Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated.

Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > General Topics > The Pub

The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 14-06-2012, 07:37 PM   #1
Road_Warrior
Pity the fool
 
Road_Warrior's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
Cool 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

A great article from Carsguide. Surprised no one picked it up:

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and...th_anniversary

Quote:
A milestone anniversary in the Australian motor industry was marked this year. March was the 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon; which Ford advertised as being "Born on the Wind"

But it was the quietest birthday party ever. It seemed there were no celebrations and to paraphrase Basil Fawlty at Ford HQ it was almost a case of "don't mention the Falcon".

The XA Falcon was a mammoth corporate success story. Up until 1972, all Falcons were localised American designs. The XA changed all that.

It was the first Falcon to be totally styled and engineered in Australia, and Falcons ever since have been all Aussie efforts-Australian skills, thought leadership and engineering savvy for 40+ years.

It is a heritage and a record that any company would to be proud to celebrate. Put simply, the XA Falcon is Ford's equivalent of the FX Holden. There was no mistaking the XA on the road. It looked so different to the HQ Holden and the VH Valiant.

The Holden appeared smaller, and lighter, than it really was. The Valiant mimicked Chrysler USA's bulked-up "fuselage" design language. The Falcon, on the other hand, had a lean , aggressive and hunkered down stance which made it look bigger than it was.

That was the XA's real appeal-a big car for big country. Inside, the XA was all about the driver. The cockpit style dashboard made sure that whoever sat behind the steering wheel felt that they were firmly in command.

The Falcon range was sold in sedan and wagon formats. The wagon was a monster of a car. Built on the longer Fairlane wheelbase of 2947mm (116 inches) it featured a two way tail gate and enough capacity to lug half a hardware store back home. And, of course, there was the legendary 5.7 litre V8 GT.

In September 1972, Ford released the two door hardtop version of the Falcon and GT and it was game-on in the sales race with Holden. The XA and subsequent XB and XC models helped propel Ford to become the number one car company in Australia. But all good things do not last.

The Falcon, like the Commodore, is slowly fading from the sales charts. For a car that was "Born on the Wind" it now seems the Falcon will soon be gone with the wind.
All hail the XA Falcon.

__________________
Fords I own or have owned:

1970 XW Falcon GT replica | 1970 XW Falcon | 1971 XY Fairmont | 1973 ZG Fairlane | 1986 XF Falcon panel van | 1987 XFII Falcon S-Pack | 1988 XF Falcon GLS ute | 1993 EBII Fairmont V8 | 1996 XG Falcon ute | 2000 AU Falcon wagon | 2004 BA Falcon XT | 2012 SZ Territory Titanium AWD

Proud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin
Road_Warrior is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 07:41 PM   #2
Polyal
The 'Stihl' Man
Donating Member2
 
Polyal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,588
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Yeap its my fav old school Falcon for sure. Just for history's sake I wouldnt mind a 2v I6 GS with a toploader!
__________________
  • 2017 Toyota Prado (work hack)
  • 2017 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
  • 2003 CL7 Honda Accord Euro R (JDM) - K20A 6MT
  • 1999 Lexus IS200 - 1G-FE Turbo 6MT
  • 1973 ZF Ford Fairlane
Polyal is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 07:42 PM   #3
Shonky.
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Shonky.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,819
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Happy anniversary big fella!
Shonky. is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 08:42 PM   #4
borough
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 185
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

So by the time the last 2014 update Falcon rolls off the production line in 2016 44 years of a local platform will come to a close. That is a bloody good run.
borough is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:04 PM   #5
pottery beige
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 18,988
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

happy birthday old bomb.. happy birthday old bomb..



happy birthday rusty old bomb...
pottery beige is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:07 PM   #6
nstg8a
3..2..1..
 
nstg8a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bellbird park
Posts: 7,218
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

my first car was an xa... much to the shock of my parents lol
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by pottery beige View Post
Happy mcgadget meal orphan mcboofhead
nstg8a is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:10 PM   #7
BOSS 540
70 Mercury Eliminator
 
