I am going to attempt to make a guide on how to identify the Australian Falcons.
This is mainly for those who are unfamiliar with our range and model lineups.
It must be noted, that Ford Australia did not release new Falcon models on a yearly basis every September like in the US, but basically when they though a change was due.
Feel free to ask questions or make comments.
So here goes........
1960-1966.
XK. Sedan, Wagon, Utility, Van. 144 and 170 engines.
XL. Sedan, Wagon, Utility, Van. 144 and 170 engines.
XM. Sedan, Wagon, Hardtop (Coupe), Utility, Van. 144, 170 and 200 engines.
XP. Sedan, Wagon, Hardtop (Coupe), Utility, Van. 144, 170 and 200 engines.
No V8 available in these years.
The XK and XL were heavily based on the US Falcon, while the XM and XP became very Australianised in both looks and suspension, after the failures of the earlier models on our rougher roads at the time.
Throughout these years, but not in every year, the range started from the base Falcon, Deluxe, Squire, Futura and Fairmont.
Even though a Fairmont, for example, was a separate identity in the US, here it was the highest luxury Falcon.
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2003 Falcon BA XR8 Ute.
1972 Falcon XA GT.
1970 Galaxie 500 Sportsroof.
1963 1/2 Galaxie 500 Fastback.
XR. Sedan, wagon, Utility, Van. 170, 200 and 289 engines.
XT. Sedan, Wagon, Utility, Van. 188, 221 and 302 engines.
XW. Sedan, Wagon, Utility, Van. 188, 221, 302W, 351W and 351C engines.
XY. Sedan, Wagon, Utility, 4x4 Utility, Van. 200, 250, 302W and 351C engines.
No 2 door coupe available in the above model Falcons.
The XR and XT were based on the US counterpart, but the XW and XY became very Australian with both the front and rear end treatment, including wrap around rear tail lights.
The 188 and 221 six cyl engines are unique to Australia.
The 250 2V headed engine was a limited release, starting in the XY. The 2V head used a separate intake ( not cast integrated with the head ) and use a 2 barrel carb.
The Utes and Vans used the same rear tail lights as the sedans.
The XR and XT started with the base Falcon, then 500, Fairmont, GT, and also added the Futura and GTHO in the XW and XY.
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2003 Falcon BA XR8 Ute.
1972 Falcon XA GT.
1970 Galaxie 500 Sportsroof.
1963 1/2 Galaxie 500 Fastback.
Note that from the XC, engine sizes had gone metric, and were now badged as 3.3, 4.1, 4.9 and 5.8.
Notice also, the introduction of the Aussie 302 Cleveland engine.
The XA, and some early XBs, came with the optional 250 2V head again.
The XC came with the crossflow head, which was also very unique to Australia.
All the 302 and 351 V8s were of the Cleveland design, and were now cast in Australia.
The 302 and 351W were dropped.
The XA Falcon was the first of the pure Australian designs, as the Falcon was discontinued in the US.
The base sedan was Standard, then 500, Futura, Fairmont, and GT. In the XC, the GT was dropped, and GXL was added.
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2003 Falcon BA XR8 Ute.
1972 Falcon XA GT.
1970 Galaxie 500 Sportsroof.
1963 1/2 Galaxie 500 Fastback.
XD. Sedan, Wagon, Utility, Van. 3.3, 4.1, 4.9 and 5.8 engines.
XE. Sedan, Wagon, Utility, Van. 3.3, 4.1, 4.9 and 5.8 engines.
XF. Sedan, Wagon, Utility, Van. 3.3 and 4.1 engines.
The base Falcon was the GL, then Fairmont, and Fairmont Ghia.
Engines were designated as metric, but were still the 200, 250, 302C and 351C.
Note that the V8 was dropped during the XE range, as Ford thought that the EFI 4.1 had enough power.
The XD six cylinder engines continued with the iron crossflow head, but with the introduction of the XE, heads were aluminium, and EFI was introduced as an option.
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2003 Falcon BA XR8 Ute.
1972 Falcon XA GT.
1970 Galaxie 500 Sportsroof.
1963 1/2 Galaxie 500 Fastback.
These were a completely new redesigned car, using the new Aussie built OHC 6 cylinder engines, and the basic Mustang V8 being reintroduced in the EB. All engines were now fuel injected.
No Utes or Vans were made in these models, but they did continue on, using the XF Ute platform, become the XG, then XH.
The base Falcon was the GL, then Fairmont, and Fairmont Ghia. The ED reintroduced the Futura to the line up.
From the EB onwards, Ford introduced the XR6 and XR8 from their Tickford division.
There was also a 25th Anniversary EB GT, and a 30th anniversary EL GT.
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2003 Falcon BA XR8 Ute.
1972 Falcon XA GT.
1970 Galaxie 500 Sportsroof.
1963 1/2 Galaxie 500 Fastback.
The AU Falcon was not a huge success, because the public did not really catch on to the European influenced shape, although practically everything below the body, especially the suspension, was far advanced.
The BA was a radically redesigned car to get sales back.
Starting from the BA, Ford decided to name their engines based on kilowatt ratings, and as such, were 182kw (4.0), 240kw (4.0 turbo), 220kw (5.4 3V) and 260kw (5.4 DOHC 4V).
The BF improved on these figures to 190kw, 245kw, 230kw and the 260kw remained as is.
The base Falcon in the AU was the Forte, then Futura, Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia, and XR6 and XR8 performance models.
The Forte was dropped for the BA, and became the XT. The XR6 turbo was also introduced.
Tickford continued in the AU with some great T series Falcons, until FPV took over in the BA.
FPV also brought along some performance and more power in their range.
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2003 Falcon BA XR8 Ute.
1972 Falcon XA GT.
1970 Galaxie 500 Sportsroof.
1963 1/2 Galaxie 500 Fastback.
And now a quick look at the Falcon GT, which was built in limited numbers.
The Falcon GT came out in Australia only in the following models.
XR GT. Sedan only. 289 engine.
XT GT. Sedan only. 302 engine.
XW GT. XW GTHO. XW GTHO Phase 2. Sedan only. 351W up to late 1969, 351C 1970 onwards.
XY GT. XY GTHO Phase 3. Sedan only. 351C engine.
XA GT. XA GT RPO83. Sedan and Coupe. 351C engine.
XB GT. Sedan and Coupe. 351C engine.
EB GT. Sedan only. 5.0L engine. 25th anniversary of first XR GT.
EL GT. Sedan only. 5.0L engine. 30th anniversary of first XR GT.
BA GT. Sedan only. 5.4L DOHC Boss 290 engine.
BF GT. Sedan only. 5.4L DOHC Boss 290 engine.
BF GT Cobra. Sedan only. 5.4L DOHC Boss 302 engine. 30th anniversary of the original XC Falcon Cobra.
XR GT.
XT GT.
XW GT.
XY GT.
XA GT.
XB GT.
EB GT.
EL GT.
BA GT.
BF GT.
BF GT Cobra.
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2003 Falcon BA XR8 Ute.
1972 Falcon XA GT.
1970 Galaxie 500 Sportsroof.
1963 1/2 Galaxie 500 Fastback.
Love the 70's GT's. Guess its that they look like a cross between a Torino and a Mustang. Thanks for sharing. I love seeing Fords from other Countries. There was a link for the Brazilian Fords that was a nice site to look through.
Amazing post Danv. It's no wonder that Americans have always had a love affair with Australia and the people down under. I love those cars, and wish we had the same options to choose from that you do. Thanks for posting all that. Maybe Admin will stick this in a time capsule for future viewing.
BTW, ship me up one of those UTES
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"Tell it like it is or don't tell it at all" 1964 Falcon 2dr HT, 347V8 4V, dual exhaust, 5sp, pwr assist R&P steering, AM radio, heater with defrost and 2sp fan, electric windshield wipers, cigar lighter, dlx light group, bucket seats, console and full carpet.
Re: A Guide To Aussie Falcons
