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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ส.ค. 2024
- Here is the latest episode in the Falcon history. Ford’s most popular model - the XF. Please 👍Like👍 and Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. What do you think of the XF? Is it a collectible yet?
Back in 1988 as a 21 year old working in tyre sales, I was very impressed of the XF Fairmont Ghia, the 15” alloy wheels and the futuristic all digital dash display.
Yes, they were a nice car. I wish I bought a mint one when they were so cheap a few years back.
The banks of buttons either side of the dash had me captivated when I first saw it even though I had seen similar on the Mazda 929 flagship model.
@@jamesfrench7299 I am sure that’s where they got it from. 👍
The velour trim was so luxurious, and the graphic equalizer.. I am a LOT younger than you I was only 16 in 1988..
The big headrests front and rear really made them but must have hindered rear visibility.
I can't ever recall seeing an XF in Fairmont Ghia trim as a taxi. Does anyone remember one?
My one & only speeding ticket was in ‘94 in a Monza red EFI auto XF S pack that belonged to a mate’s dad. He was drunk, and ran out of beer. I stopped him driving to the grog shop to get more, by volunteering to take him. First auto I’d driven, and it got away going down a hill. Cop wasn’t amused when my mate’s dad started abusing him for pulling over someone who was keeping a drunk off the road. He got straight into writing the ticket. I’ll never know if he might have reduced my 71 in a 60 zone to a warning or not.
XFs were everywhere in the day. Many of my school mates parents had them as company cars or family cars. The fact they were on sale for just under 3.5 years helped, but also the shift back to larger cars won them many more sales away from Holden at the time too. I quite like them.
No good re the ticket. I prefer the earlier models but do like the XF. They were everywhere years ago 👍
Here is my latest video on the history of Falcon. The XF. The best selling Falcon ever! Please make sure you Subscribe and 👍Like👍. It doesn’t cost a thing and really helps my channel. Thanks for watching. What do you think of the XF? 👍
I believe the AWD Turbo XF Falcon was written off while road testing in England.
@@mickblack3291 Yes, that is true and subsequently re-bodied. 👍
"EFI + EEC IV + WOW" I still have the sticker that came in a car magazine at the time (Modern Motor I think).
Very cool. 👍
Me too! Being more of a Holden fan, I never stuck it on anything, and it’s still in one of the drawers with all my 80s sales brochures.
@@commodorenut You could probably sell it on Ebay! 😀👍
I traded in my VL Holden wagon for an XF Falcon wagon mainly because it had much more room for packing our families camping/holiday gear, plus, with its front bench seat, it separated any fights between the kids.
Good to hear from someone who actually used the cars as intended. 👍
I had a 1984 Fairmont Ghia and my memories was the velour seats, pioneer stereo, digital dashboard and automatic center air vents, not to mention a y2k incompatible travel computer lol
They were extremely well equipped for their time weren’t they? And they looked very good too with those snowflake wheels. I wouldn’t mind a Ghia sedan or wagon. 👍
I had an 84 XF 4.1 , T bar auto . After many years the motor was smoking badly , the auto was slipping and she was getting tired . I spotted a low milage ZL Fairlane on the side of the road for $400 which had been rear ended but was still drivable . I fitted the Fairlane engine , auto box and limited slip disc brake diff into my XF . The digital dash also went straight in the XF and to my surprise everything worked , oil pressure, tacho etc.. My XF was one of the rare ones that missed out on the standard factory rust . It was 25 years old when I retired it . Overall a bloody good car..
Sounds like you had a great run and I love the second life you gave it courtesy of the ZL. 👍
Was the swapped trans a four speed?
@@trship6274 ZL would have been a 3 speed as it was out when the XF was out. 👍
@@trship6274 Borg Warner 40 3 speed was standard in the ZL ..
My first car was given to me from my late father 21 yrs ago, fuel injected Spac sedan that marine blue, he grabbed it off the side of the road for 800$ wit 6 months rego. Will never foget that moment in my life ❤
Cool. You need to find another one. 👍👍
@@markbehr88 I have an Xe GL project car ATM. 😀
@@hornblowrfilms928 Excellent 👍👍
Easiest way to differentiate between leaded and unleaded was the top of the bumper bags were painted instead of all black top and they had the side repeater indicator in the side of the bumper.
Thanks for the info 👍👍
@@markbehr88 just need to look at the fuel filler neck , open for leaded , smaller restriction for unleaded
@@panelvanman7671 Yes, that’s also true. 👍
You're mostly correct. The first of the unleadeds in '86 had the indicators in the side of the bumper, but the bumpers were still full black.
In 2001 I purchased an XF1/2 for $3000 with 70k on the clock and maintained it for more than fifteen years. First thing I did was shove it on LPG. It was a big, comfortable car but was let down by a multitude of things: head gaskets, door handles, power steering leaks, a/c failure, accelerator cable melting by heat from the manifold and towards the end the plastic tubes for the vacuum operated HVAC system deteriorated so that you had to plug up the leaks or cut off the cracked bits that were near the tree and try and join them.
When everything was working it was a big, comfortable cruiser. You could drive all day (which I often did) and still not be tired or stiff at the end of the trip. Pity Ford (as usual) skimped on the quality. Replaced it with $500 1994 Nova (Corolla) with 200k. Everything still works.
Fair enough. That was your experience. Re the Nova. I had those as lease cars when working at Holden. My brother washed the cars and the front fenders were so then, where he leaned on them, there were impressions all along the top. 👍
I bought an XF Fairmont Ghia in 1990 it was an 85 model drove the guts out of it.
I now drive a Honda Accord Euro Luxury 2012 model.