BOSS 540's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NSW
Posts: 822
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Quote:
Originally Posted by Polyal
Yeap its my fav old school Falcon for sure. Just for history's sake I wouldnt mind a 2v I6 GS with a toploader!
Nice combo! In Deep Ivy would be perfect
Happy Birthday XA!!
__________________
The World is FORDS!
BOSS 540 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:14 PM   #8
pottery beige
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 18,988
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

hmmmmmm.. deep ivy.....

pottery beige is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:20 PM   #9
Shonky.
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Shonky.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,819
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Quote:
Originally Posted by pottery beige
happy birthday old bomb.. happy birthday old bomb..

image

happy birthday rusty old bomb...
so THAT's why they have the blackouts
Shonky. is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:24 PM   #10
pottery beige
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 18,988
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Quote:
Originally Posted by shonkymofo
so THAT's why they have the blackouts
way i roll bro original rust rocks....
pottery beige is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:33 PM   #11
Shonky.
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Shonky.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,819
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

least you don't got all that steel slowing you down
Shonky. is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:33 PM   #12
Polyal
The 'Stihl' Man
Donating Member2
 
Polyal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,588
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

LOL PB you have to leave the rot there!

Post the pics up guys, sure we have a"show us ya" thread but this baby deserves some love, first fully aussie Falcon FTW.

Also love the crazy colours, wild plum and lime glaze!



__________________
  • 2017 Toyota Prado (work hack)
  • 2017 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
  • 2003 CL7 Honda Accord Euro R (JDM) - K20A 6MT
  • 1999 Lexus IS200 - 1G-FE Turbo 6MT
  • 1973 ZF Ford Fairlane
Polyal is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:35 PM   #13
Polyal
The 'Stihl' Man
Donating Member2
 
Polyal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,588
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Quote:
Originally Posted by BOSS 540
Nice combo! In Deep Ivy would be perfect
Happy Birthday XA!!
And I know where there is one for sale, pepper red with white interior in need of a full resto..conti roof and all...but wants $10k..Ive got another 70's car to finish first.
__________________
  • 2017 Toyota Prado (work hack)
  • 2017 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
  • 2003 CL7 Honda Accord Euro R (JDM) - K20A 6MT
  • 1999 Lexus IS200 - 1G-FE Turbo 6MT
  • 1973 ZF Ford Fairlane
Polyal is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:36 PM   #14
RedHotGT
Long live the Falcon GT
 
RedHotGT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Victoria
Posts: 1,630
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

One of the 'GREAT' Falcons
__________________
RedHotGT is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:42 PM   #15
GA_0009
Restoration Garage
 
GA_0009's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Victoria
Posts: 809
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Happy bithday the mighty XA.. mine actually turn 40 next year tho.


Best looking falcon ever IMO
__________________
2012 Ford Ranger XL Supercab 3.2D
1973 XA Falcon Ute
1973 XA Falcon Superbird Coupe
1975 XB Falcon Sedan
GA_0009 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:46 PM   #16
Pinkbits
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Pinkbits's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: In my shed
Posts: 5,066
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Only coming up to her 39th birthday.
Next year when she reaches the big 40 she will be surrounded by lots of coupes at Echuca.

Pinkbits is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:48 PM   #17
pottery beige
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 18,988
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

PB old streetmeet banger...





luckys sublime PB resto...





PB ftw....
pottery beige is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:51 PM   #18
Polyal
The 'Stihl' Man
Donating Member2
 
Polyal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,588
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon



Waaaait a second...did they say legendary 5.7L..is this a case of it being 5.79999L or are they being typical 'tards? Or maybe a pedantic ford forum member?
__________________
  • 2017 Toyota Prado (work hack)
  • 2017 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
  • 2003 CL7 Honda Accord Euro R (JDM) - K20A 6MT
  • 1999 Lexus IS200 - 1G-FE Turbo 6MT
  • 1973 ZF Ford Fairlane
Polyal is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 09:53 PM   #19
Polyal
The 'Stihl' Man
Donating Member2
 
Polyal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,588
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Pink Bits thats also one of my Favs..alone with that ready mix orange coupe. Call me pimp but I love the continental roofs!
__________________
  • 2017 Toyota Prado (work hack)
  • 2017 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
  • 2003 CL7 Honda Accord Euro R (JDM) - K20A 6MT
  • 1999 Lexus IS200 - 1G-FE Turbo 6MT
  • 1973 ZF Ford Fairlane
Polyal is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 10:26 PM   #20
4VCLEVO
XA GT
 
4VCLEVO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,128
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Best falcon ever produced, happy 40th.



