(vic) 87 ZL Fairlane

[HappilyInsane]

I'm not sure where to put this post but I need some information.

Originally the car needed about $1500 spent to make it roadworthy, I took it to a different mechanic and he said he could do it for cheaper.

Long story short, I dont know what's been done or what's left for roadworthy.

Since then the battery has died, couple tires going flat and looks like small surface rust is appearing in the usual places.

I know ford do not make fairlanes anymore, ZL's are hard to find, 87 model had the introduction of the EFI, rims are ghia snowflake.

Is it worth keeping to restore? Sure, I like it but dont have the funds either.
What would it be worth to other people? are people looking for such a car to restore or mostly just for parts?

Either way, what can I realistically get for it if i wanted to sell it?

Can add pics if needed.

[BPXR6T]

Clean one down the road here for $800.

[Kryton]

$500 - if you can find a buyer that is.

[aussie muscle]

While it'd be nice to save an old fairlane, no they aren't worth restoring them. only ones likely to break even are Early GTs (XY-XC), early Monaros and E38/49 Charger.

[nstg8a]

They're worth restoring, but not if you think you might sell it in the near future, it will be a looooooooong time before the values start heading up, if ever.

Lwb fords generally aren't investment material.

But if you want a cool comfy old cruiser then you could do a lot worse IMO.


Oh, and efi came in well before 87.

[smally289]

Sadly, as others have already said, it's not worth much or very desirable. You would probably make more money by parting it out.

[nstg8a]

barely worth parting, the parts arent worth sod all either.

[HappilyInsane]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

It was going to be for personal use and not to resell in the near future as
nstg8a commented on.

I guess i'll have to pass on fixing it, a shame though because it sure is a comfy ride with electric everything and a touch of the old school look...

I probably wouldnt be posting this if the other mechanics didn't burn me lol

[blackf6]

The answer to your question is- if you like the vehicle, then yes it is worth restoring. Chuck a v8 in there. Put a turbo on it. Have it as a project. I'm not in your position but I hope I might have given you some other options.

[SSD-85]

As a ZL owner, I can honestly say that this car is only worth your time if you like it. Theres nothing more original than the EFI 250 humming along.

As many have said, theyre lucky to be worth around a grand. And parts are practically given away. But if the trend on 80s Fords going up in price continues, then expect that to change. Regardless of engine cylinders.

Thats only pure speculation of course, but cars should never be used as an investment. So in summary, keep it if you like it & want to take the time to do it up, otherwise palm it off to someone who does.

[janddbone]

A ZD can go for $20K these days and a ZH for around $7K plus... I have no doubt, in time, that these will be worth more than the 10 cents they are now... (Yes I do have my grandfathers ZL as a daily driver!)

[MrEL]

Originally Posted by BPXR6T

Clean one down the road here for $800.

Where abouts is that?
I would love one to chuck an EFI 5.0 into for a cruiser.

[Nic302ef]

like any model car, demand vs avliabiltiy, ZL's are still pretty abundent like the XF counter part, however look how hard XD/ZJ's are to come buy in any reasonable form, and decent ones fetch ok prices (compared to what there worth new)

If you got plenty of space, keep it covered, i owned the FE LTD version and one of the most comfiest car i have ever owned, just got destroyed by people running into it, i would still have it today other wise :(

[dave351cid]

if the car is in solid condition and fairly tidy, then while it may be not worth much now, it still could be a keeper.

if you are wanting a good cruiser car then you have to look at what it will cost to get it back on the road compared to what you will buy another car for that will match it as a replacement. if you were thinking of restoring it to sell then there is little chance of breaking even short term, however the longer you keep it the better value you will get out of the restoration.

its only a few years ago that the fairlanes and LTDs of the `70s were only worth scrap value. wish i had bought a few ZHs and had somewhere to store them , or some P5 - P6 LTDs.