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Ford Falcon XA
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1972 - 1973 |
Country: |
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Engine: |
6 cyl. & V8 |
Capacity: |
3.3 & 4.1 liter 6 cyl. /
5.7liter V8 |
Power: |
121 bhp (3.3 liter) |
Transmission: |
3/4 spd. man / 3 spd. auto |
Top Speed: |
n/a |
Number
Built: |
129,473 |
Collectability: |
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The XA model was the first completely designed and built
in Australia.
By the time it was released, the US version
had been discontinued some 18 months earlier, and the
designers had the opportunity of designing a more 'Australianised'
car.
The result was a swoopy, coke bottle design, sleek but
featuring a bigger, more roomy body and available with
a wider choice of engines and a longer list of options.
In fact, the XA sported arguably the boldest design of any
Falcon model to date. There were a plethora of body and engine
choices on offer; the range started with the Falcon, then
Falcon 500, Futura, Fairmont, and the mighty GT.
The station wagon versions used a longer wheelbase than the
sedans, affording an even greater load space, but were only
available in Falcon, Falcon 500 and Fairmont levels of trim.
Uniquely, the wagon's tailgate could be opened either down-wards or to one side.
As for the engines, both the 200 and 250ci six cylinder version
carried over from the XY, the latter iteration available with
either a single or twin-venturi carburetor.
Naturally the 302 and 351ci V8 engines remained, and although
far less of the bent 8's were sold, they remained the stuff of
dreams. Transmissions too remained as they were on the XY, with
a 3 speed manual column shift or 4 speed floor mounted shift.
After a break of seven years, Ford introduced a two door
hardtop version based on the sedan but with a lower roofline
and wider rear wings. Marketed under the 'Born on the Wind' slogan, the XA was
a great success for Ford of Australia and a confident
statement of its independence.
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