NICKNAMED “The Beast”, Jason Spehr’s 1979 XD Ford Fairmont Ghia certainly packs a punch.
Boasting a 351 Cleveland engine, the V8 power is delivered through an FMX automatic transmission with a 2500 high stall, to a nine-inch Ford differential.
The car rides on 15-inch Weld wheels, with Mickey Thompson street tyres on the rear.
The Fairmont has retained the same paint job for the last 30 years, but work has been done under the hood to tidy up the engine bay, along with a big after-market stereo system to belt out tunes.
Mr Spehr purchased the car 20 years ago, then sold it when he was “young and silly”.
He then purchased the car back around 10 years ago.
“I always loved the XD,” Mr Spehr said.
“I love the shape and the interior.
“I couldn’t ever change a thing about it.”
Mr Spehr has been a member of the South East Street Machines club for around eight years and has owned several other nice vehicles, but nothing as good as his beloved XD.
“I went to Summernats in Canberra two years in a row and went to an all-Ford day in Adelaide where I came second in my class.
“I am always taking it to car shows.
“I have always loved motorsports and just love driving.”
Mr Spehr now has his Fairmont on club registration, allowing him to drive 90 days each year.
“My kids love it and always argue about who is coming for a drive,” he said.
Mr Spehr said there was always something to do on the car and he may look at a new paint job in the future.
But at the moment he is simply enjoying his car.
