Ford Falcon (XB)
| Company type | Automobile model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Ford Falcon (XA) |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Defunct | 1976 |
| Successor | Ford Falcon (XC) |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Full-size car |
| Parent | Ford Australia |
The Ford Falcon (XB) represents a full-size car manufactured by Ford Australia between 1973 and 1976. This model marked the second release within the third generation of the Falcon series and included the upscale Ford Fairmont (XB) variant.
Overview
The XB series introduced subtle design refinements over its predecessor, the XA, contributing to a more robust and aggressive appearance. Key enhancements relevant to commercial users consisted of standard front disc brakes fitted throughout the range and the option for a carpeted cabin.
Model range
The XB Falcon was available in the following configurations:
| Model | Body | 200-1 | 250-1 | 302-2 | 351-2 | 351-4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcon | Sedan | ● | ● | ● | ? | − |
| Wagon | ? | ? | ? | ? | − | |
| Utility | ● | ● | ● | ● | − | |
| Van | ● | ● | ● | − | − | |
| Falcon 500 | Sedan | ● | ● | ● | ● | − |
| Wagon | ● | ● | ● | − | − | |
| Hardtop | ● | ● | ● | ● | − | |
| Utility | ● | ● | ● | ● | − | |
| Van | ● | ● | ● | − | − |
An optional Grand Sport Rally Pack was offered on Falcon 500, Futura, and Fairmont versions, which included features such as bonnet scoops, distinctive striping, GS badges, and "GT" style instrumentation.
Sovereign Edition
To celebrate its 50th anniversary in July 1974, Ford Australia introduced the Falcon Sovereign Edition. Built on the Falcon 500 platform, this special edition came equipped with a vinyl roof, Fairmont-style wheel covers, carpeting, a transistor radio, and three slender body stripes as standard. While precise production figures and specifications remain unclear, manufacturing likely ceased by mid-1975.
John Goss Special
Named after John Goss—the driver who triumphed in the 1974 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 at Bathurst behind the wheel of a Falcon—the 1975 John Goss Special was a limited run based on the Falcon 500 Hardtop. It featured unique decals and bolt-on components such as the GT Bonnet and was available in White complemented by Emerald Fire or Apollo Blue highlights.
McLeod Ford "Horn" Cars
Rockdale-based Ford dealership McLeod Ford, owned by Max McLeod, sponsored John Goss's Falcons in prominent racing events like the South Pacific Touring Series and Australian Touring Car Championship. The dealership also marketed a distinctive "horn" package for various Falcon models, characterized by signature "strobe" striping identical to that on Goss’s competition vehicles.
Production
The XB series achieved a total output of 211,971 units during its production span.
Motorsport
Allan Moffat attained significant success piloting the XB Falcon GT Hardtop, including victories at the 1974 Sandown 250 and winning the 1976 Australian Touring Car Championship. He further secured the championship title in 1977 driving both XB Falcon GT and XC Falcon GS Hardtop models.
In Film
A black 351-cubic-inch Ford XB GT Falcon Hardtop gained fame as the "Pursuit Special" in the 1979 movie Mad Max, with additional XB Falcons serving as Main Force Patrol Interceptors. These Falcons also appeared in subsequent films Mad Max 2 (1981) and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).
Eric Bana’s 2009 documentary Love the Beast explores his long-standing bond with his Ford Falcon GT (XB) Hardtop, which he owned for a quarter-century after acquiring it at age fifteen.
External links
- Ford XB Falcon Sedan brochure Accessed via www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 21 February 2009
- XB Falcon Technical Specifications Accessed via www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 21 February 2009