DFB's Image Collection

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

If you’re going to auction off the last one, at least throw everything you possibly can at it. Who’s have thought a silver, stock as a rock 6 wouldn’t get much interest.

Should have been a V8, GT rims, sunroof, chuck the red Force 8 leather in it, just make it special and unique. A BF TL50 if you will.

Pretty much sums up Fords apathetic efforts post AU Falcon.
F6 running gear in the discreet B series Fairlane/LTD (no hideous body kits like HSV) would have been a good alternative to the Grange.
At the same time the XR6T engine would have complimented the 3V V8 in the LWB and Fairmont Ghia. Oh well.

[DFB FGXR6]

The FGX Falcon -

With the FGX Falcon having just turned 10-years old, I thought it was time I revived this thread and relive some of the memories from that time.

I remember the exact time, day and location when I first heard the news Ford were closing down the factories in Geelong and Broadmeadows. Even though I think we knew it was coming, it still broke my heart. The reasons for the closure were many and varied, and covered at length many, many times now, so I’m not going to explore that here.

To Ford’s credit, they didn’t pack up and leave like Mitsubishi had back in 2007, they gave employees time to find other employment rather than having so many people hit the jobs market at the same time. This also gave the Ford fans a chance to buy one last Falcon before the model was laid to rest.

Ford played the game, dropping several hints prior to release.......................















After building up anticipation with several sneak peaks, in 2014 Ford unveiled what would be the final update to its longest running nameplate, the FG-X Falcon.







Considering how irrelevant the Falcon had become to 90% of the buying public, Ford didn’t set out to heavily market the FG-X. Personally, to do so at that point would have been a waste of money, the fate of the factory and the Falcon had already been determined. So why invest in promoting a model that would be dead in less than two years? This was smart because Ford were focusing on models that had a future, Holden on the other hand continued to flog a dying horse. Post shut down, Ford had built up a new customer base, Holden were left with nothing, with a decade of poor products coming home to roost. So, for all those who cried because Ford didn’t advertise the FGX Falcon, the above is why. It’s also why the Falcon Ute didn’t get the send-off it deserved, Ford were worried that the idea of “the last Ute” would correlate with the end of ALL Ford Utes……………….Ranger in other words.

So, for FG-X, Ford were focused on engaging the enthusiast market rather than a broad reaching media campaign. Prior to release, Ford’s dropped several teasers, they even infiltrated this forum with secret “spy” shots. When the covers came off, Ford then held a viewing event in Melbourne, which I attended, again with the idea of engaging with the long-term Falcon diehards.

In addition to all that, Ford put out a request for volunteers to take part in a short web-based video. Fans could register their interest to be short listed and become “Falcon Fanatics”. The chosen group spent the day at Avalon Airport, where they were included in the making of the video, with then FPR driver Mark Winterbottom at the wheel of a Victory Gold XR8. Attendees then got the chance to ride along in a selection of FG-X’s. I’m kicking myself now, I wish I had registered my interest.













To be continued...........................

[DFB FGXR6]

FG-X Falcon continued...........................

So what did the FG-X update bring to the Falcon? Firstly, Ford made some changes to the model lineup. The Falcon XT became simply the “Falcon”, the same for the base model Ute, it losing the XL name. The G6 sedan and R6 Ute were dropped, leaving Falcon, G6E, G6E Turbo, XR6 and XR6 Turbo. And after a 4-year hiatus, Ford brought back the XR8 nameplate. More on that later.



The most obvious changes were made to the exterior. While the basic body shell and mechanical platform carried over, there were new front quarter panels, hoods, headlights and front bumper. Unlike Falcon’s dating back to 1994, the XR models no longer had a unique front bumper, all models used the same bumper, with grill inserts and trim accents the only difference. The headlights were also standardized, XR models had LED running lights that mimicked the classic XR quad headlight treatment. G6E models had a simpler J-shaped DRL signature, while the base Falcon sedan and Ute had no DRL’s.













At the rear, there was a new boot lid, taillights and bumper. The taillights were standard across the range, FG sedans actually had four different variations depending on trim level. For FG-X, the base sedan got the XR/G-Series side skirts but lost the chrome window trim. The G6E lost the chrome exhaust tip, although both G-series variants re-gained fog lamps. Falcon sedan and G-Series had carry over wheel designs, although the base XR6 and XR6 Turbo got new wheels, with the Turbo now standard with 19’s. XR8 gained mirror mounted side repeaters, and all sedans got a roof mounted aerial. Ford also redesigned the badging, which finally replaced the XR6/8 badges that had been used since 2002, with Turbo and XR8 models getting red badge highlights, EcoLPi got blue highlights.









