Ford to start reproducing AU Falcon

[Tickford.]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Even Tom Elliot discussed this topic on 3AW this afternoon.

Yep, here's the replay.

https://www.3aw.com.au/social-media-...cts-thousands/


It's happening folks!! The AU Falcon is going to be reproduced!! But only one model will be re-made. It's going to be the AUIII high series sedan (Fairmont), in live axle only. With the 4.0 Intech the only engine option. No V8's.

[mike_nofx]

I like the idea.

I think to remain competitive they'd need to be priced around the $1750 - $2250 mark, which would be between 2 and 3 times more than the existing ones on the road.

Maybe they could offer a premium model which include all 4 hubcaps instead of the usual 2, and a rooflining which doesn't touch your head.

[CyberWasp]

Leaked Image

[mike_nofx]

A coupe is no good, too small. The typical AU needs to fit a family of 5 fully grown islanders (for larger families please refer to Tarago)

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Even Tom Elliot discussed this topic on 3AW this afternoon.

I recon he reads these threads

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Trickford

Yep, here's the replay.

https://www.3aw.com.au/social-media-...cts-thousands/


It's happening folks!! The AU Falcon is going to be reproduced!! But only one model will be re-made. It's going to be the AUIII high series sedan (Fairmont), in live axle only. With the 4.0 Intech the only engine option. No V8's.

I approve this happening.

[Studz xr8]

What a picture of perfection that would be, all those awesome cars meeting at such a historical place, I myself am a Proud Owner of an xr8 series 1....... Love it.
Go hard or go home.

67 XR V8 - Tru-XR8
99 XR8 - baby sister

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I don't think you can design, engineer and build a car profitably for a market of 25M people with unique compliance requirements that's one of the most competitive in the world for a $40K price point.

Especially not when you're making more money flogging an existing, imported platform for less than the home grown offerings........

[XRtowcar]

Only way to get Ford to build the AU again would be to ban all imports and make it the only car available, like the Trabant in East Germany.
Although the thought of an 99 Series one Forte does cause some fizzing to happen.

[Sprintey]

I like to think of the idea as not so much Trabant, but more like the 1950's American cars in Cuba kept on the roads for 50+ years...

[BA-XT]

I'll take an AUI Forte Taxi Pack!

Seriously.... you'd get some looks. I used to work on them :-)

[mad2]

wouldn't say no to a replacement for me 'ol yella .....

[LyleXR8]

id like a brand new series 2 XR8 manual ute in black, just like Ive got now but id treat id it a **** load better than I have the last 12 years

[Syndrome]

I don't see how this is possible. Not only is all the tooling gone but even Tier 1 suppliers like the one I worked for no longer exist (even the buildings have been demolished). So it will need to be rebuilt from scratch.

Then you have the problem of a 20 year old design which does not meet current emissions and crash test requirements.

And the AU was the most polarizing Falcon which got smacked by the Holden VT and VZ. So it is not a winner. Better chance of success building brand new XW and XY Falcons.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

I don't see how this is possible. Not only is all the tooling gone but even Tier 1 suppliers like the one I worked for no longer exist (even the buildings have been demolished). So it will need to be rebuilt from scratch.
.

Everything is ready for the restart.

[ebv8]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

I don't see how this is possible. Not only is all the tooling gone but even Tier 1 suppliers like the one I worked for no longer exist (even the buildings have been demolished). So it will need to be rebuilt from scratch.

Then you have the problem of a 20 year old design which does not meet current emissions and crash test requirements.

And the AU was the most polarizing Falcon which got smacked by the Holden VT and VZ. So it is not a winner. Better chance of success building brand new XW and XY Falcons.

there is always that one guy that just ruins the dream with logic and reason

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by ebv8

there is always that one guy that just ruins the dream with logic and reason

[Sprintey]

Just you wait, someone will eventually 3d print their new AU in their back shed...

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

I don't see how this is possible. Not only is all the tooling gone but even Tier 1 suppliers like the one I worked for no longer exist (even the buildings have been demolished). So it will need to be rebuilt from scratch.

Then you have the problem of a 20 year old design which does not meet current emissions and crash test requirements.

And the AU was the most polarizing Falcon which got smacked by the Holden VT and VZ. So it is not a winner. Better chance of success building brand new XW and XY Falcons.

Again, it's really good to have a read through these wrap ups of the AU and VT - did you know AUs were outselling Holden in the high series cars (Fairmont and Ghia) right from series 1?

https://www.shannons.com.au/club/new...-dirty-tricks/
https://www.shannons.com.au/club/new...e-sedans-ever/


It goes to show that with the right spec (frustratingly, this was the initial concept before marketing sat on it - higher spec, full IRS, make it be seen as a cut above, price it higher) the AU concept was a winner. By cheapening the base models, denying them the better styling, they missed the move from 'fleet' to 'user-chooser' when it could have ended significantly better.

