>>Ford Durango

Ford Durango

Ford Durango

1981 Ford Durango
Manufacturer	National Coach Works or Ford Motor Company
Production	1981 (possibly 1982)
Predecessor	Ford Ranchero
Class	Compact
Body style	2-door Coupe Utility (pickup truck)
Layout	FR layout
Engine	200 cu in (3.3 L) Thriftpower Six  I6
Transmission	3-speed automatic
Related	Ford Fairmont Futura

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.

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. 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).

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