FORD'S NEW V8 SUPERCAR WEAPON HAS ARRIVED Ford's new FG V8 Supercar 'FG01' is set to roll form its current home at Ford Performance Racing (FPR) to the tarmac at Sandown this weekend, making its public debut at the Midas 400 in Melbourne.

Based on Ford's recently launched FG Falcon XR8 sedan road car, the new Blue Oval weapon will feature a striking 'Nitro' blue with white themed livery.

The FG01 prototype will reside in pit lane for the duration of the event, from where it will launch into a number of preview laps on the 3.1 kilometre circuit.

This one is a beater, no doubt about it, but it's driving every day and holding its head up high at age 45 (while other cars head to The Crusher at age 15 or 20).


The slow-motion manner in which rust works around here means that there's not much urgency when the red stuff strikes; if you grind off some paint while doing bodywork, you can always wait until mañana to get some primer on there. Now we're in the dry season, with no rain likely until November or so.


In 1963, your base Falcon came with a 144-cubic-inch six and cost just $2,257 for the 2-door. That was about 700 bucks more than the Beetle that year, but still one of the cheaper cars out there. Buyers with a fatter bankroll could go ahead and get the 260 or 289 V8s.

After spending the late 50s as a big, unwieldy cartruck based on the full-sized Ford Ranch Wagon, the Ranchero then became a small, easy-to-park Falcon cartruck. You could get this generation of Ranchero with a 144- or 170-cube inline six engine, or step up to the 260 or 289 Windsor V8.


This example doesn't show any 289 badges on the fenders, though it may have been fitted with a V8 since being built. Overall, it's a very solid and rust-free machine, and it's good to see it parked on the street every day.


But was the Falcon-based Ranchero too small for serious truck use? I had a '60 for a while and it did fine for my purposes, but I'm not a big hauler of large quantities of hay bales, sacks of cement, or livestock. And, yes, that's a really clean '65 Impala in the background; I'll get some photos if it I see it parked on the street.

F6 Ford Falcon Lineup

Ford Performance Vehicles Reveals New Model Range

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) today publicly unveiled its new performance GT and F6 sedans at the Melbourne International Motor Show.

"This is the first chance for the public to get a close-up look at some of our new models, ahead of their release in June," said Ford Performance Vehicles General Manager Rod Barrett.

"Our new model range offers performance enthusiasts the ultimate in performance engineering, luxury appointments and sports styling."

For the first time, the Ford badge will not appear externally on an FPV model. The GT and F6 sedans on display both feature FPV badges prominently on the centre grille and centre boot lid, which is consistent with the entire new range.

"Featuring the FPV badge on all our new models is a major repositioning for the FPV brand," said Barrett.

"It signifies the maturing of our brand and the evolution of FPV as Ford�s performance partner."

As with Ford, FPV has repositioned its high performance sedan and Ute model variants, with eight stunning vehicles divided into the GT series and F6 series families.

"The repositioning of the vehicle line-up has been done for similar reasons to the Ford
G Series," said Barrett.

"It is all about growing the brand and attracting new customers. The GT series family continues our strong iconic heritage, while the F6 series family caters to a new segment of performance car enthusiasts who prefer a slick turbo charged six-cylinder to a thundering V8."

The GT series family retains the familiar GT and GT-P sedan nameplates, and introduces the stylish new luxury GT-E sedan.

The bold exterior styling of the new GT and GT-P is highlighted by the trademark unique front grille treatment, rear wing, side striping and V8 bonnet bulge accented with a newly designed hood decal.

Visually, the new GT-E is distinguished from its V8 siblings by its refined rear lip spoiler, chrome accenting and distinctive GT-E badging.

The GT-E's unique 19-inch alloy wheels are matched by a premium brake package, with six-piston Brembo brakes now featured as standard.

"The GT-E is a sophisticated luxury performance car that will cater for those buyers that don't want the stripes, wings, and seats offered in the GT-P, however, want to retain all the performance attributes of that car," said Barrett.

The Super Pursuit and Pursuit Ute variants complete the GT series range.

The F6 series family features the F6 and F6 Ute, the Typhoon and Tornado nomenclature are discontinued on the new vehicles.

Significant ride, handling and safety advancements have been made to the new FPV stable. Each new model variant has been fully engineered and designed to provide the performance enthusiast with the ultimate in Australian performance motoring.

Safety advances include the addition of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) on FPV sedan & Ute vehicles for the first time.

Significantly, FPV customers will also have a choice of manual or automatic transmissions at no additional cost in the sedan range.

"The option of automatic or manual transmissions in the sedan range at no extra cost caters for both our luxury and overt sports customers, without penalising either for their choice of transmission," said Barrett.

FPV has produced exhilarating performance upgrades across the GT and F6 range, however, the exact engine performance power and torque figures will be revealed closer to the on sale date in June.

"The unique FPV enhanced design gives each vehicle a bolder road presence," said Barrett.

"Coupled with performance upgrades, the new FPV range is a revolution in Australian performance motoring. I'm sure our loyal and passionate customers will be extremely impressed."

Look, we have no issue with a government confiscating cars used in the utility of a felony, but when you make driving felonious and profitable for the government, abuse is inevitable. Confiscating private property under weak pretense doesn't sound like the protection of citizens, it seems like a business model. There's a fine line between policing and harassing, and we're not the lawyer types, but this stinks to high heaven. [TheNewspaper]

I've talked to the owner of this car a few times (we were neighbors for a couple years in the late 1990s) and he's extremely proud of his wheels. As I recall, he's either the original owner or the second owner, and he has plans to get the body and paint done... someday.


There's some rust-through on the hood, but you figure it took 44 years to get this bad... plenty of time to fix the body!

The Cyclone name was later applied to a separate Mercury model (the Merc version of the Fairlane/Torino), but in '64 it was the high-performance package for Mercury's Falcon clone. You got the 210-horse 289, some racy-looking emblems, and bucket seats when you opted for the '64 Comet Cyclone.


I'm puzzled by this car's vanity plate. There was a slot-car shop in town for a while, so perhaps the Cyclone's owner was the owner.

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And believe me, Alameda has plenty of DOTSworthy cars parked tantalizingly out of reach in driveways. Say, this Volvo Bertone, not to mention a 50s Land Rover, several Barracudas, a showroom-condition big-block '65 Impala, and... well, you get the idea. But never mind that- let's look at this fairly solid Comet, which is fair game for the roving DOTS camera!


Charles Bukowski drove a Comet, though his was a few years older than this one. Still, that bestows some literary cachet upon the little Mercury.


The '65 Comet 202 2-door listed at $2,108, which was $131 more than the mechanically identical 2-door Ford Falcon. What were you paying for when you got the Merc? Well, mostly you got a nameplate with more status than Henry's surname. But you also got some handsome styling touches, such as these taillights.


Not only did you get snazzified styling when you got Mercury's version of the Falcon, you got images of the Roman god of profit all over the car!

Communications Director Alan Hall noted that "Yes global engineering resources are being considered for the RWD platform, but we can't say at this time where the engineering resources will be. At this time all of the stories floating around are pure speculation." So there you have it, we're just going to have to wait and see where things end up.

So what about Mercury? Good question — we've no clue, but we haven't seen any new product from the brand all about the heat in quite some time (wait, sorry, we mustn't forget the refreshed 2009 Mercury Mariner). We've also not heard of any new product coming down the development line. Oh FoMoCo, where art your Mercury brand? Who cares really, as long as that rear-wheel drive sedan looks like the Interceptor we saw at the Detroit Auto Show last year. [via Detroit News]

Normally I'd say nonfunctional hood scoops are lame, but the one on the Falcon looks great.


Here's where you Edsel aficionados can tell us about how Robert McNamara (who grew up a couple miles away in Oakland and married an Alameda High girl) killed the Edsel in order to push the Falcon... right before he switched to the Vietnam War as his next big project. Did the Falcon lead directly to Khe Sanh? In any case, I recommend The Fog of War to anyone interested in Falcons and/or the Vietnam War.