But parked next to the Honda in my garage is a 2010 FG XR6 Turbo with just 50.765 km on the clock
Nice 👍
When Ford changed to unleaded on the xf an easy way to identify one is the reflector on the side of the front bumper. They were a much more refined car over the xe a very nice ride.
Yes, that’s right. That little front repeater light on the side 👍👍
Fairmont Ghia is gorgeous. Really well reported.
Thanks. I really liked those too. 👍
The last ad on the ute is accurate now still.
Yep 👍
Hi Mark, wow thank you for this XF video, my parents purchased a GL model in 84. This certainly brought back memories. ❤
Thanks. So glad you liked it 👍
My personal favorite Falcon.
👍. A lot of it has to do with what you grew up with. 👍👍
Just picked up a XF panelvan 3/88 model. Guessing that panelvans/utes continued as XFs after February 88 till the XG a few years later. Love the XF and remember when everyone changed their XD/E to a XF front ends. My Boss at the time picked up a 88 Fairmont for $9999 Drive away when the EA changeover happened. Best car ever !!
Congratulations. Cool find. Yes, they continued on to XH and XG. You can see more in my EA to ED videos. 👍
Now I've got 2 xf utes but chasing an xe front and dash etc for one
@@rigelrogers5264 cool. 👍
Enjoying this series Mark! XF For me is all about that digital dash and the snowflake alloys on the Ghia! Very smart looking car!
Thanks. Yes those were cool features. 👍
Aah the beloved XF Falcon, much like the HQ Holden a decade earlier they were everywhere at the time and I doubt that there were too many Australians that didn't own, had driven or at least rode in one at some point back in the 80's / 90's.
Dad bought one new in 85, a 3.3 litre GL wagon, no it never won any traffic light drag races but it was bullet proof reliable and once it got going it would cruise the flat plains of north west N.S.W where we lived at the time at 120 Km/H all day with no problems at all with it's tall gearing. To the people who hate on the 3.3 for having "NO GUTS" they weren't tuned or geared for that, they were tuned to get good economy, that's the way the motoring world was like back then with the technology available at the time, if you wanted power you sacrificed economy and vice verse, not like today where you get the best of both worlds.
Dad wanted economy and the 3.3 delivered, I don't recall exact figures but I do recall being able drive long distances and the fuel gauge barely seemed to move.
That GL wagon was a top car though I secretly wish he bought a Fairmont Ghia, as a kid I thought those digital dashboards looked so cool.
Another great video as always Mark, Thank-you for your efforts.
I'll take economy as long as power is adequate to get the job done decently.
A high powered car can get you in trouble. Slow cars preserve your licence.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. I love your 3.3 wagon story too. And you are right. HQs and XFs used to be everywhere. Both were chewed up by the cheap racing series amongst other things. 👍
True. I had a 3.3 manual XD wagon and really liked it. 👍
Pete Wherret agreed from memory when he road tested a 3.3 manual sedan on Torque.
@@jamesfrench7299 Yes. I saw that one. He liked the 5.8 GXL too. 👍
My favourite Falcon of the lot. The whole fourth generation actually were great cars.
The good thing about going through the history is that different people like different models they grew up with. 👍👍
EEC IV was the introduction of the dreaded TFI module. I have replaced thousands of them over the year and ended up buying modified looms they used on mustangs to mount them on something cool like the firewall and not the stinking hot distributor body . EEC IV lasted until the end of ED production.
Interesting. Thanks for the tip 👍👍
Are they easy to get to and obtain a replacement on a 5. 0 V8 distributor? I have an NC Fairlane that's been sitting due to what I suspect is the TFI module. Cranks over but no spark.
I remember in 1987; my uncle getting the ‘S’ pack. Black with red stripe around it. I thought it was the coolest car ever! It drive so smooth. He had previously owned a XC GXL Fairmont, which I absolutely loved!
But the XF was so superior in feel and comfort!
That would have been a rare combo. 👍
They were a very nice car to travel in. Wish I got to experience the Fairmont Ghia or ZL Fairlane at least.
My mother was driven home in a Comcar DL LTD in 1988 from her public service job in Sydney CBD. I was so envious. The closest I've come is a ZK Fairlane EFI six with phenomenal sound deadening.
@@jamesfrench7299 Certainly nice cars. I do have a V8 ZK. Love it. 👍👍
@@markbehr88 it was white with navy blue velour. The extra knobs on the centre stack for the aerial and speaker balance as well as woodgrain trim stuck to mind. It was a column auto as well and no power windows unfortunately but a pleasure to ride in the back. I also travelled in a ZJ V8, again power window option eluded me and was not as silent inside.
@@jamesfrench7299 You should try to find one maybe? 🤔👍
Got my Ls in a 1985 XF Spack 4 speed manual. Awesome car. Super light steering though & only 2.2 turns lock to lock, could surprise you if not used to it.
Yes. The steering was relatively light but not Chrysler light. 😀
Thanks mark another great video. Love the advertising clips
Thanks Gerard. We were there! 😀👍
I had this model with EFI and the factory towing pack, and a friend of mine in Darwin had one with the "Outback Pack" .... great reliable cars
Thanks. That is the real test out there isn’t it. 👍👍
Had a XF wagon for home and work. Clocked up 400 000 km and it was ok. Went through 3 gear boxes and 3 power steering units but they were cheap to replace. Finally traded it in on an EF wagon and that car was fantastic, chalk and cheese.
Great service from those Falcons hey. 👍👍
I love the panel van and ute ad at the end never seen it before!
Glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Being a diehard Dick Johnson fan,I really liked his SVO prototype,even though I wasn’t a fan of the XF … XD & XE,though are great especially with 5.8 + 4 spd 👌
One thing with DJ’s SVO it didn’t have a turbo,it was either carby or EFI.The wheels were steel wheels and dress rims of what the alloys would of looked like,had it went in to production.
The car in magazine is still up in QLD with the SVO 17 plates.
Ah. Thanks for that extra info. It looked pretty good didn’t it. Needed a turbo or V8 though. 👍
I can remember when XD's , XEs , XF,s were everywhere you looked, where did they all go ?. The only time I ever saw Peter Brock racing , he was driving a Mobil sponsored XF Falcon at the Thunderdome in Melbourne, I was right there when it burst a radiator hose, and that put him into a big sideways slide , he recovered it masterfully of course, that was 1989 .I could hardly believe it later on when I found out that the Thunderdome ended up being abandoned and in ruins, I thought it was great.
Yes. A long time ago they were everywhere. Re Thunderdome. I went to the first Auscar / NASCAR race there. 👍
@@markbehr88 Was that in 1989? , I think it was the second event there that I went to.
@@barrycuda3769 I think so? 1988 or 1989. Got bad sunburn and a rather unsavoury woman decided to turn around and flash us. I preferred to see the HQ series race frankly. 🫣😀
@@markbehr88 You dont get that every day , how unsavoury was she ? I did note that a lot of the spectators didn't look like they were from the Melbourne elite.🙂 There weren't any HQ's when I was there , it was Auscar / Nascar , and standing right up against the fence with a pack of cars roaring past very close was a great experience.
@@barrycuda3769 Yes, I remember walking up to the fence as the cars rushed past. Cool stuff. 👍👍
G'day Mark,
Great video yeah I remember XF they were everywhere just about every local police car was a XF especially the deevee vans.
My parents bought an XF in 1990 in maroon colour & served the family well on LPG, unfortunately it got stolen on Mother's Day in 2015 after 25 years with the family.
Mum was devastated all the worse on Mother's Day, police never found it.
Great video
Cheers
Louis Kats 👍
Thanks Louis. What a shame re your Mum’s car. Nice colour too. 😢
Traded in my VL Commodore for a XF S Pack Fantastic car.
Thank you for another great edition
Glad you liked it 👍👍
The XF 1/2 also got a colour keyed side sill.
From my driving experience the XF EFI 4.1 unleaded went like a scalded cat while the 3.3 leaded carburetor was gutless.
Good points 👍
I was at Ford when the XF came out and it was very refined over the XD and XE. In the service department, there were not many inherent issues with the XF which is why taxi's held on to them well after the model change to the AU. 549 liked
yeah the taxi fleet put ill fitting LPG tanks in and vaporiser converters (which were too small and leaked coolant*) which feed throttle body which caused all sorts of issues with the Webber carby, always had to be started in petrol mode and would only switch to LPG when the coolant levels were hot enough for the vaporiser converter to convert LPG to vapour.
* the engine had to be tapped on the coolant line from the water port to feed the vaporiser converter and boy oh boy did that cause all sorts of issues and because they ran so lean (re: well above the temp limit Ford had set for the thermostat to do it job) they kept on blowing head gaskets, but what did they do back then? chemi weld in the radiator and sent then back out to work and the engines survived without fuss just slow in speed.
Thanks for posting the XF vid Mark, very enjoyable👍 i had a few XF's back in the early 2000's when they were cheap from the trading post. I enjoyed driving them. I really love the XF Ghia, those 25th anniversary Falcon are really nice too with the FE LTD wheels.👍.
Keep up the good work👍
Thanks Chris. Glad you liked it. They used to be great value and everywhere. Those are my favourite two XF models, incl the Ghia wagon. 👍
Always loved the XF Ghias. Still do. The epitome of 1980s excess! 4 cigarette lighters 😂 Owned one in 1996. Nice cruiser. Sure don't see many these days.
It’s a shame. I’d like a really nice one for sure. 👍
Door handles so many of them but an excellent Car, I had one.
Yes, the door handles were very cheaply done. They looked like the XD ones but were much more cheaply made. 👍
@@markbehr88
They can be permanently repaired by using a stainless steel screw and washer inplace of their riveted white metal privet
@@hodaka1000 Thanks for the tip. 👍
That would have to be my favourite episode so far mark since the last new falcon I bought was in January 1987 and was an XF S pack wagon in dark metallic blue
I Really liked that car but now know why it was so gutless, less than100 kw that is so sad and it was an auto so that didn’t help
And it was the first time I had bought an automatic car 👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it and it brought back memories of your blue car too 👍👍
Who wished they kept there XF?
30 years on ,still regret trading in my Ghia . Traded in on a new ED XR6
Traded my XF Ute for a BA turbo Ute
Traded my S Pack for a EA Fairmont Ghia ( as bad as their reputation it was a bloody good car)
The Ghias were excellent cars and I would love a 25th Anniversary model. 👍
I had a S pac fuel injected 4 speed , leaded fuel in french blue. Never let me down and previous owner had fitted koni shocks and some nolathane suspension bushings, very nice handling car.
Nice combo. 👍
I remember in about mid-1988 going for a trip down to Warrnambool in me XB 302 manual with the girlfriend - we are in the CBD (😂) and this white XF sedan with 351 clevo and a toploader comes roaring down the street 😱 !!! I only new the spec coz Streetmachine had done a spread on it that year. Was other-worldly, just like the red XF GT HO efi 351 clevo Streetmachine built that year. A vision of what coulda been.
I remember this XF, he was a customer at the Ford dealership where I worked in Warrnabool. He was keen on doing an EA when they were released but for some reason never eventuated. That XF was as tuff as nails though...
