Ford Falcon XA GT Hardtop And Four Door.

[disco man]

It's time to shine the spotlight on a classic Ford that also deserves respect and a special mention.Anyone out there got any special memories about this piece of Australian motoring history? The below article is from Luke West.

First Falcon GT Designed In Australia
The XA model Falcon broke new ground for Ford Australia.The tradition of adapting American designs ended with the XY model.With no direct US Falcon to use as a basis-the Falcon was discontinued in America in 1970-Ford Australia's Melbourne based staff developed an all new design for the 1972 model release.Their success gave the company's US brass the confidence to invest in design facilities at Broadmeadows that have since created four decades of uniquely Australian Falcons.That said there was still a hefty US influence in the XA's look.It came to life under the watch of American Jack Telnack-a member of the original Mustang styling team.Ford Australia's styling team had a certain degree of styling autonomy,however they lacked experienced modellers.A three man team headed to the US to learn off Ford hq.The team impressed the staff at Ford USA so much Ford president Bunkie Knudsen told Ford Australia chief Bill Bourke to ramp up design facilities locally.

First GT To Be Made As A Two Door Hardtop.
The launch of a second body shape for the XA provided an intriguing and colourful new dimension to the Falcon GT story.Dimension being the operative word,as the hardtop provided a design that was more suited to racing under the Group C rules,with the ability to use wider profile tyres under the bulging flanks of the hardtop.It's a design that carried over to the XB and XC ranges and is considered to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing designs of any Australian made car. Contrary to perceptions,the wheel base and overall length was identical between the four door and the two door despite the latter looking longer.The hardtop was 5cm lower and much wider due to the rear wheel arches.Performance was the same as the hardtop.

It Proved To Be A Popular Choice.
The XA GT might not be revered in the manner of it's rawer,more masculine older brothers,the XW and XY GTs,but that doesn't mean it was unpopular with buyers.In fact more XA GTs were sold than the XW and XY GTs. All up,2758 XA GTs were sold;1867 four doors and 891 two doors.This compares to 1557 XY GTs and 2287 XW GTs.When 662 GT-HO sales are added to XW's tally that model edges ahead of the XA's count,but when you take into account that phase IV program was scuttled it's not a fair fight.Interestingly all three were out sold by the XB GT which sold 2899,1950 four doors and 949 hardtops.

XA Falcon Range Boosted Sales.
The XA model overall played an important part in Ford's long march to market leadership.During it's lifespan,March 1972-September 1973 a total of 152,609 XA fords hit the road,compared to the more fondly remembered XY which sold 118,666.The extra 33,943 XAs sold over the XYs represents a 28.6 percent increase model to model.Press reports at the time suggest that the curvaceous XA model stole sales from the HQ Holden models and VH Valiants due to clever packaging.It was just the right size compared to the others.While the HQ looked to small and the VH to big and heavy the XA was just right.

The XA GT Was The Essence Of Grand Tourer.
With it's high-backed bucket seats,improved handling and more up-market interior,the XA GT was the very essence of a grand touring sedan.Which was,after all what GT stood for.It was far more comfortable long-distance cruising than the models before.

Helped Create The Legend That Is Gossy.
Australian motorsport history is full of colourful and distinctive characters.Among them is John Goss,who was the first of the establishment to race the XA model,long before the works team.Consequently,his car suffered major engine failures due to oil surge generated by the hardtops higher grip levels and higher cornering speed.Goss's sharp engineering mind eventually nutted out a solution which enabled him to win Bathurst in 1974 giving the XA it's second consecutive Bathurst win.

Performance Is Comparable To The XY GT.
The road going XA GT is unfairly compared with the XY GT-HO Phase 3 in terms of performance.Yet the XA GT should really be up against the car it replaced-and a model history has treated more kindly-the regular XY GT.Straightline performance figures taken from "WHEELS" and "SPORTS CAR WORLD" magazines from 1972 showed that the XA GT accelerated from 0 to 60mph in 8.4sec,compared to XY GTs 8.3.However the XA GTs 0-100mph time of 18.7 is a full second faster than the XY GTs 19.7.

It Played The Flutes.
It was the only Falcon GT that incorporated bonnet flutes recessed into the bonnet between a prominent center peak,giving it a distinctive look.

Distinctive Tail Pipes.
First GT to incorporate rectangular chrome tail pipes.This feature has had a resurgence of popularity in modern high performance cars.Ahead of it's time?

Debut Win For Works XAs.
A works XA Falcon won on debut at Adelaide International Raceway in August 1973 in atrocious conditions.Fred Gibson's hardtop,wearing the factory team's stunning blue and white corporate livery for the first time,splashed home ahead of Kevin Bartlett in Goss's example.Gibson won despite being penalised one minute after the team added fuel to the car while the engine was running.

Greater Colour Choice.
The XA GT was available in more colour and trim options than it's predecessors.According to the Falcon GT club of Australia ,XA GTs were produced in 50 different colours.It was as if Ford would paint your GT any colour you liked,including ultra-lairy 1970's colours like Lime Glaze,Wild Plum and Calypso Green.The XW GT was produced in 24 colours,the XY in 34.

Last GT With Chrome Bumpers.
If 'classic not plastic' is your mantra the XA GT has it all over the colour-coded bumper-equipped XB GT.The XA was the last Falcon GT with chrome bumper-bars.

