Feb 11: Ford Falcon - humble beginnings

Ford Falcon. Oh, such humble beginnings. Way back in 1960, each of the Big Three domestic car manufacturers introduced a small car. At least small for their times, as nowadays these cars would be considered almost full sized. The Falcon, plain Jane, but practical, was a sales success and eventually, its underpinnings would be the basis for a car called the Mustang. Remember it? But that is an entirely other story. Ford also sold the Falcon in Australia, as Ford and GM (Holden) were the strong local players. Eventually the Falcon in North American was replaced by the Maverick. End of story?

Nope! The Falcon in Australia was a popular car and a name to build on. It morphed into a full sized car, basically only sold on the island. But Aussie is a small market and I wonder how it managed to support these home grown cars (Holden as well) for so many years, developing new bodies and drive trains. I guess others wondered the same thing, since recently both Ford and GM have announced the end of their Aussie specific cars and production. But back to the Falcon.

Along the way, the Falcon family car got a top line performance model. A model with better handling and usually a six or V8 option. A car to wreck havoc on those long cross country jaunts. An example........

Or an even more extreme version........

We also sold a Cobra in North America, but ours was based on the Mustang. 

Remember Mad Max? Of course you do. So what nutball creation did he turn to, when his country went sideways? Take a look......

The ultimate Falcon? Well, we'll see.

So Ford continued along, developing the full sized Falcon over the years............. 

Each new model, also had a hot rod variant, to keep that hot Aussie blood flowing.

But this is 2016 and things have changed. Announcements have been made and these home market cars will exist no longer. What's next? Probably the European Mondeo (our Fusion) will wear the Falcon badge, but don't expect an extreme model like Falcon has had over the years.

Check out the most up to date versions, the XR6 and the XR8.........

  

Basically the same car, but as you have probably figured out for yourself, one is a six and the other a V8. The original Ford Falcon had a Ranchero version (a car based pick-up).............

........and while we dropped our version, the Aussies continued on with theirs, even making sure that you didn't lose the big motor that, you had grown so attached to..........

But now their story is coming to an end. Like any smart manufacturer, Ford is giving the Falcon a royal send off, well, maybe not a royal one, but definitely a much quicker one. This swan song will again be available in both a six and an eight. Going back to a Falcon name from almost the beginning, Ford will produce a limited number of Sprint models.........

Classier looking than Mad Max's crazy car, but maybe not too far off, when comparing the horsepower. How about the raunchiest six pushing out 496 HP! Or the V8 churning out......(wait for it)......536 HP! Now, this will make for one raucous going away party. Betcha no Mondeo or Fusion will be that crazy.

Ah, those Australians, you gotta love them.

Until next time.......