XP Falcon

The XP was the last facelift of the original Falcon and featured an aggressive, squared off look to the front end and more solid styling overall. The development of the car over the years since its introduction paid off, and the XP was very well regarded by the press of the time, now more than capable of matching its competitors and winning ‘Wheels’ magazines Car of the Year award for 1965. Also introduced with the XP was the first Fairmont, the prestige model in the Falcon range, fitted out with all the latest luxury features.



The XP was manufactured between March, 1965 and September, 1966. 70,998 were produced.

XA GT - A New Direction

In December 1971, production of the all new ‘Australian’ designed XA range of Falcons commenced and in keeping with tradition, a GT was included in the model range. Changes from the previous model were dramatic, with totally new and much sleeker body work covering only a mildly revised floor pan and mechanicals. Externally and internally, the XAGT was completely different from its predecessors in the way it looked and felt. Gone was the blunt, hard-edged styling that was first introduced with the XR range, being replaced with a much softer and smoother aerodynamic package.
Whilst the new model maintained the 111 in. wheelbase of the XY, the new XAs included increases in overall length (1.9 in.), width (1.2 in.), front track (1.6 in.), rear track (1.5 in.) and weight (14 lbs.). The only dimensional decreases, were to the overall height (1.9 in.) and ground clearance (0.75 in.).
To help distinguish the XAGT from other models in the range, the designers added functional bonnet scoops, fake air intakes on the front guards, bonnet blackouts and a black accent line that ran along the sills, over the guards and around the back of the car to include the rear indicator assemblies. In standard form, the quarter window was also removed, however you could order your car with quarter vents, if you liked.
As with the exterior, the interior also came in for some dramatic changes. Initially noticeable was the new wrap around style dash, which gave the driver the impression of sitting in the cockpit of a plane. The instrument panel was dominated by the large 140 MPH speedo and 8000 RPM tacho, with ancillary gauges for fuel, oil pressure, water temperature and battery charge located above. The new seats were of a high-backed design, which gave greater support and provided a built-in headrest.

Mechanically, the XAGT was almost identical to the XYGT when it was introduced, using the same fully imported 351 4V cleveland engine, although the 302 and 351 2V Cleveland V8 engines being put into the lesser models, were now being locally manufactured. Gearbox and differential combinations also remained the same, as did the front disc/rear drum setup, although the XAs now incorporated the brake proportioning valve setup previously found on the Phase II & III GTHOs. In keeping with the changes to the appearance and to help take advantage of the wider track, the suspension settings were softened to give a ride that was both less harsh and quieter.
The standard 16 gallon fuel tank found in the XY range was increased to 17.5 gallons for the XA, with the 36 gallon unit still being an option for the XAGT only. Standard wheels for the XAGT returned to the ‘12 slot’ design previously found on the early XWGTs but now being manufactured by ROH here in Australia. Tyres were still the ER 70 x 14 HR size Dunlop SP Sport (Aquajets) radial ply tyres. As with the XY Ford also continued the “Sports Road Wheels” as an option.
While the overall performance figures for the new GT were much the same as it’s predecessor, with a top speed of (122-129 MPH) and quarter mile times (15.1-15.8 sec.) there was actually an improvement over the XYGT in the 0-100 MPH tests, with the XAGT recording times around a second quicker (18.7-19.2 sec). Testers of the day put this improvement down to the new slippery shape.

The XAGT – HARDTOP
If the public were impressed with the new four door version of the XAGT, the two door version really knocked their socks off. Not since the XM-XP Falcon range had Ford produced a two door Falcon, however with the success of the Monaro and Charger, Ford needed a competitor to gain needed sales.
Dimensionally, the two door was the same as the four door, except for three areas; height (2 in. lower), width (3 in. wider) and weight (15 lbs. heavier). The extra width came at the rear wheel arches, which were aching for a decent set of wide wheels and tyres. Following the demise of the Phase IV, this was obviously going to be the weapon of choice for all Ford drivers.

Cosmetically, there was little difference – apart from the obvious – between the two models, however the rear of the hardtop was sharply chopped and tail lights were of a recessed design. Production of the XAGTs commenced in December 1971 for the four door models and July 1972 for the two door models, with production for both ceasing in September 1973. Total production of XAGTs was 2759, with 891 of these being hardtops.

XP Falcon (1965-66)

As promised, Ford was given its own test track. Just west of Melbourne, the You Yangs was chosen as the location. Coarse surfaces, lumpy jumps and a nasty hairpin bend were created. It was a tortuous road designed to test a car’s dynamics.While You Yangs was still being designed, the XP prototypes were tested at Eyre Peninsula.

In April 1965, two months after the XP Falcon was released, Ford marketing staged a very risky stunt. The plan was to run a durability trial using five standard XPs, travelling day and night for 8 days and clocking up 70 000 miles along the new You Yangs proving ground.The dangerous and scary circuit was all curves and the drivers needed to average 70mph a lap. Tyres kept wearing out, and the drivers often lost control, slamming into boulders and brick walls; several of the cars rolled. The public was hooked and the event was featured every night on the news.

The cars successfully racked up the 70 000 miles in 8 3/4 days. They were bruised and battered but the mechanics still went like clockwork. The public was impressed, and the Falcon began to sell in large numbers. Suddenly, fleet buyers became interested again, and XP won Wheels Car of the Year.Improvements included more changes to the front and rear suspension, steering and ride & handling. The body was strengthened and a new Borg Warner 3 speed automatic was introduced.

Visual changes consisted of a flatter bonnet, raised front fenders, a wrap around bumper and horizontal bar-type grille.Inside, legroom was increased, the seats were widened and in the boot, the spare tyre was relocated, addressing complaints from earlier models.In September 1965, the Fairmont name was born. Replacing the Futura sedan and the Squire, it was available as a sedan or wagon, to compete with Holden’s new Premier. Fairmont came with reclining bucket seats, the Super Pursuit engine with 3 speed auto, and front disc brakes, a first for an Australian built car.