Last GT Before Regulations Blunted Performance.
Emission regulations blunted the performance of the XB GT,leaving the XA the last of the performance orientated GTs.

The XA GT Showed The Poms A Real Muscle Car.
The XA GT was among the Falcon models exported in small numbers to the old dart.In the case of 17 XA GT hardtops,the recessed and sloping tail lights were deemed illegal in England.Thus the poms substituted them with Triumph Dolomite tail lights.

A Sound Investment.
If you're a long time XA GT owner-that is 10 years plus-your pride and joy has proven to be a good investment.According to valuation estimates courtesy of VIP Automotive Solutions collectable car index,10 years ago the value of a 1972 model XA GT Falcon four door (non RPO 83) was $13,500,compared to $46,000 today.In 2007(pre-global financial crisis) the same model peaked at $80,000.As to the two door XA GT it's 2002 value was $16,000,skyrocketing to $115,000 in 2007 before settling to a more realistic $61,500 today.These figures are for cars with an overall condition rated as being 8-10.RPO variants can add as much as 30 percent to these figures.

It Rallied For A Cause.
There is a certain degree of irony in the fact that the only example of the ultimate XA GT-the Phase IV-to enter competition was pounded relentlessly in rallying.Factory Ford driver Bruce Hodgson was the only man to have competed in a Phase IV in anger during it's hey-day.Hodgson finished sixth in the 1973 Australian Rally Championship in the factory prepared Falcon.The following year he pedalled the car in the even more punishing rallycross arena.

I think the XA GT is another awesome Australian muscle car that also deserves respect.

[Chucaro]

I like the XW model :cool:

[boa]

Ford Australia is still the only major car companies to be able to design a car from a clean sheet of paper. Holden only redesigned other cars. They never designed a car from scratch. Never had the ability. That was not the employs problem as such but Holden have never designed a purely Australian car. Regardless of all the marketing bull****.

[rick130]

One of my cousins had an XA GT four door with 4V 4 dot heads, massive Holley, top loader 'box, etc. about fifteen years ago.
Basically Phase IV spec with factory option parts.

He left it at my place for a few days so I could have a play. :cool:

It was relatively quick below 4000RPM, but between there and 6500 the thing was brutal.
The Top Loader 'box was bloody awful though, the T98a 'box in one of my Jeeps was faster !
The steering was heavy but not as bad as my F100 so I didn't think it was too bad, as were the brakes.

A brutal bloody car, more like a truck compared to the LJ XU1 race car of a mates that I tested and raced a couple of times, but it was fun. :D

[Chucaro]

Ford Australia is still the only major car companies to be able to design a car from a clean sheet of paper. Holden only redesigned other cars. They never designed a car from scratch. Never had the ability. That was not the employs problem as such but Holden have never designed a purely Australian car. Regardless of all the marketing bull****.

Just out of curiosity, where were designed the EJ and EH models?

Good on Google, I did not expected to have the answer so quick, the prototype in fiberglass was done here and sent to USA so Bill Mitchel and his team can evaluate it and modify.

[d2dave]

I owned an XB coupe GT in my younger years and I am currently looking after an XA Gt coupe for a mate of mine who purchased this vehicle new in 1973.

[101RRS]

Ford Australia is still the only major car companies to be able to design a car from a clean sheet of paper. Holden only redesigned other cars. They never designed a car from scratch. Never had the ability. That was not the employs problem as such but Holden have never designed a purely Australian car. Regardless of all the marketing bull****.

Don't believe it - cannot speak for the XA but it does look like a few American Fords of the time but the XD was based on the UK Ford Granada Mk11. All following Ford Falcons were evolutions of that car.

The XA two door is a horrible looking looking car with its barge arse - really needed a bit of Charger treatment with a trimmed bum.

Likewise sitting in the front of a 4 door was like sitting in a cave with that huge intimidating dash.

Sorry - I thought it was a pretty ordinary car.

garry

[Chucaro]

Ford Australia is still the only major car companies to be able to design a car from a clean sheet of paper. Holden only redesigned other cars. They never designed a car from scratch. Never had the ability. That was not the employs problem as such but Holden have never designed a purely Australian car. Regardless of all the marketing bull****.

The Argentinian Falcon looks like an XM/XP models, just wonder who got the idea first.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/945.jpg

[rick130]

The Argentinian Falcon looks like an XM/XP models, just wonder who got the idea first.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/945.jpg
US designed AFAIK Arthur.

[scarry]

Mate of mine has two,both XA coupes.Both built late 1972.
Both in immaculate almost original condition.


Doesn't tell to many people he has them for obvious reasons.
Had a spin in one of them,the raw power,and noise, was unbelievable:D

[pop058]

Don't believe it - cannot speak for the XA but it does look like a few American Fords of the time but the XD was based on the UK Ford Granada Mk11. All following Ford Falcons were evolutions of that car.

The XA two door is a horrible looking looking car with its barge arse - really needed a bit of Charger treatment with a trimmed bum.

Likewise sitting in the front of a 4 door was like sitting in a cave with that huge intimidating dash.

Sorry - I thought it was a pretty ordinary car.

garry

They just need bigger tyres Garry :D

The only GT Falcon I have ever owned was a 73 Cosmic Blue JG33. And as much as a fan as I am of the XAs, I think calling the XA an Oz designed car is a bit of a stretch. The yank Torino has been around since the mid 60s. Does this pic of the "barge arse" of a 1970 Torino look familiar ?


