DAVE KEATING’S

The Cleveland engine making for a great tow vehicle to back the boat into the harbour or tow that caravan around the country.

Towards the end of the seventies, the two door Hardtops started to become out of favor with the new car buyers due to trying to fit the family past the front seats into the rear passenger area. So the demise of the Hardtop Coupes began in all the Aussie models including the other car builders.

BUT that iconic shape never died! The memories of watching these Coupes flying down Conrod etched into many of our brains to taunt us with the need to own one one day.

Dave was no different with his search to own one of these rare birds, letting go of a very cool build to get his hands on this gorgeous Fairmont to park in his shed.

This old Fairmont is in no way reflective of its age now though.

The interior has had the full re-fit with new leather trim but still maintaining the comfort and finish.

The manual shifter now removed for a paddle shift mount on the steering column for quick shifting the manualised C6 auto transmission slotted in behind that staunch tricked up 351ci Cleveland engine.

The body has an incredibly smooth appearance with the original door handles removed and smoothed finished with the door skin. With none of the GT fins on the Fairmont body, the appearance down the side flows nicely with the curves of the huge rear guards.

As with these Coupes, the rear quarters can pack a good size rim in there to accentuate the rear view and race car styling.

Not many classic automobiles can slot in a pair of 285 wide tyres on the rears without making modifications, but these old Coupes designed for the racetrack back in the seventies can.

The view of the rear end of these

Coupes with the massive curved guards and huge tyres was unmatched by its competitors back in the day and still is I reckon. But you know I’m biased already! Haha

The custom work didn’t just stop at the body either. The boot area has been lined and upholstered to match, finishing the standard of this build to a ‘show finish’ for sure.

The engine bay has been detailed with chrome and polishing and the battery moved back into the covered in area within the boot.

The Ford Racing rocker covers to catch cans and the K&N air filter giving the clue that things definitely aren’t factory inside this build.

This is definitely a classy and well finished build, worthy to a show standard but not just for show. It’s built to kick butt as well and be driven like they were intended to back in the day, which is awesome to see!