Ford · 1960–1962
Ford XK Falcon
The Ford Falcon (XK) is a mid-sized car that was produced by Ford Australia between 1960 and 1962. It was the first of four models in the first of seven generations of the Australian Falcon produced until 2016, outlasting its North American namesake by several decades.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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Overview
The first Falcon sold in Australia was the XK series, which was introduced in September 1960. It was initially offered only as a four-door sedan, in both Falcon and Falcon Deluxe trim levels; the Deluxe offered two-colour seat and door upholstery in vinyl. The XK was essentially a right-hand drive version of the North American 1960 model, although local rural dealers often included modifications such as heavy-duty rear suspension (five leaves) and larger 6.50 x 13 tyres. Front seat belts were optional. The steering was light and the ride surprisingly good, on well-paved roads. Whereas the North American model used an 'economy' 3.10:1 rear axle ratio, the Australian Falcon was built with a 3.56:1 ratio which better complemented the torque characteristics of the engine. It had a 38 ft (12 m) turning circle. The wagon, added to the range in November 1960, was shortened at the rear due to concern that the back of the car might scrape on rough roads and spoon drains. Billed as being "Australian-with a world of difference", Falcon offered the first serious alternative to Holden, and became an instant success. Sales were aided by the contemporary FB series Holden being perceived as lacklustre and dated by comparison. Two engines were available; 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). The Falcon was available with either a three-speed column shift manual transmission, or a two-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. Although the engines were superior to the Holden FB's 138 cu in (2,261 cc) inline-six, which produced 56 kW (75 hp; 76 PS), and the Holden was only available with a manual transmission, the Falcon quickly gained a reputa
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 (XK)
- Manufacturer
- Ford Australia
- Production
- September 1960 – August 1962
- Class
- Mid-size car
- Layout
- FR layout
- Body style
- 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon, 2-door coupé utility, 2-door panel van
- Engine
- 144 cuin Falcon Six I6, 170 cuin Falcon Six I6
- Transmission
- 3-speed manual, 2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic
- Length
- 4602 mm
- Width
- 1778 mm
- Height
- 1384 mm
- Wheelbase
- 2781 mm
- Kerb weight
- 1103 -
- Successor
- Ford XL Falcon
- sp
- uk
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5468008CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Falcon_(XK)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1357517401 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_Falcon_XK_Sedan.jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Sicnag · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.