1. Overview

2. Model range
    S Pack option  European Sports Pack (ESP) option  Limited Edition Fairmont Ghia  Sundowner van 

3. Motorsport

4. References

5. External links

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 this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (XD)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.^[1]

Overview

The Falcon XD was released in March 1979^[2] replacing the Falcon XC. It featured a new smaller body with no reduction in interior space.^[2] Stylistically, the XD was strongly influenced by the European Ford Granada Mark II of 1977. The only common components shared between the Granada and the Falcon however were the headlights.^[2] Unlike its predecessor, the XD range did not include a 2-door Hardtop model.

The base engine offered in the XD range was a 3.3-litre six cylinder engine. Other choices were a {{convert|250|cuin|L|1|adj=on|disp=flip}} six cylinder, a {{convert|302|cuin|L|1|adj=on|disp=flip}} eight cylinder and a {{convert|351|cuin|L|1|adj=on|disp=flip}} "Cleveland" eight cylinder engine. Transmissions available were a three speed column shift manual for six cylinder versions, the popular four speed manual floor shift, and the most popular transmission choice, the three speed automatic with the selector lever located either on the steering column or the floor.^[3] All engines had a carburettor with electronic ignition. In June 1980 the 3.3 and 4.1 inline six's iron cylinder head was replaced by an alloy head.^[4]

A total of 197,293 XD Falcons were built^[3] prior to the XD being replaced by the Falcon XE in March 1982.^[5]

Model range

The XD series was offered in five models:^[6]

• Falcon GL sedan
• Falcon GL wagon
• Fairmont sedan
• Fairmont wagon
• Fairmont Ghia sedan

Commercial variants of the XD Falcon were released in September 1979^[3] with four models offered:^[1]

• Falcon utility
• Falcon van
• Falcon GL utility
• Falcon GL van

S Pack option

An "S Pack" option was introduced at launch in March 1979.^[7] It included slotted wheels, pinstriping, "S" badging, wool blend cloth trim, digital clock, driving lights, blacked out paint treatments and sports instrumentation which included a tachometer.^[8]

European Sports Pack (ESP) option

A European Sports Pack (ESP), noted as option 54, was introduced in June 1980.^[9] It was offered as an option on the Falcon GL Sedan,^[10] and included "Bathurst" globe alloy wheels, sports suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, "Scheel" front seats, red lit instrument panel and clock and the 4.1 litre alloy head six cylinder engine.^[10] A European Sports Pack was also offered as an option on the Fairmont Ghia^[11] from January 1981.^[12]

Limited Edition Fairmont Ghia

In late 1981 a Limited Edition run of 500 Fairmont Ghias were offered. This limited edition offered distinctive features over and above the high specification already found in the Fairmont Ghia. They were two-tone in colour, with either Galaxy Blue or Dark Burgundy over Aztec Gold paint. The exterior also featured the Marchal fog lights from the ESP and 14-inch "Volante" style alloy wheels made by Globe. The interior borrowed a few luxury items from the larger FC LTD like power seats and a padded centre console. They were available with the 4.1 litre alloy head six cylinder engine and optional V8's.

Sundowner van

A Sundowner van was offered with standard equipment as in GL van but also including the 4.1-litre engine, four-speed manual floor shift transmission, slotted steel wheels, sports instrumentation, front and rear spoilers, driving lights and exterior striping.^[10]

Motorsport

When Ford Australia pulled out of racing in 1973^[13] 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.^[14] This became known as "XD Phase 5". The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport implemented a few changes (including using Dick Johnson's rear spoiler^[15] 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.

References

External links

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