1972 XA Ford Falcon
The XA was offered in a large range of body styles, from the Falcon through the Falcon 500, Futura, Fairmont and the mighty GT. The buyer also had a large range of engines, transmission and suspensions to choose, as Ford offered an XA to cater for virtually every need. The XA was a big car and certainly was a handful to drive and park!
Launched in February 1972, the Ford XA was a classic Seventies car with bold and brash styling, numerous body styles and just a touch of class.
The XA was offered in a large range of body styles, from the Falcon through the Falcon 500, Futura, Fairmont and the mighty GT. The buyer also had a large range of engines, transmission and suspensions to choose, as Ford offered an XA to cater for virtually every need.
The XA was a big car and certainly was a handful to drive and park!
The first Falcon to be designed and built in Australia, the XA heralded the return of a two-door hardtop body style - no doubt inspired by the Holden HQ Monaro coupe and Chrysler's Valiant R/T Charger. Ford Australia were forced to design the XA in-house as the US Falcon it had based on since the model's inception was dropped from the US Ford lineup. As it was Ford Australia's top selling model, it was essential that it continue.
The XA featured an all new body that was much rounder than its predecessors. The wide grille consisted of horizontal lines that came to a point in the centre. There were six individual tail lights. For the first time Ford used a longer wheelbase for the wagons (and Fairlane), over the sedans. Inside, the XA featured fully reclining, high-back bucket seats and optional T-bar auto and "sports" centre console. There was a new wrap around instrument panel and the two piece tailgate was also welcomed. It could be opened either downwards or to one side.
Five transmissions were offered, with the base 200ci (3.28L) model available with three-speed manual or automatic. The 250ci(4.1L) was offered with three or four-speed manual gearbox or auto. The 302ci (4.95L) V8 was available with three or four speed manual or auto, while the 351ci (5.75L) V8 was mated to either a four-speed manual or auto gearbox.
The Hardtop version was introduced six months after the XA's debut, but was never particularly successful. However, the XC Hardtop was part of one of the most famous Mount Panorama victories with an historic one-two win in 1977.
In brief: XA Falcon:
Introduced: February 24th, 1972
Model range: Sedan, 500 Sedan, Futura sedan, Fairmont sedan, station wagon, 500 station wagon, Fairmont station wagon, 500 Hardtop, Fairmont Hardtop, utility, 500 utility, van.
Engines: 3.28-litre six cylinder, 4.1-litre six cylinder, 4.95-litre eight cylinder, 7.75-litre eight cylinder.
Transmissions: Three-speed manual gearbox for six cylinder models, four-speed manual for 250 six cylinder and V8 models, 2x 3 speed automatics.
Suspension: front: independent with coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers, stabiliser bar.
Rear: Live axle, semi elliptic springs with hydraulic shock absorbers.
Steering: Recirculating ball; ratio 20:1. Optional power steering.
Brakes: Front: Hydraulic operation, 10-inch drums (11.25-inch power assisted discs standard on Futura and Fairmont. Optional all other models).
Prices at new: $2,750 (Falcon sedan), $3,290 (Futura sedan), $3,770 (Fairmont sedan). $4,010 (Fairmont wagon), $3,925 (Fairmont Hardtop).
Identification: All new body, more rounded than the XR-XY series, grille had horizontal lines, coming to a point in the centre.
Total number built: 129,473
(152,609 incuding GT models)
