Ford Fairmont: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Ford Fairmont catalogue contains one Sedan generation produced from 1978 to 1983, with seven versions ranging from 2.3 MT to 4.9 AT. Because there is no later generation to compare, the buying decision comes down to engine output and transmission: 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT produce 87 hp; 3.3 MT and 3.3 AT produce 82 hp; 4.2 AT produces 117 hp; and 4.9 MT and 4.9 AT lead the range with 140 hp.
The Ford Fairmont catalogue contains one Sedan generation produced from 1978 to 1983, with seven versions ranging from 2.3 MT to 4.9 AT. Because there is no later generation to compare, the buying decision comes down to engine output and transmission: 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT produce 87 hp; 3.3 MT and 3.3 AT produce 82 hp; 4.2 AT produces 117 hp; and 4.9 MT and 4.9 AT lead the range with 140 hp. All seven are rear-wheel-drive Gasoline versions with naturally aspirated engines.
Ford Fairmont generation and version choice
The sole Ford Fairmont generation in this catalogue ran from 1978 to 1983 as a Sedan. It comprises seven versions: 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 3.3 MT, 3.3 AT, 4.2 AT, 4.9 MT, and 4.9 AT. No separate restyling or additional generation is listed, so there is no documented generational change in body style, engines, or specifications to compare.
The range divides naturally into transmission choices. A Manual transmission with 4 gears is fitted to 2.3 MT, 3.3 MT, and 4.9 MT. An Automatic transmission with 3 gears is fitted to 2.3 AT, 3.3 AT, 4.2 AT, and 4.9 AT. Every version uses RWD.
Ford Fairmont engine specs
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 MT | 87 hp (64 kW) at 4400 rpm | not measured | 2300 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | Manual, 4 gears | RWD |
| 2.3 AT | 87 hp (64 kW) at 4400 rpm | not measured | 2300 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| 3.3 MT | 82 hp (60 kW); rpm not measured | not measured | 3300 cc | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | Manual, 4 gears | RWD |
| 3.3 AT | 82 hp (60 kW); rpm not measured | not measured | 3300 cc | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| 4.2 AT | 117 hp (86 kW) at 3400 rpm | 265 Nm at 2200 rpm | 4183 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| 4.9 MT | 140 hp (103 kW); rpm not measured | not measured | 4900 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | Manual, 4 gears | RWD |
| 4.9 AT | 140 hp (103 kW); rpm not measured | not measured | 4900 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
Every engine has 2 valves per cylinder. The 4.2 AT, 4.9 MT, and 4.9 AT use a Carburetor and specify 80 fuel. The fuel grade and supply-system type for 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 3.3 MT, and 3.3 AT are not measured.
Power per litre clarifies the differences between these engines. The 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT each deliver approximately 37.8 hp per litre. The 3.3 MT and 3.3 AT return approximately 24.8 hp per litre, meaning the larger 3300 cc engine produces 5 hp less than the 2300 cc engine. The 4.2 AT provides approximately 28.0 hp per litre, while 4.9 MT and 4.9 AT each achieve approximately 28.6 hp per litre.
The 4.9 versions provide 53 hp more than either 2.3 version, 58 hp more than either 3.3 version, and 23 hp more than 4.2 AT. The 4.2 AT provides 30 hp more than the 2.3 versions and 35 hp more than the 3.3 versions. These comparisons make the 3.3 pair difficult to justify on output alone: each has 1000 cc more displacement than a 2.3 version but 5 hp less power.
Ford Fairmont performance and economy
Only 4.2 AT has measured acceleration and maximum-speed figures. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 14.7 seconds and reaches 160 km/h. The 0–100 km/h time and top speed for 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 3.3 MT, 3.3 AT, 4.9 MT, and 4.9 AT are not measured.
City fuel consumption is not measured for all seven versions. Highway fuel consumption is also not measured for every version, and combined fuel consumption is not measured for every version. Consequently, the supplied specifications do not support an mpg or fuel-economy ranking. The larger engines must not be declared more expensive to run without consumption figures.
Torque is measured only for 4.2 AT, at 265 Nm at 2200 rpm. Torque is not measured for 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 3.3 MT, 3.3 AT, 4.9 MT, and 4.9 AT. This prevents a complete torque comparison, even though power can be compared across the entire range.
Ford Fairmont dimensions and weight
Ground clearance is 156 mm for 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 3.3 MT, 3.3 AT, 4.2 AT, 4.9 MT, and 4.9 AT, so clearance does not distinguish one version from another.
Kerb weight and gross weight are not measured for any version. Tank capacity and wheel sizes are also not measured for any version. Since kerb weight is unavailable, weight per horsepower cannot be calculated reliably for 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 3.3 MT, 3.3 AT, 4.2 AT, 4.9 MT, or 4.9 AT.
All versions have Independent, spring front suspension, Semi-independent rear suspension, and Disc front brakes. Rear-brake specifications are not measured.
Which Ford Fairmont version should you buy?
Choose 2.3 MT if the priority is the smallest listed displacement combined with a Manual transmission. Its 2300 cc Inline engine produces 87 hp, and its 4-gear Manual transmission offers one more gear than the Automatic alternatives. Among the listed engines, the 2.3 versions also have the highest calculated output per litre at approximately 37.8 hp.
Choose 2.3 AT if the same 87 hp and 2300 cc engine are preferred with an Automatic transmission. The trade-off visible in the data is transmission configuration: 2.3 AT has 3 gears instead of the 4 gears fitted to 2.3 MT. Power, displacement, drive, clearance, suspension, and front-brake specifications are otherwise identical.
Choose 3.3 MT or 3.3 AT only when the 3300 cc Inline 6-cylinder specification itself is the deciding factor. Both make 82 hp, which is 5 hp less than the 2300 cc 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT. Between the two, 3.3 MT supplies a 4-gear Manual transmission, while 3.3 AT supplies a 3-gear Automatic transmission.
Choose 4.2 AT when documented road-performance and torque figures matter more than maximum listed power. It is the only version with measured torque, acceleration, and top speed: 265 Nm at 2200 rpm, 0–100 km/h in 14.7 seconds, and 160 km/h. Its 4183 cc V-shaped 8-cylinder engine produces 117 hp through a 3-gear Automatic transmission.
Choose 4.9 MT for the highest listed output with a Manual transmission. Its 4900 cc V-shaped 8-cylinder engine produces 140 hp, matching 4.9 AT and exceeding every other version. Choose 4.9 AT when the same 140 hp is wanted with a 3-gear Automatic instead of the 4-gear Manual. Performance, torque, and economy figures are not measured for either 4.9 version, so their 140 hp rating establishes the power advantage but does not prove an acceleration or fuel-consumption advantage.
On the supplied numbers, 2.3 MT is the strongest compact-displacement and power-per-litre choice, 4.2 AT is the best-documented performance choice, and 4.9 MT or 4.9 AT is the maximum-power choice. There is no price data, so the extra purchase cost—and therefore what any extra money buys—cannot be calculated. Reliability and problems are also not measured, making it impossible to rank these versions by durability from the catalogue data alone.