@@nevillejohnson8316 great you remember that car. 👍
@@nevillejohnson8316 That's epic, mate ! I seen a couple on gumtree over the years and wondered if they were "The One" - be cool to track it down today ! Cheers bud 👍
9:12........i gotta say, that yellow Corona is a handsome car! Toyota's EH Holden perhaps? Very stylish and well proportioned. Probably worth big coin soon.
I’d be very hard pressed to pick it over the Family Edition Falcon though. Second choice would be the Magna. 😢
@@markbehr88
I did have a red TP Magna for a few years, simular in appearance to the TM shown here. I did love it's looks, inside and out. I have a thing for any attractive car, regardless of badge.
@@noelgibson5956 I worked for Mitsubishi when we launched Magna. I like them. Have an Elite wagon. 👍
Had an August ‘85 build XF S-pac manual with Fairmont rims that I bought when it was 4 months old with 3,000k’s on it. Drove it as the family car for 18 years until it was replaced with an AU11 Fairmont Ghia. I still have many fond memories of the trips we did in it with the family to a lot of different places. Wished I’d kept it. I haven’t made that mistake with the 2008 FG G6ET. That’s a keeper.
Thanks. At least you have the G6! A lot of fond memories for the XF S packs for sure 👍
Never liked the front and rear on the XF. Much preferred the XD and to a lesser extent the XE, which the old man had the X Pak version of.
Great video though 👍
Thanks. I tend to agree with you there. 👍
Excellent video Mark. Really enjoying the Ford Australia history. This model really showed Ford at the top of its game.
Thanks. Yes, Ford was on a roll for sure. 👍
More electrical issues due to lower grade wiring compared to XE.
Unfortunately new models don't usually mean better in every way.
@@jamesfrench7299 And a lot more electronics. 👍
@@jamesfrench7299 And they generally had more electronics too. 👍
great video. love my aussie fords. maybe an obsession,
have 6 atm,
from xy to bf. 6 n 8 n turbos, 3 sedans, suv, ute, wagon. cant pick a favorite tho
shame they let the aus auto industry as a whole wither n die.
im sure we will regret it eventually if not already .
Thanks very much. You can never have too many 😀. Agree. A crying shame our car industry is gone 😢
As my name and profile photo say, XF falcons are the best :D
XE V8's are more betterer. 😉
@@noelgibson5956 i would have to 100% agree :D
@@timfordfalconxf7714 Good to know the episode is well targeted. 👍👍
@@markbehr88all of them are very enjoyable :)
@@timfordfalconxf7714 Thanks very much 👍👍
Ive always prefer the XF front over the XE
Personally I like XE but each to their own. I actually like XD best. 👍
When i had my XE, the XF utes and vans were still in production, and the sedans and wagons were still everywhere, despite being recently superceded by the EA.
I recall not liking the XF as much. Yeah they were newer, had more bling, digital dash, etc, yet there was still something missing. I hated those caramel brown interiors. The bumper bars were held on by plastic clips i think, and were never aligned properly, and often came away very easily if car hit something at low speed. Mechanically, they were great, but the Windsor EFI V8's then offered in locally assembled Bronco's would have been a welcome option for buyer's wanting more excitement.
I hope you cover the XG and XH utes and vans, of which the latter did offer V8's in the utes.
Finally..........an EA ute SHOULD have been made.
Yes, an EFI V8 would have been great. I will get to those utes. 👍👍
I'm guessing Ford ran out of development money and couldn't justify an all new body for commercial buyers. An EA nose would have surely been doable.
Thanks for doing these videos. They're great!
Glad you like them 👍
This comment is biased because my father had an 85 XF Falcon GL (silver/bench/column?) and it was officially the first car I ever drove, but the XF falcon will always be my personal favourite falcon. 2nd favourite model? FG XR6, no prizes for guessing why either. I owned one 😂
Fair enough. The memories are often worth as much as the car itself. 👍
@@markbehr88Absolutely. Do you have anymore info on the DJ XF SVO? Were they also turbo? Did any make it to production?
@@borrisyuslav4306 I don’t have any more info on those unfortunately. I have heard they were turbo and non turbo but maybe other subscribers may know? 👍
@@markbehr88 Interesting Mark. Hopefully🤞. They are somewhat of an enigma in the ford world it seems.
@@borrisyuslav4306 I think so 👍
Had a hire car XF GL wagon with 4.1 and auto on a job in the Top End. It was OK to drive and hauled a drowned VL out of Jim Jim creek. Most annoying thing was its propensity to ‘break wind’ with the unmistakable whiff of hydrogen sulphide, causing my workmate and I to cast snide looks at each other with the inevitable ‘did you just drop one?’
Ha hah. That’s a new one! The VL experience could have been an ad!
Thanks Mark, XF was really comfortable but absolutely gutless. My mate had a white 25th anniversary model, beautiful car.
I’d love one of those. 👍
Fabulous series - big thanks !
Thank you. 👍👍
My Falcon was fantastic. Just a lovely car.... It was a long time ago though...
Yes, I remember renting a new S pack. How time flies! 😳👍
Love the videos.
I've owned and XF all my life.
XF GHIA currently. X2 I love them
Thanks very much. 👍
Memories i swapped a ke lazer for a XF pretty sure it was a fairmont. At the time i was young and stupid she was white with the 4.1 also a 4 speed manual. I remember it had a holley carb on it and it was a rocket ship.
You got the better deal I reckon! 👍
Beautiful vehicles.
Wish they could still be purchased. Not in new zealand anyway, they just are not around like they were 20 years ago where you could pick them up for around 2k.
