10 Things I bet you didn't know about your AU

[Mr Hardware]

So i've only got three, help me out!

1. The AU has the drag co-efficient of a bullet (0.295)
2. It was originally going to be called the ER Falcon (this can still be seen on spare parts codes)
3. The wing mirrors are on different angles, the passengers one is a far more acute angle.

[JC]

4. Adaptive shift is a strategy built into the PCM; it's not the gearbox, so adaptive shift can be applied to all AUs if you have the right PCM.
5. Same applies to ESS from the T series cars.
6. Ride height on Fortes (non-XRs) was dropped 25mm about 6 months after initial launch.
7. All important - the Tickford wings will fit on any AU.


11. The BA was going to be AV (AU 4??) (numbered 11 as it's not really AU, just AU related)
12. E series parts are not generally compatible with an AU; you need special pills to stop rejection from ocurring.

[whiskers]

Originally Posted by JC

12. you need special pills to stop rejection from ocurring.

Good one JC P***ing my self laughing

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by JC

11. The BA was going to be AV (AU 4??) (numbered 11 as it's not really AU, just AU related)

They didn't want the AU stigma on the BA so it was renamed. Stuffed one guy at Ford as he bought a whole heap of plates prior to the release. He wasn't happy when the BA was released.

[mcflux]

8. The "falcon" writing on AU1s is the same as that on XYs
9. The ridge on low-series AU1 & all XR/ute bonnets, and the whale-tooth grille on the AU1 forte was to pay homage to the XY grille/bonnet..
10. An AU1 Futura looks like a resprayed XE that's left in the oven for too long.

[Mr Hardware]

yeah i don't count number 10 as a fact
someone else with a real number 10?

[blownv8au]

7. All important - the Tickford wings will fit on any AU.
how true

[Mr Hardware]

For those who've just tuned in

1. The AU has the drag co-efficient of a bullet (0.295)
2. It was originally going to be called the ER Falcon (this can still be seen on spare parts codes)
3. The wing mirrors are on different angles, the passengers one is a far more acute angle.
4. Adaptive shift is a strategy built into the PCM; it's not the gearbox, so adaptive shift can be applied to all AUs if you have the right PCM.
5. Same applies to ESS from the T series cars.
6. Ride height on Fortes (non-XRs) was dropped 25mm about 6 months after initial launch.
7. * THIS SPACE FOR RENT *
8. The "falcon" writing on AU1s is the same as that on XYs
9. The ridge on low-series AU1 & all XR/ute bonnets, and the whale-tooth grille on the AU1 forte was to pay homage to the XY grille/bonnet..
10. * THIS SPACE FOR RENT *

[mcflux]

Proper 10: The AU was designed around the Fairmont Ghia, and then the lower models followed from this.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Ghia5L

9. The ridge on low-series AU1 & all XR/ute bonnets, and the whale-tooth grille on the AU1 forte was to pay homage to the XY grille/bonnet..

Not only that, the shoulder line that runs almost the full length of the car was a nod to the XY too. Look at a pic of an AU and an XY and you'll see the likeness.

I remember the AV model prefix. The scuttlebutt was all over the place before the BA's release.

[Mr Hardware]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2572100028B896

quite right

[Jimmyd]

7. Bottom end of the redesigned I6 was revised by Jaguar to smooth out harmonic 'concerns' - in particular the counterweight phasing of the crank

Revised 6. AU Update released April 99 lowering ride height 25mm and introduced the Smartshield system

optional 10. VCT engine was opriginally developed by Tickford for the XR6 - Ford got a sudden rush of blood to the head and contributed $$$$ to development so as they could fit it to the Premium range vehicles - Fairmont & Fairlane Ghias to you and me

13. AU's look better now than they did 10 years ago.....

14. Ford limited supply of the AU1 Fairmont Ghia VCT with 'Tickford enhancements' to stop bleed over from XR6 VCT sales (got that direct from the Ford rep when quizing why we could not get floor stock...)

15. Between 98-00 Ford spare parts required written and sighted Tickford VIN confirmation before even a replacement badge could be ordered.

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

So i've only got three, help me out!

1. The AU has the drag co-efficient of a bullet (0.295)

err... wrong actually, the AU has a drag co-efficient LESS than a bullet which comes in at than 0.31 or something. Also, it's only the S1 povo pack with the low series bonnet that achieves this as the high series bonnet creates more drag. XR doesn't go under 0.3 either due to the headlights and grill aperture. So that butt ugly grill does serve a purpose.


