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Falcon History

The Falcon was the brain child of Frank McNamara, as a sort of 60's version of the Model T concept. It was simple and cheap.
The first Falcons were basicly XK's straight from the US, built in Australia.

XK September 1960- August 1962

The cars were powered by either a 144 or 170cid engine producing 90 and 101bhp respectively. Both came with a three speed manual gearbox or two speed Fordomatic. The final drive was 3.56:1 or 3.50:1 for the larger engine. The car was not completely ready for the rough Australian roads and tales of collapsed front suspensions soon surfaced. As such it was unable to dent the huge sales success Holden was having.

1961 saw the addition of a utility and station wagon added to the line up. The wagon had a folding rear seat, giving an almost two metre long load space. Unlike it's 50's styled Holden rival, the Falcon wagon looked like a package, as opposed to the 'tacked on' rear of it's rival. A convertible was sold in the U.S. but was never a factory option here. The 144cid car was capable of 0-60mph in 16.8 seconds and the standing quarter in 20.8. 68,413 examples were built at Broadmeadows.

XL August 1962- February 1964

The updated Falcon saw the light of day here before it's release in the US, as Holden were releasing their EJ in a matter of days. The new model was outwardly very similar to the XK, but with a larger rear window between wider C pillars. The concave grille was replaced with a convex one. Wider front bumpers with integral parking lights.

The cars previous structural woes were addressed with a ball joint front end, sway bar, as well as improved braking. All autos were now water cooled. The dash was restyled and padding was an option on all models below Futura, where it was standard.

Before the days of Bathurst, the Armstrong 500 mile race was won by an XL in 62, launching the Falcons racing career.

The upmarket Futura was launched with the famous 'Trim, Taught, Terrific' slogan. Also new with this upgrade was a Squire wagon with fake fibreglass 'woodgrain' side mouldings.

XM February 1964- February 1965

Rust proofing was improved and a choice of three engines. The front suspension was upgraded with stronger ball joints, carried by new upper wishbones for coil over shocks and larger spindles. The rear was also attended to with relocated rear spring hangers. The vacuum operated windscreen wipers were finally replaced with two speed electric versions. Seats were stronger and better upholstered.

The rearend styling was altered by moving the round tail lights to the top of the rear guards. A false air intake was added to the bonnet buldge. The coupe Pillarless hard top added in 64.

XP February 1965- September 1966

The first Falcon really suited to the rough Aussie conditions. To prove it, Ford drove five Super Pursuit powered XP's in a 70,000 mile round Australia torture test. The front sheet metal and dash were taken from Ford's US market '63 Mercury Comet.

The new cars had a locally developed and manufactured three speed Borg Warner Type 35 auto option from March 65. A laminated screen was optional.

Fairmont added in September '65 replacing the Futura and Squire wagon. In a first for a local car it featured power assisted brakes with front discs. It also had reclining front buckets. Fitted with the BW 35 auto Super Pursuit engine and 10.75" Girling discs, and 14" wheels and lower profile tyres. The interior featured uprated trim with simulated wood paneling on the dash, padded sun visors and pile carpeting. Also on the options list was two tone paint. As Ford Australia's first luxury car, it would evolve into an act the General couldn't follow for many years.
65 Falcon Spec sheet

XR September 1966- March 1968

Almost a complete change of every part. The big, tough new Falcons were said to be 'Mustang Bred' but in reality it was the 'Stang that came from the Falcon. The XR also brought about the switch to five stud wheels. First with the mighty Cleveland V8 option. a new six cylinder was also released, again claimed to be 'Mustang Powered'. Although a two door was sold in the US, that body style was never offered here.

XT April 1968- June 1969

Although a superficially minor upgrade, a myriad of mechanical changes were undertaken. Two new engines were released, two new sixes of 3.1 and 3.6 litre capacity along with a revised 302 (5 litre) V8. All engines were rated by their litre capacity as opposed to cubic inches.

Safety was improved with twin circuit brakes, electrically operated windscreen washers and wider tires, although radials remained an option.

Synchromesh first gear was added to all models.

The Fairmont wagon got an electrically operated tailgate window.