There are some for sale, but people are asking like 20k nowaways.
Yes, they certainly have gone up in price a lot. Like all old Falcons they were once common and now a rare sight. 👍
Thanks for this fantastic Falcon series Mark!!!
My pleasure. Glad you are enjoying it. 👍👍
Had the silver s pak sedan at 17 and 1 week. Loved that car. Currently have a zl with the digital dash and efi. Still goes really well on the open road
Cool. I will cover the ZL when I do Fairlanes. 👍
I had 3 XF’s a S Pack in blue , a GLS Ute and a Fairmont Ghia. I absolutely loved the Ghia and put. Hella 181 driving lights next to the hella 151’s.
Very cool. The Ghias were very well equipped and I loved the Ghia wagon. 👍
@@markbehr88 the Ghia equipment was a quantum leap . Loved the buttons for climate control on the left and head lights , cruise on the right. The “ digital” dash was a special touch. I did a 3.9L EA motor conversion in one, we modified the sump , radiator and fabricated engine mount brackets . The engine had to sit slight offset to get the firewall clearance. Funnily enough the XF and EA wiring colour for the engine were 90% similar which made the wiring a piece of cake. We showed the conversion to a ford dealer and they took photos years later the XG was released with the 4.0L. The 3.9L Ghia has better power and fuel economy. We did plan a 4.0L electronic 4 speed auto for a customer but the car was written off when the owner fell asleep at the wheel.
@@tba3900 very interesting. 👍👍
These were great cars and great value. However they suffered from from a few critical faults that caused many to be ended before their time. They would eat head gaskets. Not because the engine was a bad thing but it was due to the head being above the top of the radiator. They were fitted with a bleed valve but these were frequently ignored and the coolant system would never fill the head fully. If you took off the radiator cap it would frequently loose its level in the head. The 4 speed manual versions also suffered from a problem with the clutch. Higher mileage versions would often split the single layer firewall around the end that mounted the clutch cable. They were also the pick for every taxi for years longer than they should have been. Ford Australia's Second best model only surpassed by the AU.
All good points. 👍👍
Awesome eposode. Brings back memories the yellow one of Dads Yellow XF Falcon GL, which I ended up in the end. I LOVED that yellow
Thanks. Great memories hey. 👍
Early unleaded engines used to suffer from pre-detonation, the cure was to round the sharp edges on the head near the inlet valve. They used to build up with deposits on the sharp edge and cause the air fuel to ignite as it passed. From memory Monotorque used to put a leaflet in the early VRS kits to have this mod done by a cylinder head specialist.
Very interesting. Thanks for the info. 👍
We had a snow white S pac wagon. Such a nice cruiser
Sounds like a nice car. 👍
Okaaaaay....here goes ...it was at this point. ..with allll the XF Falcon problems etc.. ...& the dropping of the Cleveland V8.....that i begrudgingly admitted that Holden had the better car with their VL Commodore & the turbine smooth RB30 & they still had their V8...admittedly they dropped the 4.2...no biggy...but the 5.0 could be livened up....& it needed it....hence my VL Calais thumbnail....& I'd been an absolute Ford tragic....it wasn't until the EF/EL that i took notice again & then ....the AU....& the rest is history💕💘🔥❤💘
Yes, that Nissan engine was good albeit too dear. The Holden V8 was a good move in terms of keeping it in the range. Not huge power out of the box but at least they had one, as you say. 👍
Mate, Holden nearly died in the VL era. They went bankrupt and had to be bailed out. If Ford had their sh*t togther with the EA...Holden may have died 30 years before they did. Don't get me wrong, I am sad that both Holden and Ford are no longer. But people seem to forget how far Holden went wrong when they decided to downsize to the Commodore. Apart from kids flicking through magazines dreaming of V8s, they just weren't selling. Did Ford make a mistake by dropping the V8? Potentially. However, you can't argue that it coincided with the most successful period for Falcon.
Great job doing the Aussie car history Mark , brings back memories for me , as a young bloke i worked at two ford dealers and a holden dealer for several years in the 70s , i miss all the old cars from the 60`s 70`s , 80`s era that where old school and built to be able to be easily repaired and serviced unlike the expensive throw away plastic fantastic s of today .
In my old age i even appreciate the 3 speed autos of the old falcons because they where very smooth , and ford was bit notorious for always putting a tall first gear in the falcon models using the torque rather than revving the tits off them like some brands.
Thanks. Glad you are enjoying the episodes. I agree. I miss those days when we had our own cars and plenty of used ones on offer for reasonable prices. Especially during fuel crisis when you could buy V8s for next to nothing! 👍
Friend had a white S Pac EFI & 5 speed, had optioned LSD. Damn that thing used to boogie for what it was (just prior to the JDM influx, very late 90's- 2000).
I had a 351 XD ex NSW highway patrol sedan at the time; another friend had a Fairlane, it had these funny little front seat headrest inserts (like little pillows), i remember we would sit in the back pissed as farts punching these inserts all around the front of the car!
How good would it be to have one of those three cars now! 👍
There's just something about the overall look of an XF Fairmont Ghia with the snowflakes that previous or future Ghias just couldn't match. Obviously engines etc improved but the XF just had something the others didn't. The digital dash....the velour that peaked in that era...it never got as plush as that.
Agree. It just needed an injected 302 V8 👍
I remember my old man buying a new xf s pack wagon,loved the digital dash,striking yellow
Partial digitised dash. Guages only.
That would have been a cool looking car. 👍
@@markbehr88 GS rally pack - alike.
