Ford Falcon (XK)
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1925 |
| Headquarters | Geelong , Australia |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Ford Falcon (XK) represents a mid-size car manufactured by Ford Australia between 1960 and 1962. It marked the beginning of seven Falcon generations, which continued production until 2016.
Overview
Debuting in September 1960, the XK Falcon was initially offered as a four-door sedan in two trim levels: Falcon and Falcon Deluxe. This model was a right-hand drive version adapted from the North American Falcon, featuring local enhancements such as reinforced rear suspension and larger tires. Front seat belts were available as an optional feature.
The Australian variant was equipped with a rear axle ratio of 3.56:1, enhancing torque delivery compared to the North American model's 3.10:1 ratio, and boasted a notably tight turning radius.
In November 1960, a wagon model was introduced, designed with a truncated rear section to prevent scraping on uneven terrain.
Promoted under the slogan "Australian-with a world of difference," the Falcon posed significant competition to Holden’s FB series, which was considered outdated at the time. Engine options included an inline-six producing , with an optional variant delivering . Transmission selections comprised a three-speed manual and a two-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic.
Although it featured more advanced engines and offered automatic transmission options versus Holden’s FB, the Falcon developed a reputation for fragile gearboxes and suspension components, which constrained its market penetration until the Holden EJ was launched in July 1962.
In May 1961, Ford expanded the lineup by introducing coupe utility and panel van versions named Falcon Utility and Falcon Sedan Delivery, respectively. These models utilized front doors from the four-door sedan rather than the longer two-door doors found on their American equivalents. Production concluded in August 1962 after a total of 68,465 units were manufactured. The XK Falcon was also exported in limited quantities to countries within the British Empire and Commonwealth. Initial pricing started at £1,137 (equivalent to $2,274 AUD).