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/944.jpg

[CraigE]

Thanks for the info. The coupes were nice. However there is some misleading information. While designed here certainly was not new with a lot borrowed from the US, so the claims of the only car to be designed here are ambiguous at best.
This will make a lot of Ford Fans cry foul but is fact. The XA XB and XC Falcons both in 2 door coupe and 4 door were heavily based on US cars. As with Holden moat people in Australia had no idea of what cars were available OS and these cars were generally not sold here.
The XA-XC were copied from Ford Torino's 69 from memory and Mustangs of that era. I was stunned when I saw a 69 Torino coupe (look up the pics), I thought it was an XA coupe until I saw the nose cone and rear panel. The XA is a direct copy with some mods like mustang rear lights and nose cones. Not saying it was not designed here, it was as with most Holdens, but original, I think not.
The XR, XT, XY and XW Falcons were all direct copies of US Falcons re engineered with different power plants and drive trains.
As for XD on were all borrowed designs.
There has also been a lot of Holden never designed a car, they did and also based a lot on European models. I have not found anything like a HT-HG sedan or Monaro (these were actually exported to South Africa, the middle east, south east asia and even Mexico. The Camira was totally Australian designed and actually body and panels exported to Europe, not the other way around, though not a very good car. Nothing around even close to the LX Hatchback and have looked at the Vauxhalls that are toted to be similar, not a part matches. Then the VN was totally re-engineered for Australia, not one panel from Europe will fit, I have a good book on this. The VT on were totally Australian designed and exported to many countries and rebadged as Chevrolets, Vauxhalls and Opels. Also with Holdens have not seen anything else like a HQ, HJ, HT. I stand to be corrected but have not seen or had anyone substantiate this.
Previously Ford fans have sooked that I would be insulting the designers saying this, well so would saying the same to Holden and Chrysler designers, but the fact is they all borrowed and could utilize obsolete US tooling.
Does it make them any less an Aussie car, probably not.
The main difference is the Aussie cars were generally much better cars with better options.

[disco man]

History has dealt the XA GT something of a poor hand.While it out performed its direct predecessors,the celebrated XW and XY GT models,in 0-100mph tests it's been unfairly compared to the GT-HOs models of those cars.Hardly a fair fight.The XA Falcon GT had a different purpose to the XY-XW GTs it sought to bring a level of refinement,handling,power and luxury to the performance market.In many ways it was ahead of its time when you look at the trail the VC Brock Commodore blazed in the early 1980's ahead of the formation of Holden Special Vehicles and Ford Performance Vehicles.

With the XA Ford put a greater emphasis on building a grand tourer capable of swallowing up miles of wide open road in unparalleled performance,comfort and luxury.As a direct result of the changed emphasis and lower performance figures when wrongly compared to the XY GT-HO-it suffered a long period of being on the nose with die hard Ford fans.In many ways the XA model heralded a new more confident,proud and innovative Ford Australia that had matured enough to be able to produce its own Falcon,designed and built for the Australian public,rather than trying to adapt a US car to Aussie conditions.

GT's Quad Lights Transform XA's Frontal Look.
One of the biggest criticisms of the XA range's styling was the use of small single headlights within the front fascia.In contrast the extra two driving lights of the GT transformed the Falcon's look and was a styling hit.

Most Successful GT Falcon At Bathurst.
The XA has the best strike rate of any Falcon GT model in the annual Bathurst classic-two from two.The model won back to back great races in hardtop form in 1973 and 1974.The first came courtesy of the factory #9 machine of Allan Moffat and Ian Geoghegan.The privateer effort of John Goss and Kevin Bartlett driving for Sydney dealer Mcleod Ford backed that up in a dramatic wet race the following year.It took ford 33 years for another Falcon model the BF to win more than one Bathurst.The XA's record was unmatched until Triple Eight Race engineering's Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup won the second and third of their three consecutive Bathurst 1000 victories in 2007 and 2008.

XA's More Often Than Not The Genuine Article.
Chance upon a XA GT while you're out and about and there's a fair chance it's the genuine article.The XA GT's out there are mostly genuine cars not replicas many people want to own XW or XY GT,but a lot are built up Falcon 500's or Fairmont's as the price of a original XW or XY GT's are just too far out of reach of everyday Aussie's. Whereas if you own a XA GT,you have paid have the price yet you still get the buzz of owning and driving the real thing-a GT Falcon.

Black outs You'd Welcome.
First GT offering bonnet black-out as an option.The black-outs were contoured to the lower body of the GT making it unmistakeable to the other Fords in the XA range.

Goodbye Grab Handles.
Introduced door handles that were flush with the body,replacing the old-style grab handles.

Greater Trim Choices.
XA buyers had a choice of seven trim colours;Black,Saddle,White,Blue,Parchment,Dark Grey and burgundy.In contrast the XY had three trim choices.Imagine such a choice of interior trim colour today.

Fitment Of Steering Column Lock.
According to April 1972's MODERN MOTOR,the XA steering column lock was a reason for police to love that model GT."They must be getting tired of chasing GT-HOs being used in robberies."

[disco man]

Can one of the moderators tell me why this thread has been moved?As far as i know this is not political and should not be offensive to anyone or breaking any rules in terms of a chat around the campfire,talking about cars around the campfire is a pretty common subject matter.Any help would be great thanks:)

[d2dave]

They just need bigger tyres Garry :D

The only GT Falcon I have ever owned was a 73 Cosmic Blue JG33.


