AU Fairlanes in the UK at George Best's funeral

[Danny]

Did anyone see on 10 news what I just saw?

Was watching all about the George best funeral and they were focusing on the rear of a black hearse but all you could see was the rear door and the coffin inside, and I thought that the door handles and body crease along the window looked very familiar, but I figured it was a coincidence becasuse theres no such thing as an AU hearse in the UK is there?

Lo and behold, they then cut to a wide shot of the hearse going down the freeway and bugger me it WAS an AU Fairlane hearse complete with UK plates, followed by a Black Fairlane Limo! Couldn't beleive it. Whats the deal with that? Anyone else see it? Wonder why they'd have or want those over there?

-Dan

[Falcon Freak]

Some may say he went out in style.........

FF

[MAGPIE]

Yep I saw it & I've seen them before over there too, so can't say it surprised me.

[paul7v7]

I seen one on a top gear episode, the one with the 2005 mustang.

[LUXO_8]

yeah i just saw it on the news and noticed

would have to be very unique over there

[Ghiadude]

ive seen this phenomena before .. ithink because some of the coach builders in oz export...pretty cheaply

[Bobman]

Saw it too.

Don't forget there's a number of Falcons in the UK... ute's sedan's e.t.c, didn't they rebadge them as something else IIRC?

[Danny]

Originally Posted by wicked

Saw it too.

Don't forget there's a number of Falcons in the UK... ute's sedan's e.t.c, didn't they rebadge them as something else IIRC?

Really? how come there are falcons there? THey never exported them like holden!

Least they'd still be a ford and not rebadghed Vauxhall or something.

[XR8putts]

I saw that too! And reacted the same way!

I thought i was going blind/mental..

[Keepleft]

Some Aussie Fords are imported in small numbers and sold, XR utes etc, typically converted to LPG and a rear fog light is added.

[Polyal]

there is a company that modifies fairlanes and exports like someone said. And the ound culd buy alot of AU's...lol

[Iphido]

There was a group exporting AU falcons to the UK, they apparently went broke tho.

The limo market is a weird one. Many are converted yank tanks. Obviously with the Falcon/Fairlane being:
1) Big
2) Already having a extensive limo and Herse conversions avalible

its a no brainer. They do make nice herses and limos.

[Big Mike]

Originally Posted by Iphido

The limo market is a weird one. Many are converted yank tanks. Obviously with the Falcon/Fairlane being:
1) Big
2) Already having a extensive limo and Herse conversions avalible

3) Already right hand drive

[RAREV8]

Various falcons have been available in the UK over the years- in the 70's, only GT variants (mainly coupes) and a`couple of Landaus were sold in a dealership in Glasgow. More modern ones are sold in England but I am not sure by whom.

[Dilan]

Taken from a Top Gear episode. :

[Redrum]

What will they use when Ford scraps Fairlanes (long wheel base) after BF?

[botch]

no no no, give us egas fairlanes !!!

[LUXO_8]

i fail to believe the fairlane will be canned untill i see some proof other than someone saying it on a forum.....

[botch]

Does that mean that my NA parts will be rarer then phase 3 parts ??? SWEEEET !!

[Redrum]

I am sorry I cannot provide any real evidence and only heresay of my comment. I was told this by an employee who works in the tool room, Geelong and another who works in powertrain Geelong. They tell me at least once a year or so Ford has these info meetings and let the employees know what is happening. I remember these when I worked at Ford. We were told BA engine power figures in 2000 when I worked in powertrain. I knew of the Raptor (Territory) in 1997 when I worked at Broadmeadows. Info does get around. As for proof, I cannot imagine FoMoCo confirming this, so will remain a rumour until FoMoCo makes announcement.

[outback_ute]

Here is the website of Coleman Milne, the company that does the hearse and limousine conversions in the UK:

http://www.woodall-nicholson.co.uk/c...uneralVehicles

[banarcus]

Someone should create a rumours sticky...

[Iphido]

It is a unconfirmed rumor. But I would not be in the least suprised if it was true.

No mass produced manufacturer can continue a model like the LWB Fairlane and LTD that has predicted sales in the 500 p.a region and shrinking and 90% of that is massive fleet discounted sales. Territory is the new baby, killing the LWB falcon may open the door to more profitable Territory varients (diesel, etc).

Orion is all new. By by LWB. Funds will go back into falcon R&D and the new falcon is ment to be roomier inside than the current BF anyway. LTD may continue as a SWB varient with lots of trimmings and jaguar bits (voice command, auto dimming on all mirrors,f&R parking sensors, Xenons for example) and diffrent trim. LTD Territory is also a possibility.

When the wagon dies, so does Fairlane. Wagon sold heaps more than fairlane and they used many simular parts. It makes no sense to continue Fairlane once the volume wagon is gone.

Ford will give the LWB to Holden, who can do more with it anyway.

[Psycho Chicken]

Isn't the ute built off the LWB?

[LUXO_8]

unsure of teh ute anymore, i know the XD-XF's were built off the wagon base...

LWB from NA on are built off the wagon base

im pretty sure the AU/BA utes are a specially built chassis

[chief]

AU utes and I think BA utes are about 2.5 inches longer than the wagon wheelbase. It is dissapointing that Ford stopped the Fairmaont wagon and now you can not order a BA wagon with the V8. The Fairlanes are a beautiful car and hope they dont top the production.