Ford Falcon (XP)

The Ford Falcon (XP) is a mid-sized car produced by Ford Australia from 1965 to 1966. It was the fourth and last iteration of the first generation of this Australian-made model, and also included the Ford Fairmont (XP), the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

Ford XP Falcon
Ford Falcon Deluxe Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Australia
Also called	Ford XP Fairmont
Production	March 1965 – September 1966
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size car
Body style	4 door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door hardtop 2 door Utility (Ute) 2-door panel van
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	144 ci (2.3L) Straight-6 OHV 170 ci (2.8L) Straight-6 OHV 200 ci (3.3 L) Straight-6 OHV
Transmission	3-speed manual 2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,781 mm (109.5 in)
Length	4,658 mm (183.4 in)
Width	1,781 mm (70.1 in)
Height	1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Curb weight	1,175 kg (2,590.4 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford XM Falcon
Successor	Ford XR Falcon

Introduction

The XP Falcon was introduced in March 1965,[1] replacing the XM Falcon which had been in production since 1964. It was the final series of the first-generation Falcon which had been introduced as the XK Falcon in 1960. The main change from the XM was the 'torque box' steel subframe which added structural rigidity to the car. This was a key in improving the public perception of the car, as the early models were considered flimsy and were unpopular with Australian fleet buyers.

The running gear and most other components stayed the same from the XM through to the XP. All of the utility, sedan delivery, and taxi/police kit vehicles had five-lug 13-inch wheels and larger 10-inch drum brakes, as had all previous commercial models. Commercials had always had lower-ratio differentials (4.00:1) and larger 6.70 x 13 tyres.

The high-end Fairmonts, which were released by Ford Australia as a means of competing with Holdens Premier came with 14-inch four-lug wheels to accommodate the standard disc brakes on this model, whereas other models had 13-inch wheels if disc brakes were not optioned. Both Fairmonts and Futuras (including Futura hardtops) featured bucket seats, however only the Futura models had a center console,

The 200 ci Super Pursuit engine initially in four-main bearing form and finally with the imported seven-main bearing unit, three-speed automatic transmission, and a padded dash along with carpets, perforated, colour-matched headlining, blower heater, screen washers, chrome-plated interior mirror, seven interior door-operated lights, and a handbrake on warning light flasher as standard. Vacuum-assisted disc brakes were standard in the Fairmont only and optional on other sedan and hardtop models.

The XP Falcon shared the same front panels (bonnet and front guards) as the 1960-63 Mercury Comet.

Model range

The XP Falcon passenger car range was initially offered in four-door sedan, two-door hardtop, and five-door station wagon body styles marketed as:

• Falcon Standard Sedan[2]
• Falcon Standard Wagon[2]
• Falcon Deluxe Sedan[2]
• Falcon Deluxe Hardtop[2]
• Falcon Deluxe Wagon[2]
• Falcon Futura Sedan[2]
• Falcon Futura Hardtop[2]
• Falcon Squire Wagon[2]

In September 1965, the Falcon Futura Sedan and Falcon Squire Wagon were replaced by two new Fairmont models[3] marketed as:

• Fairmont Sedan[2]
• Fairmont Wagon[2]

The XP Falcon commercial vehicles range was offered in two-door coupe utility and two-door panel van body styles marketed as:

• Falcon Standard Utility[4]
• Falcon Deluxe Utility[4]
• Falcon Sedan Delivery[5]

• 
  Ford XP Falcon sedan
• 
  Ford XP Falcon sedan
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Deluxe sedan
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Deluxe sedan
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Deluxe wagon
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Deluxe wagon
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Deluxe hardtop
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Deluxe hardtop
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Futura hardtop
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Futura hardtop
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Squire wagon
• 
  Ford XP Fairmont sedan
• 
  Ford XP Fairmont sedan
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Standard utility
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Standard utility with Australian Army specification canvas canopy
• 
  Ford XP Falcon Deluxe utility
• 
  Ford XP Falcon sedan delivery

Production and replacement

Production of the XP Falcon range totaled 70,998 vehicles[1] prior to its replacement by the XR Falcon in September 1966.[6] A total of 93 XP Falcon Squire wagons were produced between February and August 1965.

References

1. AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, page 62
2. Ford XP Falcon sales brochures as reproduced in AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, pages 62–83
3. Norm Darwin, The History of Ford in Australia, 1986, page 158
4. Ford XP Falcon Utility sales brochure Retrieved on 27 January 2011
5. Ford XP Falcon Sedan Delivery sales brochure Retrieved on 27 January 2011
6. AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, page 84

External links

• XP Falcon