_frmnt
EL GT, FBT, some NL Concorde/Sportsmans as well I believe, and AU Ghia short and long wheelbase variants. Basically any Ghia got one if you ticked the box on the order sheet.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 16th, 2012, 8:44 pm
by dannysebxr6
nice pick up Braad,
looks mint in heritage green and the xr front sets it off nicely. i saw this on car sales on the weekend.
if it had a manual box i would of bought it but oh well.
but yeh will be a very sleek daily and you should enjoy it.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 17th, 2012, 10:32 am
by braad
Ef_frmnt wrote:EL GT, FBT, some NL Concorde/Sportsmans as well I believe, and AU Ghia short and long wheelbase variants. Basically any Ghia got one if you ticked the box on the order sheet.

Right! Well i'll keep my eye out. The standard steering wheel is in good nic so it will do until i source another one

Hus, i've never seen an EL GT wheel so i'm sure it'd be close to $11tybillion for one

dannysebxr6 wrote:nice pick up Braad,
looks mint in heritage green and the xr front sets it off nicely. i saw this on car sales on the weekend.
if it had a manual box i would of bought it but oh well.
but yeh will be a very sleek daily and you should enjoy it.

Thanks, i hope its a good daily. I'll get it checked over and see how it goes. I'm hoping to be able to drive it tomorrow arvo registered. Fingers crossed.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 17th, 2012, 10:46 am
by EFFalcon
EL GT steering wheels are normally $400ish in decent condition.
were available in the EL GT and NL Concorde.
can get lucky some times.
FBT ones are cuppa instead of gray.

AU Ghia ones are nice, i've got one in my EF.
typically cheaper then an EL GT one, but still not overly common.

but note the woodgrain in these doesn't match the ghia stuff, so if you're anal about that kinda stuff it might annoy you :P

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 17th, 2012, 11:14 am
by bng
Who is doing the rego and all that? If I get this xd I'll need to get it done

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 17th, 2012, 12:29 pm
by braad
I'm going to a place in hurstville. Leffler recommended him and actually called him for me. I wouldnt have been able to get him to do it friday otherwise. They say the guys there are fair and decent, the one i chatted to was good.

I'd question buying the XD/F. Is there a purpose for buying it?

EFFalcon wrote:EL GT steering wheels are normally $400ish in decent condition.
were available in the EL GT and NL Concorde.
can get lucky some times.
FBT ones are cuppa instead of gray.

AU Ghia ones are nice, i've got one in my EF.
typically cheaper then an EL GT one, but still not overly common.

but note the woodgrain in these doesn't match the ghia stuff, so if you're anal about that kinda stuff it might annoy you :P


Thanks John. Thats the type of info i was after! I am pretty anal, i'd be willing to get a shitty timber one and re-do the timber colour and see what i end up with
I'll have to just check out the AU's and watch ebay

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 17th, 2012, 7:48 pm
by braad
Soooooo... the central locking started to cycle the other day. I had a squizz this afternoon and pulled the drivers door trim off. I have now figured out that all my speakers need replacing as they're all fucked. Oh, and the central locking is fine. The cause seems to be a flat battery, as i bought and installed a new one and it hasn't stuffed up since. I'm cheering, as the car starts better now aswell.

ok, an age-old question. My elecy windows are bloody slow to come back up. The front passenger one decided to stop tonight. It falls slightly forward a few mm and it has no guts so just stops. The rears are just slow but do get there. i degreased the slides and WD40'd them and it made SFA difference. Is there some trick to it? something below the window sill i should be looking at?


btw, i fucking love Ghia interiors at night :amen:

p.p.s. NSW CTP/green slips are insane! $734 for 12 months is ridiculous! proper 3rd party F&T insurance was only $500

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 18th, 2012, 4:07 pm
by braad
Car is now registered! Let te cruising begin :D

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 18th, 2012, 4:14 pm
by EFFalcon
if the window is dropping forward then its likely the bolts that hold the window to the reg are either not tight enough, have been overtightened and stripped the threat, or there is movement in the reg.

horrible design :/

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 20th, 2012, 9:19 pm
by braad
Ahh thanks. I'll have to check it out. I had always thought they were rivetted. Sounds like a crap design if that can happen

I have to check out what Koni Reds are all about. I thought the car had yellows

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 21st, 2012, 9:18 am
by josh_ef
Also don't use wd40 on window regs it Dosent last long

Use silicone spray
Same sorta thing but better for rubber

I had to fix mine for roadie just took trim off
Loose d bolts and twisted glass tightens it and tried it in a few different positions till it went up on its own

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 21st, 2012, 10:17 am
by braad
Thanks Josh. Silicon spray sounds like the way to go. I'll have to suss the window mechanisms on the weekend, and see if i can re-align the glass. Sounds easy but fiddly

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 21st, 2012, 5:29 pm
by Xpfalcon170
Looks nice. Yes, let the cruising begin!

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 23rd, 2012, 10:58 pm
by braad
Xpfalcon170 wrote:Looks nice. Yes, let the cruising begin!


thanks mate! the cruising has begun. I've got a few more pics of it since the last.

Here it JUST manages to get up on the driveway without scraping. then i filled up LPG and it doesnt :(

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Awaiting Blue-slip (RWC) before rego

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and all registered and playing daily

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and a golf i saw at work... reckon they have camber issues? i have NFI how it got there as it turned up one day and we have big gates that are locked after hours

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Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 24th, 2012, 12:48 am
by Ef_frmnt
car looks the goods.. if it's ever sold sing out I'd love to take ownership!

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: May 26th, 2012, 11:59 am
by braad
Ef_frmnt wrote:car looks the goods.. if it's ever sold sing out I'd love to take ownership!


Haha sure thing. I'd like to keep it though, its such a nice car to travel in!

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: June 5th, 2012, 11:47 am
by braad
The Ghia is TOO low. So it looks like the coilovers will be going into it in the next few weeks :D
Front passenger tyre has ripped into the guard and pulled the lip down. The guards will probably need to be rolled too i think.
How do people get them rolled without them becoming dirt/water/rust traps?

I'll post up a pic of the engine bay as i want to ask you guys if you know what type of headers are on it and what sort of LPG converter

Having coilovers will open possibilities in the future. I vaannnnnt to make this car comfy as possible.

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: June 5th, 2012, 12:13 pm
by ef_falcon_95
Looking good , needs the chrome strips , doesn't look like a ghia from the side .

Re: Brads EL XR-Ghia V8

PostPosted: June 5th, 2012, 12:40 pm
by superhuS!
braad wrote:The Ghia is TOO low


Nonsense! :P

I don't get any water/dirt in my guards, and I lipped them ALL the way. If you're going to do it yourself, get a rubber mallet, a heatgun and allow 2 hours.