Speaking of, what should I come across a couple of weeks ago? A beautifully preserved yellow 1977 Fairmont GS rally pack, not long after your XC-lent video.
It has 77 XC on the plates.
@@jamesfrench7299 That would be a nice car 👍👍
@@markbehr88 it was a wagon and it had a folding ladder inside lol.
Was obviously taken care of though.
Got a few looks from passers by.
A nice overview of the XF range, Mark. In my mind, the most boring Falcon model ever made up to that point. The look was just not cohesive at all -- a real dog's body. Considering that not that long before we were getting a new model Falcon every 12 or 18 months, the 4 years or so that the XF was around seemed to go on forever! That's why it was the best selling Falcon model ever, just because it was sold for so many years. I know it was a very competent (if dull) car but I remember wishing that Ford would just bring out a replacement! As a purchasing manager for an international company I never bought one XF Falcon but I did buy several Holdens -- they were just such a better car to drive. The ute, of course, was the one redeeming XF version and went on to be manufactured for many years to come.
Yes, it did go for a long time. The standard four wheel disc and power steering upgrade was a big step change for the market though, so it achieved that too. Re the Commodores, I assume you are talking VL rather than VK? 👍
The XD - XH ute could take a pallet. I heard the VN -VS ute could not.
@@jamesfrench7299 -- the VN-VS ute was a show pony. I bought myself a brand new, 5 speed manual V8 VP ute for my business and it was horrible. At the same time I was also using a mate's 302 windsor XT Falcon ute a lot. I could either stick a heavy load in the back of the Falcon, tow a tri-axle trailer (or both) and it ran like a train. Heaps of power and handled like it was on rails. The Commodore was always on the verge of going out of control with anything more than a couple of hundered kg on the back.
(BTW, I'm not one eyed! Holdens and Fords both had good models and rubbish models, good and evil traits at different times).
@@couttsy222 what do you expect with a sedan rear end in a truck compared to a proper load carrying leaf sprung rear Holden didn't turn to until their one tonner offering in the VX (or was it VT?) range.
The established older Ford ute was actually fit for purpose.
@@jamesfrench7299 Probably true.
We had our late build 1988 XFon the road for 18 years...now all models having 4 wheel disc brakes...a GL wagon and just a good honest family car never garaged and never showed any rust...only issues being carbie problems from age...It also had the depression in the firewall for the bigger intech motor that came in later models ! cheers ...
Very cool. I really like the wagons. 😀👍
Hi Mark, I can’t remember the name of the Nissan version of the ute? Tradesman??
It was weird seeing a Falcon with a Nissan badge on it, but then it was also weird seeing a Holden Commodore with a Toyota badge, or a Corrolla with a Holden badge.
The end wasn’t too far away from that point in time
It was actually called the “Ute”. 👍👍. The Button plan was straight out of the USSR handbook. 😀👍
I drove the 6 seater station wagon taxi pack model of this and besides from the transmission, front bumper bar droop and interior door handles it was a great car and far better then the Commodore was. After about 1,000,000 km and just before it was taken off the road as a cab the boss put a new motor in it so he could claimed it on his tax and then used it as his private car for quite a while after.
Yes, I have heard they did massive miles and after retirement, often the better ones were used by the operators as private cars. Pretty good recommendation. 👍👍
By far the Fairmont Ghia was the standout model. It just left the lower tier models in the dust on outer appearance alone.
The Fairmont looked too much like the base model and should have looked more opulent. It didn't even offer a power window option like the XD and XE models, which always bothered me.
Even the Falcon S pack got electronic vacuum florescent display guages for fuel and temp which I was impressed with. I loved how there was a flashing border as a warning on the guages when readings got critical. Looked so advanced.
I found the front a bit less masculine for a Falcon but was effective in updating it's appearance and looked quite good.
Yes, I agree with all those comments. 👍
Good points. I have an 86 XF Ghia in Regency Red. All original including snowflakes and the foglights. Only thing I did was lower it which just takes the looks to a whole new level. People that see are still impressed with its features. You're right about the Fairmont. My dad had a new one in 1985. To me it was actually lower spec than the S pac - except for the standard silver Pioneer deck that the Fairmonts came in. It shared its dash with the GL. They should have at least included the S Pac dash in it.
@@andrewg2618 Yes. Sounds like the Fairmont dipped out. 🤔👍
8:55 “You can come too, grandma!”
Yes, that was a bit weird. 😵💫😀
Great video again. What would driving one of these as a daily be like. Parts easy to find?
Thanks. Glad you liked it. Having driven one as a daily about 18 years ago, it was fine. Parts should still be ok but not on every corner like before. I can’t believe there are no fuel senders for EA to EDs for example. Crazy! 👍🫣
Wayne Draper did the millennium falcon Ute , that did look really nice.
Ahh, yes I remember that. 👍👍
I always liked the XE. Missed opportunity for an XE Turbo to counter the VL.
Yes, that would have been good for sure. Maybe they were worried about warranty? 👍
@@markbehr88I think engineering money, dont know how strong the internals were, I know they were pushrod, making it rev more would probably cause valve bounce and turbo's like higher revving motors especially back then they would have went for a small turbo.
@@REPOMAN24722 Yes. I think you’re right there. 👍
Very good Mark. I liked how you did several things: You mentioned the link to the Mustang with the taillamps. You talked about Holden. You showed and talked about that Australian car plan where they shared models. I would like to hear more. I saw Toyotas( Lexcen) that were Holdens(Commodore) and Holdens(Apollo) that were Toyotas( Camry). Ford worked with Nissan and Mazda. I liked how you shared the upgrades and the interiors. I liked the digital gauges I saw and I did not know they offered a front bench seat. I also liked when you talked about what happen to Holden Commodore at the time. I did not know American GM had to help them. This model reminds me of the 1980's Mazda 626/ Nissan Maxima. Thank you Mark.
Thanks Olds98. I am glad you appreciated all the elements. I will certainly talk more about the Button car plan as I go through the various models. Maybe I will do an episode on it as a standalone. 👍👍
@@markbehr88 That would be quite interesting. I read about the plan some time ago and saw things here and there online, but it would interesting to learn more. I really did appreciate the elements in the video. Please continue your videos. They are quite the education.
Really enjoy your channel, Mark.
In '89 my old man traded his rusty ex-company XE ute (mine-site truck, did my learners in it) for an XF Ute straight off the lot, at the same time as he helped me get KE Laser cheaper in a two-for-one deal.
The XF was a bit more refined than the XE, and compared to the non-powered rack in the XE the XF's power steering was so light it felt like steering a boat. XF was certainly the most mundane of the generation. Old man had an XD Fairmont too (wish he kept it). He later got an XH ute, Sill has a gas BF Ute now at 80.
Thanks. Glad you are enjoying the channel 👍👍. I remember when I was at Mitsubishi, the vehicles that would be sold to the mines would become very rusty and just decimated. Sounds like you had a few Fords in the family! 👍
Cheers Mark.
The big issues with the "pit" trucks is the frame rails of the chassis-ed stuff fill up with the corrosive mud. My niece's other half works at a local car yard. Told me they'd bought a late 2010's Hilux from a mine auction for a few grand, pressure cleaned the crap out of it and sold it for $25k off the lot a few weeks later. Buyer beware, kind of like old Police pursuit cars.
Old man never had a preference as an owner, his first car was an FJ. By the 70's, he'd had back-to-back Chargers, then a big grey Valiant Ranger that he traded in for the XD in either '79 or '80 (probably wishes he had kept all of them lol). He's had a bunch of cars.
As for me, the Laser amazed, drove it into the ground. Great car. As for other Fords, BA Turbo (incredible with the flash tuner 'till I done my license speeding), ex-Telco XH Panel van (no rust-should have kept it), and since new from '09, an FG n/a XR6 with 300000+ km's that can't be stopped with an axe. We've had good luck with Fords!
@@coalfacechris1336 Yes. The conditions there are highly corrosive. Sounds like you’ve had a great run with your Fords. 👍👍
G'day Mark. Another awesome video. Have you driven either of these Ford Falcons? I had a neighbour when I was a boy who had a Fairmont wagon. It wasn't as nice as the Aussie built Falcon, but it wasn't bad. 🙂
Thanks. Yes, I have driven all of those. I do like the way our Falcons drive. 👍👍
Hi Mark, I've only recently found your channel and I must say thank you! I'm 57 and these throw backs are.just awesome.
One thing I need clarification on, is the XF the biggest selling falcon or is it the AU?
I've read the AU across all 3 series makes for the biggest selling model.
Clearly you know a tonne more.than most, having working with Ford and other badges.
Cheers.
@@thedronedownunder3919 Thanks very much. I hope you’ll subscribe? The XF was the top seller, mainly by virtue of the elongated production of the utes and vans. 👍
Worthy of mention, note the rego number on the old Hilux @13:24 : )
😀
Best driving car in the world
I do like the way a Falcon drives. 👍
I was being sarcastic, The things are turds.
@@teotats532 It didn’t work!
@@markbehr88 Let me know if you do a review on a Camira, you probably like the way they drove too.
@@teotats532 WIll do. I will have my people call your people. If you ever drove a JD Camira you will know it was an excellent driving car. Excellent performance and handling and styled by Leo Pruneau. 👍👍
I have an XF ute it's unregistered at the moment but I hope to get it back on the road this year
I'm more a Holden person and didn't really like the look of my XF ute until I saw a Mustang that looks much like it
Good luck with it. 👍
How cool it WAS, to drive around in my 3 on the Tree 3.3L 1980 XD falcin wagon. Could not have even heard of Torque/ NMs, how many seconds to 100 (to get a speeding ticket, OR WORSE, have a stack beceause you were being a dickhead). These cars had character and a vibe for our youth that heaps of folks reading this ( probably not many) will get!
I get it. With that engine combo you just drove accordingly. 👍
Hi Mark, I do like this car with a nicer softer front end face lift of the previous model, the front look similar to a Nissan Primera P110 ( I have had 2 Primera's good car's ) and I noticed a Nissan badge version of the ute. I was quite surprised with this new car it was still available with a 4 speed manual gear box. This car is needing a V8 engine to the range, I liked the Fairmont Ghia Estate/wagon. I like the look of the alloy wheels on the 25 anniversary model, is this the last of this style of Falcon/Fairmont in 1988. I did notice the Holden Commodore which looks identical to the Vauxhall Carlton / Viceroy / Royale.
Good car car ads, as always great videos on this Falcon series , Take care
Thanks Shaun. Glad you liked it. The softer front of the XF was to warm up the public for what was coming next. The EA26. My next episode. 👍
@@markbehr88 I hope you cover the build quality issues. Let's just say the XF should have had a four year model run.
@@jamesfrench7299 I think that was an industry wide issue. 👍
@@markbehr88 unfortunately the EA got lumbered with the poster child for poor build quality label, even though the VN Commodore had no claim to being any better really.
@@jamesfrench7299 That’s very true. 👍
G’day mark
G’day 👍👍
Modern motor mag did the sprintex supercharged falcon at the same time AIT did the All wheel drive falcon.
