| Ford Falcon (XC) Ford Fairmont (XC) | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ford Falcon 500 Sedan (XC) with GS Rally Pack | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford Australia |
| Production | July 1976 – March 1979 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size car |
| Body style | 4-doorSedan 4-doorStation Wagon 2-doorHardtop 2-doorCoupé utility 2-doorPanel van |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.3 LInline 6 4.1 L Inline 6 4.9 LClevelandV8 5.8 LCleveland V8 |
| Transmission | 3spd manual 4spd manual 3spd auto |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,819 mm (111.0 in) |
| Length | 4,866 mm (191.6 in) |
| Width | 1,900 mm (74.8 in) |
| Height | 1,369 mm (53.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,475 kg (3,251.8 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | XB Falcon |
| Successor | XD Falcon |
TheFord Falcon (XC) is afull-size car that was produced byFord Australia from 1976 to 1979. It was the third and last iteration of the third generation of theFalcon and also included theFord Fairmont (XC)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.
The XC series was a facelift of theXB Falcon, itself an upgrade of theXA Falcon which had entered production in 1972.
Introduced in July 1976, the XC included significant changes to comply with newAustralian Design Rules. ADR27A set limits for the emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen.[1] To meet the new requirements, engine compression ratios were dropped, and the engines now featured anexhaust gas recirculation valve andpositive crankcase ventilation. In order to offset power losses as a result of implementing emissions controls, Ford upgraded thesix-cylinder engines with a newcrossflow cylinder head with larger valves, and fitted all V8 engines with four-barrel carburettors. While quoted power outputs were lower than those claimed for the XB Falcon, this reflected a move fromSAE gross toDIN methodology, which measured power of the engine as installed in the car with cooling, charging and exhaust systems installed. Ford claimed power outputs for the upgraded engines were around ten per cent higher than those of their XB predecessors.[2][3]
Weight also increased significantly, from 1,385 to 1,478 kilograms (3,053 to 3,258 lb).[3] The increase was in part due to the fitting of much larger, stronger front and rear bumpers, and strengthening of the doors to comply with ADR29, which introduced strength and stiffness requirements for side-impact protection.[4]
Visually, the XC Falcon was given a restyle treatment that softened its appearance from its predecessors. The XC had a less aggressive nose which incorporated two round headlights on Falcon models and two rectangular headlights on Fairmont models. On sedan and wagon models, Ford also addressed the vision problems of the XA and XB by utilising redesigned rear doors, which debuted in May 1976 with theZH series Fairlane,[5] with a lower window line that had the effect of removing thecoke bottle styling of the XA and XB. Visibility was further improved by an all-new, lower dashboard and crash pad,[3] and higher front seats. The XC hardtop was the last of the two-door Australian Falcons.
Total production of the XC range reached 171,082 vehicles[6] prior to the replacement of the XC by theXD Falcon in March 1979.[7]
The XC Falcon range of passenger vehicles consisted of nine models:[8]
| Model | Body | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcon[9] | Sedan | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Wagon | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Falcon 500[10] | Sedan | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Wagon | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Falcon GS[11] | Hardtop | − | ● | ● | ● |
| Fairmont[12] | Sedan | − | ● | ● | ● |
| Wagon | − | ● | ● | ● | |
| Fairmont (GS)[11] | Hardtop | − | ● | ● | ● |
| Fairmont GXL[12] | Sedan | − | ● | ● | ● |
The Fairmont models were not badged or marketed as Falcons.
The XC Falcon range of commercial vehicles consisted of five models:[13]
| Model | Body | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcon | Utility[14] | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Van[15] | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Falcon 500 | Utility[14] | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Van[15] | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Falcon Sundowner | Van[16] | − | ● | ● | ● |
The contemporary Fairlane and LTD models were codenamed ZH, and P6 respectively.
| Model | Body | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZH Fairlane 500[17] | Sedan LWB | − | − | ● | ● |
| ZH Fairlane Marquis[18][19] | Sedan LWB | − | − | ● | ● |
| P6 LTD[20][21] | Sedan XLWB | − | − | − | ● |
| P6 LTD Silver Monarch[20][21] | Sedan XLWB | − | − | − | ● |
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Fairmont GXL
Unique to the XC model was the GXL version of the Fairmont, Available in 4.1LStraight 6, or 4.9LCleveland V8. An upgraded engine package, the GT Power Pack, used the larger 5.8LCleveland v8. The Fairmont GXL was replaced in the following XD range with the Fairmont Ghia model.[22]
GS Rally Pack
A GS Rally Pack was fitted as standard equipment on the Falcon GS Hardtop[13] and was available as an option on Falcon 500 Sedan and Wagon,[13] Fairmont Sedan and Wagon,[13] Falcon Utility and Van[23] and on Falcon 500 Utility and Van.[23] The pack included special paint treatment, bonnet scoops, bumper overriders, slotted steel wheels, enhanced instrumentation, a sports steering wheel and long range driving lights.[13] The driving lights were not included when the pack was fitted to Fairmont models.[13]
In December 1977, 12 special-build XC hardtops were released, all with VINs beginning JG65TE. These were based on the GS hardtop but featured an homologation pack of additional parts that Ford persuaded CAMS was now available as standard on GS hardtops, in order to include those parts on their race cars. The pack included front and rear spoilers, twin electric radiator fans, various body and steering braces for durability and stiffness, and a reverse bonnet scoop that supplied cool air to the engine via a circular hole in the bonnet. This homologation pack would also form the basis of the 30 Option 97 "Bathurst Cobras" the following year.
Ford Falcon Cobra
In August 1978, Ford Australia introduced the limited productionFalcon Cobra, a high-performance version of the XC Falcon Hardtop. Only 400 were built, including 4.9-litre and 5.8-litre street versions and 30 "Bathurst Specials".[24][25]
Allan Moffat Special
In 1977, a limited number (500) of the Falcon 500 sedan were marketed as Allan Moffat Specials. These cars received XB GT-style blackouts and a sticker on the front doors consisting of Allan Moffat's signature and an Australian flag, as well as other options such as the GS Rally pack and Sports handling suspension as standard.[26]
Sundowner Van
The Falcon Sundowner Van, based on the Falcon 500 Van, was introduced in 1977. It included options from the Falcon GS Hardtop, such as comprehensive instrumentation, bonnet scoops, slotted sports road wheels and driving lights, with side protection moulding's and rear side glass deleted. Side and rear decals were included in the package.
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At the1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000,Allan Moffat andColin Bond droveGroup C specification Hardtops to a "1, 2" formation finish. Moffat later went on to win the1977 Australian Touring Car Championship driving both an XB Falcon GT Hardtop and XC Falcon GS 500 Hardtop.The GS 500 Hardtop formed the basis for theFord Falcon Cobra and a customer racing program, with a special "Evolution" (and later Evo II) package to homologate parts.
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