Ford Landau (Australia)
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Ford Landau was manufactured by Ford Australia between 1973 and 1976.
Introduced in August 1973, the Landau was derived from the Australian XA and XB Falcon models but incorporated the front and rear design elements along with upscale features from the Australian P5 series Ford LTD limousine, which debuted at the same time. It carried the official designation "JG70" and was frequently referred to as the "P5 Landau."
Available exclusively as a two-door hardtop coupe, the Landau utilized the same drivetrain and wheelbase as the XB Falcon GT hardtop. Its design included more pronounced C-pillars and squared rear side windows reminiscent of the 1971-1973 U.S. Ford Mustang coupe, complemented by a vinyl roof. Both the Landau and LTD adopted the grille and distinctive "spoked" wheel covers from the 1972 Ford Thunderbird.
Under the hood, it housed an Australian-produced low compression 351 cubic inch (5752cc) Cleveland V8 engine delivering power at 5000 rpm. The transmission was a three-speed “T-Bar SelectShift Cruisomatic,” allowing operation in either manual or automatic modes. Notably, four-wheel disc brakes were standard on both the Landau and LTD, marking them as the first Australian-made vehicles equipped with this braking system.
The Landau came well-appointed as standard, with only two optional extras: a cassette player and a full leather interior package. Its blend of luxury appointments and performance capabilities meant it had no direct rival within the Australian market. Although a design proposal to update its styling in line with the P6 series LTD was created as a concept, it never reached production. The model was phased out in 1976 after approximately 1,400 units had been assembled.
The relationship between the Landau and Falcon hardtop is similar to that of Mercury’s Cougar relative to the Ford Mustang in the United States market.