Ford Falcon (XD)

Overview

Ford Falcon (XD)

manufacturer	Ford Australia
aka	Ford Fairmont (XD)
production	March 1979 – March 1982
class	Full-size car
body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door coupé utility 2-door panel van
layout	FR layout
related	Ford Fairlane (ZJ) Ford LTD (FC)
engine	3.3 L I6 4.1 L I6 4.9 L V8 5.8 L V8
transmission	3-speed automatic (column, floor) 3-speed Borg Warner 0501 manual (column) 4-speed Borg Warner 0503 manual (floor) 4-speed Borg Warner 0506 manual (floor)
wheelbase	2819 mm (sedan) 2946 mm (wagon)‡R1R‡‡R2R‡
length	4737 mm (sedan) 4982 mm (wagon)
width	1860 mm
height	1374 mm (sedan) 1397 mm (wagon)
weight	1345 kg (sedan)
predecessor	Ford Falcon (XC)
successor	Ford Falcon (XE)

The Ford Falcon (XD) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1979 to 1982. It was the first iteration of the fourth generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (XD)—the luxury-oriented version.[1]

Overview

The XD Falcon was released in March 1979[3] replacing the XC Falcon. Its design represented a major gamble by Ford Australia in a time of rising fuel prices; Ford having opted to retain the full-size Falcon platform rather than follow the approach of arch-rival Holden which had replaced its Kingswood large car with the considerably smaller European-derived Commodore.

During the 1970s, Ford Australia had evaluated both the European Ford Granada and American

Motorsport

When Ford Australia pulled out of racing in 1973[18] designer Wayne Draper saw an opportunity to provide Falcon racing teams with aerodynamic kits. He set up an aftermarket body styling company with Bob McWilliam, but remained a silent partner to avoid conflicts with Ford management. Between 1976 and 1978 they produced front splitters and rear spoilers for XB and XC Falcon Hardtop race cars. Draper, who was a Senior Designer for the XD-XF Falcon, purchased the rights to the "HO" nameplate, as "homologated options". Draper then designed an aero kit and tested scale models of an XD Falcon in Ford's wind tunnel.[19] This became known as "XD Phase 5". The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport implemented a few changes (including using Dick Johnson's rear spoiler[20] rather than the Phase 5 wing) to the cars for homologation and HO/Phase Auto then produced the 25 cars required to allow the XD to race as a Group C Touring Car.

Dick Johnson drove a 351 cuin Group C Falcon XD, commonly called "Tru-Blu" (due to the cars blue paint and the name of the steel products from the main sponsor - Palmer Tube Mills),[21] to win the 1981 and 1982 Australian Touring Car Championships.[22][23] Johnson and co-driver John French also won the 1981 James Hardie 1000 driving an XD[24] when race was stopped after a multi-car accident on lap 121 of 163. For the first time in the history of the Bathurst 1000, the race officials declared the race over as more than 2/3 had been completed. French was driving the car at the time of the accident and was well clear in first place, gradually increasing his lead on the second placed XD Falcon of Bob Morris (co-driver John Fitzpatrick).[25][26] The Falcon was rated at 411 hp and is now part of the David Bowden collection.[27][28]

Allan Moffat also raced an XD Falcon in the 1980 Bathurst 1000 when delays in approval of his Mazda RX-7 meant he would have to wait until the following season in 1981. Ford Australia had announced that they would not be taking part in racing due to a disagreement with CAMS over homologating the XD, which left AMR with no program and budget. By the end of the ATCC, Moffat still had no vehicle and it eventuated that he might miss the upcoming Bathurst 1000. Six weeks out from the race, Moffat put together a deal to run a 410 hp yellow XD Falcon. Lack of time limited its development and Moffat had to essentially use the practice sessions at Bathurst to test the car.[29] Recurring oil problems with the dry-sump system could not be eliminated during practice and on race day the vehicle was a DNF after only 2 laps due to the failure of the oil system. This was the last time Ford racing legend Allan Moffat would race a Falcon for many years and the yellow XD is also part of the David Bowden collection along with many of his other racing Falcons.[30]

Ford Falcon (XD)

Overview

Model range

S Pack option

European Sports Pack (ESP) option

Motorsport

External links

References

Limited Edition Fairmont Ghia

Sundowner van