10 Things I bet you didn't know about your AU

[Dauphin]

Ford's design theme at the time was called "New Edge" and involved intersecting arcs, creases, crisp lines and taut surfaces. It produced the AU Falcon, Modeo, Ka, Cougar, Puma, Mustang and Focus models.

This could make the AU Falcon the only New Edge-designed car to be produced for a single market (plus NZ).

[LeadFoot81]

I remember reading online a while back that silver wasn't initially offered as an XR colour to reduce the inventory of painted bodykit bits having to be kept at Tickford. When an advert for the XR6 VCT was released in 99 featuring a silver model, people started trying to order them in silver; hence Ford added silver as an option on the XR range.

[Bushbasher]

When the AU was launched in 1998, it was the first car in its class to offer air conditioning and automatic transmission as standard across the range.


Here's some firsts introduced for AUII -


The first Australian-made family car to have driver and passenger airbags as standard equipment across the range.
The first Australian-made family car to offer a CD player as standard equipment across the range.
The first Australian-made family car to have a single-fuel LPG option.
The first Australian-made family car to include "Scheduled Servicing to 60,000km" in the car's purchase price.
The first Australian-made family car to have 16-inch wheels standard across the range.
The first Australian-made family car to use a laminated firewall to reduce noise, vibration and harshness.
The first Australian-made family car to feature a standard overhead driver's console featuring a sunglasses hold.


Bushbasher

[blackers10]

the TL50 uses a Forte front bonnet mould to match the grill shape to provide a sleeker front end

AU Fairlane/LTD was the 1st Fairlane/LTD to NOT have its own model designation

[Bushbasher]

I thought Fairlane/LTD had a NU/DU designation but everyone just called them AU anyway so the designation just faded into oblivion.

Bushbasher

[blackers10]

not on anything I've seen
People stuck NU onto it but it Isn't real

[Mr Hardware]

au ute, the first ute to not use the same tailgate since 1972

[Cookie-XR8]

#346 act II - Ba GT drivers will always envy the T3 and regret not buying one.

[blackers10]

Last SOHC 4 litre I6 motor from Ford Australia

[calais]

Au VCT, first Australian engine to feature variable camshaft timing.

[blackers10]

AU VCT equal or more power than a Supercharged V6 Holden

[calais]

On paper, the AU VCT made 1kw more than the holden S/C V6 but one nm less...... Driveability was a different thing altogether.

[CFOUR]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

Here's some firsts introduced for AUII -

The first Australian-made family car to offer a CD player as standard equipment across the range.

The 99 forte my brother bought in 99 only had a tape player.

[The Monty]

That is because its an AU1, not 2.

[NC1183]

AU1 was the last Falcon to show the service spanner in the dash

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by NC1183

AU1 was the last Falcon to show the service spanner in the dash

thankfully
what a stupid idea that was

[NC1183]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

thankfully
what a stupid idea that was

Yeah if you couldn't read the windscreen sticker or make a mental note of when a service was due, you shouldn't be driving a Falcon

[Juzman]

Originally Posted by NC1183

Yeah if you couldn't read the windscreen sticker or make a mental note of when a service was due, you shouldn't be driving a Falcon

It was most likely there as a Ford money making thing... "quick get to a Ford service centre! The glowing spanner knows all."

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by NC1183

Yeah if you couldn't read the windscreen sticker or make a mental note of when a service was due, you shouldn't be driving a Falcon

I guess it explains why they still have a reminder on the Holdens.

[Mr Hardware]

So I want to cut it down to a genuine 10 - do you think i cut/kept the right ones?

1. The AU has the drag co-efficient of a bullet (0.295)
2. It was originally going to be called the ER Falcon (this can still be seen on spare parts codes)
3. The wing mirrors are on different angles, the passengers one is a far more acute angle.
4. Bottom end of the redesigned I6 was revised by Jaguar to smooth out harmonic 'concerns' - in particular the counterweight phasing of the crank
5. XY Influences: The "falcon" writing on AU1s is the same as that on XYs. The ridge on low-series AU1 & all XR/ute bonnets, and the whale-tooth grille on the AU1 forte was to pay homage to the XY grille/bonnet, and the shoulder line that runs almost the full length of the car was a nod to the XY too.
6. The AU was designed around the Fairmont Ghia, and then the lower models followed from this
7. The VCT engine was opriginally developed by Tickford for the XR6 - Ford contributed $$$$ to development so they could fit it to the Fairmont & Fairlane Ghias
8. Between 98-00 Ford spare parts required written and sighted Tickford VIN confirmation before even a replacement Tickford badge could be ordered, and should have stayed that way.
9. Introduction of compound Boot hinges that did not intrude into the boot space and allowed open boot lid to approach vertical for ease of access
10. AU utes featured borrowed tail lights from the F-Series trucks of the era (and so did the BA-BFs)

[Black XR]

Once you own one you will at some point own a second one

[WOTDAH]

Originally Posted by Black XR

Once you own one you will at some point own a second one

I can confidently say you are wrong there.

[POELWYK]

Originally Posted by Black XR

Once you own one you will at some point own a second one

ill 2nd that lol :

[CYCO TROOPS]

Originally Posted by Black XR

Once you own one you will at some point own a second one

Yeh I am considering buying an AU XR8 ute for everyday... yes of course I'm still keeping my wagon!
I'd frof if I ever owned a TS50 aswell... maybe one day ;)

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

So I want to cut it down to a genuine 10 - do you think i cut/kept the right ones?

1. The AU has the drag co-efficient of a bullet (0.295)
2. It was originally going to be called the ER Falcon (this can still be seen on spare parts codes)
3. The wing mirrors are on different angles, the passengers one is a far more acute angle.
4. Bottom end of the redesigned I6 was revised by Jaguar to smooth out harmonic 'concerns' - in particular the counterweight phasing of the crank
5. XY Influences: The "falcon" writing on AU1s is the same as that on XYs. The ridge on low-series AU1 & all XR/ute bonnets, and the whale-tooth grille on the AU1 forte was to pay homage to the XY grille/bonnet, and the shoulder line that runs almost the full length of the car was a nod to the XY too.
6. The AU was designed around the Fairmont Ghia, and then the lower models followed from this
7. The VCT engine was opriginally developed by Tickford for the XR6 - Ford contributed $$$$ to development so they could fit it to the Fairmont & Fairlane Ghias
8. Between 98-00 Ford spare parts required written and sighted Tickford VIN confirmation before even a replacement Tickford badge could be ordered, and should have stayed that way.
9. Introduction of compound Boot hinges that did not intrude into the boot space and allowed open boot lid to approach vertical for ease of access
10. AU utes featured borrowed tail lights from the F-Series trucks of the era (and so did the BA-BFs)

Number 8 is most definitely WRONG.

[Mr Hardware]

Ok
suggest replacement for no. 8 someone
can be something thats already been posted

[Dauphin]

I reckon either the i6 VCT being on par with the supercharged Holden V6 of the time or the fact that the dealers made their own attempts to improve the AU's looks which led to Ford taking notice and doing it officially.

[Black XR]

Originally Posted by WOTDAH

I can confidently say you are wrong there.

Time will tell LOL

[Mr Hardware]

Yeah i think the second one you mentioned dauphin is better.
Oh and i had owned my 1st AU for over 2 and a half years until i got my second AU, and i never intended for it to happen, but i'm glad it did.

[The Monty]

I was going to get a B series next, ended up with another AU, lol. I wont upgrade to a B or F series for a long time now, Id say Ill get a S3 XR8 or a T series next.