Ford Falcon (XL)

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Ford Falcon (XL)
Ford Falcon XL Sedan.jpg
Ford Falcon Deluxe Sedan (XL)
Overview
Manufacturer Ford Australia
ProductionAugust 1962 – February 1964
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size car [1]
Body style 4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
2-door coupé utility
2-door panel van
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine 2.4 L (144 cu in) Falcon Six I6
2.8 L (170 cu in) Falcon Six I6
Transmission 3-speed manual
2-speed Fordomatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,781 mm (109.5 in) [2]
Length4,602 mm (181.2 in) [2]
Width1,778 mm (70.0 in) [1]
Height1,384 mm (54.5 in) [1]
Curb weight 1,106–1,135 kg (2,438–2,502 lb) [2]
Chronology
Predecessor Ford Falcon (XK)
Successor Ford Falcon (XM)

The Ford Falcon (XL) is a mid-size car which was produced by Ford Australia from 1962 to 1964. It was the second iteration of the first generation of this Australian-made model.

Contents

Overview

The Falcon XL was introduced in August 1962, [3] replacing the Falcon XK which had been in production since 1960. [4] Visual changes from the XK included a new convex grille, bumper mounted park/turn lights, new taillights, and a revised, squared off roofline (on the sedans) which was promoted as the “Thunderbird roofline”. [5] Other changes included a new manual gearbox (although it was still a three-speed unit), new clutch, new starter motor, new air cleaner, new suspension system and a new carburettor. [5]

Both of the engines from the XK were retained; a 144 cu in (2,360 cc) Falcon Six inline-six, which produced 67 kW (90 hp; 91 PS) and an optional 170 cu in (2,786 cc) version of the Falcon Six, which produced 75 kW (101 hp; 102 PS). [2] Pricing started at £1,070 ($2,140 AUD) for a base model Falcon. [6]

Model range

The Falcon XL range included four-door sedan and five-door station wagons. [7] The luxury Futura Sedan and Squire Wagon models were new for the XL series, [5] the latter featuring simulated woodgrain side and rear panels. [8] Commercial vehicle derivatives were available in two-door coupe utility and two-door panel van body styles with the latter marketed as the Falcon Sedan Delivery. [9]

Models were marketed as follows:

Production

The Falcon XL was replaced by the Ford Falcon (XM) in February 1964, [14] production having totalled 75,765 units. [3]

Motorsport

A Falcon XL driven by Bob Jane and Harry Firth was “first across the line” in the 1962 Armstrong 500, with the first four places in Class B filled by Falcon XLs. [15]

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1952 Ford car model

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1955 Ford car model

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1960 Ford car model

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Ford Fairmont (Australia)

The Ford Fairmont is a full-size car that was built by Ford Australia as an upmarket model of the Ford Falcon from 1965 to 2008. It featured a higher level of standard equipment than corresponding Falcon models of the same series. As well as offering a more luxurious interior trim with additional comfort and convenience features, for much of its first 25 years the Fairmont also offered a higher mechanical specification; a larger capacity engine and refinements such as disc brakes, power steering and automatic transmission that were extra cost options for the Falcon were fitted as standard equipment for the Fairmont. It was available as a four-door sedan throughout its life, as a five-door station wagon from its introduction through to 2002, and as a two-door hardtop from 1972 to 1978.

Ford Falcon (XK)

The Ford Falcon (XK) is a mid-sized car that was produced by Ford Australia between 1960 and 1962. It was the first of seven generations of this Australian-made model, produced until 2016.

Ford Falcon (XM)

The Ford Falcon (XM) is a mid-size car that was produced by Ford Australia between February 1964 and February 1965. It was the third iteration of the first generation of the Australian-made Ford Falcon.

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 Falcon (XW)

The Ford Falcon (XW) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1969 to 1970. It was the third iteration of the second generation of this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Futura (XW) and the Ford Fairmont (XW)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

Ford Falcon (XY) Car produced by Ford Australia

The Ford Falcon (XY) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1970 to 1972. It was the fourth and last iteration of the second generation of this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (XY)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

Ford Falcon (XA)

The Ford Falcon (XA) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1972 to 1973. It was the first iteration of the third generation of this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (XA)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

Ford Falcon (XB)

The Ford Falcon (XB) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1973 to 1976. It was the second iteration of the third generation of this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (XB), the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

Holden EJ

The Holden EJ is a motor vehicle produced by General Motors-Holden's in Australia from 1962 to 1963. Introduced in July 1962, the EJ replaced the Holden EK series.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "1962 Ford Falcon Sedan 144 Six 3-speed (XL) (model since August 1962 for Australia ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "1962 Ford (Australia) XL-series Falcon Base Sedan all versions specifications and performance data". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  3. 1 2 AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 32
  4. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 11
  5. 1 2 3 Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 86
  6. "XL Ford Falcon (1962-64)". Ranleys. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  7. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, pages 34–40
  8. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 40
  9. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, pages 44–45
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ford Falcon sedan and station wagon brochure (DM26-7/62), Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Ltd
  11. The Ford Falcon sedan and station wagon brochure (DM26-7/62) uses the term Futura Sedan but shows that the model also carried Falcon badging
  12. 1 2 1962 Ford Falcon XL utility brochure, www.oldcarbrochures.org Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 23 April 2015
  13. 1962 Ford Falcon XL sedan delivery Brochure, www.oldcarbrochures.org Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 23 April 2015
  14. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 46
  15. "1962 Armstrong 500". Unique Cars and Parts. Retrieved 20 December 2014.