Hi, Aussie here. Some clarifications to make: * The T-bar auto shifter indeed uses the thumb button to actuate it. The "button" you see on the "pinky" side is a fake one to make the handle symmetrical. We aren't that stupid, c'mon! *The 351 Cleveland was assembled locally from 1972 from local and imported parts, and completely made here from around 1975, finishing in 1982 in mainstream Fords but continuing in some non-emissions vehicles (ie: F-trucks) for a few more years after that. Ford Oz were the source for all DeTomaso V8s until the supply dried up in 1988, when they went to the US 5.0 EFI. The P6 LTD was a stretched Fairlane body. They are effectively a factory limousine. The stretch came from lengthening the body aft of the B-pillar by approx 6", with the roof joint conveniently being covered by the vinyl. The door skin I believe was bespoke but the frame was cut and shut with extensions being spot-welded in. I've seen one at the wrecking yard with its rear door skins gone and saw the said joints in the door internals. Not sure about the windows, but longer glass wouldn't be too hard to make. * The P6 nose was fibreglass. * I don't think many share your distain for its styling. There are plenty of uglier cars out there, many of them American. * Ford Australia kicked off its own Fairlane line really in 67 with the ZA. Unlike the US Fairlane, it was entirely based on the Falcon platform (with different front and rear panels and lights), but were lengthened at the rear wheel dogleg by around 4". The Falcon ute and wagon also shared this stretched chassis. Although the first Fairlane used a few bits and bobs here and there from their Ford US counterparts, they were for the most part, a local development. We did amazing things on a shoestring, things that US makers could only dream of doing on the same money. Have you ever heard of the 250 six crossflow? That came out in 76 and an alloy version came out in 80. It used Cleveland canted valve geometry and made great power for the smog era. * We could only update major sheetmetal every 8 years or so, with a facelift every 2-3 years. Luxury cars were a big deal considering the outlay in body tooling needed vs sales volumes. * The Aus Fairlane tradition of basing the chassis on that of the Falcon continued nearly (not quite) to the bitter end in 2016, but the extra long wheelbase LTD was only offered over three Fairlane models: ZF (73-74), ZG (74-76) and ZH (76-78). The ZF and ZG era LTDs were assigned the "P5" model (the ZG was a facelifted ZF) whereas the ZH as you mentioned was the "P6" in LTD form. From 79 onwards, the LTD would share the Fairlane wheelbase (I think they had ample rear legroom by then to be honest) but it would have higher luxury trim levels and gadgets than its stablemate.
I agree about the styling. To my eyes it's not unattractive at all. I was in college here in the seventies and you're right, we certainly had some pug-ugly American cars then and some really homely Japanese ones also!
Great info from our Aussie cousins. I too noticed the shifter release button on the “proper” side clearly shown in the photo at 10:45. I really like this car’s interior, too. Any idea the price of these at the time?
Argentina certainly made such EXCELLENT Ambassadors. Based on the 1965/66 version, they were made for many years after and had leather upholstery and electric windows as standard. They should have been exported.
@@alanblanes2876My stepfather bought a brand new ‘65 Rambler (AMC) Ambassador 990H that was quite luxurious and “sporty” for a full size vehicle at the time. It was a creamy white color with a red top, 2-door with red vinyl interior, bucket seats, console with floor shifter, and factory A/C. I took my driver’s test in it in 1970. At the time, we teenage muscle car lovers had a very low opinion of AMC vehicles in general so I was always hoping we’d trade it in for something else. But in hindsight it was actually a decent unique vehicle.
I love both the P5 and P6 versions of the Ford LTD Town Car from Australia. I'd love to export one to Thailand since we drive on the same side of the road as Australia.
What a treat to see you feature this car! During two visits to Australia, I was always on the lookout for the local market LTDs and was luck enough to see a few, as well as a Ford Landau (the two door version in the previous generation) in yellow gold metallic, driven by the proverbial "little old lady". There was also a "Silver Monarch" edition with silver paint and vinyl roof, and red interior trim. And if you look closely, you'll see a lot of parts from US cars, including the concurrent Lincoln drum speedometer, window switches, the chrome trim on the door panels, etc. Also, the only FoMoCo product of the era that I'm aware of that was available with variable-rate power steering was the 1971-72 Cougar. It was included in a couple of GT/high performance option packages. (It may have been available on the concurrent Mustang as well.). Lastly, the local buff books considered the ZH Fairlane front end to be a good copy of the '68 full-size Mercury, and I agree.
Except for the front end, the P6 LTD and Fairlane remind me more of the AMC Ambassador than a US Ford in the exterior. The interior reminds me of an AMC Concorde.
It's the Ford Falcon platform going back to the 1961 xk/xl Falcon that was heavily improved in Australia, with Australian designed bodies from the xa Falcon on. but the Grenada in America was the same base too. Mark behr does a history on all the falcons that's pretty comprehensive.
I see Bentley in the nose. Some of the Ambassador-ness comes from the way the chassis seems undersized for the body. (Plenty in the gentle curves and economical rear too.)
Ex Aussie Ford Motor Co employee here, these cars were awesome in their day and were mainly purchased by well healed people. Still my favorite was the 1973 ford landau coupe
@@jonathanrabbitt You sure as Ford certainly introduced Kirby Bishop based VR steering in 1972 on the Fairlane 500 and other premium models" Search Google "Arthur Bishop -Steering to Achievement Squarespaces". They certainly subsequently dropped it but I though is was still on the long wheelbase 1976 cars. The XF of the late 1980's still had it so I think this model would too. Check "Falcon Kirby-Bishop Power Steering Box Overhaul" in the Oz Falcons Australian forum.
@@jonathanrabbitt Check that. Ford Australia introduced Bishop based variable power steering as standard on the Fairlane 500 an other on wheelbase models with the 1072 XA models. Google "Arthur Biship -Steering to Achievement in Squrespace. It was eventually dropped by Ford Australia eith the EA/DA//NA series but continued in the long wheelbase models at least until the XE based models of the late 1980's. Check out the Oz-Falcon Forum article on Falcon Kirby-Bishop Power Steering Box Overhaul.
@@Aussiblue EA falcon was the first ford local big car with rack and pinion steering Prior to that they used recirculating ball steering box basically from 1967 to 1986 setup that was rarely altered - not sure if a 1967 XR fits say a 1976 XC or 1979 XD - they are very similar, however you can use those ford boxes with a simple adapter plate and mount it on australian A-body valiants - some ford owners done the opposite and used VH Valiant RT 161:1 manual boxes and placed them in fords - but you have to chop back the steering shaft
@@georgemaragos2378 You are right that EA onwards also had Kirby Bishop Rack and Pinion Power but the long wheelbase premium cars got it too from the XA onwards. Did you Google "Arthur Bishop -Steering to Achievement in Squrespace.
Adam, that was a nice clip. Sorry but you’re completely wrong about the T bar. The button was thumb activated and you should be aware that this arrangement was used in the UK and South Africa on many floor shift automatics. The variable ratio steering was locally made and no GM parts. Australia was ahead of the US in terms of running gear. The 4 wheel discs were all ventilated as well. See if you can source some info about the P5 LTD, you should have a look. Those things flew. Ford Australia continued to make the Cleveland 302 and 351 long after the US stopped production and Australian 351s were used in De Tomaso vehicles
🥝✔️ Bishops Kirby power steering was an Australian patent, that GM procured. The 71-73 Mustangs got it from the F body GM cars. Ford Australia and GM- Holden used it from 1971 to the late 80's...same ratio as the Firebird and Camaro
@@gergatron7000 I know when I first changed the breaks on my 1971 Toyota Crown the mechanic said, Oh wow these are from an HQ and the diff from a Torana. Shame they didn't use the 186 engine as the 2300 from Toyota was crap and the Toyoglide was geared so low to cope that it would rev the crap out of it at 100.
Well some on here may not like the styling, but remember this car gave you Mad Max, because both of them are variants on Australia's Ford Falcon under the skin, running on a variant of the same chasis and mechanical package and both are from the same generation of Falcon. Take a look at those big leaf springs on this LTD and you might remember them being just as prominent under Max's car. Now have a good look at the door handles and the windscreen. Even the front doors look the same, just a bit stretched on the coupe - which is exactly what Ford did. Yes, this is Max's work car if had had moved up the ranks to commissioner in Main Force Patrol.
Here in New Zealand, back in the day a friend of mines father had one of these. It was the Silver Monarch edition with plush red upholstery. Never forgotten that car.
Oh yes the red velour interior, some would say the bordello interior from the deep south of the USA. I am not of Italian heritage but to say that car resembles Italian style is a bloody sick joke. Italians have style. Over here in Tasmania, the capital city, Hobart, in the 1970s, decided to sell the Lord mayor's official car, a late 1950s Daimler Majestic Major limousine. The replacement was a Silver Monarch. The new Lord Mayor was a member of the Liberal party, which is far from liberal, more like right wing Republicans in the USA. She was a lowlife foul mouthed bitch, Lorna Doone Pleasance Kennedy who I often referred to as the unpleasant Kennedy. Her husband was an alderman and head of a large Tasmania wide business and one day he said in a meeting " Mr chairman, now some of you might think this is a bit strange, but many people have pacemakers implanted these days and I am told they contain small amounts of gold, some people have gold fillings in their teeth and I am reliably informed the human body contains small amounts of gold. I have wondered for a long time now,when we cremate people at the Cornelian Bay crematorium, does this gold get burnt up and if not, could we rake out the ashes, sieve out the gold and earn council some extra revenue". Australian cars have rarely exhibited style and certainly not luxury.
I don't remember anyone actually calling it a P6 or Town Car - you either had a Fairlane or an LTD. This model LTD was the first car I ever drove with power steering, and it was unbelievably light. Small issues aside (there was even a picture showing the real shifter button immediately before the one with the fake!) I have to say it was refreshing to watch an American video about an Australian car without having to scream corrections at the screen the whole time. Well done!.
I rode around in one of these a fair bit as a kid in the late 70's, as a neighbourhood friend's dad had one of these (he was a senior manager in a pharmaceutical firm and I believe it was a company-supplied car). I remember sitting in the back seat and playing with the cigarette lighter secreted in the arm rest in my door card; being a typical 70's car it had like five ashtrays and as many lighters scattered around the interior. I also remember playing endlessly with the power windows & door locks, which my own parent's very plain Ford Cortina certainly did not have. Also, since these Aussie-built high-compression 351 Cleaveland V8's ran on premium leaded gas without the cats & most of the other US-style emissions restrictions, those big cars really had some pep and were quite lively on the road from memory.
We had “Super” petrol back then - full lead. ULP wasn’t mandated until 1986 for all new cars, and Super continued to be available for another 15 or so years, albeit with ever reducing lead levels over the last few of those years.
My little, 5 foot tall Grandmother drove a 1985 Ford LTD Crown Victoria. 😅 White with blue velour interior. I remember it being pretty “lux” for a ford. A big car also. My Grandmother looked like a little kid behind the steering wheel. 🤭
@@Dont_Gnaw_on_the_Kitty_1 and ford couldn’t sell the shit they were building , the federal govt bailed them out then they shut down anyway and took all that taxpayer money back to Detroit
@@Dont_Gnaw_on_the_Kitty_1 Exactly, we all know that EVERY country in the world "supports" their local manufacturing. But our "holier than thou" pollies thought differently, what a bunch of tossers. All that expertise gone.
