Ford XT Falcon
Encyclopedia
Introduction
The XT Falcon range was introduced in March 1968 as a facelifted version of the XR FalconFord XR Falcon
The Ford XR Falcon is a car which was produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between 1966 and 1968.The XR series was introduced in September 1966. Styling was based on the third generation 1966 US Ford Falcon and it was promoted as the "Mustang bred Falcon". It was the first Australian...
, 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.
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. The Fairmont Wagon featured an electrically operated tailgate.
Model range
The XT was offered in 4 door Sedan, 5 door Station WagonStation wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
, 2 door Utility
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
and 2 door Van
Van
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
variants as follows.
- Falcon Sedan
- Falcon 500 Sedan
- Fairmont Sedan
- Falcon GT Sedan
- Falcon Station Wagon
- Falcon 500 Station Wagon
- Fairmont Station Wagon
- Falcon Utility
- Falcon 500 Utility
- Falcon Van
The luxury Fairmont models were not badged or marketed as Falcons.
The XT Falcon GT, which was introduced two months after the other models in May 1968, was the performance model in the range.
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
- 3.6 L (221 CID) 135 bhp six-cylinder was standard on Fairmont models and optional on Falcon and Falcon 500
- 5.0 L (302 CID) 210 bhp V8 was optional on Falcon, Falcon 500 and Fairmont
- 5.0 L (302 CID) 230 bhp V8 was standard on Falcon GT
Engine capacity was now officially quoted in litres rather than cubic inches.
Production & replacement
After a production run of 79,290 vehicles the XT Falcon was replaced by the XW Falcon in June 1969.Motor sport
An XT Falcon GT driven by Bill Gates and Jim Bertram scored an outright victory in the 1969 Rothmans 12 Hour Classic1969 Rothmans 12 Hour Classic
The 1969 Rothmans 12 Hour Classic was an endurance motor race for production cars held at the Surfers Paradise International Raceway in Queensland, Australia on 5 January 1969...
race for production cars at Surfers Paradise International Raceway
Surfers Paradise International Raceway
Surfers Paradise International Raceway was a motor racing complex at Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The circuit was designed and built by Keith Williams, a motor racing enthusiast. It was located opposite the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens at Carrara...
on 5 January 1969.
A team of three XT Falcon GTs won the Teams prize in the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon
London-Sydney Marathon
The London–Sydney Marathon was a car rally from the United Kingdom to Australia. It was first run in 1968, a second event was organised in 1977 and a third in 1993 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the original. Two further rallies have subsequently been contested in 2000 and 2004.The original...
, finishing 3rd, 6th and 8th outright.