Re: Coming in September- 2003 AV series Ford Falcon (Chris V)
The Falcon lasted for 10 years in NA, with the redesign coming for '66 making it larger than before. That platform spawned the Fairlane, Comet and other similar cars.
The model range in Australia was standard and Deluxe, with the Futura and Squire joining in the XL series and continuing through to the XP. During the XP's run, the Futura and Squire were replaced by the Fairmont as the luxury model and the Fairmont name has since been used on upmarket Falcons. For the XR and XT, trim levels were standard, 500 and Fairmont. With the XW, the Futura name was revived for a model in between the 500 and Fairmont. The GT first appeared in the XR series, while the first Aussie Fairlane appeared in that time too.
With the XA series of '72, Ford Australia brought out the first all-Australian Falcon on a new platform. While it had cues from early 70s Torinos, it was an all-Australian design and its rakish, sporty style was very attractive. It was also larger and wider than before, and had major advances in engineering and safety. The choice of models was also wide, with standard, 500, Futura, Fairmont and GT, plus the Fairlane Custom, Fairlane 500 and (from early '73) LTD on longer wheelbases. Falcon sedans and hardtops had a 111" wb, the wagons, commercials and Fairlanes a 116" wb, and the LTD a 121" wb. All shared a common chassis and suspension setup, and as they were quite stiffly sprung and well sorted Ford had achieved excellent handling. Engines ranged from the 200 I6 to the 4bbl 351 Cleveland V8 (the latter reserved for GT and LTD models). The majority of cars are automatics of course, and many were loaded up with luxury and sports items. Also note Fairlanes and LTDs had their own model codes.
The XB series brought further advances and a shake-up of the model range, while the XC facelift brought revised engines (due to emission control, but nowhere near as bad as Holden simply slapping emissions control on) with sixes gaining cross-flow heads and V8s new 4bbl carbs. The lineup was topped off by the Fairmont GXL, Fairlane Marquis and LTD which took lavishness to new heights while retaining the performance, rugged reliability and driveability for which this fine series had achieved fame.
The GS rally pack allowed you to make your run of the mill Falcon look like a GT, with the driving lights, sports wheels, sports buckets and console and other goodies (sports suspension too, so don't you dare accuse it of being "factory rice"
).
The Cobra was a run of 400 2-dr hardtops, the last produced by Ford Australia. They had sports seats, full body kit (white with blue stripes), globe alloys and other goodies, and had the 302 (5.0) or 351 (5.8).
With the all-new XD series of '79, Ford had chosen a Euro-inspired look taken from the European Mk2 Granada. The underpinnings and drivetrains were unchanged, the model range consisting of the GL, Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia, Fairlane and LTD (no more full-size LTDs). The XE of '82 brought coil springs to sedans, but V8s were dropped later in the year
and IMHO, this was the most horrendous mistake Ford ever made as they lost out big time in image even if they achieved market leadership. The XF of '84 brought cosmetic revisions.
When the EA came out in '88, the last vestiges of older generations were largely eliminated (live axles aside). The new aerodynamically styled, all-Australian car was to be Ford's big chance. It had an all-new platform with an all-new drivetrain (OHC inline six), replacing those that had been in use for years. But at the same time, the EA was dogged with BIG problems and this hurt Ford's image badly and probably the reason they have fallen behind Holden in the sales race. The EB of '91 brought cosmetic revisions, improved quality and above all the return of the 5.0. In '93, '94 and '96, the ED, EF and EL series respectively brought styling changes and other improvements.
Holden launched its VT Commodore in '97 and instantly won acclaim for it, including Wheels' COTY. Ford was falling behind but had the AU waiting in the wings, finally bowing in '98 with substantial advances in many areas. The base models looked ugly with their plain grilles and dull grey interiors, but the more expensive models were classier and better-looking and finished inside and out. Ford had fallen badly in sales, but this did not reflect on the fact that the AU is an all-round excellent car. The Series II and III revisions addressed the styling issues and further improved what is an excellent car.
So where now for Ford? The current Falcon line is already a better car than its Holden rival, in some cases (as in handling and most importantly build quality) a much better car. Ford has the chance now to steal sales from Holden. But really, Ford's biggest problem has been image and marketing. Image is a problem because of the blunders Ford committed in the 80s and early 90s, that after an extremely successful period in the 70s in which Ford eroded Holden's market share and is seen by most enthusiasts to have had Australia's cars at the time (though it was hard to pick between Falcons, Holdens and Valiants as they were all great cars). They need to market themselves properly, to focus on the merits of the Falcon range.
With the AV, Ford has the chance to set things right. No doubt, it will improve on an already excellent package. No doubt, it will be at least competitive with most similarly-sized cars in key areas. And no doubt, this is Ford's chance to show Australia and the world it means business. Go for it!!!
