Ford Falcon (North America)
The Ford Falcon is a produced since 1959 by the Ford Motor Company car model. He was first introduced in 1959 in the U.S. and Canada, and at times also produced in Argentina, Mexico and Chile. While the North American version was discontinued in 1970, passenger cars in Australia still built with the name Falcon.
The Falcon in North America
In the 1950s, the three major American automobile companies Ford, General Motors ( GM) and Chrysler, with almost every new model year, larger cars for the U.S. and the Canadian market here because large models showed a greater contribution margin and because the customer for longer time inquired always larger cars. In the sales crisis of 1958, the company noted, however, that their previous model policy no longer worked. While the big three all suffered heavy losses, AMC was with his Rambler American, the only compact car American made, very successfully. At that time, the VW Beetle was more and more buyers. Almost simultaneously presented in autumn 1959 at the launch of model year 1960 Chrysler Plymouth Valiant, the GM Chevrolet Corvair and Ford Falcon before.
In North America in the 1960s, the Ford Falcon was considered a compact car abroad rather than mid-size car. The Falcon had a six cylinder engine with a single carburetor; from 1963 there was also a desire to V8. The vehicle was a conventional design with frame and non-structural body. The chassis was similar to other Fords that time. Six passengers could sit comfortably. The car was bought as a station wagon, sedan or flatbed.
In 1964 Ford introduced the first Mustang. The Mustang was based on the Ford Falcon, but should appeal to young drivers. The Mustang took the Falcon away a significant market share since it was intended for similar purposes. From model year 1966, the second generation of the Falcon was built. This was larger than its predecessor and oriented more towards the former middle-class model of Ford, Fairlane, which was from 1966 also renewed. Almost the same chassis was used for Fairlane and Falcon, the Falcon was slightly shortened. The last North American Falcon was produced in 1970. As of 1970, there were for a short time a Falcon named simple version of the Fairlane / Torino.
In the lower price segment for which the Falcon was originally constructed, replaced him at the end of 1969, the Ford Maverick, which is related either technically or stylistically with the Falcon. As this was also available with four doors in 1971, the Falcon version of the Fairlane was adjusted.
1960: Frontenac in Canada
In 1960 a Ford Canada to Frontenac, to give the Mercury and Meteor dealers a midsize car at hand. The car only 1960 produced was essentially a Ford Falcon from the same year with 2,360 - cc six-cylinder engine, however, a different grille, taillights and other other chrome bathroom (including emblems with the Canadian red maple leaf) had. Despite good sales figures ( 5% of all sales in Canada in 1960 Ford vehicles ) the Frontenac was discontinued in 1961 and replaced by the Mercury Comet.
The Frontenac is an example of the attempts of the U.S. auto manufacturers to create slightly different from U.S. models own Canadian brands. Like the Ford models Monarch and Meteor and the Acadian GM was not assigned to the Frontenac Ford Meteor series, but was established as an independent brand and marketed so.
The Falcon in South
In Argentina, the Falcon 1961-1991 has been produced. Unlike in North America and Australia, there was this long period no model change; until recently based Argentinean Falcon on the original model of 1959. From time to time there was a facelift, so he got in 1973 rectangular headlights that did not fit so exactly to the original design. The engines were exclusively six-cylinder and had a displacement of 3000 cc and 3600, variants, it had not been so in North America since 1970.
For decades, the Argentine Falcon had indeed a constant paragraph, the numbers, however, were too low to justify the cost of a model change.
Green Falcons in Argentina got a bad reputation because of their use by state kidnapping commands during the military dictatorship of 1976 until 1983.
The Falcon in Australia
First, a slightly modified North American Falcon was sold in Australia. He was to become the main competitor of the Commodore offered by Holden. When production in North America was completed in 1970, Ford Australia continued the series continued independently. In several generations, the car was modernized and adapted to contemporary tastes. Size and basic design have remained unchanged to this day. In contrast to North America, where in 1985 the Ford Taurus appeared with front wheel drive, kept the Falcon until today the longitudinally mounted engine and rear-wheel drive.
The Falcon is offered as a station wagon, van ( panel van ), sedan or pickup truck ( Ute ). It is available with a 4000 cc six-cylinder in-line engine, and - extra charge - with a 5400 cc V8 North American origin. A diesel engine does not exist. From 1988 to 1991, a Falcon Ute by badge - engineering was offered as Nissan Ute.
Ford XF Falcon Ute rear view
The six- cylinder engine has now, after it has been converted to four-valve technology, 195 kW ( 265 hp), the eight-cylinder 290 kW ( 394 hp ). Even stronger is the sports version of Falcon XR, which is optionally available with a turbocharged six-cylinder ( XR6: 245 kW/333 hp) or with an uprated eight-cylinder ( XR8: 260 kW/354 hp).
Taxis and police cars are almost exclusively in Australia Ford Falcon.
The models XD, XE and XF (in the early 1980s to the early 1990s ) of the same body forth the last Ford Granada in Europe. In Australia, people now mostly made Holden Commodore Executive takes Ford Falcon, the larger police cars are partially Ford Falcon with attached safety cell.
In addition, the Falcon is used in the V8 Supercar series, and is riding against the Holden Commodore.
Swell
- Automobile review, catalog number 1987 ( for technical specifications )
- Zavitz, Perry R.: Canadian Cars, 1946-1984, Bookman Publishing, Baltimore, MD ( 1985), ISBN 0-934780-43-9
- Gunnell, John ( Editor): Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975, Krause Publications, Iola WI (2002), ISBN 0-87349 - 461- X