INFO GUIDE: 1982 - 1984 Ford Fairmont Ghia XE Sedan (ESP Option)

• ESPs were fitted with cloth Scheel front seats, with rear seats and door cards in Fairmont Ghia spec and matching trim colour. The original trim code is displayed on the vehicle’s data plate on the passenger side of the engine bay (see images). New XE ESP seat trim material can be sourced from “Global Trim” http://globaltrim.com.au.
• 1982 cars were available with two interior colour options:
  
  • Gunmetal Grey (Code M).
  • Sierra Tan (Code T).
• 1983 – 1984 ESPs were only available with Gunmetal Grey trim colour.
• Carpet colour matched the interior colour applied.
• XE ESPs had a standard Fairmont Ghia instrument cluster and black plastic surround (unlike the XD’s silver surround). The cluster had green-blue backlit instruments (unlike the XDs which were backlit red). Instruments included fuel, temperature, tachometer, speedometer, oil and voltage.
• Air conditioning, power steering, power antenna, electric mirrors and Ford radio cassette were all standard features. Additional interior options available on the ESP included electric windows and central locking (together ‘Option 34’) and a Phillips premium sound system (‘Option 41’) See images for detailed specifications of the sound system.
• A small Ghia badge was applied to the left side of the glovebox lid (as per the Fairmont Ghia standard).
• Distinctive 2-spoke steering wheel (applied to both the Fairmont Ghia and Fairlane models)
• C-pillar courtesy lights, and a central interior light with two reading spot-lamps were standard on all ESPs (as applied to both Fairmont Ghia and Fairlane).

Colour schemes available on the XE ESP depend on the vehicle’s year. Note, special order colours were also available, and therefore although the below paint schemes represent the majority of cars, there may be some exceptions.

1982 XE ESP:

Vehicles were available in two-tone colours (the lower body colour always being Charcoal).

1983 – 1984 XE ESP:

Unlike the 1982 models, 1983-1984 vehicles were only available in single tone paint schemes. Although the 1982 colours continued to be available, we’ve sighted a number of other colours on ESPs that are less common. As the ESP was an option on the Fairmont Ghia, it was presumably possible to order the ESP option in any colour in which the Fairmont Ghia was available. We have listed below several colours sighted on those later cars, noting that this is not a comprehensive list. If you have another colour on your ESP, please let us know and send in some images so we can improve this section.

The serial number is essential in determining whether a car is a genuine ESP optioned vehicle. Despite certain parts being rare, most features of the XE ESP can be replicated. Given the price premium genuine cars demand, the chassis number enquiry should be a priority for any prudent purchaser.

The Serial number is a 5-digit number unique to each vehicle, and will be followed by either a “C” (meaning 6-cylinder) or a “K” (meaning 8-cylinder).

As noted in the introduction, only the original Ford order sheet will confirm whether a particular serial number was ordered with the ESP option. As such, it is necessary to contact Ford to receive this confirmation. When enquiring, you will need to quote the 5-digit serial number and the Sido number (see section 7). You may also be required to provide proof of ownership (obviously, you will have to have the assistance of the seller if you’re a prospective purchaser).

Chassis number location:

The serial number is located in 3 positions (see images for a better description):

1. On the vehicle’s data plate:

Located on the passenger side inner mudguard, there will be two data plates (one for vehicle options, and one for ADR compliance). Both will contain the serial number, however, it can be most easily viewed under the title “Serial Number” in the foremost plate.

2. Stamped into the body:

The serial number as noted on the vehicle’s data plates should also be stamped into the metal of the passenger side engine bay and into the top of the inner passenger side mudguard (between the suspension strut and mudguard edge).

3. Stamped into the vehicle’s engine:

Ford also applied the chassis number to the engine, which will allow you to confirm whether the car is “matching numbers”. The location of the engine number will depend on which engine is fitted (250, 302 or 351). This is detailed further in section 5 of this guide.

Body Prefix:

The prefix body code is a 6-digit code that appears on the first row of the data plate (top left), and essentially confirms the information displayed elsewhere on the data plate. Importantly, the same code should prefix the vehicle’s engine number (See section 6 of this guide for engine number details).

Example: “JG32AM”   -   This decodes as follows:

J = Ford Australia

G = Broadmeadows plant (passenger vehicle)

32 = Fairmont Ghia

A = 1982

M = July

Note: The 5th and 6th digit of the body prefix refers to the year and month of manufacture, per the below table:

Note, the month/year code in the Body Prefix above relates to the vehicle’s estimated ‘Ship date’ – being the date when the vehicle was estimated to be completed and shipped. As the body prefix was allocated at the commencement of production, this code may slightly differ (by a month or so) to the manufacture date stamped on the compliance plate. The latter represents the ‘actual ship date’.

Model codes:

As the ESP Option was only available on the Fairmont Ghia in the XE series, it is essential that the model number confirms the same. The model number is located on the foremost data plate in the engine bay (passenger side inner mudguard).

The correct model code for the Fairmont Ghia is 18238. This should appear on the second row of the data plate, under the heading “Model”, as demonstrated in the images.