Ford Falcon XK
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 3
Introduction
When Robert MacNamara became President of Ford in
1960,
he immediately set the Company on the course of producing
a new mass market family car (MacNamara went on to
become Secretary of Defence under President Kennedy and,
then, head of the World Bank). MacNamara's crowning achievement during his tenure at
Ford was unquestionably the Ford Falcon.
Ford's publicity
department worked overtime prior to the arrival of the
all new model in Australia, claiming it to be "Australian -
but with a world of difference". But the truth was not quite so jingoistic, as the first
Falcon's were really only a right-hand-drive clone of
their American cousins. The similarities were all too obvious,
but the sleek American lines of the Falcon were actually very
much what the Australian public wanted.
Chic, suave and cool, the Falcon quickly became a sales
success, making the competition (namely the
FB Holden)
look like a relic from 10 years past. Comparing the
XK Falcon to the
FB Holden today and you could be forgiven
for thinking each was from a different era. There were two engine and three
transmissions on offer.
The standard was the 144ci which produced 90bhp (67kW)
at 4200rpm, while the 170 six produced a more healthy 101bhp (75kW) at 4400rpm.
Both came standard with a 3 speed
manual transmission,
however if you optioned for the "Fordomatic" automatic,
the 140 would be fitted with an
air-cooled unit, while the 170
was fitted with a water-cooled unit. Having developed the world's first utility (in Australia) in
1933, the Ford publicists were again able to put an "Aussie Flavoured"
spin with the release of the XK utility in
1961.
Featuring the same basic look as the sedan, the rear
section of the roofline was replaced by a shortened broad
pillar, affording a sleek and muscular appearance. And like
the sedan, the ute would become an overnight success, with
both tradespeople and those on the land.
Also for
1961 came the introduction of the XK Station Wagon,
affording a sizeable load space of 77 inches (1956mm) long by
53.5 inches (1359mm) wide, when the rear seats were folded
down. And like the utiity, the wagon also appeared "purpose built".
Compared to the FB Holden Station Sedan, that looked a lot
like a utility with a canopy affixed, the Falcon wagon was
a revelation and deservedly stole a huge market share from the General.
After market accessory manufacturers could see the
value in creating bright chrome additions for the car,
particularly given the long flowing lines and low waist
line. The most popular "additions" included rear
wheel spats, sun visors, chrome wheel trims, weather shields,
rear venetians and a chrome hood garnish. While the Falcon was fitted with robust mechanicals - a 144ci
(2.4 litre) six cylinder engine and choice of three speed
manual or two speed automatic, the harsh Aussie conditions
(read poorly maintained roads) would soon take their toll
on the newcomer, and some would question the cars durability.
The US designed
suspension, especially at the front,
was found to be fragile,
and warranty claims were so costly for Ford that there
were rumours that production would be discontinued. But
with the support of the US parent company, thankfully the Falcon
would survive, not only as a competitor, but as a true alternative.
The Falc was never going to kill off Ford US when the rollover/impaler/gas chamber Corvair and Ralph Nader were doing a fine job on General Motors, lol. You obviously don't remember after the War in Oz. RSLs frowned on members who parked Japanese cars in their car parks!
Anyway, the issue with the XK was the same as the VB Commodore protoypes - not designed for the pig tracks we called roads and they needed to be stiffened up - with the former it was ball joints and front suspension adjustment shims (something other cars had as well), the latter breaking in half at the firewall. Come XL and onwards to XP/XR and Ford was making some really great cars.
In terms of modification, in the 1970s I did very little to my city-car XK except fit textile radials (keeping the sublime ride and the light steering for parking), fitted a 3-row radiator, had the suspension shims welded in, reinforced the cruddy hot water pipe fitting at the bottom of the diecast intake manifold with copper pipe and fitted seatbelts.
If parked outside, the driver's side brilliant airflow plenum chamber rusted to hell, taking with it the A-pillar / firewall connection. Mine was garaged - but I still flushed dirt and leaves out of the chamber regularly.
You can modify buggery out of them now, but it's no longer the same car in my humble opinion.