@@qre268Zrtb POLO TISHANS don't even think that far ahead. They just do what their banker masters tell them. In 1975 The Australian Federal Government signed The Lima Agreement, to remove industry and manufacturing from developed countries to developing ones. Not just labouring costs but more importantly the multi trillions of $ bank credit for developing countries like China & South Korea.
These vehicles were also exclusively used as Commonwealth (Government) vehicles for Federal politicians and government officials. I was an RAAF (Airforce) officer at the time of their release and was happy to be chauffeur driven in one of them, on a daily basis, to and from my off base unit (rather than getting a petrol allowance, using my own car). It was extremely comfortable and a relaxing way to get to and from work.
i was a young apprentice mechanic in a ford dealer , the first drive of a LTD i ever got was i had to deliver a customers new silver monarch which was really cool :) , they where a nice car , and when you give them the berries , you could hear the mighty carter thermoquad roar into life :) .
....and, as a result of living in Oz, it spent a lot of time at the beach and stretching its 351 legs on short drives like Sydney to Perth. This meant it stayed fitter and leaner than its American cousins.
These were often owned by the older gentlemen farmers. Great on long trips, smooth across a cow paddock, good AC, comfortable run to church on Sunday and most likely a nice tax write-off.
I remember these well. The ride of NZ PM Rob Muldoon and Aussie PM Malcolm Fraser. A neighbour of ours back in 80/81 had the Silver Monarch version, which was silver (obviously) with bordello-burgundy interior. Even as an 8 year old I loved it! Someone will confirm or correct me bit I *think* Broadmeadows used a RHD-configured Mercury dash in the '76 ZH??? Could be wrong. Hearing it pronounced "zee-aitch" is just funny to my ears. The true-blue way would be "zed-haitch"😁 Love these videos Adam, and Americans' reactions to what must be really strange cars to you guys. For this car's purposes, Australia shall now be called the "Landau Nunder" (boom-tish, etc).
@@Low760 I think that Adam would find the ‘Chrysler by Chrysler’ a REALLY interesting car - particularly the coupe with a 360, as it’s a great looking car and an Australian take on Mopar fuselage styling.
In the mid 80s at 23 l bought a metallic green 1970 Chrysler VG VIP - the Chrysler by Chrysler’s predecessor - with the ‘Fireball’ 318 & torqueflite. Man l loved that car - with its clear US Dodge Dart DNA.
I'm curious to know -- were these based upon the Falcon unibody chassis or did they have a full frame like the Galaxie 500/LTDs of the US which they greatly resemble from a sheet-metal perspective (front end excepting)?
@@fericydeThey were Falcon based. Another poster above has given details of how the platform was stretched from the Fairlane platform, which was itself a stretch of the Falcon
Ricardo Montalban would be proud of how they built this car down under... Especially the interior upholstery with the rich "Corinthian Kangaroo" leather. 😄
I preferred the acres of red velour in the silver monarch model my great-uncle bought as his retirement car. That thing was so plush, and as young kids, we could almost play hide & seek in that rear seat!
That center console is totally Ferrari, look at those switches mounted between the seats. Love the Lincoln side view mirrors. Would love to know more about the Australian car market (South American as well), with the mix of US developed floor plans and then augmenting from there. Yet, lot’s of bits and pieces that were probably shipped straight from Detroit for use on the vehicles.
The only parts bin stuff used in these cars was the FMX auto, 9" diff until late 78 after which a local diff was used, some switch gear for the power windows and window motors, Thermoquad carby, the York AC compressor, Ford starter motor, side mirrors and the Thompson or Saginaw power steering pumps. Pretty much the rest of the car was of Australian manufacture - even the motor.
Great video - the Brazilian Ford Landau and Spain's Dodge 3700GT would make interesting subjects as well. Flush door handles were a requirement in Australia. Do a search for Australian-built Minis and you'll see they have flush door handles.
The peak of LTD in Australia was really the first; that being the 1973 P5 LTD. Stunning car, and the only Australian car I can think of with hidden headlights (ignoring the Landau variant). Also the gear selector has the button on both sides for decoration, but it's only functional on the side with the thumb.
I absolutely agree the P5 was without a doubt the BEST LTD. Talk about presence ! Another great feature was the horn on the inside edge of the steering wheel. I drove Dads car when I was 17-18. With the concave dash, and switch positions I never had to look at what I was doing, it was all reachable in specific areas with no confusion. When the P6 came out, it was a major drop in quality and style, a major disappointment.
I fell in love with the P5 when I looked at one for sale on the Gold Coast in 1993. They wanted $3500 for it but needed TLC. Ended up getting a 87 Fairmont shitbox instead. That wasn't a good decision as I had to rebuild the engine after 6 months.
@@jamiefrangos9233as a small kid I could clearly see the P5 was basically the same body as an XA falcon including front guards and bonnet interchangeable. The P6 and ZH appeared to be a completely different body from the XC, with only the doors the same, which isn't obvious.
At the time for its intended purpose (luxury limousine), Ford achieved the LTD’s peak with the P6, finally able to successfully distinguish it from its humble Falcon styling that the P5 couldn’t quite shake. In time, the P5 has faired better and adapts itself to a more nostalgic muscle car look where’s the P6 has remained in an almost most forgotten 70’s excess luxury limousine look.
Aussie car manufacturers toned down a lot of the American influences to suit the local market. The first model Falcons ( 1960 - 1966 )are a great example.
Adam, a very notable Rolls-Royce specialist in Chicago - lovely Australian chap - Rodd Sala - Park Ward Motors has at this very moment a P6 LTD in his glamorous showrooms. It stands proud and prestigious amongst British Royalty, as it should. The quality of the Australian LTD was astounding. They were designed and offered for Heads of State, Corporate and Government Elite. I know... I owned one for 14yrs. They would give a Lincoln of the same era a run for their money. I own a 1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow now and I can confirm the LTD rivals her in ride, comfort, silence, handling and braking. I would ask you research and present a 1973-1975 P5 LTD Limousine and Landau also - I would stretch to say they are even more exquisite in styling, plus the original Australian designed and built LTD.
I'm Australian and love these 70s LTD,s. A lot were converted to run on lpg (propane) to cut costs on running that 351 hauling that big heavy body around. But sadly a lot got run into the ground over the years. They are a rare sight on our roads now. I guess the remaining good ones are used sparingly for occasional cruising purposes on a weekend now.
Hi i hardly see any ZA ( XR faillanes to XD era ), most of them ended up at wreckers and they lost the 351 / fmx /C6 / 9 inch , even most fairlanes with the base 302 2bbl C$ and 8 inch diff had the powertrain removed for other cars. Of and the body on these fairlane and LTD 9/10 were just rust buckets, the 2nd and 3rd owner would rarely garage them and they would deteriorate if parked on the street - XA-B-C had that stupid dip on the top of the boot area under the rear screen that scooped and kept water in the cup section, most of those cars were rotted out along the drain channel down to tail lights and rear bumper support - mid to late 780's you might sport onon the road and the box trailer that was just a brace behind the bumper and used the factory bolt holes would rip out the rusted panel, i saw possible 3 or 4 at bunnings or flower power that had box trailers full of soil or gravel and that once off haul of 1.5ton load was to much and that rear beaver panel just ripped apart
I was about to point out how popular these cars were in Australia, when I noted you had dedicated the episode to just that. Their engine capacity meant they were hardly strained, so became cheap, and very reliable transport for quite a while. People in their 20s would hot them up and fir massive stereo systems to them. They became theft magnets sadly.
My uncle has an LTD like the one shown. Silver with plush red velour interior. For everyone in the family it was such a treat to go for a ride in it. Beautiful car.
Your uncle did alright. The most expensive locally built car in Australia. Probably close to double or 1/3 more than a ZH Fairlane 500 with a 4.9 engine, which was still upmarket.
I had a '73 Rambler Matador here in Australia, they were assembled here from kits, but were slightly different to the US models. In the case of mine, it was basically an Ambassador (high spec; mine had white leather interior, a/c, power windows etc, all standard) with the (better looking IMHO) Matador front clip. Mine also had the 360ci V8, but other engine options were available. I owned it from 1987 to about '95ish, and got $1500 for it...the same car now would be circa $30k, and I'd like to own one again, but not at those prices. Cheers!
The P6 LTD was a very cool and prestigious car in Aust in the late 70s. I have a local car magazine from 1977-78 where a US Ford exec wrote a letter to the magazine stating that he'd been on holidays in Aust with his wife and while here, visited a Ford dealership to see what was availabe. He said he thought the local range was better than what Ford was offering in the US at the time.
In late 2010 I had US colleagues come out. All of them immediately wanted an FG Falcon after they experienced a ride in a Barra. But then I took them to Prodrive (FPV) and 2 of them got to experience the Miami GT-E press car. One had recently bought the first gen “retro” styled mustang, and bemoaned how much better the Aussie 4-door was. Several more visits over the following few years had all of them wanting to take an FG back home with them. Yanks like Aussie Fords!
@@raph770 look at that absolute pig, the Gran Torino, and then look at the Aussie Falcon coupe. Even with the Torino with its red stripes in the TV show 'Starsky and Hutch' it was the embodiment of the saying, 'Putting lipstick on a pig'! Look at the Mustang lineup for a second good, bad example of what Ford was selling here in the US.
I would hardly call them tacky. The LTD is a beautiful big heavy powerful car that is quiet and rides well. I bought mine second hand in '88 For $10,000. I still drive it with 500,000 km on the speedo and its engine has been reconditioned.
nice video. i love to see the different versions of ford and others in both australia and canada versions. i am suscribed to you now. keep 'em coming!!
I've been on a mission for years to show my American friends these cars, as they really have no knowledge of them, and now thanks to you I can point them to these detailed and complete videos that tell the whole story! Thank youuuu
Yes, European safety influences were fought by U S. designers allegedly based on production costs. My hunch is it had much more to do with the 'Merican sense of "you can't make me" regarding automobile safety and fuel economy. 🤔
@@donalddodson7365 the Europeans didn't mandate rear belts until much later. The USA was pretty early to mandate belts front and rear even though they only had to be lap belts. Australia mandated lap/sash belts for all outboard passengers from the late 1960s. Any other passenger had to have a lap belt. Mandatory seatbelt wearing for passengers then became law in early 1970s.
@rjbiker66 In the early 90s the Falcon was one of the first cars to get lap sash belt in the centre rear seat. Plenty of cars 20 year later still had just a lap belt.
G’day Adam, You little ripper featuring the P6. I remember seeing these everywhere into late 80’s highly sort after even knew of one in Adelaide with a 460 BB do low 11’s down the quarter mile. Now only at car shows, my neighbour Johno his father bought one knew & now it is passed onto him & it is immaculate. It was the car of choice for the Prime Minister of the day too. Now you gotta do one on my favourite the P5 LTD. Hope you are well, come to Australia I will organise you a cruise in a P6. Cheers Louis Kats your number 1 Fan in Melbourne, Australia 👍 🇦🇺 🇺🇸
LOL. Actually, to foreign countries, American stuff was the craziest alien stuff in the world. If future archaeologists dig up some late 50's to early 60's American cars, they'll wonder what sort gods we worshiped.
@@SeventhAnubis071exactly. Man 70s American cars are ugly. Holden being forced to go American style on the Kingswood for the HJ on was the worst decision given how popular the hq was!
