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Ford Durango

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Ford Durango
The front of the Durango shows its Fairmont origins.
1981 Ford Durango
Overview
ManufacturerNational Coach Works or Ford Motor Company
Production1981 (possibly 1982)
Body and chassis
ClassCompact
Body style2-door Coupe Utility (pickup truck)
LayoutFR layout
RelatedFord Fairmont Futura
Powertrain
Engine200 in3 (3.3 L) Thriftpower Six I6
Transmission3-speed automatic
Chronology
PredecessorFord Ranchero

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 during the 1981 and very early 1982 model years. 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.

Design

New Ford Fairmonts 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

Detail of the functional tailgate

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. 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).


  • The rear of the Durango shows the fiberglass cargo well
    The rear of the Durango shows the fiberglass cargo well
  • Side profile, showing Futura coupe B-pillar
    Side profile, showing Futura coupe B-pillar

References

  • Collectible Automobile magazine February 1995 article "1981-1982 Durango: The Should-Have-Been Ranchero Replacement"
  • Pickup, Van & 4WD magazine December, 1981
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