Ford Landau
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 4
Introduction
The Landau was a coupe version of the LTD, based on the
Falcon hardtop, and was Ford Australia's first Aussie
designed luxury two-door coupe. It retained the
frontal treatment of the full size LTD
with its disappearing head lamps and the full width tail
lamps.
The rear quarter window was altered, being shorter and
squarer than that of the normal hardtop, and all came
with vinyl roofs.
Another unique feature in the interior was the fitting
of individual bucket seats in the rear, rather than
a bench. Mechanically the Landau was the same as the XB
Falcon GT, although it was by design 130kg (286lb) heavier.
The list of standard inclusions was extensive
for the time, and included full instrumentation,
air-conditioning, inertia reel seat belts, power windows,
power steering, radial ply tyres, electric rear window
demister, fully reclining bucket seats, carpeted interior
and boot, four wheel disc
brakes and vacuum operated hide-away
front headlights.
Although Ford would contine with production of the LTD,
unfortunately the Landau ceased production in 1976 after
failing to realise the expected sales success. Perhaps the
practicality of a two-door car of such large proportions was
at odds with the energy crisis that was getting plenty of publicity at the time.
Despite the bad publicity given the percieved "petrol guzzlers",
the Landau was a true world class
automobile. Motoring journalists
of the time praised its quietness all the way to 70 miles per hour,
some claiming it to be the quietest car they had ever driven, it
even winning a comparison with the S Class Mercedes.
And it is for that reason we rate the car so highly as a
classic collectable. Blessed with the sublime powertrain of
the XB GT, and built in such few numbers, there are only a
hand full of Falcon GT's that will prove a better investment
in Aussie muscle cars. Simply put, a case of the ironic becoming the iconic.
