Falcon Fever.com Australian XP Falcon 2 door Hardtop
link1-XP story
link2-XP 2-door
link3-magazine 1966
link4-Wiki
link5-specifications
link6-LastV8 The XP was the "make or break" Falcon: Ford's future in Australia depended on this car succeeding. Ford's Deputy Managing Director Bill
Bourke conceived a promotion for the new model which was a major gamble: demonstrate the XP's strength by mercilessly driving a fleet of XP Falcons
around its You-Yangs testing grounds for 70,000 miles (110,000 km) at over 70 mph.
"Short Left - Long Right"
The gamble paid off with the Falcon winning
the prestigious Wheels magazine Car of the Year award. A 3-speed automatic progressively replaced the 2-speed and front disc brakes were introduced as an option (standard on Fairmont
and Hardtop models). The XP was built from March 1965 until August 1966.
This model was also the last to see the Squire range of Ford Falcons which featured wood panels on the side of the wagons, similar to the USA based
station wagons. The Fairmont made its debut, mid-way through the model run, as the flagship of the XP Falcon range. It was offered in both sedan
and station wagon body styles, replacing the Futura sedan and Squire wagon. Unlike later examples, the XP Fairmonts carried both Falcon &
Fairmont badgework. Take Time for Ten Things
Additionally in the XP range several cars were modified by Bill Warner to install a 260ci/289ci V8 and a three speed automatic or four speed manuals. These
cars are discussed as a precursor to the GT Falcon which debuted in the next model or as XP Falcon Sprint's. |
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