If my memory serves me correct this would then be a four door, as I think my two door was a JG66.

[pop058]

If my memory serves me correct this would then be a four door, as I think my two door was a JG66.

You are correct. The 66 was the 2 door, that is why I separated the 2 statements. My comments to Garry was referring to the coupe, where as I owned a sedan.

[boa]

[QUOTE=garrycol;2226195]Don't believe it - cannot speak for the XA but it does look like a few American Fords of the time but the XD was based on the UK Ford Granada Mk11. All following Ford Falcons were evolutions of that car.

The XA two door is a horrible looking looking car with its barge arse - really needed a bit of Charger treatment with a trimmed bum.

Likewise sitting in the front of a 4 door was like sitting in a cave with that huge intimidating dash.

Sorry - I thought it was a pretty ordinary car.

Agree re XD but what I have said is true. Having worked for Ford and still in contact with current people and during my time was involved with the clean sheet design. There was no other input. In engineering.

[CraigE]

[QUOTE=garrycol;2226195]Don't believe it - cannot speak for the XA but it does look like a few American Fords of the time but the XD was based on the UK Ford Granada Mk11. All following Ford Falcons were evolutions of that car.

The XA two door is a horrible looking looking car with its barge arse - really needed a bit of Charger treatment with a trimmed bum.

Likewise sitting in the front of a 4 door was like sitting in a cave with that huge intimidating dash.

Sorry - I thought it was a pretty ordinary car.

Agree re XD but what I have said is true. Having worked for Ford and still in contact with current people and during my time was involved with the clean sheet design. There was no other input. In engineering.

So what you are saying is the identical parts and very similar looks of the 69 Torino and the XA Coupe and earky 70s Mustangs and XA sedan were just coincidence and several designers coming up on their own with a design that already existed, by the same company they worked for? The designers were not aware of the Torino or the Mustang?
Not saying you are not on relaying what you have been told, but Really?
If it quacks like a duck.:angel::angel::angel::angel::angel:

[CraigE]

Can one of the moderators tell me why this thread has been moved?As far as i know this is not political and should not be offensive to anyone or breaking any rules in terms of a chat around the campfire,talking about cars around the campfire is a pretty common subject matter.Any help would be great thanks:)
Is it not obvious it is a Ford subject so was moved back to the Found on Rubbish Tip Forum.:o:wasntme::angel::angel:
Just kidding, I will log onto the mods forum and see if I can find out why as I am not sure atm.
While I am a Holden man I appreciate most cars, just a shame some are truly one eyed only.
Cheers

[CraigE]

Some American XA Falcon Torinos. I have also heard some were done up to look like Inteceptor replicas, the smart Americans would have done this rather than spending big $ to get an XA to the States.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/939.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/940.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/941.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/942.jpg

[disco man]

Is it not obvious it is a Ford subject so was moved back to the Found on Rubbish Tip Forum.:o:wasntme::angel::angel:
Just kidding, I will log onto the mods forum and see if I can find out why as I am not sure atm.
While I am a Holden man I appreciate most cars, just a shame some are truly one eyed only.
Cheers

Cheeky bugger:p I hear you mate,i love my Fords but there is more than a few Holdens i would love to own even some Valiant's, I guess i can appreciate any Australian muscle car.

[PhilipA]

The only GT Falcon I have ever owned was a 73 Cosmic Blue JG33.

I don't know why there is such an emphasis on the serial prefix to identify the model of a Falcon. The actual model identifier is as below.

On the ID plate there is a model number which AFAIR goes
18 =Falcon
1to 0=year model
1 =2 door 3=sedan 6 =wagon

3=500 5=Futura 7 =Fairmont 8=GT 9 =GTHO ( but only Phase 11AFAIR)

So a 1971 GT Falcon would be 18138 ( I think T=3514v) L =manual

I recall going to an Escort RS2000 display at Warringah Rats park some years ago . About 5 of 6 ID identifiers were not RS2000s at all .

The first 2 letters of the serial prefix before the body style refer to the plant of manufature JG =Australia Broadmeadows. AFAIR Brisbane Was JH. On the Falcon GT sites this seems to be mystery.

All GTs of any description were built in Broadmeadows.

Geez it has been along time since I was Ford Australia National Distribution Manager but I am pretty sure of the accuracy of the above numbers.. It's funny how myths grow.

Also a few inaccuracies in the articles

1 GT was not discontinued in XB( obvious)
2 Colours- You could get any fleet colour you liked if you paid AFAIR $200. The were called SVO( special vehicle Option) while the stock colours were RPO( Regular Production Option)

So Some GTs were painted Readymix orange , Mary Kaye Pink(Ugh). One Sydney dealer used to order these colours all the time.

Just as an aside 10% of all Falcon GTs were lease cars to Ford execs. They were some of the few who could afford the insurance. And I bet that about another 30% became dealer demos to be driven by dealer principals. They were not very succesful as a model because of the insurance and that is why they were discontinued into XC.

Regards Philip A
BTW the first airconditioned car I ever drove was a Yellow Glo XA GT Hardtop which I was given for the weekend when I was the lowly desk Jockey in Ford Brisbane Office. As it was about 38C , we drove around all weekend. I remember the spotlight relay jammed on, and I had to pull the wires.LOL. XA always had a problem with poorly designed headlight wiring which was too thin.