On the inside, the changes were subtle. There was new fabric and leather trims for all models, with refreshed stitching treatments for XR and G-Series. There was also a new Northern Tan leather trim option for G-Series, which replaced Cashmere on the FG. Both XR and G6ET gained a shadow black upper interior. Ford also changed the dash and door spear accent treatments and colours. The base Falcon sedan and Ute gained a colour touch screen, while there were new dial face treatments for all models, with XR featuring 3D rings. The biggest change was the addition of the SYNC 2 system, which was standard on all models and included voice control, two USB ports and a SD card slot. DAB now available on all models, hence the new aerial. In addition, there was an updated sat nav system, a WiFi hotspot on all models, and base Falcon Ute gained standard single zone air conditioning.

Safety wise, front and rear parking sensors with updated rear view camera now standard on all sedans. There was also a new Emergency Assistance feature on all models, and rain sensing wipers for XR and G-Series. Bizarrely, the XR6 sedan got an LSD, which hadn’t been available as a option since the BF MK II.





Mechanically, the Chinese made ZF HP21 6 Speed auto was used for all EcoBoost, I6 and ECOLPi engines, All Utes and the XR6T and XR8 kept the German made ZF. The special EcoBoost aero pack became standard on all sedans, excluding XR8. There were also low rolling resistance Michelin tyres for the base Falcon sedan. All engines remained untouched, save for the EcoBoost which actually lost a couple of kilowatts.





Ford also rationalized the suspension calibrations. The base Falcon (all engines), the G6E (both engines), G6ET & XR6 LPi now all shared the Luxury Sports suspension. In this case Falcon EcoBoost gain a rear anti-roll bar. XR6 and XR6T retain Sports tuned suspension, XR8 gained FPV R-Spec suspension package including stiffened transmission mounts, control arm bushes, revised control blades and wider rear tyres. XR8 also gained launch control.



Post launch, Ford made some minor changes –

- Clear side indicator repeaters replace orange on Falcon, XR6 and XR6 Turbo. (March 2015)
- Sat Nav standard across all Falcon models. (April 2015)
- Northern Tan interior dropped. (March 2016)

By this stage, most of the eye-catching colours had disappeared. The exception being Victory Gold, which was new for FG-X except for the one-off FG MK II, which was to commemorate the end of FPV and the GT-F. Winter White, Silhouette, Lightning Strike, Vanish, Emperor, Kinetic, Archon Bronze, Fine Alloy and Smoke all carried over. Aero Blue arrived in February 2015 to replace Vanish, and Auburn Blaze appeared in September 2015.





















To be continued.................

[DFB FGXR6]

FG-X Falcon continued.......................

Falcon Sedan -

The funny thing by this stage, Ford actually sold more XR6's than base models.

























Without the pumped hood of the XR8, the entry level XR6 certainly lost some of its visual punch with the FG-X. To differentiate the front of the XR's, Ford used mesh-type grill inserts instead of the horizontal slats of the Falcon and G-Series. These were surrounded by satin aluminum on XR6, with the Turbo and XR8 getting a pewter colour, which was also used on the rear view mirror caps.

[DFB FGXR6]

FG-X Falcon continued......................

G-Series -





G-Series had a slated horizontal grill with chrome used on the grill and fog lamp surrounds.































Always loved Northern Tan, teamed with Emperor Red it would make a lovely contrast.

























Note how they went to a hidden exhaust on G6E, which used a specific bumper.

[DFB FGXR6]

FG-X continued...........................

XR8 -

The big news for FG-X Falcon was the return of the XR8, where it was used as the image leader for the new lineup. Most of the press images and marketing was based around the XR8, and with that pumped up hood, it certainly delivered the most visual impact. That signature bonnet bulge and those angry looking headlights make for an imposing visual coming towards you or in the rear vision mirror…………….its unmistakable.





The XR8 was quietly discontinued in 2010 when the 5.4 V8 no longer met emission standards and was replaced by the supercharged 5.0 V8. In effect, the XR8 was replaced by the FPV GS and sold through FPV dealers only. Actually, the GS was intended to be an XR from early on, a lot of part references and documents I’ve seen refer to the GS as XR. So, at some point, Ford and FPV changed their mind, but at the end of the day, the GS looked and drove like the XR it was based on.

