Thread: Ford Falcon XA GT Hardtop And Four Door.

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.

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."

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

Originally Posted by pop058

They just need bigger tyres Garry

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.

Originally Posted by d2dave

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.

[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.

[quote=boa;2226340]

Originally Posted by garrycol

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.

Originally Posted by 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

Is it not obvious it is a Ford subject so was moved back to the Found on Rubbish Tip Forum.
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