Hi, Aussie7. JackFish came over yesterday to pick up a wheel (someone stole his at his apartment parking lot, when he went in for just a couple minutes to warm up). Anyway, we we're talking about your Aussie engines and drooling. I had a 5.0 302 in mine and am in the process of completing the installation of the 200 ci 3.3 litre I6. My 302 had AC and a stock output of 145 HP. This 1978 six cylinder had an advertised rating of 125 HP.
I stopped professional drag racing after University (mid-70's) and to-date have never had a speeding ticket. Speed on the road doesn't cut it for me. I did some ralley driving (timed relay courses), in a Mini-Minor and later a nice Corvair Monza convert with the Turbo. There, you need acceleration, but you just up to the max speed allowed.
This Fairmont Squire is in beautiful shape and all we want is that it looks great, runs great and is comfy. My wife and I do a lot of touring in the summer, and the car just works out to be a great car for the purpose.
We put our tent on the roof-rack, sleeping and camping gear in the back, a couple of small bikes, and off we go!
I'd like to get a VW New Beetle convertible (Cariolet model) (a new one) in the next couple years, but this Fairmont wagon is A-Ok!
If I get a few thousand together, I may shop around for an Aussie six. They sound like a nice, strong engine.