The XR GT claimed 230hp from its 'Mustang Bred' 302 Windsor. In US fashion, the car was to have up to a 390ci engine, but Australia's Bathurst breeding meant that the lighter, better handling option was chosen. The power was delivered through a four speed all synchro manual, or, for the first time on the GT, a three speed auto. Final drive remained a highish 3.00:1.

A pair of driving lights were mounted on a blacked out grille, with the rear also being blacked out. Stripes were more subtle than on the XR GT.

The GT suspension was 1 3/8" lower and firmer than on the stock car. The braking system still retained the rear drums. 185 tires sat on 6 inch wide rims. A team of GT Falcons were entered in the London- Sydney rally Marathon in 68. The highest placed car of Ian Vaughan finished third with the other two entries in sixth and eighth, enough to take out first place for teams. The car also ran the 1993 25th anniversary re run, with the same driver, this time coming second.

XW June 1969 - November 1970

The XW was a clever upgrade by Ford of the XR, to the extent that it bares little resemblance to it's predecessor. Almost all the external panels were new. The styling was considerably squared off, even going to square tail lights for the first time. The rear screen was recessed. The square dash featured heavily recessed instruments.

This car brought about the legendary 351 engine albeit in Windsor form. The HO (Handling Option) package was added to the GT option list in August 1969.

The new grille was dubbed 'Power Mouth Grille' at the Ford press release.

All engines were tweaked for more horsepower, and a four speed was optional on the 3.6. Ventilated discs were standard on Fairmont and GT.

The interior was fully revised with optional buckets on lower models. A thicker crash pad was added and recessed knobs had a rubber facing. The Ford press release said "...resembles the cockpit of a jet airliner..."

Unlike previous GT's the XW was release along side the regular models. It was closer to a production model than a limited run special. A bonnet scoop was added to cool the brake master cylinder. The hood got blacked out panels and bonnet pins. The rear continued with the blacked out panel between the tail lights but got a '351 GT' badge. The wheels were chrome 12 slotters. More bold striping was added with the 'Super Roo' logo, a tire smoking kangaroo. Also on board was a sports fuel filler. The 351 claimed 290hp delivered through a twin plate clutch and close ratio four speed.

The XW GT Phase II received a boot mounted 'droopy end' spoiler. The front was also adorned with a spoiler. The HO pack consisted of many more handling improvements. It also gave the 351 a power boost by way of bigger carb, cam, better flowing intake manifold and modified valves, lifters and retainers. This enabled it to cover the standing quarter in 14.4 seconds.

Allan Moffat took a Falcon to victory at Bathurst in 1970, going on to win three more times and becoming the Ford driver of the 70's.

XY November 1970- February 1972

Forever revered for the legendary 351 Cleveland powered XY GT HO Phase III, a car that can now fetch more than ten times it's original price. No doubt in part due to it's crushing 1-2-3 at Bathurst in 71. The hood scoop was replaced by a 'shaker', a finned scoop mounted directly to the carb, so it shock as the engine was revved. The grille was changed to one that runs the full width of the front. Two section tail lights replace the four. The regular versions got the 250cid straight six for the first time.

A GS version was added to the line up. This was available on the Falcon 500, Futura and Fairmont. This option pack could add bucket seats, floor console, T-bar auto or four speed manual, power steer, air conditioning, ventilated discs, 5 litre V8, tinted laminated windscreen, vinyl roof and low profile radial tires.

Preempting the 4x4 rush, Ford Australia had a fairly serious go at building a four wheel drive based on the XY ute. 432 were built in Brisbane for sale in Queensland and NSW. The 4WD Falcon had the 4.1 litre 6-cylinder engine driving through a Borg Warner three speed manual, extensive underbody bracing, Spicer transfer-case and leaf springs front and rear. A winch was standard. Tougher Australian Design Rules (ADR), along with the need to redesign the concept for the XA, caused production to be stopped. The XA was thought to be not as strong due to it's frameless door construction. Ford lost considerable money on the XY 4WD and weren't willing to try again. Interestingly, Ford insiders have hinted that the AU wagon could form the base of a 4WD in the future.

XA February 1972- November 1973

The biggest Falcon ever with rather outlandish, muscle car styling, complemented by the reintroduction of the two door coupe. Winning no friends was the high waist line, coupled with the bulk of a tank, making it a handful to maneuver in the urban environment.

