5k: Rare Camino: 1981 Ford Durango
The Ranchero was Ford’s version of the El Camino, but by 1979 the “El Camino” market had cooled and Ford ended production of its car based pickup. However, Ford did contract with Los Angeles based National Coach Corporation to build a few El Camino style vehicles from its Fox-platform Fairmont Futura. Production figures aren’t certain but anywhere from 100 to 300 Durangos were built for 1981 and 1982 making it a rare Camino indeed. Find this 1981 Ford Durango for sale in Englewood, CO for $6995. Tip from Mike M.
The Fox-platform was used to underpin millions of Ford, Lincoln, Mercury vehicles between 1978 and 1993 but if you want a pickup truck style Fox, the only way to get one is with the Durango. Unfortunately, the only way the Durango came from the factory was with the 3.3 liter Thriftpower Inline-6, an ancient boat anchor of an engine that puts out 105 horsepower and 150 ft-lbs of torque on a good day. Mated to a slushbox auto the performance will be leisurely, but at least it gives everyone else longer to admire the fine lines of your Durango.
See a better uncommon el camino style pickup? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
Cool and all, but without a tailgate one had better not want to put anything too heavy in the bed. Not without having the number of a good chiropractor on speed-dial. Wonder if they put rain water drains back there too….
Too weird………….I kind of checked out on the seventy eighties American junk at the time. These Fairmonts were sooooo depressing to anyone who lived through and dug the fifty sixties Fords and chevys……….
Still…………Tremec!
@StevenRH:
By the way.it has a real tailgate..look at the vertical rubber seal running the length from top to bottom behind the filler panel behind the side marker lights.
Indeed. If I had to guess, the whole rear panel for the lights/license plate might fold down with the tail-gate open. The Subaru Baja had to do that for the tailgate-mounted plate.
flickr.com/photos/58998208@N06/9670571768/
This is AWESOME!
Used to own a 2 door Fairmont (1982 model) as a teenager back in the early 1990's. Never knew about this limited production factory conversion-thanks for posting. The 3.3L I6 is slow, but a very reliable and bullet-proof engine. Mine ran on 5 cylinders for 30k miles (couldn't afford another car or major engine repairs).