[disco man]

A few more bits of info on this classic ford,why focus on the XA GT you ask? I think more than enough has been said about the XW and XY GTs.

Improved Driveability.
The XA GT was as easier beast to drive and more refined than the XY version.It also handled better than the older model,aided by a wider track(1.5in wider at the rear) and a lower center of gravity.The XA was almost two inches shorter in height.The XA GT was fitted with new rear radius rods to stop axle tramp.Revised spring rates gave a softer ride yet maintained a high standard of road holding.Of course,there is a down side to these improvements for some,as the XA was not known for the tyre-smoking burnouts out of corners seen with the XY. And Ford's improvement of NVH levels through the dropping of the conspicuous shaker was a matter of personal taste."On the road it has lost some of the harshness of the old GTs,"was journalist Peter Wherrett's appraisal of the XA GT sedan after his first drive."Certainly it is no slower.If anything it is surer,more positive to handle.It's more pleasant to drive."The wider track flattens the cornering roll somewhat,allowing for slightly softer spring rates.But whatever they have done it's still a GT Falcon.

Last GT With Real Badges.
Similarly,the XB model GTs which hit the road from late 1973 used GT decals rather than badges.It's a pity that the XA GTs didn't come with the Superoo decalson the front three-quarter panels,which Ford's stylists considered kitsch and not in keeping with the car's more up-market focus.

Factory Options As Long As Your Arm.
In line with the changing buyer profile,Ford offered the 1972 and 1973 Falcon GTs with the biggest list of factory options to that point.For example the XA was the first GT model with power windows as a factory option.Other options such as wind-back sunroof,intergrated 'SelectAire' air-conditioning and power-steering were available on earlier model GTs however the take-up rate on the XA was higher.

A Safety First Approach.
High-backed bucket seats were standard in GTs.These provided a greater level of comfort for long drives,but also boosted safety for any rear-impact collision.Ford's press release listed them as,"High-backed seats with intergral head restraints."

Nothing Foggy About It.
Rear in-glass demister was standard in the XA GT.It gave drivers a good view of cars getting increasingly smaller in the mirrors......

Test Bed For The XB.
As the first of the new generations of Falcon's.the XA was effectively the test bed for the XB model.A styling fiddle is but one example.

More User Friendly Center Console.
The XA's center console was far more user friendly than earlier models,with greater storage capacity.Big deal you say?Maybe.Yet it was vital for holding 8-track cassettes in cars fitted with the optional radio/tape player.

The Mystique Of The RPO 83 Lucky Dip.
Everyone loves a lucky dip and the XA GT road cars proved to be just that.Many a buyer of a two door or a four door XA GT model in 1972 and 1973 was not aware that their pride and joy was fitted with parts originally produced for the stillborn Phase IV program.Most notable were the RPO 83 code-Regular Production Option number 83-cars built in mid 1973.The RPO 83's were 250 cars Ford quietly slipped into their production system over a period of a few months with three variances to the regular XA GTs;Holley 780cfm four-barrel carb;2.25 inch exhaust headers;and clutch slave cylinder hydraulic pipe heat shield.Then there were other competition parts produced for the Phase IV that were quietly filtered into Ford parts network or fitted to 'regular'(ie non RPO 83)GTs and other more mundane cars.Why was this done?Firstly to get rid of parts produced for the Phase IVs and enable competition chief Howard Marsden to homologate a fast and reliable group C XA hardtop ahead of it's competition debut in the 1973 manufactures championship starting August,and the centrepiece the Bathurst 1000.RPO 83 was as far as the company could realistically go in manufacturing a race homologation road car that would not stir up another media-driven controversy over hot road cars.It appears that the late Marsden successfully convinced CAMS that the parts he wanted approved for the racing XA hardtop were produced in sufficient quantities and incorporated in either the RPO 83 or 'regular' GTs,sprinkled through the later machines haphazard.Thus the development that went into the Phase IV ultimately bore fruit-with a little help from the RPO 83 and many XA GTs.Next time you're at a car show and you spot a line-up of XA GTs,ponder if any might just have some of these mysterious Bathurst bits of the stillborn Phase IV program aboard.

[101RRS]

Just a side issue on Falcons.

Was a 2 door XT Falcon Futura sold in Australia. I know that the equivalent was sold in the US but not sure about Australia.

The reason I ask is that I was a paper boy in the late 60s (probably 1969) in Wollongong selling papers in the morning before the shop opened to workers on their way to work.

I distinctly remember selling papers to guys driving new 2 door Falcon Futuras - these were RHD, had the same external and internal trim as the Aussie 4 doors. I also remember reading something about them in a car magazine around that time. These cars were basically new at the time so unlikely to be private imports and converted to rhd. I am sure they were sold as Futuras and not the 500 or Fairmont or GT.

Does anyone else have a similar recollection or am I dreaming?

Garry

[CraigE]

Not as far as I know not the XT. If they were it would have been in small batches and not manufactured here, maybe from Mexico?? Ford possibly may have brought some out for their management staff or promo, but there are no official records of them being sold here from new. There were only about 7000 of this style coupe built world wide, so quite a rare car even in the US. I know a few were brought in and converted to RHD and a few bodies changed out. I have seen a couple over the years.

