Ford Falcon XC Cobra

Introduction

While it is true to say that today the XA/XB/XC hardtops are classically desirable cars, at the time they proved to be hard sales for Ford, as the Australian motorist has always preferred four door cars to coupes, even when it is a high performance car.

When they decided that the XD Falcon would be a four door model only, Ford found themselves near the end of the XC production run with 400 unsold hardtop body shells.

To sell them, to create maximum marketing exposure and to end the line on a glorious high note, they created the Cobra, and in so doing created an instant classic.

The Cobra allowed Ford to create an above standard road car that passed the homologation regulations for racing, while catering for the enthusiast that wanted a coupe just like the one Allan Moffat was racing.

There were many people at Ford involved in the decision to get this car onto the street, but ultimately credit went to the then Deputy Managing Director, Edsel Ford II who was on a tour of duty in Australia at the time.

Introduced in August, 1978 and sporting a unique and dramatic white paint scheme with blue stripes, each of the 400 was serialised and fitted with a sequentially numbered dash plaque.

The first 200 were fitted with 351ci V8 engines and the remainder got the 302ci V8. Automatic or manual transmission was available with four wheel disk brakes and limited slip axles.

Mounting 15" Bathurst Globe wheels and fitted with spoilers front and rear, the interiors sported seats in black with blue inserts.

The first 30 cars were even more desirable. Known as Option 97 to differentiate them from the 'standard' Option 96 cars, and in the tradition of the HO's of they past, they were fitted with optional parts to allow homologation for the race track.

Twin thermostatically controlled fans, an engine oil cooler, Sheel racing seats and a large rear opening bonnet bulge were among some of the additions.