The AU Ford Fairmont Ghia was the most luxurious and technologically advanced of the AU Ford range of cars introduced in Australia in 1998. Its design was hailed at the time as a milestone in Australian car design history. It was said that not since the VB Holden Commodore in 1978 had an Australian car taken such a divergent design path.

The design process began early in 1994 under Ford's chief designer, Steve Park, and his team at the Broadmeadow plant in Victoria. Park wanted the AU to generate some shock and controversy and to incorporate features of the latest trend, so-called "edge" design.

External input was sought from fashion, architectural and industrial designers, and clay modelling began in August 1994, based on computer aided design (CAD). A total of 350 hours spent in Monash University's wind tunnel resulted in a design that reduced drag by 11 percent. This aerodynamic study was claimed by Ford to be one of the largest ever undertaken in Australia. After a million kilometres of durability testing and the design and manufacture of 3000 new parts, the AU range appeared shorter, wider and higher in the bootline than its predecessor.

The AU Ford Fairmont Ghia features 87 percent Australian content including lighter, stronger body panels made from special BHP bake-hardened steel. The 4.0 litre Intech OHC 6-cylinder engine with Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) was built in Geelong. The suspension system comprises double wishbone front suspension and fully independent double wishbone rear suspension (IRS). The interior features grey leather and velour upholstery, with woodgrain instrument panel and door/console finish. The instruments include a message display centre with trip computer, audible overspeed warning, automatic climate control and ambient temperature readout.

Rather than import an American Ford, millions of dollars were spent in designing and manufacturing the new AU range in Australia. The AU initials in the range refer to its Australian production within the wider international Ford Company.

Sales were below expectations and in the year 2000 Ford produced the AU II to address criticisms levelled at the original AU. In particular, the suspension was upgraded and stronger brakes with larger pads were fitted. The much disliked 'Baleen whale' grille was replaced, the rear was redesigned, and a more conventional bonnet was used.

The museum's AU Ford Fairmont Ghia automobile was built and sectioned by the staff of Ford Australia at Geelong to reveal its construction and operation. It was used by Ford at the AU product launch in 1998 and displayed at various car shows in Melbourne and Sydney. The car was a welcome addition to the museum's collection of sectioned automobiles when presented by the Ford Motor Co of Australia in 1999.

Margaret Simpson

The design of the AU has been something of a milestone in Australian car design history. Not since the VB Holden Commodore in 1978 has an Australian car taken such a divergent design path. Ford's chief designer, Steve Park, wanted to generate some shock and controversy rather than to produce just another car.

The design process began in early 1994 when Park and his team at Ford's Broadmeadow plant in Victoria tried to capture the 'essence of Falcon' for the new millennium. All possibilities were considered including raising or lowering the car, lengthening or shortening it; the designers looked at cars being developed throughout the world by Ford, but they were always conscious of producing a new Falcon rather than one that had evolved from the previous model. External input was sought from fashion, architectural and industrial designers. Clay modelling began in August 1994, using Computer Aided Design (CAD). Several 'clays' were developed while the team tried variations of the New Edge design philosphy championed by Jack Telnack, the chief of design at Ford Australia in the late 1960s and later head of Ford design worldwide. The aim was to integrate the sharply intersecting lines that characterise 'edge' design with more conventional soft shapes and soft body sides. This culminated in the AU looking shorter and tighter than its predecessor, with an increase in width giving an illusion of being closer to the ground, and having a higher boot line. The idea was that the car represents a small package on the outside but is spacious and well appointed on the inside.

Ford designers spent 350 hours with a full clay model in Monash Univesity's wind tunnel resulting in a design which reduced drag by 11 percent, culminating in a co-efficient drag factor of 0.295. This aerodynamic study is claimed by Ford to be one of the largest ever undertaken in Australia, to have reduced wind noise by half, and to have reduced fuel consumption.

After a million kilometres of durability testing, the design and manufacture of 3000 new parts, three hot weather tests, three cold weather tests and 25 hours in the making of each car, the AU range was ready for a public viewing in August 1998.