Found this and this is maybe what I was thinking of, I thought it was an XY, but built for Bill Bourke. It disappeared for many years but did turn up a while back. I have it in Street Machine Magazine from either the 80s or 90s somewhere. I also believe Bills was the only one with the 427, body and panels imported and put on Aussie running gear and have heard rumours a couple more prototypes were built minus the 427 but never sold.

1968 Ford XT Falcon GT Coupe Concept Car
This was a idea by the Late Bill Bourke that was marketing manager of Ford Australia, and this showed what was to come from Ford for there Falcon GT's in models to come, like the XW ( Striping ), XY ( Rear Spoiler, Shaker Scoop & 5 Slot Wheels ) but all future models missed out on the mighty 427 Big Block V8. This car disappeared after the Australian Motor Shows of 1968,

I know many XP Futuras in 2 doors were made available here, my Uncle has had quite a few including the only factory convertible. Used to drive it around. Sad thing was a guy in WA bought it and brought it back over to Coolgardie. I was driving through Coolgardie from Kambalda one day and saw it in someones yard and had to stop. Chatting with the guy he could not get it registered in WA as they wanted to do a chassis strength test which would have likely destroyed it as the RTA here would not recognise it as a factory car as it was not mass produced and being factory had no conversion details. I think it sat there for years and rusted away. Such a shame.
Craig


Just a side issue on Falcons.

Was a 2 door XT Falcon Futura sold in Australia. I know that the equivalent was sold in the US but not sure about Australia.

The reason I ask is that I was a paper boy in the late 60s (probably 1969) in Wollongong selling papers in the morning before the shop opened to workers on their way to work.

I distinctly remember selling papers to guys driving new 2 door Falcon Futuras - these were RHD, had the same external and internal trim as the Aussie 4 doors. I also remember reading something about them in a car magazine around that time. These cars were basically new at the time so unlikely to be private imports and converted to rhd. I am sure they were sold as Futuras and not the 500 or Fairmont or GT.

Does anyone else have a similar recollection or am I dreaming?

Garry

[Chucaro]

Perhaps you saw the XR model like this one:

1967 FORD FALCON XR 2 DOOR SPORTS COUPE for sale | Trade Unique Cars, Australia (http://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/detail/cars/unique-cars/ford/falcon/220818)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/911.jpg

[CraigE]

Perhaps you saw the XR model like this one:

1967 FORD FALCON XR 2 DOOR SPORTS COUPE for sale | Trade Unique Cars, Australia (http://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/detail/cars/unique-cars/ford/falcon/220818)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/911.jpg

Same thing, would have been an import.

[Chucaro]

Just done a bit of research :)
The Facts: Built on the 30th November, 1967 in the Kansas City Ford Plant, a total of 7,053 built that year.

[101RRS]

Thanks Craig - great information. I agree a few have since been brought in and converted but would not have been done at the time by private individuals.

I suspect as you have indicated a few basic body shells and specifc bits were brought in by Ford Australia and builld as a marketing, test the water exercise. Certainly did not have any external American trim etc like Chucaro's pic had fluted guards and the American grill and tail lights.

While I thought the versions I saw were XTs - a friend's family had a four door so knew them well - it could have been any of that body shape - XP, XR, XT.

Cheers

Garry

[pop058]

IIRC, Bill Bourke's big block was a 428 Cobra Jet in an black XWGT. 427 was the SOHC motor

[PhilipA]

The Broadmeadows plant manager Don Deveson had a XA hardtop that was sent to detroit for evaluation, and the yanks returned it with a 428.

He used to drive it down the corridors in the plant on weekends and woe betide the workers in any corridor who placed the wire crates of parts too close for him to drive through.

I built an XC Fairmont GXL 351 auto for Edsel Ford 2 and it had to be walked down the line as there was no computer code for it. Manufacturing kicked up a stink but I had little choice but to build what Edsel wanted as his name was on the cars.
Regards Philip A

[disco man]

The Broadmeadows plant manager Don Deveson had a XA hardtop that was sent to detroit for evaluation, and the yanks returned it with a 428.

He used to drive it down the corridors in the plant on weekends and woe betide the workers in any corridor who placed the wire crates of parts too close for him to drive through.

I built an XC Fairmont GXL 351 auto for Edsel Ford 2 and it had to be walked down the line as there was no computer code for it. Manufacturing kicked up a stink but I had little choice but to build what Edsel wanted as his name was on the cars.
Regards Philip A

G'day Philip,What did the Americans think of the Australian Ford muscle cars? And it must have been pretty cool building a car for Edsel.

[PhilipA]

Well I think they used it in styling clinics however this was just from conversation as the styling clinic was separate to Head Office and had restricted access. Product Development was all secret secret even to senior execs from the Sales Company.

At that time I believe that the OZ Falcons were more attractive than the US ones but Detroit always stonewalled as they had a NIH attitude in Spades.

They allowed Australia to sell to RHD markets and as I stated in another post , we sold 200 falcons XA or XB to Osaka taxis, and to the West Indies. But LHD markets were forbidden and I think this went right through to now , as AFAIK we were never allowed to sell to the Middle East unlike Holden who were.

Holden sold quite a few cars to Malaysia and I had a HX and VB Commodore there. In fact when Malaysia bought in the 2 litre rule the Embassy bought all the Holden spares, and when I arrived I emailed Rare Spares who came up and bought the lot. LOL
Regards Philip A

[PhilipA]

G'day Philip,What did the Americans think of the Australian
Ford muscle cars? And it must have been pretty cool building a car for Edsel.