This was the first Falcon to be entirely designed and built in Australia, rather than tweaked for Australia. The station wagon shared the long wheelbase of the Fairlane/LTD for the first time. And it's tail gate could be either opened downwards or to one side.

Engine choices were 200 or 250 cid six, the later with a twin venturi carb option known as the 2V producing a respectable 127kW, or 302/351 V8's producing 179 or 194kW respectively. Transmissions were three or four speed manuals or three speed autos.

The reintroduction of the hardtop or coupe body in August 72. Space inefficient interiors and heavy on fuel with average handling thanks to it's bulk.

Five months after the sedan and wagon were released, came the introduction of the 'high roof' panel van and ute. These shared the long doors of the yet to be released hardtop. They were available with softer 'sedan ride' suspension, reducing carrying capacity from 750 to 500kg.

Released at the London motor show in August 1972 was the coupe. Like the earlier hardtop Falcons, it's lowered roof line had no B pillars, making it a true pillarless hardtop. Despite it's muscle car style, it was available with a column auto and six cylinder engine.

Both two and four door GT variants were available.

XB November 1973- July 1976

XC July 1976- March 1979

New, squared front sheet metal with rectangular head lights.

The success of Carol Shelby's Cobras brought about the two Door Cobra. They were white with a blue skunk stripe, front air damn, rear spoiler, 15" Globe alloys, cobra decals on the front fenders and four round head lights. 400 individually numbered vehicles were built.

XD March 1979- March 1982

With the XD Ford Australia decided to go back to the simple mass appeal car. The only truly Australian car on the market since the introduction of the GM (Opel) based Commodore (although WB production continued until 84). It made extensive use of plastics in it's construction, including the fuel tank on the sedan. This model was smaller than the XC it replaced but had more interior space. Mid life update added a Honda produced alloy head and electronic ignition, designated alloy head series one. Fuel saving 'de-stroked' 3.3 litre engine added.

XE March 1982- October 1984

Is the model that finally won Ford the top sales spot in Nov 1982. The XE Falcon was the first time a Falcon offered a coil spring rear. The XE also introduced EFI in single point form from August 1983 on. The XE also was the last of the Cleveland powered Falcons and the last of the V8's until the Windor Powered EB. Six cylinder engine gets new manifold to accept dual throat Weber with auto choke, replacing the single throat Stromberg. The revised engine is badged Alloy Head II.

Minor changes: New steering wheel to go with the new column, plastic window winders, three tier tail lights replaced by four tier.

XF October 1984- February 1988

After the XF the ute and van take a separate course of development to the sedan and wagon. No mechanical changes were made, but extensive restyle of interior under taken. All new, soft front styling treatment and Mustang style slotted tail lights.

EA February 1988- July 1991

Complete model change going for a decidedly European look. 3.9l OHC engine. Highly competent SLAS front suspension added. EA series II release in 1990. Outwardly identical to series one, many minor changes under the skin. Four speed Auto option.

EB July 1991- August 1993

All six cylinder models are 4.0 litre. Winsor 5.0L V8 option, the first V8 since the XE ESP. GT name plate reappears.

ED August 1993- August 1994

Smartlock & body module added. ABS option. Tickford opens as Ford's motorsport branch. The beginning of the XR series of Falcons. These cars reflect the original GT philosophy as closely as any 90's car can; light weight, high performance and low price.

EF September 1994-

Major mid model restyle, giving the car a fairly swoopy appearance. The Fairmont gets a raised bonnet like that of the Fairlane/ LTD to distinguish it from it's lesser brethren. Console mounted lever handbrake replaces 'umbrella'. For the first time on a locally built car, airbags became standard on all models. Suspension was essentially ED, but with revised steering geometry, new control arms, bushes and shocks. This resulted in better turn-in but caused roll over steer.
EL Falcon Spec sheet

EL 1997

Roll over steer fixed. GT name plate used in top of the line luxo cruiser with oddball grile.

AU 1998

Introduced Mustang based IRS for the first time. The boldest styling ever seen on a Falcon. VCT (Variable Cam Timing) engine. Torque control option. Possibility of wagon forming base for new 4WD.