Ford Falcon (XT)
The Ford Falcon (XT) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1968 to 1969. It was the second iteration of the second generation of this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (XT)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.
Ford XT Falcon | |
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![]() Ford Falcon GT (XT) | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Ford Australia |
Also called | Ford XT Fairmont |
Production | March 1968–June 1969 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Full-size car |
Body style | 4-door Sedan 5-door Station Wagon 2-door Coupé utility 2-door Van |
Related | Ford ZB Fairlane |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 3.1 L (188 CID) 6-cyl 3.6 L (221 CID) 6-cyl 5.0 L (302 CID) V8[1] |
Transmission | 3spd manual 4 speed manual GT only 3spd “Fordomatic” automatic 3spd “SelectShift Cruis-o-matic” automatic[1] |
Dimensions | |
Length | 4,689 mm (184.6 in) |
Width | 1,875 mm (73.8 in) |
Height | 1,389 mm (54.7 in) |
Curb weight | 1,324 kg (2,918.9 lb) (sedan) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Ford XR Falcon |
Successor | Ford XW Falcon |
Introduction
The XT Falcon range was introduced in March 1968[2] as a facelifted version of the XR Falcon, which it replaced. The XT featured a revised grille and taillights and improved safety features including split-system brakes, larger tyres and electrically operated windscreen washers.[3]
Standard equipment in the luxury Fairmont models included bucket seats, front disc brakes, a heater/demister, a wood-grain dash, carpet and courtesy lamps in all four doors.[3] The Fairmont Wagon featured an electrically operated tailgate.[3]
Model range
The XT was offered in 4-door Sedan, 5-door Station Wagon, 2-door Utility and 2-door Van variants as follows.
- Falcon Sedan
- Falcon 500 Sedan
- Fairmont Sedan
- Falcon GT Sedan
- Falcon Wagon
- Falcon 500 Wagon
- Fairmont Wagon
- Falcon Utility
- Falcon 500 Utility
- Falcon Van
The luxury Fairmont models were not badged or marketed as Falcons.[1]
The XT Falcon GT, which was introduced two months after the other models in May 1968, was the performance model in the range.[4]
- Ford XT Falcon sedan
- Ford XT Falcon 500 sedan
- Ford XT Falcon 500 sedan
- Ford XT Falcon 500 wagon
- Ford XT Falcon 500 wagon
- Ford XT Fairmont sedan
- Ford XT Fairmont (non standard wheels)
- Ford XT Falcon GT sedan
- Ford XT Falcon GT sedan
- Ford XT Falcon utility (non standard wheels)
- Ford XT Falcon utility
- Ford XT Falcon 500 utility
- Ford XT Falcon 500 utility
Engines
Four engines were offered in the XT range, all with increased capacity.
- 3.1 L (188 CID) 114 bhp six-cylinder was standard on Falcon and Falcon 500 models[1]
- 3.6 L (221 CID) 135 bhp six-cylinder was standard on Fairmont models and optional on Falcon and Falcon 500[1]
- 5.0 L (302 CID) 210 bhp V8 was optional on Falcon, Falcon 500 and Fairmont[1]
- 5.0 L (302 CID) 230 bhp V8 was standard on Falcon GT[4]
Engine capacity was now officially quoted in litres rather than cubic inches.[3]
Production & replacement
After a production run of 79,290 vehicles[5] the XT Falcon was replaced by the XW Falcon in June 1969.
Motorsport
![](../I/Ford_XT_Falcon_GT_London-Sydney_Marathon_1968.JPG.webp)
An XT Falcon GT driven by Bill Gates and Jim Bertram scored an outright victory in the 1969 Rothmans 12 Hour Classic race for production cars at Surfers Paradise International Raceway on 5 January 1969.[6]
A team of three XT Falcon GTs won the Teams prize in the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon,[4] finishing 3rd, 6th and 8th outright.[3]
References
- Ford Australia sales brochure FXT2/68/5
- Glass’s Dealers Guide, South Australian and Northern Territory Edition, June 1973, page 50
- Ford Falcon XT Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 April 2010
- Ford Falcon XT GT Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 April 2010
- Falcon XT Technical Specifications Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 April 2010
- Sweet Smell of Success, Racing Car News, February 1969, pages 30-33
External links
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