Ford XP Falcon

The Ford XP Falcon is an automobile which was produced by Ford Australia from 1965 to 1966.

Introduction

The XP Falcon was introduced in March 1965 ^[1] replacing the XM Falcon which had been in production since 1964. It was the final series of the first generation Falcon which had been introduced as the XK Falcon in 1960. The main change from the XM was the 'torque box' steel subframe which added structural rigidity to the car. This was a key in improving the public perception of the car as the early models were considered flimsy and were unpopular with Australian fleet buyers.

The running gear and most other components stayed the same from the XM through to the XP. The Utility and Wagons models had five-stud wheels for additional strength and a lower ratio differential for better low speed performance. The high end Falcon Futuras and Fairmonts came with 14 inch wheels whereas other models had 13 inch. Fairmonts featured bucket seats , the 200ci Super Pursuit engine and a padded dash as standard. Vacuum assisted brakes were standard in the Fairmont and Hardtop models.

Model range

The XP Falcon passenger car range was initially offered in 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop and 5-door station wagon body styles marketed as:

• Falcon Standard Sedan ^[2]
• Falcon Standard Station Wagon ^[2]
• Falcon Deluxe Sedan ^[2]
• Falcon Deluxe Hardtop ^[2]
• Falcon Deluxe Station Wagon ^[2]
• Falcon Futura Sedan ^[2]
• Falcon Futura Hardtop ^[2]
• Falcon Squire Station Wagon ^[2]

In September 1965 the Falcon Futura Sedan and Falcon Squire Station Wagon were replaced by two new Fairmont models ^[3] marketed as:

• Fairmont Sedan ^[2]
• Fairmont Station Wagon ^[2]

The XP Falcon commercial vehicles range was offered in 2-door coupe utility and 2-door panel van body styles marketed as:

• Falcon Standard Utility ^[4]
• Falcon Deluxe Utility ^[4]
• Falcon Sedan Delivery ^[5]

Production and replacement

Production of the XP Falcon range totaled 70,998 vehicles ^[1] prior to its replacement by the XR Falcon in September 1966. ^[6]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, page 62
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} Ford XP Falcon sales brochures as reproduced in AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, pages 62-83
3. ^ Norm Darwin, The History of Ford in Australia, 1986, page 158
4. ^ ^{a b} Ford XP Falcon Utility sales brochure Retrieved on 27 January 2011
5. ^ Ford XP Falcon Sedan Delivery sales brochure Retrieved on 27 January 2011
6. ^ AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, page 84

External links

• Dedicated site around the XP Falcon
• Falcon Torque Box Design
• XP Falcon at falconfacts.xfalcon.com
• Early Falcon Car Club of NSW
• Early Falcon Car Club of VIC
• Early Falcon Car Club of WA
• Early Falcon Car Club of QLD