Ford · 1973–1976

Ford XB Falcon

The Ford Falcon (XB) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1973 to 1976. It was the second iteration of the third generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (XB), the luxury-oriented version.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Ford XA Falcon · Successor: Ford XC Falcon

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

Overview

The XB series bore minor cosmetic differences to the preceding model, the XA, aimed at giving the car a more muscular stance. First time equipment offerings included standard front disc brakes on all models and an available carpeted interior.

Model range

The XB Falcon range included the following models: A Grand Sport Rally Pack option, which included bonnet scoops, striping, GS insignia and "GT" instrumentation, was available on Falcon 500, Futura and Fairmont models. Sovereign Edition. In July 1974, a special Falcon Sovereign Edition was released to celebrate Ford Australia's 50th anniversary. It was based on a Falcon 500 fitted, as standard, with a vinyl roof, Fairmont wheel covers, carpet, transistor radio and three thin body stripes. No records were kept on these cars so exact specifications and build quantities are unknown. Production of the Sovereign is believed to have ended in July 1975. John Goss Special. Among the limited edition variants of the XB was the John Goss Special, released in 1975 and named for the race driver who took a Falcon to victory in the 1974 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 Touring Car race at Bathurst. These specials were based on the Falcon 500 Hardtop, with decals and other bolt on options, such as the GT Bonnet. They were available in White with a choice of two accent colors: Emerald Fire and Apollo Blue. McLeod Ford "horn" cars. Max McLeod owned a Ford dealership in Rockdale, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, and sponsored John Goss entered Falcons in the South Pacific Touring Series, ATCC and a number of Bathurst 1000 races. In addition to further modifications to Fords own John Goss Special, McLeod offered the "horn" pack to various Falcon models. These cars are known for their stand-out "strobe" stripes that were applied to the cars, these stripes were the same as used in the McLeod sponsored John Goss racing cars.

Motorsport

Allan Moffat won the 1974 Sandown 250 driving an XB Falcon GT Hardtop. He also won the 1976 Australian Touring Car Championship driving an XB Falcon GT Hardtop and drove both an XB Falcon GT Hardtop and an XC Falcon GS Hardtop to win the 1977 Australian Touring Car Championship.

In film

In the 1979 film Mad Max, the title character's black "Pursuit Special" was a 351 cu in (5.8 L) version of a 1973 Ford XB GT Falcon Hardtop. Two 1974 XB sedans were also used as Main Force Patrol Interceptor vehicles. More Falcons were used to depict the Pursuit Special in sequels Mad Max 2 (1981) and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). A Falcon GT (XB) Hardtop is the subject of Eric Bana's 2009 documentary film Love the Beast. The film documents the 25-year history of Bana's Falcon, which he purchased at the age of 15.

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 (XB) , Ford Futura (XB) , Ford Fairmont (XB)
Manufacturer: Ford Australia
Production: September 1973 – July 1976
Assembly: Broadmeadows
Predecessor: Ford Falcon (XA)
Successor: Ford Falcon (XC)
Class: Full-size car
Body style: 4 door sedan, 5 door station wagon, 2 door hardtop, 2 door coupe utility, 2 door panel van
Engine: 200ci 6-cyl (3.3L), 250ci 6-cyl (4.1L), 302ci V8 (4.9L), 351ci V8 (5.8L)
Transmission: 3spd manual (column), 4spd manual (floor), 3spd auto (column & floor)
Wheelbase: 2819 mm
Length: 4808 mm
Width: 1900 mm
Height: 1369 mm
Kerb weight: 1394 kg
Designer: Wayne Draper
sp: uk