As an American, what are you smoking? I give you exhibit A--the ugliest Ford EVER--the US Gran Torino coupe. Ford of Australia had that BEAUTIFUL Falcon coupe. Ford US rolled out the Mustang 2 Cobra. At the same time, Ford of Australia had the Cobra Falcon coupe. The Austalian XA, XB, and XC 4 door sedans were all 'sporty/muscly' through the 70s. Nothing was sporty or muscle in the US from Ford as far as 4 doors went. The GM cars--the Torana also stayed sporty/muscly through the 70s. Ford, GM, and Chrysler in Australia had sporty 6 cylinder cars in addition to their muscle V8s. Chrysler I will kind of agree with you since they went away and ours still had some muscle left through the 70s.
@@culcune l think that US car nuts would by fascinated by the high performance Toranas - with a 308 in a car the size of a Cortina, my brothers’ and my brains just about melted when we moved over the the UK in ‘76!
My father had a P6 LTD as a company car (Dad was fortunate to have driven many different cars from Ford Australia, Holden, Chrysler Australia and Leyland Australia back then). As a young guy in the 70’s, I remember the LTD being huge (by Australian standards) and the ride being ‘wallowly’ and interior very plush. One being in Velour (from memory the Silver Monarch version) and the other Town Car model part leather. Actually worked for Ford Australia back in the mid to late 80’s, both at the Geelong works 0:15 and later Head Office in Melbourne (Campbellfield). At that time the XE Falcon, Fairlane and LTD were about to be released to market. Great video, as all your video’s are.
My dad had one too, but moved on to Jag XJ series 2, 3 and onwards to the XJ40 thereafter. The Ford was something though. I mangled the front fender taking it out for a surprise wash one day when I was 15 but oh well: it was well shiny when I got it back in the garage.
My question is, why are foreign cars so dam ugly? That looks nothing like a Ford. It looks like a off brand Chrysler . We definitely got better looking cars here.
Thank you. I had no idea our cousins "down under" had a flare for large luxury cars. I especially like amber rear turn lights, which American auto manufacturers seem to avoid.
The variable ratio steering was designed by a company called "Bishop Steering", which developed many innovations over the 30 years from the late '60's to the late 90's. (I worked there from the late 80's till 2001). It originally went into Jaguars , then into Holdens and Fords. it was manufactured in Australia by a company called "Kirby Engineering" in Rockdale. Bishop invented variable ratio rack and Pinion steering, which first appeared in the Camira, then went into all Commodores until the new millennium. It was used in many overseas cars as well. Unfortunately with the demise of Australian manufacturing, it all disappeared.
Well Adam....you done did hit it out of the park with THIS one!!! It seems many of the Ford of Australia were a cut above, or at least a little more "modern" looking than the U.S. models, and this one is no exception. As the video progressed, I was flip-flopping between "weird" and "gorgeous". Then the rear 3/4 view and interior just blew me away! In addition to Cordoba, Rolls and Italian influences, it does scream to me of AMC and even a little '69 Grand Prix in the rear. Wow! AND....Those short glimpses of the Australian Fairlane??!!! Gimme more!!!! Thanks Adam for all you do with these videos. There is NOTHING automotive related on YT that I look forward to more than your releases. Your attention to detail is mind-blowing.
Glad you like our strange and unique take on auto's down here...I was only a child getting interested in cars when these came out, and I remember how impressively different they looked in the flesh to anything else on the road down here. Now I'm not so sure the exterior (front) styling really works, and I'd much rather a ZH Fairlane, as they look just right to me - good ones are pretty pricey these days, but maybe someday I'll be able to own one. Everyone seems to want the performance models of the standard wheelbase cars, and their prices are getting stupid, but at my age, I'd rather cruise in luxury than hoon anyway. I already own a '93 NC II Fairlane Sportsman Ghia, which has the Tickford enhanced performance 4.0L straight six (the grandpa of the legendary Barra), which is cheaper to buy and run than the V8, but just as quick, and oh so smooth. Google it if you're interested (I always really liked the styling because IMHO it was very American in a good way. Cheers!
Had a Candy Apple Red XB 2 door Falcon with a 302 4 speed manual in the day. It took 12 months to lose my Licence. Got my Learners in 390 Galaxy, a Whale of a thing! Peace.
The 1974-1976 P5 LTD is a much better looking car and had a two door version, the Landau Hardtop. The Tbar shifter button depresses on the right hand side with your thumb not on the left with your pinky finger.
Personally I never liked the P6 looks, but the P5 looked awesome imo. Hidden headlights really suited the extended XA Falcon style front guards, a full width rear light and running lights in the top of the rear guards. We had some friends who always drove LTD’s when I was a kid. They were huge. The best of all though was the P5 Landau, which was an XA Falcon coupe but with the LTD treatment. A mate bought one in the early 80s - they looked great and had absolutely every option including full leather interior, 351, 9” LSD and 4 wheel disc brakes.
Adam, thanks for this great video of Australia's P6 Ford LTD. The dad of my friend in school bought a special version of this car, called the Silver Monach. (Silver exterior and crushed red velour seating) He was one of the first to have this particular special model, and i remember going for a ride in it. I was amazed by its luxury, and smooth quiet ride, and with electric everything,, this was something to behold. But trust me, just please do a review of Australia's GM subsidiary and Holdens Flagship car, the 1980 - 85 WB Statesman Caprice...this car was an outstanding luxury car in every respect, including ride and handling. It was simply called the Statesman Caprice by General Motors....the Australian Company name of Holden was not written anywhere on the car, or even mentioned in the advertisements.. Designed by ex General Motors designer Leo Pruneau....Wayne Lady would know him, and i think they may have even worked together at some point. This was Australia's Cadillac Seville or even Rolls Royce, with Mercedes inspired Headlights and a Rolls Royce Grill. Leo Pruneau also said that the Aston Martin Lagonda was a strong inspiration for this car, and their are similarities indeed. With Flagship Opel Senator luxury buckets seats front and rear (the rear seats were slightly modified by being very deeply sculptured, and with plush raised headrests to suit being chauffeur driven in), and with ride and handling to match flagship Mercedes and BMW's of the time....and it did more then hold its own during comparison tests with such cars. The more you research this WB Caprice, the more impressed you will be. This car had it all at the time....and was a great and most interesting blend of American and European luxury.... i loved this car. When this car first came out, i was in college doing graphic design, and the dad of my classmate girlfriend owned a Holden Dealership at the time, where he was delivered one of the first Caprices. He also had one of his own to drive around, it was stunning silver with crushed red velour interior. I remember being taken for a ride in this very car, and i couldn't believe how smooth and quiet it was, and luxury like i'd never seen. I also never forget the sight of another beautiful silver Caprice, parked at the front and near a busy business district intersection, with its hazard lights flashing. This car had a chauffeur with black suit and cap in the drivers seat, and a beautiful and elegant sophisticated lady in the rear, just sitting there and putting her lipstick on using a mirror. Perhaps it was a clever publicity stunt by Holden to expose and announce this amazing car to the high end of town... its target audience. If it was, then it was brilliant, because there was a lot of business people walking by, and it caught most peoples attention. This car certainly had classy presence. Fun facts ....they even flew one to the US for the annual General Motors showcase event for their executives to view the up and coming models.....apparently they were all very very impressed with the Caprice. The Rolls Royce inspired grill was hand assembled in the factory. The Caprice also had exclusive designed and made 15" polished alloy wheels, using flush Allen key Bolts, so that they could not be stollen easily. It used sophisticated independent Radial Tuned Coil Suspension all round, including disc brakes all round too. LSD was optional, as was a heavy duty radiator for big country crossings. With a six window design, this car was most elegant in profile too, and again very Rolls Royce like. From the direct rear, it looked a bit German, with its horizontal lights. Just an outstanding example of American and European luxury all in one.....It would have been a better car than the highly regarded Seville in virtually every respect for this very reason i would have thought. Please check it out.
I tend to agree with you. I've got a hearse which looks like a WB Caprice wagon and it has been a real pleasure to own and drive. Even with the 308 engine it was an ok performer - lighter and more nimble than the Ford barges of the day and both Ford and Holden's luxury level was better than Jag (I've also got a Jaguar Daimler - "the poor man's Bentley" - but wow the Jaguar 4 litre engine is gutless uphill, probably because they are so heavy.
Very much enjoyed your view of the P6 Ltd. My father had the P5 LTD here in Australia and it was far superior to the P6 in so many ways. Concave dash and much nicer interior and exterior. One day I took the hubcap off, and behind it was "Ford Mercury" embossed inside. Please do a video on the P5 in comparison, I wouldn't want your utube audience to think our cars all look that bad. The Holden statesman 71-82 is another great look at Aussie cars.
Very classy for Australia. Built on a stretched Falcon wagon chassis. Favoured by Government and business Huge rear leg room. The ZH was actually a good handling big car. I owned inexpensive with 302 Cleveland.
Thanks for covering this big (121”/3074mm wb) Aussie LTD -sort of the ultimate malaise/brougham era car! I love the interior, but the front end is a little over the top and I never cared for those 1971 style door handles.
The high shock towers and rear leaf springs scream FALCON, and from what I've read, just about everything Ford produced in Australia during this period was Falcon-based. Ford went through hell toughening up the Falcon chassis to keep the cars in one piece on Australian roads and once they had the formula down-pat they weren't about to mess with it. Those changes would probably have made these cars ideal for police work, though I don't believe Ford ever attempted to bring any of them back to the USA for that purpose.
Aussie Falcons were the mainstay for police work for some 40 years. They even used the coupes in the 70s. 351 4-speed base models were well loved by HWP cops. The V8 went away for 10 years, but when it returned and Ford offered the cops the XR8 it was quickly taken up. In later years the turbo Barra was the Ford of choice. Holden didn’t get a look in for HWP work until Ford dropped the local V8 Falcon in the early 80s. Holden swiftly jumped in to fill that void and provided V8 HWP cars since the early 80s, up to 2017, with only a small gap in 86-88 where the turbo commodore was preferred (lack of a v8 for 11 months and a really good turbo 6). General duties used many 6 cylinder Falcon sedans right through to the late 90s.
Never heard of these being referred to as a Town Car - that is an American term not used here. Was based on a bog standard Falcon 500 - stretched with different front and rear ends. The design of the base Falcon 500, Fairlane and LTD was pure Australian with styling que's taken from elsewhere. Really a piece of crap.
Well Adam, you have covered the Chrysler by Chrysler and now the LTD P6 by Ford (as a kid I thought that LTD meant limited as in not many made, well I guess that is true in this case) anyhow it looks like you are saving the best for last... The Caprice by Holden.
It barely looks mid sized for 1970s standards. To me it looks smaller than a Gran Torino or a Malibu. The car was a tad gaudy, but I think it was attractive.
Some yank barges were imported into Australia over the years by Ford, GMH and Chrysler, but they were too big for our roads and handling was generally appalling. Australian cars typically had to be more durable and handle better. All of them had to work well on dirt roads and poor secondary roads back then. One of the big markets for this car and Fairlaines were rich farmers.
Given its 121" wheelbase, and over 5.2m long, where every other car in Australia was under 5m. No it wasn't big, but here's a secret, you don't need a 6m long Oldsmobile 98 or Caddilac to drive to the shops.
As soon as I saw that padded center console I thought Maserati. I'm stunned that Ford was still using leaf springs that far into the 70's. I'd drive one in a heartbeat though.
Ford Australia was still using rear leaf springs on their full-sized wagons and Utes (ie: Ranchero's) until they ceased production last decade. Their full-sized sedans were still also using the cart springs on the rear into the 80's.
@@philip4193 The utes and wagons makes sense for the higher rates and load capacity they can give but using them on sedans is shocking that late in the game.
