Ford Falcon (XC)

The Ford Falcon (XC) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1976 to 1979. It was the third and last iteration of the third generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (XC)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

For a complete overview of all Falcon models, see Ford Falcon (Australia).

Ford Falcon (XC)
Ford Fairmont (XC)
Ford Falcon 500 Sedan (XC) with GS Rally Pack
Overview
ManufacturerFord Australia
ProductionJuly 1976 – March 1979
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size car
Body style4-door Sedan
4-door Station Wagon
2-door Hardtop
2-door Coupé utility
2-door Panel van
Powertrain
Engine3.3 L Inline 6
4.1 L Inline 6
4.9 L Cleveland V8
5.8 L Cleveland V8
Transmission3spd manual
4spd manual
3spd auto
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,819 mm (111.0 in)
Length4,866 mm (191.6 in)
Width1,900 mm (74.8 in)
Height1,369 mm (53.9 in)
Curb weight1,475 kg (3,251.8 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorXB Falcon
SuccessorXD Falcon

Overview

The XC series was a facelift of the XB Falcon, itself an upgrade of the XA Falcon which had entered production in 1972. Introduced in July 1976, the XC was the first model to comply with the new pollution regulations specified under Australian Design Rule 27A. The response to the 1 July 1976, mandatory anti-pollution laws (ADR 27A), was to redevelop the Falcon six cylinder engines with a cross-flow head for greater efficiency.

Visually, the XC Falcon was given a restyle treatment. The XC had a less aggressive nose which incorporated two round headlights on Falcon models and two rectangular headlights on Fairmont models. Ford also addressed the vision problems of the XA and XB by utilizing the rear doors from the contemporary model FAIRLANE which had the effect of removing the coke bottle look., along with installing an all-new dash and installing higher front seats. The preceding XA and XB series were the last model Falcons to use coke bottle styling. It was succeeded in 1979 by the XD Falcon which utilised similar styling to Ford's European Granada models.

Total production of the XC range reached 171,082 vehicles [1] prior to the replacement of the XC by the XD Falcon in March 1979.[2]

Model range

The XC Falcon range of passenger vehicles consisted of nine models:[3]

Model Body 3.3 4.1 4.9 5.8
Falcon[4] Sedan ● ● ● ●
Wagon ● ● ● ●
Falcon 500[5] Sedan ● ● ● ●
Wagon ● ● ● ●
Falcon GS[6] Hardtop − ● ● ●
Fairmont[7] Sedan − ● ● ●
Wagon − ● ● ●
Fairmont (GS)[6] Hardtop − ● ● ●
Fairmont GXL[7] Sedan − ● ● ●

The Fairmont models were not badged or marketed as Falcons.

The XC Falcon range of commercial vehicles consisted of five models:[8]

Model Body 3.3 4.1 4.9 5.8
Falcon Utility[9] ● ● ● ●
Van[10] ● ● ● ●
Falcon 500 Utility[9] ● ● ● ●
Van[10] ● ● ● ●
Falcon Sundowner Van[11] − ● ● ●

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[12] Sedan LWB − − ● ●
ZH Fairlane Marquis[13][14] Sedan LWB − − ● ●
P6 LTD[15][16] Sedan XLWB − − − ●
P6 LTD Silver Monarch[15][16] Sedan XLWB − − − ●
  • Ford Falcon 500 Sedan (XC)
    Ford Falcon 500 Sedan (XC)
  • Ford Fairmont Sedan (XC)
    Ford Fairmont Sedan (XC)
  • Ford Fairmont Wagon (XC) (with GS Rally Pack)
    Ford Fairmont Wagon (XC) (with GS Rally Pack)
  • Ford Fairmont Hardtop (XC) (with optional vinyl roof)
    Ford Fairmont Hardtop (XC) (with optional vinyl roof)
  • Ford Fairmont GXL (XC) (with optional vinyl roof)
    Ford Fairmont GXL (XC) (with optional vinyl roof)
  • Ford Falcon Utility (XC)
    Ford Falcon Utility (XC)

Fairmont GXL

Unique to the XC model was the GXL version of the Fairmont, Available in 4.1L Straight 6, or 4.9L Cleveland V8. An upgraded engine package, the GT Power Pack, used the larger 5.8L Cleveland v8. The Fairmont GXL was replaced in the following XD range with the Fairmont Ghia model.[17]

GS Rally Pack

A GS Rally Pack was fitted as standard equipment on the Falcon GS Hardtop [8] and was available as an option on Falcon 500 Sedan and Wagon,[8] Fairmont Sedan and Wagon,[8] Falcon Utility and Van [18] and on Falcon 500 Utility and Van.[18] The pack included special paint treatment, bonnet scoops, bumper overriders, slotted steel wheels, enhanced instrumentation, a sports steering wheel and long range driving lights.[8] The driving lights were not included when the pack was fitted to Fairmont models.[8]

Limited edition models

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

Main article: Ford Falcon Cobra

In August 1978 Ford Australia introduced the limited production Falcon 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".[19][20]

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. [21]

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.

  • Ford Falcon Cobra (XC)
    Ford Falcon Cobra (XC)
  • Ford Falcon Allan Moffat Special (XC)
    Ford Falcon Allan Moffat Special (XC)
  • Ford Falcon Sundowner Panel Van (XC)
    Ford Falcon Sundowner Panel Van (XC)

Motorsport
The 1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 winning Ford XC Falcon GS500 Hardtop of Allan Moffat and Jacky Ickx on display at the National Motor Racing Museum

The GS 500 Hardtop formed the basis for the Ford Falcon Cobra and a customer racing program, with a special "Evolution" (and later Evo II) package to homologate parts. At the 1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000, Allan Moffat and Colin Bond drove Group C specification Hardtops to a "1, 2" formation finish. Moffat later went on to win the 1977 Australian Touring Car Championship driving both an XB Falcon GT Hardtop and XC Falcon GS 500 Hardtop.

References
  1. Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 146
  2. Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 156
  3. Ford Cars - All Model Catalogue May 1978, page 64
  4. Ford Falcon Sedan & Wagon. Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited. November 1976.
  5. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  6. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  7. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  8. Ford Cars - All Model Catalogue May 1978, page 48
  9. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  10. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  11. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  12. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  13. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  14. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  15. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  16. "The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection". www.oldcarbrochures.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  17. "1976 Ford (Australia) XC Fairmont GXL Sedan full range specs".
  18. Ford Cars - All Model Catalogue May 1978, page 37
  19. Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 153
  20. "Ford Fairmont XC Fairmont GXL 1976-1979". Archived from the original on 8 October 2009.
  21. "More Specials".
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