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