Not at all shocking. Aussie rural roads were very rough still back then, and Ford Oz did the best it could by refining and fine-tuning its design. Fords were known for excellent high-speed cruising comfort, and yes they did get coils on sedans in 82. Leaves were always best for towing, and give very predictable rear end handling, also great longevity in bushes, which couldn't be said of the 4-link GM rear ends that would have the upper arms fighting each other through their different arcs. How about you drive one first before criticising it?
The leaf rear under our 81 LTD Cartier made it the best tow car we ever had. Only my current FG comes close to it. Coils in the rear of sedans from ‘82 were a small improvement and hardly noticed by the majority of buyers and drivers. The revised boot layout and depth was a much bigger improvement to real life usage.
@@philip4193incorrect, the xe Falcon of 1981 went to coil spring with watts linkage. Which is still used in the ford Everest 4x4 that was engineered in Australia.
@ Adam: Re your 9.26 comment doubting if variable-ratio power steering systems were manufactured in Australia. Allow me to introduce you to A. E. Bishop: Arthur Bishop of Sydney, Australia between 1946~54 was granted patents for the design and manufacture of automotive variable-ratio steering. His R&P designs debut on the 1957 Packard, then Rootes cars (UK) and GM-Vauxhall. Bishop variable-ratio (VR) power steering was incorporated in the 1963 Jaguar Mk 10. Apparently GM infringed Bishop's patent with the release of a revised Cadillac VR power steering in 1967. A significant factor in Bishop's ongoing success was not just designing and patenting his steering innovations, but likewise inventing and patenting the machinery required to manufacture. Bishop VR steering was adopted by GM-Holden in 1971 and Ford Australia in 1972. Bendix in Sydney manufactured & supplied to both companies on various models for many years. It's significant that Bishop designed and held international patents not just on his steering innovations, but likewise on the machinery used for manufacture. By 2006 fully 23% of automotive world production were utilising patented A.E. Bishop steering systems, including: VW Group - Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Skoda. Mercedes Benz. BMW Group - Rolls Royce, MINI. Hyundai Group. General Motors. Geely - Volvo, Polestar, Lynk & Co, Lotus. Stelantis Group - Chrysler / Jeep, Fiat, Opel / Vauxhall, Peugeot. Every Ford car produced worldwide uses licensed Bishop technology. heritage.engineersaustralia.org.au/wiki/Person:Bishop,_Arthur_Ernest
Even to this day Bishop are still building and maintaining their unique (and patented) machinery forging out variable racks in multiple locations around the world. I know Germany & Korea for sure, as we’ve had to ship parts to those locations for them. A great Aussie genius that hardly anyone remembers, but almost every driver has experienced.
You're an American. It's ok to pronounce Jaguar as such, despite what Brits tell us. The origin of the word is South American, so there's that. And they say "Cad-eee-lac", though technically French, we don't try to tell them how to pronounce that. Very uninspired design. This car looks strangely alike to the Aussie Leyland P-6, but somehow less interesting. Painful even!
I like this Ford LTD P6 but if it were a sister to the Ford LTD in the United States, this car looks smaller but the grill looks cool but at the same time the interior is dope!!! Now this Ford LTD P6 should not have rusted as quick as the Ford ltd's in America Cabo we have salt on the streets...
I never knew Ford had an Australian only model. Looking at it, I see hints of Chrysler, Ford, and AMC. I think I have seen those tail lights somewhere before but I can't place them.
Ford Australia basically started doing its own thing from the late 70's through to the end of Falcon in 2016. The final Falcon were basically Australian designed and built throughout by that point. They did hit the parts box though and used parts from Ford US and Europe in earlier times and later started importing and modifying V8 engines too. The straight six was originally a US design in the 60's, but was constantly improved and reengineered through to end of production in 2016 and was the most popular engine choice in Ausrtalian Fords.. These days the turbo version of it is imported to the US as its a great racing engine. Anyway, General motors Holden and Ford parts crossed over from time to time. For example the power steering on this car and things like courtesy lights were shared in the 80s between the two brands. Because Ford Australia had a smaller market and a much smaller budget they had to be creative. They did some amazing cars that would have cost several times their development budget if done in the US and at times made cars clearly superior to the US. The second generation Taurus comes to mind, which Ford US insisted was sold in Australia. Problem was the local Falcon was superior to it in just about every way and that was the soon to be superceded Falcon. Needless to say Taurus was a complete flop out here and the initial batch imported took Ford four years to get rid of.
Interesting that you see the styling as partially English. To Australian eyes the car looks very American. The car shown at 3.29 looks like it’s carrying some heavy passengers. Or the suspension’s shot.
Is it physically a little on the ugly side? Sure. But... wheels make all the difference in the world! Plus, the US market had to deal with the hideous 5mph stupid bumpers hanging on both ends! If I had my choice, I'd go with the Aussie version vs what we had to deal with.
They have a turn signal stalk with horn switch similar to that used on my 1974 Mercury Capri. The inner body and leaf springs appear to be derived from the 1966-71 US mid sized Fords.
Good spot. The turn indicator design did start life in Europe. We had that generation Capri in Australia too, although ours kept its European styling on the front end. We also had its European stablemates Escort and Cortina. In the case of the Cortina it had some Australian content on the trim and the option of our local Ford straight six cylinder that wasn't used anywhere else in the world for Cortina.
@@WorksOnMyComputer That same turn signal horn honk feature was also present on my US market 1978 Ford Fairmont. But it did not have that nice flat area on the end that was present on the original European design.
Are you thinking about getting an Aussie car? It might be hard to do and pricey, but maybe worth doing. And from what I've heard, cars older than 25 years have relaxed import requirements.
The grill was on all LTD model's and the shifter was reversed so you push the button with your thumb the other end is just a plastic plug thay came with the 351 Cleveland FMX and a 9 inch diff disc brake all round I have the 1982 and the 1987 model's
I wish that they had been available in the U.S., with LHD, of course! Minus the vinyl roof, it has that taut European Ford styling, IMHO, and a sweet interior! And 351 (hopefully not Modified) power, C6 trans, and 9" rear end...bulletproof!
When 351C stopped being made in the US, the tooling was shipped to Geelong and 302/351C Cleveland production continued until 1982. Our local Cleveland's were different in that 4V manifolds were made locally to use Motorcraft 4300 carby on small port cylinder heads, later engines used a different 4V manifold to take Thermoquad. From late 1976 the Thermoquad was used on 302 and 351. We never used C6 in local passenger cars, the FMX was used.
My family had a ZH Fairlane Marquis in the day. Fitted with a 351 and FMX box, the same seats as the LTD , electric in the front, except in crushed velour, and deep pile carpet. It was supremely comfortable with the back seat famously putting you asleep. A great long distance cruiser. Unfortunately the engine was strangled by the infamous pollution equipment required by ADR 27A. We never saw above 16 mpg (imperial not US).
I think it's beautiful, I don't really get what's tacky about it? All the '80s malaise on this channel and this is the bridge too far? An Aussie Ford with a (cleanly done) Rolls nose? A Chrysler K-car with wire wheel covers is tacky. This Ford is pure class.
hahaha yeah I know...I don't get that. But I guess it's what you're used to. Australian Fords always looked way more modern than their American counterparts imo.
The interior accoutrements and finishes in the P6 are enviable considering the era, despite the LHD gear selector. Small bumpers lend a muscular exterior profile, especially in 3/4 view. The design, coupled with a global parts bin approach looks good even today
A hybrid vehicle of a different kind. When I look at this LTD TC I actually see a kind of Bentley bespoked for the Australians. The four round headlight pattern, a Bentley grille v Rolls, a fuselage/coke bottleish rear quarter panels. If I knew nothing of this car I would think it possibly was a one off Crewe build out on special order from a middleast sultan for Bentley but made on another brand’s platform like they used to do with Range Rovers. Crazy but think of it.
Hi, Aussie here. Some clarifications to make:
* The T-bar auto shifter indeed uses the thumb button to actuate it. The "button" you see on the "pinky" side is a fake one to make the handle symmetrical. We aren't that stupid, c'mon!
*The 351 Cleveland was assembled locally from 1972 from local and imported parts, and completely made here from around 1975, finishing in 1982 in mainstream Fords but continuing in some non-emissions vehicles (ie: F-trucks) for a few more years after that. Ford Oz were the source for all DeTomaso V8s until the supply dried up in 1988, when they went to the US 5.0 EFI.
The P6 LTD was a stretched Fairlane body. They are effectively a factory limousine. The stretch came from lengthening the body aft of the B-pillar by approx 6", with the roof joint conveniently being covered by the vinyl. The door skin I believe was bespoke but the frame was cut and shut with extensions being spot-welded in. I've seen one at the wrecking yard with its rear door skins gone and saw the said joints in the door internals. Not sure about the windows, but longer glass wouldn't be too hard to make.
* The P6 nose was fibreglass.
* I don't think many share your distain for its styling. There are plenty of uglier cars out there, many of them American.
* Ford Australia kicked off its own Fairlane line really in 67 with the ZA. Unlike the US Fairlane, it was entirely based on the Falcon platform (with different front and rear panels and lights), but were lengthened at the rear wheel dogleg by around 4". The Falcon ute and wagon also shared this stretched chassis. Although the first Fairlane used a few bits and bobs here and there from their Ford US counterparts, they were for the most part, a local development. We did amazing things on a shoestring, things that US makers could only dream of doing on the same money. Have you ever heard of the 250 six crossflow? That came out in 76 and an alloy version came out in 80. It used Cleveland canted valve geometry and made great power for the smog era.
* We could only update major sheetmetal every 8 years or so, with a facelift every 2-3 years. Luxury cars were a big deal considering the outlay in body tooling needed vs sales volumes.
* The Aus Fairlane tradition of basing the chassis on that of the Falcon continued nearly (not quite) to the bitter end in 2016, but the extra long wheelbase LTD was only offered over three Fairlane models: ZF (73-74), ZG (74-76) and ZH (76-78). The ZF and ZG era LTDs were assigned the "P5" model (the ZG was a facelifted ZF) whereas the ZH as you mentioned was the "P6" in LTD form. From 79 onwards, the LTD would share the Fairlane wheelbase (I think they had ample rear legroom by then to be honest) but it would have higher luxury trim levels and gadgets than its stablemate.
That's some really great and detailed info. Thanks!
I agree about the styling. To my eyes it's not unattractive at all. I was in college here in the seventies and you're right, we certainly had some pug-ugly American cars then and some really homely Japanese ones also!
Great info from our Aussie cousins. I too noticed the shifter release button on the “proper” side clearly shown in the photo at 10:45. I really like this car’s interior, too. Any idea the price of these at the time?
Nice work mate.
At 10:39 you can actually see the button on the driver's side of the shifter.
Very cool, even has Lincoln side mirrors. The front is so very Cordoba. But still cool. The back looks like an AMC Ambassador.
Argentina certainly made such EXCELLENT Ambassadors. Based on the 1965/66 version, they were made for many years after and had leather upholstery and electric windows as standard. They should have been exported.
@@alanblanes2876My stepfather bought a brand new ‘65 Rambler (AMC) Ambassador 990H that was quite luxurious and “sporty” for a full size vehicle at the time. It was a creamy white color with a red top, 2-door with red vinyl interior, bucket seats, console with floor shifter, and factory A/C. I took my driver’s test in it in 1970. At the time, we teenage muscle car lovers had a very low opinion of AMC vehicles in general so I was always hoping we’d trade it in for something else. But in hindsight it was actually a decent unique vehicle.
I love both the P5 and P6 versions of the Ford LTD Town Car from Australia. I'd love to export one to Thailand since we drive on the same side of the road as Australia.
