50 years of Aussie Falcons

bathurst77 · 17-01-2009, 12:37 PM

In September 1960, Ford Australia released the XK falcon, a locally produced version of Ford USA's new compact family car. (Kind of ironic now with speculation that the next version may be locally produced version of Ford USA's new compact family car the latest Taurus).

I wonder what Ford will do to mark this landmark next year? Falcon IS Australia's own car. The longest and most succesful carname ever produced in this country, it deserves more than a few badges and stripes and "free options" pack to mark it.

Just for record, the XK falcon

Recognisable by concave grille, with headlights and parking lights in grille,
narrow tapered C pillar and low set round tail lights.
Offered in sedan, wagon, ute and van bodies.. Basic or deluxe trim.

XK
length 4602mm
width 1778
height 1384
Wheelbase 2781mm
track f/r 1397/1384mm
turning circle 11.6 metres
weight 1105 kg
Had a 144ci (2.36 litre) 67Kw/187Nm inline six, with optional 170ci(2.8litre) 75Kw/212Kw i6
3 speed manual or optional 2 speed auto.
The 144 manual did 0-60Mph in 16.8 and quarter mile in 20.8. Top speed about 135 Kmh.
Prices ranged from 1137 to 1318 aussie pounds ($2274- $2512)
Features include no radio, bench seat and no indicators, manual recirculating ball steering, drum brakes, leaf spring rear suspension on live axle, the airbag sat beside the driver.

FG (Based on Xt spec)
length 4955mm
width 1868
height 1453
Wheelbase 2838mm
track f/r 1583/1598mm
turning circle 11.0 metres
weight 1704 kg
The XT i6 auto does 0-100Kmh in about 7.1 seconds and 400m in about 15.2 sec . Top speed is limited to 180 Kmh.
Official RRP $37,690 to $56,390

Bossxr8 · 17-01-2009, 01:43 PM

Probably something along the lines of the 30th anniversary EA, or the 40th anniversary AU2. Probably just another special value pack.

Should be interesting to see what type of celebrations Ford run, if they can even afford to do them.

mik · 17-01-2009, 02:34 PM

funny you mention that, i was at Ford spares today getting an oil filter ...i had to have a look at what i can`t afford :( some nice neweys out the front, and i came across a 50 th anniversary fg gt .....mmm mmm my favourite ...black with gold stripes hmmm, thats at Coburg Sydney rd if any ones interested, i don`t know if it had any extra`s other than the 50th anniversary logo but a a sexy machine anyway

.

Gobes32 · 17-01-2009, 02:35 PM

What would Holden do? That's what Ford should be thinking right now.........

Maybe inform the people that the Falcon is 50 years old and the Commodore only 31????
Therefore, the Falcon is more Australian??? I know that is manipulative but so is Holdens marketing...........

Maybe an ad like the Holden ute version, where the different models morph into the next gen so that at the end of the ad you see a G6ET driving off in the sunset with something patriotic playing in the background, like Khe Sanh etc, something ironically Australian, and then the voice over, preferably Bud Tingwell, saying "Ford Falcon, proudly Australian for 50 years, it just keeps getting better........at that point the ford logo comes up on the screen as the last part of khe sanh finishes up with the harmonica trailing off................

Bossxr8 · 17-01-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

funny you mention that, i was at Ford spares today getting an oil filter ...i had to have a look at what i can`t afford :( some nice neweys out the front, and i came across a 50 th anniversary fg gt .....mmm mmm my favourite ...black with gold stripes hmmm, thats at Coburg Sydney rd if any ones interested, i don`t know if it had any extra`s other than the 50th anniversary logo but a a sexy machine anyway

.

What? Its a 5th anniversary GT, not 50th.

smciner1 · 17-01-2009, 03:25 PM

Bathurst 77, the XK Falcon did have Indicators.

bathurst77 · 17-01-2009, 03:58 PM

Fair enough smciner. I wasnt 100% on that, i read a reference to "needing to stick hand out window to indicate".
I will retract that.

mik · 17-01-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

What? Its a 5th anniversary GT, not 50th.

opps my mistake should be a 50th anniversary falcon....my bad but it was a GT

.

mik · 17-01-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bathurst77

In September 1960, Ford Australia released the XK falcon, a locally produced version of Ford USA's new compact family car. (Kind of ironic now with speculation that the next version may be locally produced version of Ford USA's new compact family car the latest Taurus).

I wonder what Ford will do to mark this landmark next year? Falcon IS Australia's own car. The longest and most succesful carname ever produced in this country, it deserves more than a few badges and stripes and "free options" pack to mark it.