With the FPV brand dead, Ford then transferred a lot of FPV specific parts to the FG-X XR8. At the time, I’m sure a lot of people who paid a premium for an FPV wouldn’t have liked that. The XR8 came to market under $60,000, delivering remarkable power for that spend. Even today, try getting a 500hp V8 for that spend.

Engine wise, the XR8 used a revised Boss 335 engine, which was used in GT, GT-P, GT-E and the limited-edition R-Spec. For the first time since the 220 kW AU III, the XR8 had a considerable power advantage over the XR6. That’s remarkable because from very beginning, in most cases the XR6 and XR8 were so close in terms of power and acceleration times. As many will know, the 335 number was the minimum power figure the engine would deliver, in the right conditions, that figure would swell to 375 kW (500hp). The XR8 was fitted with the same FPV-spec Bi-modal exhaust with quad machined aluminum tips.

Transmissions offered were the Tremec 6-speed manual, or the German made ZF 6-speed auto. The XR8 also used the R-spec suspension tune and staggered 19-inch wheel package, which was used on the R-Spec and GT-F. The base Brembo brake package was also standard, with 4-piston front calipers and a single piston rear. Ford also included launch control.

With the XR8 effectively being the range topper, it was a blend of XR and G-series. In that I mean it got the standard leather trim, premium sound, side mirror indicators and dual horns from the G-series, but kept the basic seat adjustments and other XR level specs. It also got the black headliner and visors ect. On the exterior, Ford used a pewter colour accent on the wing mirrors, grill and fog lamp surrounds, likewise the wheels. The 19-inch wheel and tyre package was lifted from the GT-F, with a 9-inch wheel with 245/35 R19 Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres on the front, and a 9.5-inch wheel with 275/30 R19’s on the rear. Even with the extra tyre on the rear, these cars struggled for traction and leaned heavily on the DSC.



























































While I'm sad I never got the chance to buy an FPV, the timing just didn't align. With so much FPV DNA within the FG-X XR8, this was the next best thing. And that engine certainly makes the car feel special, it completely dominates the driving experience. Yeah, an equivalent Holden would feel more polished dynamically, the ride is harsh at low speeds, its hilariously thirsty, the interior is old (even when new).......................there are many reasons why this car is flawed. But those flaws give the car personality. On the right road, in the right conditions, this car is seriously fast when it hits over boost. It then settles down at highway speeds for totally effortless cruising.

Finally, these are the color and transmission numbers I managed to track down somewhere many years ago. I know its a well worn brag, but my XR8 is one of 73..................................



To be continued........................

[DFB FGXR6]

FG-X continued.....................

The Falcon Ute -

I have to be honest here, the way the Ford handled the end of the Falcon Ute was disgraceful. Ford Australia literally invented the “Ute” or Coupe Utility back in 1934, it was so influential that Ford in the US created their own versions. Holden and GM followed. In many points throughout its history, the Falcon Ute played a pivotal role in the survival of the Falcon, and Ford Australia in general.





In the 1980’s, where Holden had no Ute or Van, Ford did, and it helped take them to the top of the market. When the AU sedans were being heavily criticized, the all-new AU Falcon Ute was kicking goals, the increased functionality of the separate cab and tub meant it was more versatile than the Commodore equivalent.





So how did Ford handle the end of 82 years of the Australian-made Ford Ute? They let it die quietly with little to no fanfare on the 19th of July 2016, the final example a basic XR6 in Winter White. No special edition to mark the end of a legend, no special press release, nothing. And the last car clearly had no thought put into it, the last car should have been a loaded XR6 Turbo in a classic Ford corporate blue.



















So, while the Falcon sedan got a sendoff, the Ute didn’t. Why?

As mentioned in a previous post, a lot this comes down to basic psychology and marketing.……………….the marketing department, the root cause of nearly all issues created within a car company, American car companies in particular. By 2015/2016, the then relatively fresh T6 Ranger was runaway success. And for good reason, it was by far the best in class, a byproduct of the local Ford design and engineering teams' talent in making a vehicle fit for purpose. And it's that success, and desire to build on that success, that explains why we didn’t get a fitting farewell to the Falcon Ute.