What a treat to see you feature this car! During two visits to Australia, I was always on the lookout for the local market LTDs and was luck enough to see a few, as well as a Ford Landau (the two door version in the previous generation) in yellow gold metallic, driven by the proverbial "little old lady". There was also a "Silver Monarch" edition with silver paint and vinyl roof, and red interior trim. And if you look closely, you'll see a lot of parts from US cars, including the concurrent Lincoln drum speedometer, window switches, the chrome trim on the door panels, etc. Also, the only FoMoCo product of the era that I'm aware of that was available with variable-rate power steering was the 1971-72 Cougar. It was included in a couple of GT/high performance option packages. (It may have been available on the concurrent Mustang as well.). Lastly, the local buff books considered the ZH Fairlane front end to be a good copy of the '68 full-size Mercury, and I agree.
Most of our fairlanes & LTD's were poor man's Lincoln's.
Except for the front end, the P6 LTD and Fairlane remind me more of the AMC Ambassador than a US Ford in the exterior. The interior reminds me of an AMC Concorde.
Overall, it looks like a '72 AMC Matador to me.
Looks like some styling cues showed up in, and maybe the chassis from Ford Granada and Fairmont?
It's the Ford Falcon platform going back to the 1961 xk/xl Falcon that was heavily improved in Australia, with Australian designed bodies from the xa Falcon on. but the Grenada in America was the same base too.
Mark behr does a history on all the falcons that's pretty comprehensive.
The roofline looks like a 77-78 Dodge Monaco
Given it was designed in 74-5, it would be the other way around?
Looks like am AMC Ambassador with a Chrysler Cordoba nose.
That's what I was thinking
Exactly!
I see Bentley in the nose. Some of the Ambassador-ness comes from the way the chassis seems undersized for the body. (Plenty in the gentle curves and economical rear too.)
Words right out of my mouth, verbatim!
@@AtomicBuffaloI agree..the grill & headlights.
Ex Aussie Ford Motor Co employee here, these cars were awesome in their day and were mainly purchased by well healed people. Still my favorite was the 1973 ford landau coupe
Same here, no2 its big brother the p5 LTD sedan. The greatest Australian car ever made the Landau. Sheeeeer class
LANDAU!!!!
Variable ratio steering was invented in Australia.
Patented by Arthur Ernest Bishop.
Except that was rack and pinion, whereas the LTD (and Falcon) used a recirculating ball steering box.
@@jonathanrabbitt You sure as Ford certainly introduced Kirby Bishop based VR steering in 1972 on the Fairlane 500 and other premium models" Search Google "Arthur Bishop -Steering to Achievement Squarespaces". They certainly subsequently dropped it but I though is was still on the long wheelbase 1976 cars. The XF of the late 1980's still had it so I think this model would too. Check "Falcon Kirby-Bishop Power Steering Box Overhaul" in the Oz Falcons Australian forum.
@@jonathanrabbitt Check that. Ford Australia introduced Bishop based variable power steering as standard on the Fairlane 500 an other on wheelbase models with the 1072 XA models. Google "Arthur Biship -Steering to Achievement in Squrespace. It was eventually dropped by Ford Australia eith the EA/DA//NA series but continued in the long wheelbase models at least until the XE based models of the late 1980's. Check out the Oz-Falcon Forum article on Falcon Kirby-Bishop Power Steering Box Overhaul.
@@Aussiblue EA falcon was the first ford local big car with rack and pinion steering
Prior to that they used recirculating ball steering box basically from 1967 to 1986 setup that was rarely altered - not sure if a 1967 XR fits say a 1976 XC or 1979 XD - they are very similar, however you can use those ford boxes with a simple adapter plate and mount it on australian A-body valiants - some ford owners done the opposite and used VH Valiant RT 161:1 manual boxes and placed them in fords - but you have to chop back the steering shaft
@@georgemaragos2378 You are right that EA onwards also had Kirby Bishop Rack and Pinion Power but the long wheelbase premium cars got it too from the XA onwards. Did you Google "Arthur Bishop -Steering to Achievement in Squrespace.
Adam, that was a nice clip. Sorry but you’re completely wrong about the T bar. The button was thumb activated and you should be aware that this arrangement was used in the UK and South Africa on many floor shift automatics. The variable ratio steering was locally made and no GM parts. Australia was ahead of the US in terms of running gear. The 4 wheel discs were all ventilated as well. See if you can source some info about the P5 LTD, you should have a look. Those things flew.
Ford Australia continued to make the Cleveland 302 and 351 long after the US stopped production and Australian 351s were used in De Tomaso vehicles
🥝✔️ Bishops Kirby power steering was an Australian patent, that GM procured. The 71-73 Mustangs got it from the F body GM cars. Ford Australia and GM- Holden used it from 1971 to the late 80's...same ratio as the Firebird and Camaro
Also Aussie Chryslers, but the big 3 all shared a lot of stuff to make local components viable. Diffs, gearboxes, carburettors, lots of stuff.
@@gergatron7000 I know when I first changed the breaks on my 1971 Toyota Crown the mechanic said, Oh wow these are from an HQ and the diff from a Torana. Shame they didn't use the 186 engine as the 2300 from Toyota was crap and the Toyoglide was geared so low to cope that it would rev the crap out of it at 100.
Well some on here may not like the styling, but remember this car gave you Mad Max, because both of them are variants on Australia's Ford Falcon under the skin, running on a variant of the same chasis and mechanical package and both are from the same generation of Falcon. Take a look at those big leaf springs on this LTD and you might remember them being just as prominent under Max's car. Now have a good look at the door handles and the windscreen. Even the front doors look the same, just a bit stretched on the coupe - which is exactly what Ford did. Yes, this is Max's work car if had had moved up the ranks to commissioner in Main Force Patrol.
Here in New Zealand, back in the day a friend of mines father had one of these. It was the Silver Monarch edition with plush red upholstery. Never forgotten that car.
Oh yes the red velour interior, some would say the bordello interior from the deep south of the USA. I am not of Italian heritage but to say that car resembles Italian style is a bloody sick joke. Italians have style. Over here in Tasmania, the capital city, Hobart, in the 1970s, decided to sell the Lord mayor's official car, a late 1950s Daimler Majestic Major limousine. The replacement was a Silver Monarch. The new Lord Mayor was a member of the Liberal party, which is far from liberal, more like right wing Republicans in the USA. She was a lowlife foul mouthed bitch, Lorna Doone Pleasance Kennedy who I often referred to as the unpleasant Kennedy. Her husband was an alderman and head of a large Tasmania wide business and one day he said in a meeting " Mr chairman, now some of you might think this is a bit strange, but many people have pacemakers implanted these days and I am told they contain small amounts of gold, some people have gold fillings in their teeth and I am reliably informed the human body contains small amounts of gold. I have wondered for a long time now,when we cremate people at the Cornelian Bay crematorium, does this gold get burnt up and if not, could we rake out the ashes, sieve out the gold and earn council some extra revenue". Australian cars have rarely exhibited style and certainly not luxury.
I don't remember anyone actually calling it a P6 or Town Car - you either had a Fairlane or an LTD. This model LTD was the first car I ever drove with power steering, and it was unbelievably light.
Small issues aside (there was even a picture showing the real shifter button immediately before the one with the fake!) I have to say it was refreshing to watch an American video about an Australian car without having to scream corrections at the screen the whole time. Well done!.
Exactly. I never heard them called that either. Just LTD
Growing up in Australia in the 70’s I remember them well , by the time I got my license in the late 80’s these are cheap and fun to drive.
I rode around in one of these a fair bit as a kid in the late 70's, as a neighbourhood friend's dad had one of these (he was a senior manager in a pharmaceutical firm and I believe it was a company-supplied car). I remember sitting in the back seat and playing with the cigarette lighter secreted in the arm rest in my door card; being a typical 70's car it had like five ashtrays and as many lighters scattered around the interior.
I also remember playing endlessly with the power windows & door locks, which my own parent's very plain Ford Cortina certainly did not have. Also, since these Aussie-built high-compression 351 Cleaveland V8's ran on premium leaded gas without the cats & most of the other US-style emissions restrictions, those big cars really had some pep and were quite lively on the road from memory.
Thank you for sharing. My families first car with power steering and air conditioning evoked similar fascination for me.
We had “Super” petrol back then - full lead. ULP wasn’t mandated until 1986 for all new cars, and Super continued to be available for another 15 or so years, albeit with ever reducing lead levels over the last few of those years.
My little, 5 foot tall Grandmother drove a 1985 Ford LTD Crown Victoria. 😅
White with blue velour interior.
I remember it being pretty “lux” for a ford. A big car also. My Grandmother looked like a little kid behind the steering wheel. 🤭
Ford Australia made terrific cars. Such a shame all local manufacturers closed.
idiot politicians. Never thought more than 3 years ahead. They were only concerned with their 3 year term.
A great Liberal decision from Hockey. Our country is poorer because of that party.
@@Dont_Gnaw_on_the_Kitty_1 and ford couldn’t sell the shit they were building , the federal govt bailed them out then they shut down anyway and took all that taxpayer money back to Detroit
@@Dont_Gnaw_on_the_Kitty_1 Exactly, we all know that EVERY country in the world "supports" their local manufacturing. But our "holier than thou" pollies thought differently, what a bunch of tossers. All that expertise gone.
@@qre268Zrtb POLO TISHANS don't even think that far ahead. They just do what their banker masters tell them.
In 1975 The Australian Federal Government signed The Lima Agreement, to remove industry and manufacturing from developed countries to developing ones.
Not just labouring costs but more importantly the multi trillions of $ bank credit for developing countries like China & South Korea.
These vehicles were also exclusively used as Commonwealth (Government) vehicles for Federal politicians and government officials. I was an RAAF (Airforce) officer at the time of their release and was happy to be chauffeur driven in one of them, on a daily basis, to and from my off base unit (rather than getting a petrol allowance, using my own car). It was extremely comfortable and a relaxing way to get to and from work.
i was a young apprentice mechanic in a ford dealer , the first drive of a LTD i ever got was i had to deliver a customers new silver monarch which was really cool :) , they where a nice car , and when you give them the berries , you could hear the mighty carter thermoquad roar into life :) .
Australia for the win...cool cars down under..😀
Looks like a Rolls that was born and raised in America, then grew up and moved to Australia for that promising new career 🤣
....and, as a result of living in Oz, it spent a lot of time at the beach and stretching its 351 legs on short drives like Sydney to Perth. This meant it stayed fitter and leaner than its American cousins.
These were often owned by the older gentlemen farmers. Great on long trips, smooth across a cow paddock, good AC, comfortable run to church on Sunday and most likely a nice tax write-off.
And for government minister motor pool as you mentioned very swift and comfy to travel in especially on those not so good country roads.
The Fairlanes were, but LTD was usually either a hearse or a chaffuer driven VIP car until it became second hand
My P6, white in white, was owned by the Federal Government straight from Ford, no dealer
I remember these well. The ride of NZ PM Rob Muldoon and Aussie PM Malcolm Fraser. A neighbour of ours back in 80/81 had the Silver Monarch version, which was silver (obviously) with bordello-burgundy interior. Even as an 8 year old I loved it!
Someone will confirm or correct me bit I *think* Broadmeadows used a RHD-configured Mercury dash in the '76 ZH??? Could be wrong.
Hearing it pronounced "zee-aitch" is just funny to my ears. The true-blue way would be "zed-haitch"😁
Love these videos Adam, and Americans' reactions to what must be really strange cars to you guys.
