Here’s how the Ford Fairmont was the first, but less famous Fox body Ford

In this episode I provide the history of the Ford Fairmont, and its more sporty version the Fairmont Futura. Launching in 1978, the Fairmont was the first model born from the Fox body platform, which is more well known for the third generation Mustang that began in 1979. The Fairmont offered a 4-door sedan, a 4-door wagon, and what they referred to as a "2-door sedan". A true 2-door coupe was the Fairmont Futura, which had a more stylish wraparound b-pillar, as compared to the very conservative (many would say boring) style of the sedans and wagons. Mercury offered a nearly identical model called the Zephyr, and their Futura equivalent was called the Z-7. Both Ford and Mercury would expand the Futura name to the sedans in 1980, and the wagons in 1981. However despite very good sales in its first couple years, the car's conservative looks and rear wheel drive caused sales to drop each year until its end in 1983, being replaced by the more bubble-like Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz.