2018 1976 Ford ZH Fairlane Marquis PNC

This postal numismatic cover is highly collectable, featuring a pictorial envelope, the Australian Map stamp, the 1976 Ford ZH Fairlane Marquis stamp tab and a coin from the Royal Australian Mint. The stamp is postmarked - 1 March 2018 | Geelong VIC 3220

A locally-made American Fairlane was sold between 1959 and 1964, and the badge was reintroduced in 1967 for a Falcon-based, long-wheelbase flagship sedan. However, by the mid-1970s, the Fairlane attracted heavy criticism for being barely distinguishable from the more affordable Falcon. Sales of the premium model slumped. Ford responded with the ZH model, which took the XC Falcon and, like all previous Fairlanes, added the requisite length. Its styling, though, saw a clear distinction from Falcon with more visual weight and road presence, its contemporary design casting Fairlane with its own distinct identity for the first time. The ZH was sold only with V8 engines to firmly position it as a halo model and the changes were immediately effective; sales turned around, and the Fairlane remained a fixture on Australian roads for more than three decades.

• ZH Fairlane – Total built: 22,982
• ZH Fairlane Marquis – Total built: 6,067
• Image: Ford Motor Company of Australia

Postal numismatic cover details

• Issue date: 1 March 2018
• PNC postmark: Geelong, VIC 3220
• PNC Issue: 2018 Issue 04, limited to 9,000

Coin details

• Mint: Royal Australian Mint
• Metal: CuNI
• Denomination: 50c
• Weight: 15.55g
• Diameter: 31.51mm
• Finish: Coloured uncirculated
• Finish: A. Baggio

Ford Trademarks and Trade
Dress used under license to
Australia Post.