For this car's purposes, Australia shall now be called the "Landau Nunder" (boom-tish, etc).
My Dad has Malcolm Frasers in his Car port.
Very strange car! It looks a lot more like a Chrysler of the time than a Ford.
That's what I said, it looks like a Chinese made copy of a Cordova. 😅
Looks like a Ford to me but I'm Australian.
Look up Chrysler valiant and Chrysler by Chryslers made in Australia. That's a Chrysler to us.
@@Low760 I think that Adam would find the ‘Chrysler by Chrysler’ a REALLY interesting car - particularly the coupe with a 360, as it’s a great looking car and an Australian take on Mopar fuselage styling.
In the mid 80s at 23 l bought a metallic green 1970 Chrysler VG VIP - the Chrysler by Chrysler’s predecessor - with the ‘Fireball’ 318 & torqueflite. Man l loved that car - with its clear US Dodge Dart DNA.
I owned one of these. It was my daily driver from 2006 to 2010.
I'm curious to know -- were these based upon the Falcon unibody chassis or did they have a full frame like the Galaxie 500/LTDs of the US which they greatly resemble from a sheet-metal perspective (front end excepting)?
@@fericydeThey were Falcon based. Another poster above has given details of how the platform was stretched from the Fairlane platform, which was itself a stretch of the Falcon
it is rumoured that the Ayatollah of RocknRolla had one but couldn't scavenge enough guzzolene for it.
how well did it ride over broken pavement?
@@ivanwashington3186 They took everything in their stride
Ricardo Montalban would be proud of how they built this car down under... Especially the interior upholstery with the rich "Corinthian Kangaroo" leather. 😄
Rich Kangoorinthian Leather
I preferred the acres of red velour in the silver monarch model my great-uncle bought as his retirement car. That thing was so plush, and as young kids, we could almost play hide & seek in that rear seat!
Khaaaaan!!!
Hahaa
That center console is totally Ferrari, look at those switches mounted between the seats. Love the Lincoln side view mirrors. Would love to know more about the Australian car market (South American as well), with the mix of US developed floor plans and then augmenting from there. Yet, lot’s of bits and pieces that were probably shipped straight from Detroit for use on the vehicles.
Followed by European chassis use.
The only parts bin stuff used in these cars was the FMX auto, 9" diff until late 78 after which a local diff was used, some switch gear for the power windows and window motors, Thermoquad carby, the York AC compressor, Ford starter motor, side mirrors and the Thompson or Saginaw power steering pumps. Pretty much the rest of the car was of Australian manufacture - even the motor.
@@pa6370 Awesome information, thanks.
Great video - the Brazilian Ford Landau and Spain's Dodge 3700GT would make interesting subjects as well. Flush door handles were a requirement in Australia. Do a search for Australian-built Minis and you'll see they have flush door handles.
Australia had some great cars.
The peak of LTD in Australia was really the first; that being the 1973 P5 LTD. Stunning car, and the only Australian car I can think of with hidden headlights (ignoring the Landau variant). Also the gear selector has the button on both sides for decoration, but it's only functional on the side with the thumb.
I think Ford might have switched the position of the functional button, depending on whether the car was left or right hand drive.
I absolutely agree the P5 was without a doubt the BEST LTD. Talk about presence ! Another great feature was the horn on the inside edge of the steering wheel. I drove Dads car when I was 17-18. With the concave dash, and switch positions I never had to look at what I was doing, it was all reachable in specific areas with no confusion. When the P6 came out, it was a major drop in quality and style, a major disappointment.
I fell in love with the P5 when I looked at one for sale on the Gold Coast in 1993. They wanted $3500 for it but needed TLC. Ended up getting a 87 Fairmont shitbox instead. That wasn't a good decision as I had to rebuild the engine after 6 months.
@@jamiefrangos9233as a small kid I could clearly see the P5 was basically the same body as an XA falcon including front guards and bonnet interchangeable. The P6 and ZH appeared to be a completely different body from the XC, with only the doors the same, which isn't obvious.
At the time for its intended purpose (luxury limousine), Ford achieved the LTD’s peak with the P6, finally able to successfully distinguish it from its humble Falcon styling that the P5 couldn’t quite shake.
In time, the P5 has faired better and adapts itself to a more nostalgic muscle car look where’s the P6 has remained in an almost most forgotten 70’s excess luxury limousine look.
Anything American in '76 would have had enormous bumpers. This car looks pretty good to me.
Aussie car manufacturers toned down a lot of the American influences to suit the local market. The first model Falcons ( 1960 - 1966 )are a great example.
I dig those aircraft control style levers for the AC in the center console.
Adam, a very notable Rolls-Royce specialist in Chicago - lovely Australian chap - Rodd Sala - Park Ward Motors has at this very moment a P6 LTD in his glamorous showrooms. It stands proud and prestigious amongst British Royalty, as it should. The quality of the Australian LTD was astounding. They were designed and offered for Heads of State, Corporate and Government Elite. I know... I owned one for 14yrs. They would give a Lincoln of the same era a run for their money. I own a 1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow now and I can confirm the LTD rivals her in ride, comfort, silence, handling and braking. I would ask you research and present a 1973-1975 P5 LTD Limousine and Landau also - I would stretch to say they are even more exquisite in styling, plus the original Australian designed and built LTD.
I think Adam has a trip to Chicago in his near future!
Steady on ...Fraser thought they welded up rubbish next to his Flaminia, a thoroughbred
I'm Australian and love these 70s LTD,s. A lot were converted to run on lpg (propane) to cut costs on running that 351 hauling that big heavy body around. But sadly a lot got run into the ground over the years. They are a rare sight on our roads now. I guess the remaining good ones are used sparingly for occasional cruising purposes on a weekend now.
Hi i hardly see any ZA ( XR faillanes to XD era ), most of them ended up at wreckers and they lost the 351 / fmx /C6 / 9 inch , even most fairlanes with the base 302 2bbl C$ and 8 inch diff had the powertrain removed for other cars.
Of and the body on these fairlane and LTD 9/10 were just rust buckets, the 2nd and 3rd owner would rarely garage them and they would deteriorate if parked on the street - XA-B-C had that stupid dip on the top of the boot area under the rear screen that scooped and kept water in the cup section, most of those cars were rotted out along the drain channel down to tail lights and rear bumper support - mid to late 780's you might sport onon the road and the box trailer that was just a brace behind the bumper and used the factory bolt holes would rip out the rusted panel, i saw possible 3 or 4 at bunnings or flower power that had box trailers full of soil or gravel and that once off haul of 1.5ton load was to much and that rear beaver panel just ripped apart
Interesting episode. The styling really says "AMC" to me, rather than Ford.
Especially the rear view 👍
@@mrdiplomat9018 . My '73 Matador rear end had similar styling cues. Cheers!
Agreed, it has a strong AMC vibe.
Australian GM, Ford and Chrysler cars has always had interesting takes on their North American cousins.
We just made them look better 😂
I like the car. I love the interior. I wish it was available in the US.
You do an amazing job, Adam. Thank you!
I agree...it had more allure than most of the American Ford models of the time.
Love it! Very handsome car.
I was about to point out how popular these cars were in Australia, when I noted you had dedicated the episode to just that. Their engine capacity meant they were hardly strained, so became cheap, and very reliable transport for quite a while. People in their 20s would hot them up and fir massive stereo systems to them. They became theft magnets sadly.
An interesting review as always, but sorry I just can’t see any Jaguar XJ in there, and I live in England!
love the Aussies morphs of American cars. Mark Behr has a channel all about these types of cars. thanks for this feature, Adam
They definitely aren't a morph by this point.
Not any more or less tacky than Fords and Mercurys in the U.S. Missed your point.
My uncle has an LTD like the one shown. Silver with plush red velour interior. For everyone in the family it was such a treat to go for a ride in it. Beautiful car.
The ‘silver monarch’….. at that time I had just started work at Ford and my boss had one as his company car ! Awesome
Your uncle did alright. The most expensive locally built car in Australia. Probably close to double or 1/3 more than a ZH Fairlane 500 with a 4.9 engine, which was still upmarket.
It looks like an AMC Oleg Cassini Matador that had a child with a Ford Torino.
I had a '73 Rambler Matador here in Australia, they were assembled here from kits, but were slightly different to the US models. In the case of mine, it was basically an Ambassador (high spec; mine had white leather interior, a/c, power windows etc, all standard) with the (better looking IMHO) Matador front clip. Mine also had the 360ci V8, but other engine options were available. I owned it from 1987 to about '95ish, and got $1500 for it...the same car now would be circa $30k, and I'd like to own one again, but not at those prices. Cheers!
The P6 LTD was a very cool and prestigious car in Aust in the late 70s. I have a local car magazine from 1977-78 where a US Ford exec wrote a letter to the magazine stating that he'd been on holidays in Aust with his wife and while here, visited a Ford dealership to see what was availabe. He said he thought the local range was better than what Ford was offering in the US at the time.
In late 2010 I had US colleagues come out. All of them immediately wanted an FG Falcon after they experienced a ride in a Barra.
But then I took them to Prodrive (FPV) and 2 of them got to experience the Miami GT-E press car. One had recently bought the first gen “retro” styled mustang, and bemoaned how much better the Aussie 4-door was. Several more visits over the following few years had all of them wanting to take an FG back home with them. Yanks like Aussie Fords!
@@raph770 look at that absolute pig, the Gran Torino, and then look at the Aussie Falcon coupe. Even with the Torino with its red stripes in the TV show 'Starsky and Hutch' it was the embodiment of the saying, 'Putting lipstick on a pig'! Look at the Mustang lineup for a second good, bad example of what Ford was selling here in the US.
Saying you had better products than the USA isn't saying much... mass-produced junk both
There is a Aussie guy in Chicago who has one in his collection , if you track him down and see if you can do a drive of it .
I would hardly call them tacky. The LTD is a beautiful big heavy powerful car that is quiet and rides well. I bought mine second hand in '88 For $10,000. I still drive it with 500,000 km on the speedo and its engine has been reconditioned.
nice video. i love to see the different versions of ford and others in both australia and canada versions. i am suscribed to you now. keep 'em coming!!
I've been on a mission for years to show my American friends these cars, as they really have no knowledge of them, and now thanks to you I can point them to these detailed and complete videos that tell the whole story! Thank youuuu
That 351 pic shows an after market gas conversion
Interesting to note that the back seats had shoulder belts, long before they became standard in the U.S.
Yes, European safety influences were fought by U S. designers allegedly based on production costs. My hunch is it had much more to do with the 'Merican sense of "you can't make me" regarding automobile safety and fuel economy. 🤔
@@donalddodson7365 the Europeans didn't mandate rear belts until much later.
The USA was pretty early to mandate belts front and rear even though they only had to be lap belts.
Australia mandated lap/sash belts for all outboard passengers from the late 1960s. Any other passenger had to have a lap belt.
Mandatory seatbelt wearing for passengers then became law in early 1970s.
@rjbiker66
In the early 90s the Falcon was one of the first cars to get lap sash belt in the centre rear seat. Plenty of cars 20 year later still had just a lap belt.
G’day Adam,
You little ripper featuring the P6. I remember seeing these everywhere into late 80’s highly sort after even knew of one in Adelaide with a 460 BB do low 11’s down the quarter mile.
Now only at car shows, my neighbour Johno his father bought one knew & now it is passed onto him & it is immaculate.
It was the car of choice for the Prime Minister of the day too.
Now you gotta do one on my favourite the P5 LTD.
Hope you are well, come to Australia I will organise you a cruise in a P6.