I'll have to let the old girl out of the garage for a celebration drive on the weekend.
__________________
---------------------------------------------------
XA GT, 6.848sec 1/8 mile @ 101.68mph
4VCLEVO is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2012, 10:35 PM   #21
JG34JA
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 487
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Never owned an XA, love the looks, love the Fairmont seats, and that magical chrome T Bar auto. 302 'Grampa' spec Fairmont Hardtop, yes please

Who knows, it's only 40 years old! Happy birthday XA
JG34JA is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2012, 12:58 AM   #22
Moby Vic
Cynical Idealist
 
Moby Vic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Orlando, FL, USA
Posts: 1,512
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Beautiful cars, fellas! And what, no Phase IVs? ;)

Love the Basil Fawlty reference in the article.
__________________
Your plastic pal who's fun to be with!
Moby Vic is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2012, 03:18 AM   #23
FGX-351
Supercharged Mang-mobile
 
FGX-351's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Behind the wheel
Posts: 1,792
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

My fave was always red pepper but since the Street Fords series of articles I'd love one in calypso green!
__________________
09/00 VX HSV XU6 Build #0001 of 0171
http://fordforums.com.au/showthread....09#post5571209
-- Best E/T: |14.982 @92.12mph | R/T:0.013 | 60' 2.213| 330: 6.283 | 1/8: 9.624 @ 73.17mph | 1000: 12.529 | 25Deg, N/A Hum, 1010mb | Willowbank Raceway 7/12/16

Tickford EL Falcon XR6 RIP
-- Factory Manual
-- Best E/T: |14.991 @ 92.71mph | R/T: 0.607 | 60': 2.215 | 660': 9.665 |13Deg, 86%H, 1024mb, 184RA @ Willowbank Raceway
FGX-351 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2012, 06:40 AM   #24
pottery beige
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 18,988
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

pepper, white interior, sunroof.....
pottery beige is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2012, 06:40 AM   #25
pottery beige
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 18,988
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

pepper, white interior, sunroof.....
pottery beige is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2012, 07:27 AM   #26
OzJavelin
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
OzJavelin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,633
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Nice one .. the XA has aged well IMHO.

As a matter of interest how many XA owners here are younger than their cars? probably a lot I'd think?

(One of my Javelin's and my Fury are '69 builds so they are the same age as me .. but the other Javelin is a '74 so it's only a young buck)
OzJavelin is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2012, 07:45 AM   #27
gcg2503
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 10,839
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Always adding valued comments,  never involved in any disputes. A credit to this forum. 
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Quote:
Originally Posted by pottery beige
hmmmmmm.. deep ivy.....

image
Mr Potty - that looks more like Jewell Green to me
gcg2503 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2012, 09:53 AM   #28
pottery beige
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 18,988
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

Quote:
Originally Posted by gcg2503
Mr Potty - that looks more like Jewell Green to me
bugger ive mixed up my greens.. greens are nice but not my specialty..
pottery beige is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2012, 10:48 AM   #29
davenl5l
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
davenl5l's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: by the beach
Posts: 1,982
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

40 years on and they still look good and desirable
__________________
clevo mafia (sadly sold) 351c xe manual (now with short shifting 5sp goodness) xc gs coupe project...hmm more clevo for me new daily 2005 ba sr
davenl5l is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2012, 11:04 AM   #30
Jim Goose
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sun City, North Australis
Posts: 4,274
Default Re: 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon

I posted these in another thread, but since its the aniversay... its appropriate here...

Your new XA Falcon is here (well almost)!!!!







__________________
You've seen it, you've heard it and your still asking questions??

Don't write off the Goose until you see the box going into the hole....
Jim Goose is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Reply


Forum Jump


All times are GMT +11. The time now is 12:33 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Other than what is legally copyrighted by the respective owners, this site is copyright www.fordforums.com.au
Positive SSL