Bushbasher

[The Monty]

Originally Posted by Jimmyd

Revised 6. AU Update released April 99 lowering ride height 25mm and introduced the Smartshield system with power windows in the front for Forte, with cushier armrests.

[Peuty]

17. Your Cobra is a GT with more stickers.

[LeadFoot81]

Numbers ?
Approving the AUs design was Jac Nassers last big decision before hd left to run Fomoco US
First Falcon to have IRS
AU2 featured BA/worldwide Ford font on the revised boot garnish
AU series last Falcon XR6 with unique NA engine, last nose cone, only bi-plane spoiler, last XR to wear Tickford wings
Last all new wagon
AU falcon introduced boot struts
AU1wasnt a complete failure, it reached forecasted (realistic) sales volume

[GK]

Last Fairmont wagon.

GK

[mcflux]

AU falcon introduced boot struts

*looks at his EB's boot struts*

[RG]

Originally Posted by Ghia5L

*looks at his EB's boot struts*

*sits back and thinks of his old EL's boot struts that worked well*

[Jimmyd]

Introduction of compound Boot hinges that did not intrude into the boot space and allowed open boot lid to approach vertical for ease of access

[Mr Hardware]

For those who came in late...

1. The AU has the drag co-efficient of a bullet (0.295) (NASA tells me i'm right :P)
2. It was originally going to be called the ER Falcon (this can still be seen on spare parts codes)
3. The wing mirrors are on different angles, the passengers one is a far more acute angle.
4. Adaptive shift is a strategy built into the PCM; it's not the gearbox, so adaptive shift can be applied to all AUs if you have the right PCM.
5. Same applies to ESS from the T series cars.
6. 6. AU Update released April 99 lowering ride height 25mm and introduced the Smartshield system with power windows in the front for Forte, with cushier armrests and adjustable height front seatbelts
7. Bottom end of the redesigned I6 was revised by Jaguar to smooth out harmonic 'concerns' - in particular the counterweight phasing of the crank
8. The "falcon" writing on AU1s is the same as that on XYs
9. The ridge on low-series AU1 & all XR/ute bonnets, and the whale-tooth grille on the AU1 forte was to pay homage to the XY grille/bonnet, and the shoulder line that runs almost the full length of the car was a nod to the XY too.
10. The AU was designed around the Fairmont Ghia, and then the lower models followed from this
11. the VCT engine was opriginally developed by Tickford for the XR6 - Ford got a sudden rush of blood to the head and contributed $$$$ to development so as they could fit it to the Premium range vehicles - Fairmont & Fairlane Ghias to you and me
12. Ford limited supply of the AU1 Fairmont Ghia VCT with 'Tickford enhancements' to stop bleed over from XR6 VCT sales (got that direct from the Ford rep when quizing why we could not get floor stock...)
13. Between 98-00 Ford spare parts required written and sighted Tickford VIN confirmation before even a replacement Tickford badge could be ordered, and should have stayed that way.
14. Approving the AU's design was Jac Nasser's last big decision before he left to run Fomoco US
15. First Falcon to have IRS, albeit as an option
16. AU2 featured BA/worldwide Ford font on the revised boot garnish
17. AU series last Falcon XR6 with unique NA engine, last nose cone, only bi-plane spoiler, last XR to wear Tickford wings
18. Last all new wagon
19. Introduction of compound Boot hinges that did not intrude into the boot space and allowed open boot lid to approach vertical for ease of access
20. AU1 wasnt a complete failure, it reached forecasted (realistic) sales volume
21. Last Fairmont wagon

And just like everything good about the BA comes from the AU, the BA thread clone comes from this AU thread. Link to the BA thread: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11264202

[mcflux]

Originally Posted by RG

*sits back and thinks of his old EL's boot struts that worked well*

*Your boot struts worked well? Mine are so weak they nearly disintegrate the Ghia garnish every time!*

[au11futura]

22. i beleive the au was the last to have a more solid interior than later ba's as there was a change in plastic materials.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Peuty

17. Your Cobra is a GT with more stickers.

I dont even need to see the quoted post judging who it came from.

Maybe we should invade the BA thread of similar nature and post the above

[rag top]

Didn't the AU petrol 6's have the "fail safe cooling"?

[Road_Warrior]

AUIII had a laminated firewall

[RG]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

AUIII had a laminated firewall

That was part of the AUII upgrade.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by rag top

Didn't the AU petrol 6's have the "fail safe cooling"?

Correct

[Mont5.0]

The seat cushions(foam) in Leather seated vehicles are thicker than the fabric covered cushions found in non-leathered vehicles.

[Peuty]

You wouldn't pick it though.