Just for record, the XK falcon

Recognisable by concave grille, with headlights and parking lights in grille,
narrow tapered C pillar and low set round tail lights.
Offered in sedan, wagon, ute and van bodies.. Basic or deluxe trim.

XK
length 4602mm
width 1778
height 1384
Wheelbase 2781mm
track f/r 1397/1384mm
turning circle 11.6 metres
weight 1105 kg
Had a 144ci (2.36 litre) 67Kw/187Nm inline six, with optional 170ci(2.8litre) 75Kw/212Kw i6
3 speed manual or optional 2 speed auto.
The 144 manual did 0-60Mph in 16.8 and quarter mile in 20.8. Top speed about 135 Kmh.
Prices ranged from 1137 to 1318 aussie pounds ($2274- $2512)
Features include no radio, bench seat and no indicators, manual recirculating ball steering, drum brakes, leaf spring rear suspension on live axle, the airbag sat beside the driver.

FG (Based on Xt spec)
length 4955mm
width 1868
height 1453
Wheelbase 2838mm
track f/r 1583/1598mm
turning circle 11.0 metres
weight 1704 kg
The XT i6 auto does 0-100Kmh in about 7.1 seconds and 400m in about 15.2 sec . Top speed is limited to 180 Kmh.
Official RRP $37,690 to $56,390

i wonder what the fuel consumption was like in the xk compared to the modern henry?.....1105 kg`s it probably run on the smell of an oily rag.

last fairlane · 17-01-2009, 10:56 PM

Hi all back in 1972 I had an XL wagon with the 170 Pursuit motor and 3 on the tree we thats Me the Mrs and 2 kids and lugage and we drove from Melbourne to Darwin and back and and it averaged 33 miles to the gallon Im not sure what that is in Litres/100 we did about 7000 Miles that trip with not even a flat tyre
thanks John

XR Martin · 17-01-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

opps my mistake should be a 50th anniversary falcon....my bad but it was a GT

.

Mate its 2009, 50th anniversary would be next year. You didnt see one.

Let me guess, it looked like this?

http://www.fpv.com.au/pdf/5yr-Flyer_...L%20230908.pdf

Mr Hardware · 17-01-2009, 11:18 PM

last fairlane, that's about 8.5L/100klms, a good effort! It's a 7500km round trip from darwin to melbourne and back these days, not sure about 1972, it predates me by a few years!

XR Martin · 17-01-2009, 11:24 PM

XT is also limited to 200kmh, not 180kmh

mik · 18-01-2009, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by last fairlane

Hi all back in 1972 I had an XL wagon with the 170 Pursuit motor and 3 on the tree we thats Me the Mrs and 2 kids and lugage and we drove from Melbourne to Darwin and back and and it averaged 33 miles to the gallon Im not sure what that is in Litres/100 we did about 7000 Miles that trip with not even a flat tyre
thanks John

wow not bad for an oldie

mik · 18-01-2009, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Mate its 2009, 50th anniversary would be next year. You didnt see one.

Let me guess, it looked like this?

http://www.fpv.com.au/pdf/5yr-Flyer_...L%20230908.pdf

no it did`nt look like that at all if i get a chance i`ll go back for a pic, perhaps it was done by the dealer and yes i understand its 2009 thank you.

schnoods · 18-01-2009, 03:10 AM

I hope they dont try to recreate it in all honesty, the slopey nose with modern lines will turn out to be an abortion, the taurus looks like it did the job already...

Nikked · 18-01-2009, 04:22 AM

could bee a good marketing assist.

"Falcon, Australias own for 50 years, overtime has gathered wisdom to become australias greatest, with world class handling and safey, with 5 stars, an true blue first. the competitors are younger, but only one has been in a family for half a centry. And with world class engines and design, Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?"

TC200six · 18-01-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

i wonder what the fuel consumption was like in the xk compared to the modern henry?.....1105 kg`s it probably run on the smell of an oily rag.

The XK was very economical for its time. Ford's official fuel consumption claims were as low as 30 MPG. That is what they said on the first Falcon radio commercial of 1960... http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au..._falcon_xk.swf

According to this article here, the only flaw the first Falcon had was the weak suspension. The ball joints used to break on rough roads. If it wasn't for that, Ford may have out sold the out-dated looking FB Holden.