Despite the Ranger not actually being a “Ute”, the general public associated it with the Ute name. You will notice Ford had started to refer to the Ranger as a “Truck”, which in Australian language doesn’t fit the mould either. I’ve always referred to the Ranger as a Pickup, which is where the Truck reference comes from, Pickup Truck. Even though the Falcon Ute lost its Coupe Utility construction back in 1999 with the AU, it was still based on a monocoque passenger car construction, with passenger car powertrains and comfort. No matter the technicalities, people know the Ranger as a Ute. And there’s the problem.

If Ford had come out and told the general public that they were producing a special edition to commemorate the end of the Falcon Ute, that would have given the impression Ford wouldn’t be making Utes anymore. Which is true, but not to the non-car enthusiast public. With so much of Ford’s local future wrapped up in the Ranger, telling the public the "Ute" was going away would have been counterproductive. Remember, at the time Ford were also battling the impression that the Ford brand was going out of business in Australia because the factories were closing. They were doing their best to manage that false impression.

And so, that’s why we never got a special end of the line Falcon Ute.

To be continued............................

[DFB FGXR6]

FG-X Falcon Ute Continued................................

































































Note - You may notice with later Falcon press shots, they were mostly computer-generated images. Actually, for FG-X, most of them were rehashed from FG and FG MK II. Clearly a cost saving.

To be continued.......................

[DFB FGXR6]

FG-X Falcon continued..........................

The Final Falcon (and Territory) -

On the 7th of October 2016, the last cars rolled off the Broadmeadows production line. Having completed its first car on the 20th of August 1959, it ended 57-years of car making on the site, while also ending more than 91 years of Ford production in Australia. The Geelong Engine Plant (GEP) made its last engines on the 26th of September 2016, a 5.0 Miami V8 and a Barra Turbo.











A Kinetic Blue Falcon XR6 sedan and a Territory Titanium in Winter White were the last two vehicles to roll down the line. However, there is some conjecture over this. Those last two vehicles were not fitted with VIN numbers, and which one actually crossed the line last I can’t say, you would hope it was the Falcon. There were also four vehicles that were auctioned off for charity, so it's safe to assume those were the last to be serialized. Those vehicles included a Kinetic Blue Falcon XR6 sedan, a Lightning Strike Territory Titanium diesel, a Winter White Falcon XR6 Sprint and a Smoke XR6 Turbo. So in a way, there were six vehicles that all have some claim to being the last.

From memory, those four auction vehicles didn’t raise a lot of money, there whereabouts today is unknown. The final Falcon Ute, Falcon Sedan and Territory are likely housed within Ford Australia’s heritage collection. Without serial numbers, those cars can’t be sold or registered, so that gives some hope Ford will hold onto and protect them. On the other hand, it also exposes them to the crusher if Ford US executives got their way.





































Following the factory closures, in mid-October 2016, Ford held an event in partnership with Wheels Magazine. This allowed Ford and its ex-employees to regroup a little after the heavy media surrounding the closures. The idea of the event was to engage with Falcon fans, which to me at least showed Ford had acknowledged the impact the closures had on their most loyal customers. In actual fact, Ford didn’t need to do that.



Held at Avalon Airport, the day was intended as a celebration of Australian made Ford’s, and Falcon in particular. The event was hosted by Wheels Magazine, readers were asked to register their interest and were selected to take part in a morning or afternoon session. Various Ford and Wheel’s representatives were present including Ford president Graeme Whickman, engineer Justin Capicchiano, drivers Mark Winterbottom and Cameron Waters, and Wheels editor Glen Butler and long-term contributor Peter Robinson. A broad selection of Falcon’s made up the indoor display, including the last cars off the line, which attendees could stand next to for photos.











In many ways, it was essentially a wake. However, it was clear Ford had a message to get across. The event itself was termed “Falcon, The Legacy Lives On”, with Ford outlining how the same people who brought us Falcon, were continuing their work in Australia work on other Ford products, naturally with a focus on Ranger.

Vehicles on display were drafted from the various Ford and Falcon car clubs. Many of the cars were also used for a Wheels photo shoot to accompany a story that was published soon after.











I was lucky enough to be selected to attend this event. While the day was split into morning and afternoon sessions, I actually stayed beyond the changeover into the afternoon session. It was a weird day actually. Despite being surrounded by so many fine examples of the Falcon lineage, it just felt really sad that this was the last time Falcon fans would get to engage with Ford like this. In some ways it reminded me of the old FPV open days, being surrounded by beautiful cars, like-minded people, and set against the backdrop of factory that made our cars. And while that was certainly the case here, it was also heartbreaking that something like this would never happen again.

Still, it was an incredibly special moment standing next to the last Australian made Ford's.