50 years of Aussie Falcons

[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

[Bossxr8]

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.

[red_hotxr6]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

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.

Why wouldnt FORD be able to afford it, Holden are the ones that are in financial dire straits....Dont you worry, not only did FORD come up with the great FG but they will do something special for the anniversary,... :

[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 .

[Bossxr8]

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.

[mik]

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 .

[XR Martin]

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

[mik]

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.

[Watto_Cobra]

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 .

Your small mistake was it isn't a 50th Anniversary GT but a 40th Anniversary GT (BF, black/gold, R-Spec suspension) to celebrate the GT name.

Every post afterwards thought you were talking about the 5th Anniversary GT (FG GT-P) which refers to 5 years of FPV. :voldar02:

[TRUBLU4DS]

If anyone wants to show there enthusiasm for the 50th Anniversary of Falcon Celebrations & you would at least like to know the date/s it will be happening try emailing fdcadmin@deakin.edu.au The more of us that ask the sooner they might let us know whats happening.

[Bmobile]

Would it be a good idea to ask Ford to sponsor our XM falcon as part of their 50th Anniversary Celibrations ?

For those that don't know I am in the process of building a XM for the 2010 Camp Quality Charity motoring event, esCarpade. You can check out our progress on the links in my sig line below.

[Ford_Boy]

Originally Posted by B mobile

Would it be a good idea to ask Ford to sponsor our XM falcon as part of their 50th Anniversary Celibrations ?

For those that don't know I am in the process of building a XM for the 2010 Camp Quality Charity motoring event, esCarpade. You can check out our progress on the links in my sig line below.

its worth a gander

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by TRUBLU4DS

If anyone wants to show there enthusiasm for the 50th Anniversary of Falcon Celebrations & you would at least like to know the date/s it will be happening try emailing fdcadmin@deakin.edu.au The more of us that ask the sooner they might let us know whats happening.

I sent my email. This sounds like a mouth watering event.

[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................

[smciner1]

Bathurst 77, the XK Falcon did have Indicators.

[bathurst77]

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.

[351capri]

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.

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by 351capri

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.

Excellent song choice, hopefully somebody at ford marketing catches on to these ideas.

[RIPGMH]

Originally Posted by 351capri

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.

Bud Tingwell will do for the falcon what Barry Humphries did for the avalon, I think Eric Bana would be much more suitable

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by RIPGMH

Bud Tingwell will do for the falcon what Barry Humphries did for the avalon, I think Eric Bana would be much more suitable

The Avalon had bigger problems than Barry Humphries............lol

[STHSV8]

Originally Posted by RIPGMH

Bud Tingwell will do for the falcon what Barry Humphries did for the avalon, I think Eric Bana would be much more suitable

plus Bud Tingwell is dead, that can't help either.

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by STHSV8

plus Bud Tingwell is dead, that can't help either.

I'm fairly sure even Bud Tingwell would rise from the dead to do a Falcon commercial.


The anniversary logo looks good. should put to rest the fears Ford aren't taking the birthday seriously.

[86XFFairmont]

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................

ohh yeah nothing beats barnesy and a falcon lol

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by 86XFFairmont

ohh yeah nothing beats barnesy and a falcon lol

Funnily enough I have been thinking about a Falcon ute ad using "Working Class Man" Australians are very patriotic these days. They seem to dig aussie pub rock in their car ads.

[OZQUAD44]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

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

You f&^K!n nailed that one.

The bloke that does the lamb chops ads (Stan??) should do a talk-over, tongue in cheek, running history of his life based around all the falcons his family have owned.

Because naturally, I assume as a red blooded Aussie who takes no crap, thats all he and his family has ever driven for the last fifty years! am I wrong boys?

Needs an aussie band, Gangajang, Jimmy, or even Paul Kelly......

Ahhh Paul Kelly

"Leaving south Fremantle... in a Falcon Panel... Vaaann"

"we we smoking Marlbro... Always singing Boba..... rann"

Admittally that song is a bit obscure, but one of my favorites and even a Falcon Panel Van gets a mention.

Somebody stop me rambling......

[mik]

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]

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

[mik]

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

[TC200six]

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.

[Mr Hardware]

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!