The car was manufactured and sectioned by the staff of Ford Australia, Geelong.

The sectioned car was used at the product launch of the AU range in 1998 and displayed at various car shows in Melbourne and Sydney before being presented to the Museum in March 1999.

The AU Ford Fairmont Ghia is the the most luxurious and tehnologically advanced of the AU Ford range of cars introduced in 1998. In that year it received a Powerhouse Museum Selection award as part of the Australian Design Awards program.

Sectioned automobile, AU Ford Fairmont Ghia sedan, metal / plastic / rubber, Ford Motor Company of Australia, Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 1998

-1 Car
-2 Parts
-3 Cover
-4 Key
-5 Engine cover
-6 Mirrors (3)

Sectioned Fairmont Ghia with exterior cut away to reveal various interior and mechanical sections. The car is finished in a colour known as sparkling burgundy. The interior is finished in various shades of grey.

The 4.0-litre Intech OHC 6-cylinder engine has Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT). It also features an electronic engine control (EEC-V) system, 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter, power and economy modes and overdrive.

The suspension system comprises fully independent double wishbone front suspension and fully independent double wishbone rear suspension (IRS). As well as this there is traction control, "Fail Safe" cooling and Smart Start.

Interior Details

The interior features leather and velour upholstery, and woodgrain instrument panel and door/console finish. The seats are deeply contoured and the driver's seat features adjustments for lumbar support, thigh support and the angle of the seat cushion. There is an ergonomicially-styled 250 watt premium audio system which includes a 6-disc CD stacker in the boot and 11 speakers. Volume, station and CD controls are located on the leather wrapped steering wheel together with the cruise control buttons. The power antenna has a half height function switch, and there is a mobile phone platform, wiring and antenna.

The steering column is adjustable for rake and reach. The front windscreen wipers are 2 speed with a road speed sensitive variable intermittent action and demand wash/wipe and demand wipe features.

The large centre console has an armrest, retractable cup holder, coin slots, pen holder and CD/cassette storage. There is a 60/40 split fold down rear seat with fold down centre armrest, rear seat armrest cupholders, gathereed front seat back map pockes, and front and rear door map pockets. The passenger and luggage compartments are carpeted and there are driver and front seat passenger adjustable map reading lamps, remote illuminated entry and exit systems, rear reading lamps, front and rear footwell lamps and door trip courtesy lamps. There is a lockable and illuminated glovebox, driver and passenger sunvisor vanity mirrors with sliding covers and integrated grab handles and coat hooks.

The instruments include a message display centre with trip computer, audible overspeed warning, automatic climate control and ambient temperature readout. There is variable intensity instrument panel illumination, ignition lock illumination, as well as comprehensive warning lights and audible warnings for selected functions. The instruments include a speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, water temperature, oil pressure and battery voltage guages, LCD odometer, tripmeter, service due indicator and door ajar car outline. The car also features a trip computer, dual horns, front and rear power windows with time delay after key off, remote fuel filler release and remote boot release. The climate control system features integrated CFC-free airconditioning, rear seat ducts and a ten speed fan.

The tyres are steel belted radial ply P215/55 HR15, and wheels are 16 inch x 6.5 inch alloy. The headlamps are of the polycarbonate one piece type.

Safety and Security Features

The car features dual air bags for the driver and front passenger, body-coloured electric exterior rear view mirrors, and high mounted rear stop lamp. A "Smart Lock" remote keyless door and boot entry system is installed. Other secruity features include "Tibbe" locks on doors and ignition, recessed driver's door lock button, strengthened steering column lock housing and electronic engine immobilisation. Other safety features include child proof rear door locks, front inertia reel seat belts with 'belt lockers' and rear intetia reel seat belts for all passengers.

The car is finished in a colour known as Sparkling Burgundy while the interior fabric is Prada velour and leather in Warm Charcoal.

Designer: Park, Steve; Victoria

Maker: Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited; Victoria; 1998


User: unknown; Sydney

User: unknown; Melbourne, Victoria

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