These higher sales concerned Holden quite a bit. Also, utes outsold Holden, and the squarer ends on Fairlanes and LTDs did pretty well.

I like the idea of a new XW btw

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

I don't see how this is possible. Not only is all the tooling gone but even Tier 1 suppliers like the one I worked for no longer exist (even the buildings have been demolished). So it will need to be rebuilt from scratch.

Just think of how good would that be for the economy!

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Then you have the problem of a 20 year old design which does not meet current emissions and crash test requirements.

1: current emissions requirements are partly the result of a bunch of delusional crackheads thinking Australia can influence the rest of the would to clean up its act...… all 25-odd million of us.....
2: crash test results.... like going back to the 50's with a metal spike in the middle of the steering wheel to impale you when the lack of a seatbelt failed to stop you hitting it in the event of a crash wouldn't inspire people to maybe, just maybe, put their damn iPhone down while theyre driving....

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Better chance of success building brand new XW and XY Falcons.

Best part of what you said right there! I'd happily sacrifice my shot at a new AU V8 to get into a brand spankers XY..... I'd even be happy with just a Yellow glow XY Falcon 500, 250 2V and 4 speed......

[ford71V8]

XR-XYs reborn like the Camaros, etc in the US aftermarket. Yes please.

Make sure to back it up with Project XA-Landau Coupe

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by ford71V8

XR-XYs reborn like the Camaros, etc in the US aftermarket. Yes please.

Make sure to back it up with Project XA-Landau Coupe

Or go one better with an AU Landau Coupé

[guzzis3]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Or go one better with an AU Landau Coupé

Oh now your talkin'. Mass market appeal right there...

[CyberWasp]

In all seriousness, how hard would it be with modern manufacturing techniques, to manufacture XY body shells, doors, bonnets and boot lids?
The aftermarket would easily look after the Motor, Drive Train & Brakes ect.

[Sprintey]

XY Fairmont with a Barra turbo, yes please

[Tickford.]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

In all seriousness, how hard would it be with modern manufacturing techniques, to manufacture XY body shells, doors, bonnets and boot lids?
The aftermarket would easily look after the Motor, Drive Train & Brakes ect.

All it would take is a group, or even an individual with the drive, passion and the money to make it happen. If there was a huge demand for XY bodyshells, with guaranteed return for investment, it can be done.

For example, in the UK, there is a huge demand for MK2 Escort coupes. So big in fact, over the last 20-30 years or so, there have been various groups of people from the UK coming here and buying up our Aussie (and NZ and South African) MK2 Escorts and shipping them back to the UK. Big money was being exchanged to buy, and to sell. I sold two MK2 Escort coupes in reasonable condition to some Irish blokes about 15 years ago for a decent amount of money. They weren't interested in rego or RWC so I knew where the Escorts were heading to.

Then some guy in the UK had MK2 Escort shells re-manufactured in China and shipped back to the UK. Brand new shells have been flying out the door, and he is making a killing. Check link below.

https://www.motorsport-tools.com/bra...ody-shell.html

If the demand for XY shells is as big as the demand for MK2 Escort shells are in the UK, then there is money to be made for someone willing to put in the time and money. But.... I highly doubt the returns would be that great. If any.

[Sprintey]

Found this:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2852035

Enjoy.

[guzzis3]

I don't know about now but you used to be able to buy replacement MGB bodies and TR3A bodies in either steel or aluminium. At one time you could buy every part for an mgb brand new except I think blocks....the poms are fanatical about their old cars.

Porsche do production runs occasionally of parts for all their old models right back to the 356...or so I'm told..

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

In all seriousness, how hard would it be with modern manufacturing techniques, to manufacture XY body shells, doors, bonnets and boot lids?
The aftermarket would easily look after the Motor, Drive Train & Brakes ect.

Yeh, I asked this question here before... and I was shot down in flames....
ADR....ADR....ADR....ADR, fun police.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Trickford

All it would take is a group, or even an individual with the drive, passion and the money to make it happen. If there was a huge demand for XY bodyshells, with guaranteed return for investment, it can be done.

Then some guy in the UK had MK2 Escort shells re-manufactured in China and shipped back to the UK. Brand new shells have been flying out the door, and he is making a killing. Check link below.

https://www.motorsport-tools.com/bra...ody-shell.html

Love it, good on him, that's brilliant.