Ford Falcon (XP)

Ford XP Falcon

1965-66 Ford XP Falcon Super Pursuit Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer Ford Australia
Also called Ford XP Fairmont
Production February 1965 – September 1966
Body and chassis
Body style 4 door sedan
4 door station wagon
2 door hardtop
2 door coupe utility
2 door panel van
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine 144ci (2.3L) Straight-6 OHV
170ci (2.8L) Straight-6 OHV
200ci (3.3L) Straight-6 OHV
Transmission 3spd manual
2spd "Fordomatic"automatic
3spd automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2781mm
Length 4658mm
Width 1781mm
Height 1420mm
Curb weight 1175kg
Chronology
Predecessor Ford XM Falcon
Successor Ford XR 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. Some of the Utility and Wagon 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:

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

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


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. ↑ 1.0 1.1 AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, page 62
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 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. ↑ 4.0 4.1 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