EA FAlcon 1988-91

When it came time to design the all new EA Falcon, Ford Australia again looked at overseas models. The European Granada/Scorpio and American Taurus were brought to Australia. The two cars had significantly less shoulder room and the Taurus was front wheel drive.

So Ford decided to build the EA from the ground up.

Early EA prototypes resembled the Scorpio, but the car evolved into the EA we know. The computer aided design prototype was shipped to fashion conscious West Germany, to gauge people’s reactions. If the style won the hearts of the West Germans, it would quickly gain approval here. The EA was displayed with the best of them: a BMW 5 series, an Audi 100 and a Mercedes Benz 190. It was a hit with the Germans, so Ford knew it had the styling right.

The all new Falcon was launched in March 1988 to beat Holden’s bigger VN Commodore. It captured the interest of buyers and the press, and the launch was amazingly successful. But tales began to leak out of Broadmeadows about quality problems. The new hi-tech robot welder had some teething problems, some examples included a brake pedal that stayed on the floor; a metal panel holding the door mountings flexing, causing the doors to shake; and a faulty computer chip, causing trouble in the engine management system. But what the public didn’t know was that most of these problems were discovered and rectified before launch, either in the plant, or by the dealer before the car wound up in the showroom. These troubles should not have occurred, part of the reason they did was because Ford was also working hard on its new Capri.

Other early problems were the front suspension and poor paint. Ford buyers were told there were difficulties and their car would take a little longer, and this approach worked. There were record sales, despite all the bad publicity.

The sleek new Falcon had three six cylinder engines: a 3.2L, 3.9L and 3.9L multi-point. All engines had fuel injection (the 3.2 and 3.9 had the basic single-point system) and they were all overhead cam engines. The 3.9 could out-perform the old 351V8, the 3.2 could not and was dropped in December 1988. Fuel economy was good but unfortunately the Falcon was stuck with a three speed auto, or the standard 5 speed manual.

Front suspension was all new and designed to match that of the state of the art Hondas. The Watts link rear suspension was retained, despite criticism that it should have been independent rear suspension. Power rack and pinion steering was introduced and this brought a much tighter turning circle.

The sleek styling proved very popular, but it wasn’t all looks. It was aerodynamic as well, being the first Falcon to make use of wind tunnel testing.

The EA range was simplified to a sedan and wagon. Even so, a ute and van were still available, they were just the old XF design. (In 1989, XF utes were also being sold as Nissans. As part of the deal, Nissan Patrols were sold as Ford Mavericks). Inside the EA, a decent driving position could be had, as the steering was adjustable. Interior space was increased; the umbrella handbrake lived on.In October 1989, the introduction of the long-awaited four speed auto marked the Series II. Changes included a body-coloured B-pillar, firmer suspension and small interior changes.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, a special model was released. Based on the GL, it featured new side badges and Ford’s new security system - Tibbe locks with central locking. The Fairmont now got more equipment.