2025 AFD highlight – 1973 P4 Landau
Aussie Falcon and Fairmont hardtops from the 1970s have always been a big – and popular - part of the annual All Ford Day in Geelong. This year was no exception. As the 2025 All Ford Day coincided with the 100th Anniversary of Ford Australia, more than 1,600 cars attended – the biggest turnout in the event’s 34-year history - with spectator numbers also breaking records.
Back when it was new, as it does now, the Landau represented a niche offering. Aussie buyers looking for luxury in the 1970s tended to favour big four-door sedans, not two-door hardtops. The whole concept of a large 2-door car was foisted upon the local market by a series of American managers that led both Ford and Holden at the time. In the case of the Landau, it was a passion project of Bill Bourke, then Managing Director of Ford Australia, who also brought the almighty Falcon GT to market.
A 351 V8 and three-speed automatic was the only available driveline combination for the Landau, with the diff ratio a very tall 2.75:1. The 351 was needed, as all the luxury features made the Landau around 200kg heavier than a Falcon GT hardtop. Those luxuries included air conditioning, power windows, power steering, full carpeting (even in the boot) and a rear window demister as standard. The only listed options were leather seats and a cassette deck. Even the vinyl roof was standard.
Along with its four-door LTD sibling, the Landau also featured four-wheel disc brakes – a first for an Australian volume production car.
In addition to ‘answering-a-question-no-one-asked’, the pricing limited Landau sales. Listing for $6,950 when new, a Landau cost 30 per cent more than a Falcon GT hardtop. The optional leather trim and cassette deck added a further $500 – serious money in 1973. Ultimately, around 1,400 were built before the model was discontinued in 1976. That rarity has made the Landau very desirable today – not as sought after as a GT hardtop from the same era, but still popular. That desirability applies even more so if it’s in one of the bold 1970s colours, like the Wild Violet example pictured.
Purchased by the current owner in 2020, this Landau had been repainted in the subtler Port Wine shade by a previous owner. Stripping down the body for rust repair revealed the original paint, which according to the owner, was one of only six in Wild Violet with a white vinyl roof.
The engine has been rebuilt and stroked to 393ci to add some more oomph. Inside, the car is stock, with the white vinyl seats and doorcards offset by black carpets and a black centre console. Aircraft-style air con controls on that console are an interesting factory touch, with the instrument fascia trimmed in timber-look applique that extends to the steering wheel.
To see JUST CARS’ report from the 2025 All Ford Day, click HERE.
