Ford · 1979–1982

Ford XD Falcon

The Ford Falcon (XD) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1979 to 1982. It was the first iteration of the fourth generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (XD)—the luxury-oriented version.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Ford XC Falcon · Successor: Ford XE Falcon

All Ford XD Falcon data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Overview

The XD Falcon was released in March 1979 replacing the XC Falcon. Its design represented a major gamble by Ford Australia in a time of rising fuel prices; Ford having opted to retain the full-size Falcon platform rather than follow the approach of arch-rival Holden which had replaced its Kingswood large car with the considerably smaller Opel-derived Commodore. During the 1970s, Ford Australia had evaluated both the European Ford Granada and American Ford Fairmont as options to replace the third-generation Falcon with a smaller, more fuel-efficient car. However, it ruled out both cars based on the costs of adapting them to harsher Australian road conditions and towing requirements, as well as the further cost of developing long-wheelbase luxury variants for the Fairlane and LTD model lines. Ford had instead chosen to achieve fuel economy improvements with the existing platform through extensive use of lighter materials, including high-strength low-alloy steel for components such as door intrusion bars and wheels, and the innovative use of plastics for components such as bumpers and the fuel tank. Retaining the same wheelbase as the XC, but with a 20-millimetre (0.79 in) increase in front track, the XD featured a new, smaller body with no reduction in interior space, and crisp styling that reduced aerodynamic drag by ten per cent. These changes saw the XD achieve a reduction of 116 kilograms (256 lb) from the weight of the outgoing XC. There was a further 24-kilogram (53 lb) saving on six-cylinder models following a mid-life update in June 1980 that included the introduction of an alloy cylinder head and electronic ignition, with the improved combustion characteristics of the revised engines also contributing to fuel efficiency improvements of seven to ten per cent over

Model range

The XD series was offered in five models: Falcon GL sedan Falcon GL wagon Fairmont sedan Fairmont wagon Fairmont Ghia sedan Commercial variants of the XD Falcon were released in September 1979 with four models offered: Falcon utility Falcon van Falcon GL utility Falcon GL van S Pack option. An "S Pack" option was introduced at launch in March 1979. It included slotted wheels, pinstriping, "S" badging, wool blend cloth trim, digital clock, driving lights, blacked out paint treatments and sports instrumentation which included a tachometer. European Sports Pack (ESP) option. A European Sports Pack (ESP), noted as option 54, was introduced in June 1980. It was offered as an option on the Falcon GL Sedan, and included "Bathurst" globe alloy wheels, sports suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, "Scheel" front seats, red lit instrument panel and clock and the 4.1 litre alloy head six cylinder engine. A European Sports Pack was also offered as an option on the Fairmont Ghia from January 1981. Limited Edition Fairmont Ghia. In late 1981, a Limited Edition run of 500 Fairmont Ghias were offered. This limited edition offered distinctive features over and above the high specification already found in the Fairmont Ghia. They were two-tone in colour, with either Galaxy Blue or Dark Burgundy over Aztec Gold paint. The exterior also featured the Marchal fog lights from the ESP and 14-inch "Volante" style alloy wheels made by Globe. The interior borrowed a few luxury items from the larger FC LTD like power seats and a padded centre console. They were available with the 4.1 litre alloy head six cylinder engine and optional V8's. Sundowner van. A Sundowner van was offered with standard equipment as in GL van but also including the 4.1-litre engine, four-speed manual floor shift trans

Motorsport

When Ford Australia pulled out of racing in 1973 designer Wayne Draper saw an opportunity to provide Falcon racing teams with aerodynamic kits. He set up an aftermarket body styling company with Bob McWilliam, but remained a silent partner to avoid conflicts with Ford management. Between 1976 and 1978 they produced front splitters and rear spoilers for XB and XC Falcon Hardtop race cars. Draper, who was a Senior Designer for the XD-XF Falcon, purchased the rights to the "HO" nameplate, as "homologated options". Draper then designed an aero kit and tested scale models of an XD Falcon in Ford's wind tunnel. This became known as "XD Phase 5". The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport implemented a few changes (including using Dick Johnson's rear spoiler rather than the Phase 5 wing) to the cars for homologation and HO/Phase Auto then produced the 25 cars required to allow the XD to race as a Group C Touring Car. Dick Johnson drove a 5.8 L (351 cu in) Group C Falcon XD, commonly called "Tru-Blu" (due to the cars blue paint and the name of the steel products from the main sponsor - Palmer Tube Mills), to win the 1981 and 1982 Australian Touring Car Championships. Johnson and co-driver John French also won the 1981 James Hardie 1000 driving an XD when race was stopped after a multi-car accident on lap 121 of 163. For the first time in the history of the Bathurst 1000, the race officials declared the race over as more than 2/3 had been completed. French was driving the car at the time of the accident and was well clear in first place, gradually increasing his lead on the second placed XD Falcon of Bob Morris (co-driver John Fitzpatrick). The Falcon was rated at 306 kW (411 hp) and is now part of the David Bowden collection. Allan Moffat also raced an XD Falcon in the 1980 B

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Ford Falcon (XD)
Manufacturer: Ford Australia
aka: Ford Fairmont (XD)
Production: March 1979 – March 1982
Class: Full-size car
Body style: 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon, 2-door coupé utility, 2-door panel van
Layout: FR layout
Related: Ford Fairlane (ZJ), Ford LTD (FC)
Engine: 3.3 L I6, 4.1 L I6, 4.9 L V8, 5.8 L V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic (column, floor), 3-speed Borg Warner 0501 manual (column), 4-speed Borg Warner 0503 manual (floor), 4-speed Borg Warner 0506 manual (floor)
Wheelbase: 2819 mm (sedan), 2946 mm (wagon)
Length: 4737 mm (sedan), 4982 mm (wagon)
Width: 1860 mm
Height: 1374 mm (sedan), 1397 mm (wagon)
Kerb weight: 1345 kg (sedan)
Predecessor: Ford Falcon (XC)
Successor: Ford Falcon (XE)
sp: uk