Australian Muscle Car 2020-02

What is it?
“It’s a November 1971 XY Fairmont, registered
in February 1972. It’s finished in Bronze Wine
duco with black trim. It originally fitted with a
6cyl engine and column-shift auto but now has
a 393 ci Cleveland.”
When did you buy it?
“I first bought the car in March 2006, I saw it for
sale on the front cover of the Auto Supermarket
magazine Issue 1000, wish I had a copy as I
have issue 1001.”
Why did you buy it?
“I had an XY Fairmont GS previously which
I sold back in 2003 once my daughter was
born. I sadly missed this car after three years,
and then I saw this Fairmont advertised which
caught my attention. I rang the owner, Jason,
and we chatted and he spoke very lightly of
the car. Back then he had many people say to
him that they were interested in coming and
they wouldn’t show up, so he thought I was one
of them. I turned up the next day as soon as I
could. When I arrived Jason took the cover off
and reversed it out of the shed – and my jaw
dropped. I couldn’t spot much rust at all, the
body was nice and straight and the paint work
was mostly original. The interior was all original
apart from the dash pad. The back seat was
like new! I drove the car and it was superb: no
vibrations, wind noise or rattles. I was in love
and bought it.”
What do you know about its history?
“It was sold new by B.S Stillwell Ford Cotham
Rd Victoria, to Mrs E.R Richardson. She owned
it for approximately 19 years and sold it to her
psychologist (Keith Adey) in September, 1991,
with approximately 79,000 miles. Keith had it
for a short time and put approximately 5,000
miles on it and sold it to his family friend Jason
Kuhnell in May 1992. In the 14 years Jason had
it, he had rebuilt the engine and transmission
(6cyl), touched up a couple of scratches, fitted
12 slotter wheels and a sports steering wheel.
He put about 80,000 miles on it, so in total I
bought it with 164,000 miles in March, 2006. I’m
the proud fourth owner and I need to beat the
record of ownership.”
How does it go?
“I built a 393 Cleveland that produces
approximately 560hp. It’s fitted to a C4 columnshift
auto transmission with a 3000rpm stall
converter, and nine-inch differential. With all the
added sound deadener it cruises nicely and has
plenty of punch when needed (Sleeper).”
Anything you’d like to add?
“In April 2013 I decided to do a full restoration.
I wanted to leave the car as it was optioned
apart from the drive train; the look I was aiming
for was a factory H code (GT-HO) Fairmont. I
spent a lot of time refurbishing everything, and
the restoration was definitely a challenge. It was
completed in September 2016.
Special thanks to Dean from Indy Kustoms
Body and Paint work, Danny Valencic helping
me install the engine and Allan Morley helping
me convert the wiring harness.”
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