Interesting. Shame they weren’t offered ex factory although the AWD Falcon was around $75k. You could buy a cheap house for that! 👍
@@markbehr88 Hence why non of those companies survived or were bought out by other companies.
@@tba3900 Yes. You could kind of see it wasn’t a solid business idea. Not enough volume. 👍
Such a shame these didn't have the V8 option.
Back then a Windsor 5.0 would've been a very good combination in these.
Yes, I agree. That would have been great. 👍
It was on the horizon in the next few years in the EB in 1990 .
VK Calais vs XF Fairmont Ghia:
Which one was better in comfort, style and luxurious options?
I think the Fairmont Ghia had it all over the Calais interior wise but prefer the Calais 5 litre V8 to the 4.1 EFI. Six versus Six I would have Ghia. 👍
@@markbehr88 Yes-the Fairmont Ghia was a couple years ahead of the Calais in style and comfort. It was more spacious too which is something the Falcon’s had over the Holdens in spades.
If only the Ghia did have the optional 5.0 ltr V8!!! Can you imagine?????
@@Luke-er6pg Exactly! 👍👍
Hello Mark, one question? Where came the design from? Was this pure from Australia or was there influence from other parties? If yes who and why? Why was the Ford Granada or Consul (Europe) not popular in Australia and New Zealand? Was it not cheaper for Ford in general to produce less models for economical reasons?
Hi Marius. This was a completely Australian design. More room and more power than a Granada in terms of torque plus a large wagon on offer. Australia also had 85% local content rules. We also made larger luxury versions of these cars on a longer wheelbase. I will cover those in later episodes. 👍
@@markbehr88Hello Mark, The Ford Granada and later the Ford Scorpio was also to available in a Estate Version and in that period the GHIA Version.
And what is the link between Ford - Mazda and Ford - Nissan? In Europe I know the coopération between Renault and Nissan and Mazda works with Opel ( In Australia HOLDEN) But those co-operation are for me new.
The HOLDEN cars in The Netherlands are maybe countable on a few hands. In the UK I'm not sure because they have as you probably know the VAUXHALL. But at the time of TOPGEAR (UK - with Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond) there where a few models presented. TOPGEAR was then very very popular in Europa especially by us in The Netherlands.
@@mariusvanderlinden732 Yes, but the Australian Fords are larger than the Scorpio etc as that is what the market wanted. Holden released the Opel based Commodore in 1978 and Falcon eventually outsold it as it was too small. Ford owned 25% of Mazda at one point. The Ford/Nissan arrangement was a Gov’t led initiative. Holden shared with Toyota but it did not work. 👍
OMFG. TH-camrs take note: See how this guy got straight to the point and didn't bleat on with "LikE aND sUbSCribe" pathetisism? FFS this is a formula I can watch without simultaneously vomiting and using the "don't recommend channel" function. WATCH AND LEARN YOU NOOBS. This is how it's done.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. 👍
I had one back in 96/97 it was on LPG and it got stolen!
That’s no good 😢
@@markbehr88 it was annoying when it happened but about 14 years ago I did have a beautiful XD which I should not have sold
wonder if that all wheel drive is still alive
Apparently yes but re-bodied after a big crash in England. 👍
About 10 years ago the AIT magazine car was floating around the Narellan NSW area. One of the people who saw it told me it was now in good hands.
@@commodorenut That’s good to know isn’t it. 👍👍👍
Ford sold all wheel drive XY Falcons in the 1970 s Holden also sold HZ all wheel drive V8 s .
Collectible? I bought one of these at a government auction (NSW). An ex ETSA ute. Drove it around until a guy offered insane money for the 3.3 with auto. He paid cash, I signed the papers and caught a cab. Back to my trusty Corona.
An appreciating asset! 👍
Less your noggin more dicky's xf n 4wd xfs on introducing I vote for lol thumbs up
Ahh ok 👍
with his XD/XE/XF series Mark makes no mention of the prototype GT that made the car show rounds and then disappeared.......where is it ???????
I have never heard of it?
From what we know there was zero prototypes of "GT" spec XD to XF from the factory.
There was the "Phase HO Auto" cars from Wayne Draper some of which did form the Group C Falcon touring cars but these are not official Ford Australia factory vehicles.
The closest "GT" type car would be the XF Fairmont Ghia with 4.1L EFI, but that is hardly a "GT" type car let alone ESP, the closet it would be is "GS" or "GXL" spec.
@@351tgv That’s correct. 👍
Did anyone actually buy a 3.3 engined falcon, I don't think I've ever seen one in the flesh.
Yes, I have seen a few but the 4.1 was the main engine. 👍
They were never easy to spot, given XF's never had badging that disclosed engine capacity, just the fact they were the 'alloy head ll'.
@@noelgibson5956 true. 👍
Actually, I found one advertised on Gumtree the other day. It just seems odd that anyone would go for the smaller engine.
@@sweet17777 Probably price related? 🤔👍
Awesome cars. EA was better tho- drove them as a Nestle rep in Oz. Gd cars.
Agree. The EA’s drove well, when they were mechanically sound. I cover those next episode. 👍
The 3 speed Borg Warner let it down. Were more competent and a nicer cruiser with the 4 speed.
@@motleydude73 The S Pack I drove was a 5 speed manual. That wasn’t a bad combo. 👍
wheels magazine tested a Honda Accord third generation against the last of the XF Fairmont Ghia's The Honda was the better car in all areas except power and space.
@@franzchong5889 Odd comparison, other than both being popular sedans they're hardly in the same league. The Fairmont was always going to win on power and space. Honda would win on economy and build quality. And handling. But again, it's like a battleship vs a speedboat.