Cheers
Louis Kats your number 1 Fan in Melbourne, Australia 👍 🇦🇺 🇺🇸
Thx Louis!
But I'm the number one Melbourne fan Louis! Been here since 1000 subs..
To an American, Aussie Fords, Chryslers and Holdens always look like they came from an alternate universe. So close to US stuff, but not quite right.
LOL. Actually, to foreign countries, American stuff was the craziest alien stuff in the world. If future archaeologists dig up some late 50's to early 60's American cars, they'll wonder what sort gods we worshiped.
@@SeventhAnubis071exactly. Man 70s American cars are ugly. Holden being forced to go American style on the Kingswood for the HJ on was the worst decision given how popular the hq was!
As an American, what are you smoking? I give you exhibit A--the ugliest Ford EVER--the US Gran Torino coupe. Ford of Australia had that BEAUTIFUL Falcon coupe. Ford US rolled out the Mustang 2 Cobra. At the same time, Ford of Australia had the Cobra Falcon coupe. The Austalian XA, XB, and XC 4 door sedans were all 'sporty/muscly' through the 70s. Nothing was sporty or muscle in the US from Ford as far as 4 doors went. The GM cars--the Torana also stayed sporty/muscly through the 70s. Ford, GM, and Chrysler in Australia had sporty 6 cylinder cars in addition to their muscle V8s. Chrysler I will kind of agree with you since they went away and ours still had some muscle left through the 70s.
@@Low760 The HQ looks a lot like 1960's GM NA inspired styling, which was definitely a high point compared to 1970s GM NA styling trends.
@@culcune l think that US car nuts would by fascinated by the high performance Toranas - with a 308 in a car the size of a Cortina, my brothers’ and my brains just about melted when we moved over the the UK in ‘76!
My father had a P6 LTD as a company car (Dad was fortunate to have driven many different cars from Ford Australia, Holden, Chrysler Australia and Leyland Australia back then). As a young guy in the 70’s, I remember the LTD being huge (by Australian standards) and the ride being ‘wallowly’ and interior very plush. One being in Velour (from memory the Silver Monarch version) and the other Town Car model part leather. Actually worked for Ford Australia back in the mid to late 80’s, both at the Geelong works 0:15 and later Head Office in Melbourne (Campbellfield). At that time the XE Falcon, Fairlane and LTD were about to be released to market. Great video, as all your video’s are.
My dad had one too, but moved on to Jag XJ series 2, 3 and onwards to the XJ40 thereafter. The Ford was something though. I mangled the front fender taking it out for a surprise wash one day when I was 15 but oh well: it was well shiny when I got it back in the garage.
My question is, why are foreign cars so dam ugly? That looks nothing like a Ford. It looks like a off brand Chrysler . We definitely got better looking cars here.
I never seen a picture of that or knew it even existed...lol
Thank you. I had no idea our cousins "down under" had a flare for large luxury cars. I especially like amber rear turn lights, which American auto manufacturers seem to avoid.
A legal requirement here thankfully.
yeah thankfully there weren't that many barge-sized cars made in Australia
Gotta disagree,
Love the p6
Although your thoughts were all over the board.
The variable ratio steering was designed by a company called "Bishop Steering", which developed many innovations over the 30 years from the late '60's to the late 90's. (I worked there from the late 80's till 2001). It originally went into Jaguars , then into Holdens and Fords. it was manufactured in Australia by a company called "Kirby Engineering" in Rockdale. Bishop invented variable ratio rack and Pinion steering, which first appeared in the Camira, then went into all Commodores until the new millennium. It was used in many overseas cars as well. Unfortunately with the demise of Australian manufacturing, it all disappeared.
He highly doubted an australia company could do anything so good had to be gm usa..
@@IanMichealPretty typical for most Americans
At 9:03, I wonder what those three levers to the rear of the shifter might be ❓
Airconditioning and ventilation controls.
Well Adam....you done did hit it out of the park with THIS one!!! It seems many of the Ford of Australia were a cut above, or at least a little more "modern" looking than the U.S. models, and this one is no exception. As the video progressed, I was flip-flopping between "weird" and "gorgeous". Then the rear 3/4 view and interior just blew me away! In addition to Cordoba, Rolls and Italian influences, it does scream to me of AMC and even a little '69 Grand Prix in the rear.
Wow!
AND....Those short glimpses of the Australian Fairlane??!!! Gimme more!!!!
Thanks Adam for all you do with these videos. There is NOTHING automotive related on YT that I look forward to more than your releases. Your attention to detail is mind-blowing.
Glad you like our strange and unique take on auto's down here...I was only a child getting interested in cars when these came out, and I remember how impressively different they looked in the flesh to anything else on the road down here. Now I'm not so sure the exterior (front) styling really works, and I'd much rather a ZH Fairlane, as they look just right to me - good ones are pretty pricey these days, but maybe someday I'll be able to own one. Everyone seems to want the performance models of the standard wheelbase cars, and their prices are getting stupid, but at my age, I'd rather cruise in luxury than hoon anyway. I already own a '93 NC II Fairlane Sportsman Ghia, which has the Tickford enhanced performance 4.0L straight six (the grandpa of the legendary Barra), which is cheaper to buy and run than the V8, but just as quick, and oh so smooth. Google it if you're interested (I always really liked the styling because IMHO it was very American in a good way. Cheers!
Had a Candy Apple Red XB 2 door Falcon with a 302 4 speed manual in the day.
It took 12 months to lose my Licence.
Got my Learners in 390 Galaxy, a Whale of a thing!
Peace.
The 1974-1976 P5 LTD is a much better looking car and had a two door version, the Landau Hardtop. The Tbar shifter button depresses on the right hand side with your thumb not on the left with your pinky finger.
Cool to see these local-focus cars. I much regret the move toward "world cars" crushing local/regional design initiatives of eras past.
Personally I never liked the P6 looks, but the P5 looked awesome imo. Hidden headlights really suited the extended XA Falcon style front guards, a full width rear light and running lights in the top of the rear guards. We had some friends who always drove LTD’s when I was a kid. They were huge. The best of all though was the P5 Landau, which was an XA Falcon coupe but with the LTD treatment. A mate bought one in the early 80s - they looked great and had absolutely every option including full leather interior, 351, 9” LSD and 4 wheel disc brakes.
Adam, thanks for this great video of Australia's P6 Ford LTD.
The dad of my friend in school bought a special version of this car, called the Silver Monach. (Silver exterior and crushed red velour seating)
He was one of the first to have this particular special model, and i remember going for a ride in it. I was amazed by its luxury, and smooth quiet ride, and with electric everything,, this was something to behold.
But trust me, just please do a review of Australia's GM subsidiary and Holdens Flagship car, the 1980 - 85 WB Statesman Caprice...this car was an outstanding luxury car in every respect, including ride and handling.
It was simply called the Statesman Caprice by General Motors....the Australian Company name of Holden was not written anywhere on the car, or even mentioned in the advertisements..
Designed by ex General Motors designer Leo Pruneau....Wayne Lady would know him, and i think they may have even worked together at some point.
This was Australia's Cadillac Seville or even Rolls Royce, with Mercedes inspired Headlights and a Rolls Royce Grill. Leo Pruneau also said that the Aston Martin Lagonda was a strong inspiration for this car, and their are similarities indeed.
With Flagship Opel Senator luxury buckets seats front and rear (the rear seats were slightly modified by being very deeply sculptured, and with plush raised headrests to suit being chauffeur driven in), and with ride and handling to match flagship Mercedes and BMW's of the time....and it did more then hold its own during comparison tests with such cars.
The more you research this WB Caprice, the more impressed you will be. This car had it all at the time....and was a great and most interesting blend of American and European luxury.... i loved this car.
When this car first came out, i was in college doing graphic design, and the dad of my classmate girlfriend owned a Holden Dealership at the time, where he was delivered one of the first Caprices. He also had one of his own to drive around, it was stunning silver with crushed red velour interior. I remember being taken for a ride in this very car, and i couldn't believe how smooth and quiet it was, and luxury like i'd never seen.
I also never forget the sight of another beautiful silver Caprice, parked at the front and near a busy business district intersection, with its hazard lights flashing. This car had a chauffeur with black suit and cap in the drivers seat, and a beautiful and elegant sophisticated lady in the rear, just sitting there and putting her lipstick on using a mirror.
Perhaps it was a clever publicity stunt by Holden to expose and announce this amazing car to the high end of town... its target audience. If it was, then it was brilliant, because there was a lot of business people walking by, and it caught most peoples attention.
This car certainly had classy presence.
Fun facts ....they even flew one to the US for the annual General Motors showcase event for their executives to view the up and coming models.....apparently they were all very very impressed with the Caprice.
The Rolls Royce inspired grill was hand assembled in the factory.
The Caprice also had exclusive designed and made 15" polished alloy wheels, using flush Allen key Bolts, so that they could not be stollen easily.
It used sophisticated independent Radial Tuned Coil Suspension all round, including disc brakes all round too.
LSD was optional, as was a heavy duty radiator for big country crossings.
With a six window design, this car was most elegant in profile too, and again very Rolls Royce like.
From the direct rear, it looked a bit German, with its horizontal lights.
Just an outstanding example of American and European luxury all in one.....It would have been a better car than the highly regarded Seville in virtually every respect for this very reason i would have thought.
Please check it out.
I reckon the WB Series 2 Caprice will blow him away, and the HDT Magnum would be unfathomable to an American!
Now we just need Adam to see this post.
I tend to agree with you. I've got a hearse which looks like a WB Caprice wagon and it has been a real pleasure to own and drive. Even with the 308 engine it was an ok performer - lighter and more nimble than the Ford barges of the day and both Ford and Holden's luxury level was better than Jag (I've also got a Jaguar Daimler - "the poor man's Bentley" - but wow the Jaguar 4 litre engine is gutless uphill, probably because they are so heavy.
Very much enjoyed your view of the P6 Ltd. My father had the P5 LTD here in Australia and it was far superior to the P6 in so many ways. Concave dash and much nicer interior and exterior. One day I took the hubcap off, and behind it was "Ford Mercury" embossed inside. Please do a video on the P5 in comparison, I wouldn't want your utube audience to think our cars all look that bad. The Holden statesman 71-82 is another great look at Aussie cars.
Very classy for Australia. Built on a stretched Falcon wagon chassis. Favoured by Government and business
Huge rear leg room.
The ZH was actually a good handling big car. I owned inexpensive with 302 Cleveland.
Thanks for covering this big (121”/3074mm wb) Aussie LTD -sort of the ultimate malaise/brougham era car! I love the interior, but the front end is a little over the top and I never cared for those 1971 style door handles.
An American calling an Australian car over-the-top is just hilarious. The US has never been known for restraint...
Ah, the Z series, ZA,ZB,ZC. All Australian Luxobarge. Bought by wealthy farmers, CEO’s , and dr$g dealers.
Government pool cars for ministers?
@@twentyrothmans7308 Mercs were more popular for that back then.
The high shock towers and rear leaf springs scream FALCON, and from what I've read, just about everything Ford produced in Australia during this period was Falcon-based. Ford went through hell toughening up the Falcon chassis to keep the cars in one piece on Australian roads and once they had the formula down-pat they weren't about to mess with it. Those changes would probably have made these cars ideal for police work, though I don't believe Ford ever attempted to bring any of them back to the USA for that purpose.