I used to have lunch with him a bit. He had some er unusual ideas, but you have to hand it to him, it was all his idea to make the Cobra to get rid of the last Hardtop bodies.

I thought it was a stupid idea and that such a garish thing would not sell. How wrong I was.

When I was a young lad one of my jobs was to drive Henry Ford 11 from Brisbane Airport to our regional office in a Galaxie of all things. They had really senstive brakes and I almost blotted my copybook by applying a bit hard coming to a yellow light. Nick Politis was the Regional Manager who hired me and he was in the back also.
Regards Philip A

[CraigE]

IIRC, Bill Bourke's big block was a 428 Cobra Jet in an black XWGT. 427 was the SOHC motor

Interesting there is quite a bit out there on these and as I said I did think originally that Bill Bourkes car was an XY, infact that car you are talking about was an XW GT 4 Door as you have said with a 428 Cobrajet, and is what I remember and was a 4 door not a 2 door. The 4 door XW GT was flown to the US and received the upgrades.
What is also out there and there are many photos on the net is that he did similar with an XT and a 427 but was a 2 door as a concept car, with bodies and panels brought in from detroit.
There is really little information on these cars. The pics of the XT I have seen are Australian spec front and rear end and RHD. No pictures show under the bonnet.
The XW is the one that surfaced a few years ago after thought being lost.
Would be interesting to know the actual facts around these cars.

[CraigE]

Will post some more soon including a mag article on the XW 4 door Bill Bourke Falcon, was Onyx black.
The XT is harder to find info on, though I remember something about it being dark Green, though I have also seen Gold ones, so could be wrong with the colour.

OK this is supposed to be the XT 2 door prototype
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/874.jpg

Not sure what this one is, maybe an import conversion XT
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/875.jpg

This one looks to have Aussie rear, but the rest looks US and is a RHD XR
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/876.jpg

[CraigE]

OK so here is one of the magazine articles on the XW and interview with Bill Bourke. Quite long but a thorough run down. How much is true, hearsay and fiction? Well its a magazine article so may not be all factual. Article from AMC.
I know I have another somewhere as well.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/858.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/859.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/860.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/861.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/862.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/863.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/864.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/865.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/866.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/867.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/868.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/869.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/870.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/871.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/872.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/873.jpg

[Sprint]

I don't know why there is such an emphasis on the serial prefix to identify the model of a Falcon.

The 33 denoted GT Sedan, 66 was GT Coupe, 23 IIRC was Falcon 500, 32 was Fairmont, etc, so the JG33/66 prefix is the easiest way to identify the vehicle (or the serial/VIN anyway) as being legitimate


The first 2 letters of the serial prefix before the body style refer to the plant of manufature JG =Australia Broadmeadows. AFAIR Brisbane Was JH. On the Falcon GT sites this seems to be mystery.

Because....

All GTs of any description were built in Broadmeadows.

AFAIR Brisbane Was JH.
Correct.


IIRC, Bill Bourke's big block was a 428 Cobra Jet in an black XWGT. 427 was the SOHC motor

the 427's were available as a regular pushrod engine as well as the SOHC.

If you ever want to irritate the purists, find an XR/XT/XA/XB/EB/EL GT owner and ask them why theyre a member of the Falcon GT owners club.... to pick on technicalities, the only models badged as a "Falcon GT" were XW and XY.....

[pop058]

SNIP

If you ever want to irritate the purists, find an XR/XT/XA/XB/EB/EL GT owner and ask them why theyre a member of the Falcon GT owners club.... to pick on technicalities, the only models badged as a "Falcon GT" were XW and XY.....

:confused::confused::confused: My XA had GT badges. As it was a 73, it did not have "Falcon GT" on the VIN plate (72's did), but did have badges on the front guards, boot and centre console..


On another note, I think the 4WD XY utes were all JH prefix.

[PhilipA]

On another note, I think the 4WD XY utes were all JH prefix.
That's because they were all built in Brisbane and I drove every one off the production line.

They were XY utes and when they were tested in the outback, and I remember the test ute was a Hot Orange one, the DANA 30 ?front axles bent and it cracked at the base of the A pillar.

We ordered DANA 44 axles but it took DANA 18 months to supply.

All the XY bodies were built on XY runout and stored in the back yard for about 12 months or so while we built XA .

When the axles arrived we built the XYs on the weekend so that there would be no mix up of parts and I drove them from Final Assembly to the gate. I think it took about 6 weekends to build the 433.

The story of the XY 4WD ute is interesting. Ford had a competition for the Parts reps to come up with ideas for unusual vehicles.

Tom Tarpay was a Parts rep in Brisbane and he thought of the idea that we supplied engines to Jeep, so what about the reverse, putting Jeep running gear under a Falcon. They did the research and found that it was pretty easy to do.

This is also how the SurferRoo came about.

Another side note at this time is that Jersey Stanley was a Service rep at that time also, and he later became MD of Jeep Australia for many years.

Also it was Ford Australia experience with the XY 4WD that turned them off building a 4WD Falcon as they lost heaps on the whole episode. It was also rumoured tha the XA body was not as strong as the XY body because of the long hardtop frameless doors.
Regards Philip A

[boa]

Well I think they used it in styling clinics however this was just from conversation as the styling clinic was separate to Head Office and had restricted access. Product Development was all secret secret even to senior execs from the Sales Company.

