Well, I bought a '78 Fairmont Futura. To see why I got into Fairmonts, go here: The X-Cop Fairmont Page
This link goes to a page that features of all things, an Ex-cop Fairmont.
The X-Cop Fairmont was DOA. I didn't mind that it hasn't run in 5 years but the car was riddled with rust. Pretty amazing for a Southern Cal car.
Anyway, the '78 Fairmont Futura was a weird red/maroon color with red interior. It looked ratty but it's 302 equipped and didn't have the Variable Venturi Nightmare carb. It only had 55K miles on the odo when I bought it, though the paint, carpet, dash pad, and vinyl roof sections looked like 2 million miles of hell. The missing tail light lenses didn't help, either.
Status: June 2000
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Status: February 2001
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Status: February 2002 (no Pics)
Smog Check! Friggn' Futura received a new cat and 2-1/2" single exhaust system. Dynomax Super Hemi Turbo Muffer was extremely quiet and free flowing. What can I say, it had a 280 CFM 49 State 2bbl. Not much umphf here. Friggin' Futura passed smog for the '78 model year so clean she met 2001 car standards for HC and CO. She was about 50 PPM too high to meet 2001 NOx.
Status: April 2003 (no pics)
Not much change. The driver side B-pillar trim fell off in true Fairmont form.
Finally replaced the Autolite Copper plus spark plugs - I guess they get a bit worn out after 40K miles! Oh, and the Duraspark II ignition module died again. This time I put in a $25 blue strain relief model to replace the California only red strain relief unit.
Status: November 2003
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Friggin' Futura ate its timing gear!
Check out the carnage!
Status: December 2003 (Updated June 20, 2005 showing dismantled 302)
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Project Friggin' Futura has started! Featuring start of Friggin' Futura's new front K-member and suspension installation. Friggin' Futura will also be converted to 5 spd manual, manual rack, lose the dopey vinyl roof trim, and get a black interior! Hang on, this may take a while.
Status: January 2004
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Project Friggin' Futura Continues! Problems abound! Trouble in Paradise! Solutions Found! Waiting for parts!
Status: February 2004
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Spindles are back. Struts, spindles, control arms, and caster/camber plates installed. More pictures in April, 2004.
Status: April/May 2004
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Testing... This is a test. This is a test of tire and fender...
Mayday! Houston, we have a problem...
Status: June 2004
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Time for some Research on 4th generation Mustang rear discs brakes (Or, "Please don't tell the rental car agency I dismantled their Mustang in the name of science").
Status: July 2004
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Cobra rear brake problem a mystery. Started to paint the engine bay.
Status: November 2004
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Oh Lord, What have I done?
Status: December 2004
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Friggin' Futura has been Framed!
Posted November 2004
Brake Tech for Fairmont/Zephyr
This is a white paper I did on my '78 Friggin' Futura's woefully inadequate brakes and a possible solution. There may be some items which need to be up dated since it's been a while since I wrote this.
Remember 1978? Disco? the Huge O' humongus mirrored ball rotating on the ceiling above a lighted dance floor? Remember platform shoes and leisure suits with wide colors and wider ties? Running on Empty? Night Fever? King Tut? Wheel In the Sky?
Far out. Funky!
Anyway, Here's what distinguishes a '78 F/Z (Fairmont/Zephyr) from the other year models.
The Gnarley '78 Thang