1981 Ford Fairmont

The 1981 Ford Fairmont is a compact car rooted in the Ford Fox platform, available in various body styles, including a two-door notchback sedan, two-door coupe (Futura), four-door sedan, and five-door station wagon. It offers multiple engine choices: the 2.3 L inline-4 producing 88 HP and 118 lb-ft of torque, the 3.3 L inline-6 also generating 88 HP but with a higher torque of 154 lb-ft, and the 4.2 L V8 delivering 115 HP and 195 lb-ft of torque. Transmission options include a 4-speed manual and a 3-speed automatic, with rear-wheel drive as the standard configuration. The Fairmont features unibody construction, independent front suspension, and a solid rear axle. Notable changes for 1981 included a revised exterior trim with slim molding strips and the expansion of the Futura trim to encompass four-door sedans and station wagons, enhancing convenience features across the lineup.