Ford Falcon (XB)

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 this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (XB), the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

For a complete overview of all Falcon models, see Ford Falcon (Australia).

Ford Falcon (XB)
Ford Futura (XB)
Ford Fairmont (XB)
Ford Falcon 500 (XB) sedan with GS Rally Pack
Overview
ManufacturerFord Australia
ProductionSeptember 1973 – July 1976
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size car
Body style4 door sedan
5 door station wagon
2 door hardtop
2 door coupe utility
2 door panel van
Powertrain
Engine200ci 6-cyl (3.3L)
250ci 6-cyl (4.1L)
302ci V8 (4.9L)
351ci V8 (5.8L)
Transmission3spd manual (column)
4spd manual (floor)
3spd auto (column & floor)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,819 mm (111.0 in)
Length4,808 mm (189.3 in)
Width1,900 mm (74.8 in)
Height1,369 mm (53.9 in)
Curb weight1,394 kg (3,073.2 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorFord Falcon (XA)
SuccessorFord Falcon (XC)

Overview
Interior

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[1] and an available carpeted interior.

Model range

The XB Falcon range included the following models:

  • Falcon Sedan
  • Falcon Wagon
  • Falcon Utility
  • Falcon Van
  • Falcon 500 Sedan
  • Falcon 500 Hardtop
  • Falcon 500 Wagon
  • Falcon 500 Utility
  • Falcon 500 Van
  • Futura Sedan
  • Fairmont Sedan
  • Fairmont Hardtop
  • Fairmont Wagon
  • Falcon GT Sedan
  • Falcon GT Hardtop

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.[2][3]

  • Falcon 500 (XB) sedan
  • Falcon 500 (XB) Utility with GS Rally Pack
  • Falcon 500 (XB) Van with GS Rally Pack
  • Fairmont (XB) sedan with GS Rally Pack
  • Fairmont (XB) Hardtop with GS Rally Pack
  • Fairmont (XB) wagon with GS Rally Pack
  • Ford Falcon GT (XB) sedan
  • Falcon GT (XB) Hardtop

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
Main article: 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.[4]

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 multiple 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.

  • Falcon Sovereign Edition (XB) sedan
  • Falcon (XB) Hardtop "John Goss Special"
  • Falcon GT (XB) Hardtop McLeod Ford "Horn car"

Production

Production of the XB series totalled 211,971 vehicles.[5]

Motor sport
Allan Moffat won the 1976 Australian Touring Car Championship driving a Ford Falcon GT (XB) Hardtop

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.[6]

  • Replica of the Mad Max "Pursuit Special"
  • Ford Falcon Mad Max
  • 1973 Ford XB Falcon Mad Max Tribute
  • 1973 Ford XB Falcon Mad Max rear view
  • Pursuit Special
  • Mad Max Main Force Patrol "Interceptor"
  • Main Force Patrol "Interceptor"
  • "Interceptor" rear view

References
  1. Norm Darwin, The History of Ford in Australia, 1986, page 169
  2. Ford XB Falcon Sedan sales brochure, Ford Sales Company of Australia, 10/73, page 15
  3. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 161
  4. "Aussie Coupes - Mad Max Interceptor - Ford XB Falcon - Australian Ford falcon". aussiecoupes.com.
  5. Tony David, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 136
  6. 1974 Ford Falcon [XB] in Love The Beast, Documentary, 2009 at the Internet Movie Car Database.
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