Ford Durango
Encyclopedia
The Ford Durango is a 2-passenger coupe utility
that was sold by Ford Motor Company
in the early 1980s. Produced out of a joint venture between Ford Motor Company
and National Coach Corporation of Los Angeles
, California, the Durango was sold in 1981 (and possibly into 1982, although no 1982 models have been verified as being built). Intended as a replacement for the Ford Ranchero
, which had ceased production at the end of the 1979 model year, the Durango competed against the newly downsized Chevrolet El Camino
.
s were delivered to National Coach Corporation, which modified the body; the version used for the conversion was the 2-door Fairmont Futura coupe. Modification of the body involved removal of the roof behind the B-pillar, removing the trunk and rear seat area and then inserting a fiberglass cargo bed behind the front seats. After conversion, they were sold by Ford dealers nationwide. Durangos were powered by the venerable Ford 200 cubic-inch inline six.
No production records were kept by either Ford or National Coach, and estimates vary - but most say between 80 and 350 units were built. The Pickup, Van and 4WD magazine from December 1981 features an article about the Durango that states: "The project had been planned for an earlier date in 1981 than that which was finally achieved, so only a little over 100 units were assembled before the current-year model went out of production."
(1) Model year: The Durango was not produced by National prior to the 1981 model year and no 1983 models were produced. There is disagreement whether any 1982 models saw production - if the car in question is a 1978, 1979, 1980 or 1983 model year Fairmont - then it is not an original Durango.
(2) Functional tailgate: This is the easiest way to determine a real Durango. National built a functional tailgate that dropped down via hinges at the bottom. This required the addition of an approximately three-inch filler panel at the back of the Fairmont's quarter panel to allow the tailgate to clear the rear bumper (see picture).
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
that was sold by Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
in the early 1980s. Produced out of a joint venture between Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
and National Coach Corporation of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California, the Durango was sold in 1981 (and possibly into 1982, although no 1982 models have been verified as being built). Intended as a replacement for the Ford Ranchero
Ford Ranchero
The Ford Ranchero was a coupe utility produced between 1957 and 1979. Unlike a pickup truck, the Ranchero was adapted from a two-door station wagon platform that integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. A total of 508,355 units were produced during the model's production run...
, which had ceased production at the end of the 1979 model year, the Durango competed against the newly downsized Chevrolet El Camino
Chevrolet El Camino
The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupe utility vehicle produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1959–1960 model years in response to the success of its rival, Ford Ranchero. Production resumed for the 1964–1977 model years based on the Chevelle platform, and continued for the...
.
Design
New Ford FairmontFord Fairmont
The Ford Fairmont is a compact car produced by Ford Motor Company for the North American market. Introduced for the 1978 model year, the Fairmont was produced in several bodystyles until it was replaced by the Ford Tempo for the 1984 model year...
s were delivered to National Coach Corporation, which modified the body; the version used for the conversion was the 2-door Fairmont Futura coupe. Modification of the body involved removal of the roof behind the B-pillar, removing the trunk and rear seat area and then inserting a fiberglass cargo bed behind the front seats. After conversion, they were sold by Ford dealers nationwide. Durangos were powered by the venerable Ford 200 cubic-inch inline six.
No production records were kept by either Ford or National Coach, and estimates vary - but most say between 80 and 350 units were built. The Pickup, Van and 4WD magazine from December 1981 features an article about the Durango that states: "The project had been planned for an earlier date in 1981 than that which was finally achieved, so only a little over 100 units were assembled before the current-year model went out of production."
Authenticity
Although there are no firm production numbers, there were likely as many (if not more "one-off") "truck" conversions to Fairmonts by individuals than created by National Coach. This has led to the belief they were produced during most or all of the years (1978-1983) of Fairmont production as these custom conversions were often labeled as Durangos by their owners. There are two relatively easy ways to determine whether the conversion was done by National:(1) Model year: The Durango was not produced by National prior to the 1981 model year and no 1983 models were produced. There is disagreement whether any 1982 models saw production - if the car in question is a 1978, 1979, 1980 or 1983 model year Fairmont - then it is not an original Durango.
(2) Functional tailgate: This is the easiest way to determine a real Durango. National built a functional tailgate that dropped down via hinges at the bottom. This required the addition of an approximately three-inch filler panel at the back of the Fairmont's quarter panel to allow the tailgate to clear the rear bumper (see picture).
External Links
- Jalopnik blog
- http://www.scribd.com/tag/ford%20fairmont%20durango?l=8 Article from Pickup, Van & 4WD magazine