AU_Wagin · 18-01-2009, 04:17 PM

[QUOTE=bathurst77]In September 1960, Ford Australia released the XK falcon, a locally produced version of Ford USA's new compact family car.
XK
length 4602mm
width 1778
height 1384
Wheelbase 2781mm
track f/r 1397/1384mm
turning circle 11.6 metres
weight 1105 kg
Had a 144ci (2.36 litre) 67Kw/187Nm inline six, with optional 170ci(2.8litre) 75Kw/212Kw i6
3 speed manual or optional 2 speed auto.
The 144 manual did 0-60Mph in 16.8 and quarter mile in 20.8. Top speed about 135 Kmh.
Prices ranged from 1137 to 1318 aussie pounds ($2274- $2512)
Features include no radio, bench seat and no indicators, manual recirculating ball steering, drum brakes, leaf spring rear suspension on live axle, the airbag sat beside the driver............

I think you will find they all had indicators. One even novel ( Not) feature was the variable speed windscreen wipers . Vaucumm powered, they stopped when you put the pedal to the metal and went like crazy when you took your foot off .. awesome ahead of its time lol

Darkr · 18-01-2009, 04:18 PM

The airbag sat beside the driver? what?

XR Martin · 18-01-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkr

The airbag sat beside the driver? what?

You were never at the top of your class were you? ;)

GTP290 · 18-01-2009, 04:51 PM

Its the 5th anniversary of FPV not the GT. The first GT was released in 1967 as every Ford fan would know!

Nikked · 18-01-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkr

The airbag sat beside the driver? what?

wife/girlfriend/mother etc...

dave351cid · 18-01-2009, 05:27 PM

when i was a kid we had a XK station wagon version of the sedan in the picture. same colour and all. great old car, took us all around nsw on camping trips , through some big floods etc. never let us down. we had about 20 km of rough dirt road to get to town but never had any problems with the front end. if it didn`t deliver better then 30 mpg dad would be most dissapointed.

it was stored on my uncles property for possible future restoration but sadly got destroyed in a bush fire a few years ago.

**TUF_302** · 18-01-2009, 06:18 PM

I hope they have a big celebration and a great big marketing campain, the public need to remember this is australia's true blue car!

TRUBLU4DS · 25-01-2009, 11:03 AM

So September 14th 2010 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Falcon.
The Ford Discovery Centre is apparently working with Ford to organise
some type of celebration but at this stage there are no more details.
I hope they do something like the Ford Australia 75th anniversary and
let us know soon so those of us outside of Victoria can make plans to
be there!

Maybe they can do something early in the year between Geelong AFD &
FPV Open Day? Or Easter?

Does anyone from Ford or FDC use these forums & can tell us whats happening?

351capri · 25-01-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

What would Holden do? That's what Ford should be thinking right now.........

Maybe inform the people that the Falcon is 50 years old and the Commodore only 31????
Therefore, the Falcon is more Australian??? I know that is manipulative but so is Holdens marketing...........

Maybe an ad like the Holden ute version, where the different models morph into the next gen so that at the end of the ad you see a G6ET driving off in the sunset with something patriotic playing in the background, like Khe Sanh etc, something ironically Australian, and then the voice over, preferably Bud Tingwell, saying "Ford Falcon, proudly Australian for 50 years, it just keeps getting better........at that point the ford logo comes up on the screen as the last part of khe sanh finishes up with the harmonica trailing off................

Maybe a longer ad say 60 to 90 seconds with gangajang's ''this is australian"playing in the background, Bud Tingwell an excellent choice for voiceover.

Daymoe · 25-01-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPRINTGTP

So September 14th 2010 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Falcon.
The Ford Discovery Centre is apparently working with Ford to organise
some type of celebration but at this stage there are no more details.
I hope they do something like the Ford Australia 75th anniversary and
let us know soon so those of us outside of Victoria can make plans to
be there!

Maybe they can do something early in the year between Geelong AFD &
FPV Open Day? Or Easter?

Does anyone from Ford or FDC use these forums & can tell us whats happening?

Also the day after my 19th birthday! I hope Ford does go out of their way to do something big and let the media know, so instead of harping on about the Holden Commodore being 30 years old, they mention the Falcon's 50th

xe351 · 25-01-2009, 01:32 PM

Ford NEED to whore the fact Falcon has been in production for 50 years, australias longest running nameplate, with a nice stylish campaign highlighting the all good points throughout the years - just so long as they don't get that same place that did that dodgy finger ads

mrbaxr6t · 25-01-2009, 06:33 PM

This is a very big deal Holden would scream from the rooftops and make a media circus only bettered by themselves when they hit 75, they always seem to go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay over the top with their promotional guff. Falcon killed the kingswood and the torana. Heres an idea a highly limited production run of two door Falcons!