Farewell to Falcon: Back to where it all began

We head to Cape Catastrophe, the birthplace of Ford Australia’s most significant Falcon

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WHO ARE WE EXACTLY?

[roblock]

Currently restoring an XM sedan in New Zealand. Amazed at the number of after market and repo parts that are available. Good on Ford for releasing a RHD Mustang because we all know what car the Mustang was developed from, so in some ways the Falcon lives on

[GMTabone]

I had a 2 door XM Coupe with a 200 motor a total re build bare metal re spray in Vermillion Orange ( HOGT Colour) wide black rims with chrome fat dress rims, I loved it.
I wish I'd never sold it, I got $4500 for it and bought an XR Fairmont with a 289 V8 what a sweetheart that was. My cars today would sell for 100's of 1000's $$$.
I still have all the photographs.

[downcomesthenight]

One of the best end-of-production videos of the falcon I've seen so far. Fantastic work, really enjoyed it.

[michaeltrevethan]

I'm glad I bought one of the last XR6 Turbo Utes to roll off the line - Sadly missed

[bossfrostyfordfan]

And 2 years later it won its last championship in its last season for V8 Supercar racing fair well Its been Falcon great

[masteryoda]

Great video, it’s sad Ford closed down its manufacturing in Australia, the Falcon was getting better and better.

I have had a few Falcons, and it has to be said whilst Ford did make some good Falcons, they made some duds as well. Some good Falcons were the XB, XE and later the EL, BA and FG, some dud ones were the XF and EA.

But I will say Falcons are one the most comfortable cars to drive, and Ford produced some great six cylinder engines especially the 4.1 and 4.0 on line sixes, very smooth, they revved nice and hard, and had lots of power.

The best Ford I ever drove was the BA XR6 (non turbo), smooth, powerful, it had ice cold air conditioning, and the seats were comfortable and very supportive.

[daman]

I currently own a 98 el wagon which I absolutely love, especially the room it provides. Sadly its starting to get old now so I'll be trading up to a good secondhand fg soon, this will be my last falcon and I'm deeply saddened there won't be anymore made. I love the big Aussie falcon always have, always will. Don't know what I'll get when my next falcon is too old?? Shame they didn't make an fg sportswagon.

[tpolestarcyan]

The good thing about Ford of AU is the Falcon name is ditched rather than renaming their Mondeo (ie. keeping the Mondeo name)

[Joe]

A Sad day for Australia. That Ford Falcon Australia is gone.

[DESTRUCTO]

Proud owner of an EF series 2 falcon gli with 103000km on the clock

[jrwa]

I own a 2010 FG Falcon G6E Turbo.. a totally brilliant local yes I agree its a sad time for the Falcon

Im pro aussie product when i have a choice given the job u save could well be your own!!!

I dont know if things could be done differently over time?

The biggest drama was the perception that a Falcon just wasnt good enough for the Jones', even a top line one...top end of town wanted a flash-as import something ya neighbor didn't have or the Cops and taxis drove!...we've gone from wanting the same as everyone else to wanting something different!!

The fact that they aren't built land cruiser reliable and tough, with a rather iffy indifferent Ford service & warranty thrown in, guaranteed their obsolescence.

A new Nameplate usually inspires a new market response which is probably why the Everest was not named the outgoing Territory..learning!

The Ranger/Everest are well thought out global challengers, that now smacks the competition for specification and reliability!! so it can be done..shame its just not built here then exported as well!

Ford could have stood proud against the Toyota Landcruiser if it got serious and diesel powered a locally engineered and assembled F150 back in the late seventies and on... that Ford Tough reputation would still be living on today as it is in the US, even against Toyotas constant reliable onslaught.

Ford builds great stuff everywhere, the GT40, Mustang, F trucks/Raptor, Focus RS and they sell cause they're relevant and Desirable..

Everything that sells in this country is now manufactured overseas and has a global focus....shame we will lose the know how before we finally figure out that was the answer all along... manufacture a product that will be desired by all who behold it...world wide!! Now the yanks control directly..remember its still an American Company.

[johnmoyle]

AU Falcon for the win. The AK-47 of the automotive world.

[noelgibson]

I had the XE in a V8 4-9- nice comfortable car, but became rust bucket. I had to have it junked.
Sales and popularity peaked with XE and XF- then underwent a gradual slide.
I was looking forward to seeing what Ford Oz would produce after Falcon- but now we'll never know.
I like the diesel Territory and may buy a used example when they become more reasonably priced.
No more local cars lock em away. They'll be worth some serious coin one day.

[tba]

I have owned every model Falcon since XD. I have kept most of them. 26 in my collection. Have I bought any other car since FGX, No. a question that keeps getting asked, who killed manufacturing in Australia and anyone you speak too has a different opinion, but imho Australians killed manufacturing in our own country.

[jamesmcgrath]

Farewell Falcon. regardless of theca's being out of production. I'll choose my FG XR6 over any Mercedes or BMW or Toyota, the idiots we know as Soccer mums can have those lol

[leopoldonotarianni]

My favourite falcon in styling
XP Falcon Futura hardtop

The peak of the muscle car in Falcons.
Falcon GT HO Phase III XY

Most sporting looking
Falcon GT hardtop XB or Falcon Cobra XC hardtop

Most unique
Falcon Squire Wagon XL XM XP

Slowest selling
XM Falcon

Most awarded
XP and XR Falcon
BA Falcon

Largest Falcon
XA to XC Falcon wagon

First Falcon To outsell Holden
XB falcon for one month December 1973.
XC Falcon for annual sedan and wagon sales 1977
XE Falcon overall sales including commercials 1982

Most changed mechanically
EA26 Falcon
AU Falcon

Largest selling Falcon models
AU Falcon
XF Falcon
EA Falcon
XB Falcon
XC Falcon
BA Falcon
XE Falcon

[jok]

The Mustang is a disappointment it has too much bling for our market, too loud Ford should be proud of the falcon long live the falcon.