Ford XA Falcon
 |
| Ford XA Falcon 500 Sedan with Grand Sport Rally Pack |
Ford XA Falcon
|
|
Overview
|
|
Manufacturer
|
Ford Australia
|
Also
called
|
Ford XA Futura
Ford XA Fairmont
Ford Ranchero (South Africa)
|
Production
|
March 1972-September 1973
|
Body and chassis
|
|
Body
style
|
4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
2-door hardtop
2-door coupe utility
2-door van
|
Layout
|
FR layout
|
Related
|
Ford ZF Fairlane
|
Powertrain
|
|
Engine
|
3.3L (200ci) 6-cyl (130 bhp)
4.1L (250ci) 6-cyl (155 bhp)
4.1L (250ci) 6-cyl (170 bhp)
4.9L (302ci) V8 (240 bhp)
5.8L (351ci) V8 (260 bhp)
5.8L (351ci) V8 (300 bhp) (GT only)
|
Transmission
|
3-speed manual
4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
|
Dimensions
|
|
Wheelbase
|
2,819 mm (111.0 in)
|
Length
|
4,737 mm (186.5 in)
|
Width
|
1,900 mm (74.8 in)
|
Height
|
1,369 mm (53.9 in)
|
Curb
weight
|
1,369 kg (3,018 lb)
|
Chronology
|
|
Predecessor
|
Ford XY Falcon
|
Successor
|
Ford XB Falcon
|
Model Features
The XA featured an entirely new body which was larger and more roomy than that of its XY series predecessor. The XA range also had a longer list of options and a wider choice of engines with the 4.1-litre six now available with either a single or double venturi carburettor. Wagons now featured a longer wheelbase than the sedans and an optional dual-action tailgate that could be opened either downwards or sideways.
The addition of a two-door Hardtop to the range marked the first time that this body style had been offered on an Australian Falcon since the XP series of 1965–1966. The Hardtop's longer doors with frameless windows were shared with the Utility and Van, with a different shape glass to suit the commercial vehicles' body apertures. The shorter doors of the sedan and wagon with their framed windows were also available with optional quarter vent windows, though these were very rare. This option was discontinued in the subsequent XB and XC models.
A total of 129,473 XAs were built. While successful, the XA Falcon range proved to be short-lived as it gained a significant frontal appearance update to become the XB series in October 1973.
Model range
Sedans and Wagons were introduced in March 1972, the Hardtops in August 1972 and the Utilities and Vans in October of that year.
- Falcon Sedan
- Falcon 500 Sedan
- Futura Sedan
- Fairmont Sedan
- Falcon GT Sedan
- Falcon Wagon
- Falcon 500 Wagon
- Fairmont Wagon
- Falcon 500 Hardtop
- Fairmont Hardtop
- Falcon GT Hardtop
- Falcon Utility
- Falcon 500 Utility
- Falcon Van
|
|
||||
|
|
Grand Sport Rally Pack
A Grand Sport Rally Pack was offered on Falcon, Falcon 500 and Fairmont models.Falcon GT-HO Phase IV
 |
| Ford XA Falcon GT-HO Phase IV |
As with the previous XW and XY series Falcon GT sedans, an extra-high-performance limited-production version of the XA Falcon GT sedan, the GT-HO Phase IV, was developed by Ford Australia for homologation in Group E Series Production Touring Car racing, targeting in particular the 1972 Hardie-Ferodo 500 at Bathurst. Production of the required 200 examples was abandoned in July 1972 following intense media and political pressure, and only one production example was completed. This significant road car was manufactured in Calypso Green metallic with a white vinyl interior, and has recently been completely restored.
Additionally, three regular production Falcon GT sedans - especially painted in Brambles Red - had been in the process of being developed for racing to GT-HO specification by Ford Special Vehicles Division and were to be raced at Bathurst in 1972 by factory drivers Allan Moffat and Fred Gibson. With the abandonment of the XA Falcon GT-HO as a production car, development was immediately halted on the three race cars and they were sold off. However, one of these cars did go on to serve a life in motorsport, specifically as a rally car campaigned by Bruce Hodgson. It was later destroyed in a road accident. Although the three cars featured standard Falcon GT compliance plates, they are considered by most Ford fans to be race-prepared versions of the XA Falcon GT-HO Phase IV.
Falcon GT - RPO 83
Between April 1973 and August 1973, Ford Australia built 250 XA Falcon GTs fitted with the RPO 83 package, 130 of these being Sedans and 120 being Hardtops. RPO 83 comprised three variations from the standard XA Falcon GT, these being of a Holley 780 carburettor, 2.25 inch exhaust headers and a clutch salve cylinder hydraulic pipe heat shield. Pricing and external appearance did not vary from the standard models. The 2.25 inch exhaust headers were subsequently homologated for the XA Falcon GT for Group C Touring Car racing, including the 1973 Hardie-Ferodo 1000.Falcon 500 Superbid - RPO 77
 |
| Ford XA Falcon 500 Superbird Hardtop. Pictured in Polar White/Comic Blue with correct colour-coded wheel centres |
Motor Sport
Allan Moffat and Ian Geoghegan won the 1973 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 at Bathurst in a factory entered XA Falcon GT Hardtop and John Goss and Kevin Bartlett won the 1974 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 in a privately entered example.
|
|
Back to Ford Falcon GT
Back to Ford Falcon (Australia)
Back to Ford Australia
Last updated on 1 July 2014 at 10:45.
0 comments: