Ford Falcon (XL)

The Falcon XL was introduced in August 1962,[3] replacing the Falcon XK which had been in production since 1960.[4] Visual changes from the XK included a new convex grille, bumper mounted park/turn lights, new taillights, and a revised, squared off roofline (on the sedans) which was promoted as the “Thunderbird roofline”.[5] Other changes included a new manual gearbox (although it was still a three-speed unit), new clutch, new starter motor, new air cleaner, new suspension system and a new carburettor.[5]

Both of the engines from the XK were retained; a 144 cu in (2,360 cc) Falcon Six inline-six, which produced 67 kW (90 hp; 91 PS) and an optional 170 cu in (2,786 cc) version of the Falcon Six, which produced 75 kW (101 hp; 102 PS).[2] Pricing started at £1,070 ($2,140 AUD) for a base model Falcon.[6]

The Falcon XL range included four-door sedan and five-door station wagons.[7] The luxury Futura Sedan and Squire Wagon models were new for the XL series,[5] the latter featuring simulated woodgrain side and rear panels.[8] Commercial vehicle derivatives were available in two-door coupe utility and two-door panel van body styles with the latter marketed as the Falcon Sedan Delivery.[9]

Models were marketed as follows:

• Falcon Sedan[10]
• Falcon Deluxe Sedan[10]
• Falcon Futura Sedan[10][11]
• Falcon Station Wagon[10]
• Falcon Deluxe Wagon[10]
• Falcon Squire Wagon[10]
• Falcon Utility[12]
• Falcon Deluxe Utility[12]
• Falcon Sedan Delivery[13]

• 
  Ford XL Falcon Deluxe sedan
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Deluxe sedan
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Futura sedan
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Futura sedan
• 
  Ford XL Falcon station wagon
• 
  Ford XL Falcon station wagon
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Deluxe station wagon
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Squire station wagon
• 
  Ford XL Falcon utility
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Deluxe utility
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Deluxe utility
• 
  Ford XL Falcon sedan delivery (with additional side windows)

The Falcon XL was replaced by the Ford Falcon (XM) in February 1964,[14] production having totalled 75,765 units.[3]

A Ford Falcon XL built up as a tribute to the car which was credited as "First across the line" in the 1962 Armstrong 500

A Falcon XL driven by Bob Jane and Harry Firth was “first across the line” in the 1962 Armstrong 500, with the first four places in Class B filled by Falcon XLs.[15]