At that time I believe that the OZ Falcons were more attractive than the US ones but Detroit always stonewalled as they had a NIH attitude in Spades.

They allowed Australia to sell to RHD markets and as I stated in another post , we sold 200 falcons XA or XB to Osaka taxis, and to the West Indies. But LHD markets were forbidden and I think this went right through to now , as AFAIK we were never allowed to sell to the Middle East unlike Holden who were.

Holden sold quite a few cars to Malaysia and I had a HX and VB Commodore there. In fact when Malaysia bought in the 2 litre rule the Embassy bought all the Holden spares, and when I arrived I emailed Rare Spares who came up and bought the lot. LOL
Regards Philip A

Philip it would be good to chat over a beer. It is difficult to understand something said on a forum. When I stated design a car I was talking about the whole car not just it looks. Off course design styles and other things are looked at etc. But my statement was based on the whole car. Working out where everything fits etc. I worked for Product Development at the proving ground from 1984 to 1995 as a test driver and also in design and development. Visited the design center many times. And have seen the full scale drawings etc. It was amazing what they could do in clay. To make a vehicle look real. Some were different on each corner.
All the best Chris.

[boa]

The problem was at the early design stage each section of the design team ( Engine, Gearbox, Dashboard, Heating & Cooling, etc) All want there own space in the vehicle. Many meeting's are held. The worst to deal with were the styling people it may look nice but from an engineering point of view it won't work. Now they were interesting meetings.

[Chops]

Mine was Fire Burnt Orange,, awesome vehicle and I wish I still had it.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

This picture shows what mine looked like except the one in the pic has a white interior, whereas mine had black.

Wishing very much now Phillip, that we'd had the chance to meet down in SA now.

[Mick_Marsh]

Mine was Fire Burnt Orange,, awesome vehicle and I wish I still had it.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=84035&d=1410953858

This picture shows what mine looked like except the one in the pic has a white interior, whereas mine had black.
That looks like my boss' XA GT

[Sprint]

:confused::confused::confused: My XA had GT badges. As it was a 73, it did not have "Falcon GT" on the VIN plate (72's did), but did have badges on the front guards, boot and centre console..

As I said, it wasnt badged as a "Falcon GT", only as a GT.....

[PhilipA]

If you look at the picture the third car along is a Landau.

The story is that Bill Bourke bought a hubcap back from the states on a visit and told Product Development to design a luxury car to use the hubcaps.
The LTD and Landau were born to use the hubcaps. AFAIR they were Lincoln Town Car caps.

The LTD was a terrible thing to drive as it was a cut and shut Fairlane with about 12 inches added in to the roof and rear doors, and the floor pan.
They often had terrible vibration issues due to the extra long tailshaft.
They all had vinyl roofs as the roof extension join was plainly visible if you took off the vinyl.
We sold hardly any landaus and the rear vision was even worse than the Hardtop.
BTW , I think that car looks more like "Hot Orange" than Burnt Orange which was logically darker. Hot Orange was an Escort colour and only extra cost SVO. It was used on the Surferroo ute AFAIR.
Regards Philip A

[Chops]

The car in the pic could be a bit lighter than mine. I don't have any pics of mine unfortunately :(
Had it buffed just before I sold it, couple of dents removed etc,, you could look at the paint and it felt like you could just reach inside it,,, awesome.
Dad had the last of the LTD's, gorgeous car, but wallowed a bit, but still beautiful to drive.

[d2dave]

Nothing Foggy About It.
Rear in-glass demister was standard in the XA GT.It gave drivers a good view of cars getting increasingly smaller in the mirrors......
[/SIZE]

Incorrect. The one sitting in my shed does not have a rear screen demister.

[Chops]

Incorrect. The one sitting in my shed does not have a rear screen demister.

I knew there was a reason I wanted to call in and see you Dave,,, :D I took the long way home today too, via Swanpool/Bonnie Doon. I should have swung the other way ;)
Oh well, soon enough, have to call and see Ken too (Outback1), so maybe a little get together at your place :D. I will PM you soon.

Pretty sure though, mine had a demister from memory.

[d2dave]

I knew there was a reason I wanted to call in and see you Dave,,, :D I took the long way home today too, via Swanpool/Bonnie Doon. I should have swung the other way ;)
Oh well, soon enough, have to call and see Ken too (Outback1), so maybe a little get together at your place :D. I will PM you soon.

Pretty sure though, mine had a demister from memory.

Look forward to it. Yours probably did have a rear demister, my point being it was not standard. I am pretty sure that my XB GT also didn't have one, but that was a bit over 30 years ago when I sold it:BigCry:to buy my first home.

[bogaaaa]

I used to have lunch with him a bit. He had some er unusual ideas, but you have to hand it to him, it was all his idea to make the Cobra to get rid of the last Hardtop bodies.

I thought it was a stupid idea and that such a garish thing would not sell. How wrong I was.

When I was a young lad one of my jobs was to drive Henry Ford 11 from Brisbane Airport to our regional office in a Galaxie of all things. They had really senstive brakes and I almost blotted my copybook by applying a bit hard coming to a yellow light. Nick Politis was the Regional Manager who hired me and he was in the back also.
Regards Philip A


Did you know Tom Spowart Phillip?

[PhilipA]

Did you know Tom Spowart Phillip?

Not That I can recall.
If you give me a context eg time and place it may help.

Regards Philip A