Aussie Falcons were the mainstay for police work for some 40 years. They even used the coupes in the 70s. 351 4-speed base models were well loved by HWP cops. The V8 went away for 10 years, but when it returned and Ford offered the cops the XR8 it was quickly taken up. In later years the turbo Barra was the Ford of choice. Holden didn’t get a look in for HWP work until Ford dropped the local V8 Falcon in the early 80s. Holden swiftly jumped in to fill that void and provided V8 HWP cars since the early 80s, up to 2017, with only a small gap in 86-88 where the turbo commodore was preferred (lack of a v8 for 11 months and a really good turbo 6).
General duties used many 6 cylinder Falcon sedans right through to the late 90s.
Aussie here and I instantly fell in love with this car 1976
The days when the car industry wasn't globalized very cool and weird cars could be created now everybody just drive the same thing...
I do enjoy your selection of Australian products from the Big 3. There are definitely some very interesting vehicles that got developed down there.
Never heard of these being referred to as a Town Car - that is an American term not used here. Was based on a bog standard Falcon 500 - stretched with different front and rear ends. The design of the base Falcon 500, Fairlane and LTD was pure Australian with styling que's taken from elsewhere.
Really a piece of crap.
Well Adam, you have covered the Chrysler by Chrysler and now the LTD P6 by Ford (as a kid I thought that LTD meant limited as in not many made, well I guess that is true in this case) anyhow it looks like you are saving the best for last... The Caprice by Holden.
Yes. But he needs to do the hq, hj-hz and then the wb last given how different the wb was!
Definitely, to me HQ to WB and VB to VL minus VC are the only Holdens that exist.
Sorry minus VH, not VC.
It barely looks mid sized for 1970s standards. To me it looks smaller than a Gran Torino or a Malibu. The car was a tad gaudy, but I think it was attractive.
Some yank barges were imported into Australia over the years by Ford, GMH and Chrysler, but they were too big for our roads and handling was generally appalling. Australian cars typically had to be more durable and handle better. All of them had to work well on dirt roads and poor secondary roads back then. One of the big markets for this car and Fairlaines were rich farmers.
@@WorksOnMyComputer Very interesting thxnks
Given its 121" wheelbase, and over 5.2m long, where every other car in Australia was under 5m. No it wasn't big, but here's a secret, you don't need a 6m long Oldsmobile 98 or Caddilac to drive to the shops.
As soon as I saw that padded center console I thought Maserati. I'm stunned that Ford was still using leaf springs that far into the 70's. I'd drive one in a heartbeat though.
Ford Australia was still using rear leaf springs on their full-sized wagons and Utes (ie: Ranchero's) until they ceased production last decade. Their full-sized sedans were still also using the cart springs on the rear into the 80's.
@@philip4193 The utes and wagons makes sense for the higher rates and load capacity they can give but using them on sedans is shocking that late in the game.
Not at all shocking. Aussie rural roads were very rough still back then, and Ford Oz did the best it could by refining and fine-tuning its design. Fords were known for excellent high-speed cruising comfort, and yes they did get coils on sedans in 82.
Leaves were always best for towing, and give very predictable rear end handling, also great longevity in bushes, which couldn't be said of the 4-link GM rear ends that would have the upper arms fighting each other through their different arcs.
How about you drive one first before criticising it?
The leaf rear under our 81 LTD Cartier made it the best tow car we ever had. Only my current FG comes close to it.
Coils in the rear of sedans from ‘82 were a small improvement and hardly noticed by the majority of buyers and drivers. The revised boot layout and depth was a much bigger improvement to real life usage.
@@philip4193incorrect, the xe Falcon of 1981 went to coil spring with watts linkage. Which is still used in the ford Everest 4x4 that was engineered in Australia.
@ Adam:
Re your 9.26 comment doubting if variable-ratio power steering systems were manufactured in Australia. Allow me to introduce you to A. E. Bishop:
Arthur Bishop of Sydney, Australia between 1946~54 was granted patents for the design and manufacture of automotive variable-ratio steering. His R&P designs debut on the 1957 Packard, then Rootes cars (UK) and GM-Vauxhall. Bishop variable-ratio (VR) power steering was incorporated in the 1963 Jaguar Mk 10. Apparently GM infringed Bishop's patent with the release of a revised Cadillac VR power steering in 1967.
A significant factor in Bishop's ongoing success was not just designing and patenting his steering innovations, but likewise inventing and patenting the machinery required to manufacture.
Bishop VR steering was adopted by GM-Holden in 1971 and Ford Australia in 1972. Bendix in Sydney manufactured & supplied to both companies on various models for many years. It's significant that Bishop designed and held international patents not just on his steering innovations, but likewise on the machinery used for manufacture.
By 2006 fully 23% of automotive world production were utilising patented A.E. Bishop steering systems, including:
VW Group - Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Skoda.
Mercedes Benz.
BMW Group - Rolls Royce, MINI.
Hyundai Group.
General Motors.
Geely - Volvo, Polestar, Lynk & Co, Lotus.
Stelantis Group - Chrysler / Jeep, Fiat, Opel / Vauxhall, Peugeot.
Every Ford car produced worldwide uses licensed Bishop technology.
heritage.engineersaustralia.org.au/wiki/Person:Bishop,_Arthur_Ernest
Even to this day Bishop are still building and maintaining their unique (and patented) machinery forging out variable racks in multiple locations around the world. I know Germany & Korea for sure, as we’ve had to ship parts to those locations for them. A great Aussie genius that hardly anyone remembers, but almost every driver has experienced.
You're an American. It's ok to pronounce Jaguar as such, despite what Brits tell us.
The origin of the word is South American, so there's that. And they say "Cad-eee-lac", though technically French, we don't try to tell them how to pronounce that. Very uninspired design.
This car looks strangely alike to the Aussie Leyland P-6, but somehow less interesting. Painful even!
Well at least he didn't say Jagwire! That always gives me a chuckle.
@@bagheerab278 No doubt! 😁
It's pronounced "ha guar" if you really want to be correct.
@@manthony225 Really? I thought it was "yaguar".
I love your #75 Berlinetta! I collect the hell outta MB transitionals from '69-'71.
I like this Ford LTD P6 but if it were a sister to the Ford LTD in the United States, this car looks smaller but the grill looks cool but at the same time the interior is dope!!! Now this Ford LTD P6 should not have rusted as quick as the Ford ltd's in America Cabo we have salt on the streets...
I never knew Ford had an Australian only model. Looking at it, I see hints of Chrysler, Ford, and AMC. I think I have seen those tail lights somewhere before but I can't place them.
Ford Australia basically started doing its own thing from the late 70's through to the end of Falcon in 2016. The final Falcon were basically Australian designed and built throughout by that point. They did hit the parts box though and used parts from Ford US and Europe in earlier times and later started importing and modifying V8 engines too. The straight six was originally a US design in the 60's, but was constantly improved and reengineered through to end of production in 2016 and was the most popular engine choice in Ausrtalian Fords.. These days the turbo version of it is imported to the US as its a great racing engine. Anyway, General motors Holden and Ford parts crossed over from time to time. For example the power steering on this car and things like courtesy lights were shared in the 80s between the two brands. Because Ford Australia had a smaller market and a much smaller budget they had to be creative. They did some amazing cars that would have cost several times their development budget if done in the US and at times made cars clearly superior to the US. The second generation Taurus comes to mind, which Ford US insisted was sold in Australia. Problem was the local Falcon was superior to it in just about every way and that was the soon to be superceded Falcon. Needless to say Taurus was a complete flop out here and the initial batch imported took Ford four years to get rid of.
Interesting that you see the styling as partially English. To Australian eyes the car looks very American. The car shown at 3.29 looks like it’s carrying some heavy passengers. Or the suspension’s shot.
Or lowered.
@@Low760True. I think it jjust looks ungainly.
My neighbour owns one he restored it.
My dad owned a later model LTD back in the late 80s very nice cars.
Is it physically a little on the ugly side? Sure. But... wheels make all the difference in the world! Plus, the US market had to deal with the hideous 5mph stupid bumpers hanging on both ends! If I had my choice, I'd go with the Aussie version vs what we had to deal with.
But Australia had very tough seat belt laws.
They have a turn signal stalk with horn switch similar to that used on my 1974 Mercury Capri. The inner body and leaf springs appear to be derived from the 1966-71 US mid sized Fords.
Good spot. The turn indicator design did start life in Europe. We had that generation Capri in Australia too, although ours kept its European styling on the front end. We also had its European stablemates Escort and Cortina. In the case of the Cortina it had some Australian content on the trim and the option of our local Ford straight six cylinder that wasn't used anywhere else in the world for Cortina.
@@WorksOnMyComputer That same turn signal horn honk feature was also present on my US market 1978 Ford Fairmont. But it did not have that nice flat area on the end that was present on the original European design.
Are you thinking about getting an Aussie car? It might be hard to do and pricey, but maybe worth doing. And from what I've heard, cars older than 25 years have relaxed import requirements.
To me it looks like a 71 Mercury
And the basic design of them started then so that makes sense.
Nice seats/upholstery. Tail lights look similar to the early to mid 60s Riviera, IMO.
Love these barges
Based on a Fairlane. More mid-size. At least in the US of A.
"English styling"????? This person has obviously never seen a British car.
Great video as always!
The grill was on all LTD model's and the shifter was reversed so you push the button with your thumb the other end is just a plastic plug thay came with the 351 Cleveland FMX and a 9 inch diff disc brake all round I have the 1982 and the 1987 model's
I wish that they had been available in the U.S., with LHD, of course! Minus the vinyl roof, it has that taut European Ford styling, IMHO, and a sweet interior! And 351 (hopefully not Modified) power, C6 trans, and 9" rear end...bulletproof!
351 Cleveland.... Not windsor
When 351C stopped being made in the US, the tooling was shipped to Geelong and 302/351C Cleveland production continued until 1982. Our local Cleveland's were different in that 4V manifolds were made locally to use Motorcraft 4300 carby on small port cylinder heads, later engines used a different 4V manifold to take Thermoquad. From late 1976 the Thermoquad was used on 302 and 351. We never used C6 in local passenger cars, the FMX was used.
My family had a ZH Fairlane Marquis in the day. Fitted with a 351 and FMX box, the same seats as the LTD , electric in the front, except in crushed velour, and deep pile carpet. It was supremely comfortable with the back seat famously putting you asleep. A great long distance cruiser. Unfortunately the engine was strangled by the infamous pollution equipment required by ADR 27A. We never saw above 16 mpg (imperial not US).
Looks like a AMC matador with a new front end
I think it's beautiful, I don't really get what's tacky about it? All the '80s malaise on this channel and this is the bridge too far? An Aussie Ford with a (cleanly done) Rolls nose? A Chrysler K-car with wire wheel covers is tacky. This Ford is pure class.
Yes. Americans just accept butt ugly cars and can't handle smoother styling.
hahaha yeah I know...I don't get that. But I guess it's what you're used to. Australian Fords always looked way more modern than their American counterparts imo.
The interior accoutrements and finishes in the P6 are enviable considering the era, despite the LHD gear selector. Small bumpers lend a muscular exterior profile, especially in 3/4 view. The design, coupled with a global parts bin approach looks good even today
The button on the gear selector is on the right side, as were all Australian Falcons and Fairlanes with the T bar auto.
A hybrid vehicle of a different kind. When I look at this LTD TC I actually see a kind of Bentley bespoked for the Australians. The four round headlight pattern, a Bentley grille v Rolls, a fuselage/coke bottleish rear quarter panels. If I knew nothing of this car I would think it possibly was a one off Crewe build out on special order from a middleast sultan for Bentley but made on another brand’s platform like they used to do with Range Rovers. Crazy but think of it.
Great vid!!! 🤜🤛