I saw a '62 Falcon parked side-by-side with a Prius not long ago, and the Prius is huge next to the little Ford. This car really was a radical step for Ford back then, although like most car models it got bigger with every successive model year. If Ford brings back the Falcon name, it will likely be on a crossover monster with cupholders made for 5-gallon buckets and an air suspension that will enable it to squat down to clear freeway overpasses.

Ford was set to release a new XD Falcon hardtop in 1979 and was stuck with 400 shells for the 1978 two-door XC hardtops. Various plans were created, including one to create a Playboy edition. Eventually, Edsel Ford II chimed in and decided to market it as the ultimate American-looking street legal version that could possibly be holmogated for racing. Of course, what's more American that white-and-blue stripes and a gigantic Cobra logo? Offered with either the 351 or 302 Cleveland V8, this particular version seems to have the 302. Either way, it's a g'day when driving one of these around. [Wikipedia]

And what about the fictional cars? There are at least a few V8 Interceptors running around the outback doing their best Mad Max. What's your favorite Australian car, old or new?

Ford Performance Vehicles Reveals New Model Range

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) today publicly unveiled its new performance GT and F6 sedans at the Melbourne International Motor Show.

"This is the first chance for the public to get a close-up look at some of our new models, ahead of their release in June," said Ford Performance Vehicles General Manager Rod Barrett.

"Our new model range offers performance enthusiasts the ultimate in performance engineering, luxury appointments and sports styling."

For the first time, the Ford badge will not appear externally on an FPV model. The GT and F6 sedans on display both feature FPV badges prominently on the centre grille and centre boot lid, which is consistent with the entire new range.

"Featuring the FPV badge on all our new models is a major repositioning for the FPV brand," said Barrett.

"It signifies the maturing of our brand and the evolution of FPV as Ford�s performance partner."

As with Ford, FPV has repositioned its high performance sedan and Ute model variants, with eight stunning vehicles divided into the GT series and F6 series families.

"The repositioning of the vehicle line-up has been done for similar reasons to the Ford
G Series," said Barrett.

"It is all about growing the brand and attracting new customers. The GT series family continues our strong iconic heritage, while the F6 series family caters to a new segment of performance car enthusiasts who prefer a slick turbo charged six-cylinder to a thundering V8."

The GT series family retains the familiar GT and GT-P sedan nameplates, and introduces the stylish new luxury GT-E sedan.

The bold exterior styling of the new GT and GT-P is highlighted by the trademark unique front grille treatment, rear wing, side striping and V8 bonnet bulge accented with a newly designed hood decal.

Visually, the new GT-E is distinguished from its V8 siblings by its refined rear lip spoiler, chrome accenting and distinctive GT-E badging.

The GT-E's unique 19-inch alloy wheels are matched by a premium brake package, with six-piston Brembo brakes now featured as standard.

"The GT-E is a sophisticated luxury performance car that will cater for those buyers that don't want the stripes, wings, and seats offered in the GT-P, however, want to retain all the performance attributes of that car," said Barrett.

The Super Pursuit and Pursuit Ute variants complete the GT series range.

The F6 series family features the F6 and F6 Ute, the Typhoon and Tornado nomenclature are discontinued on the new vehicles.

Significant ride, handling and safety advancements have been made to the new FPV stable. Each new model variant has been fully engineered and designed to provide the performance enthusiast with the ultimate in Australian performance motoring.

Safety advances include the addition of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) on FPV sedan & Ute vehicles for the first time.

Significantly, FPV customers will also have a choice of manual or automatic transmissions at no additional cost in the sedan range.

"The option of automatic or manual transmissions in the sedan range at no extra cost caters for both our luxury and overt sports customers, without penalising either for their choice of transmission," said Barrett.

FPV has produced exhilarating performance upgrades across the GT and F6 range, however, the exact engine performance power and torque figures will be revealed closer to the on sale date in June.

"The unique FPV enhanced design gives each vehicle a bolder road presence," said Barrett.

"Coupled with performance upgrades, the new FPV range is a revolution in Australian performance motoring. I'm sure our loyal and passionate customers will be extremely impressed."

FPV Announces New Model Range

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) today officially unveiled a selection of its highly anticipated new Falcon-based range, lifting the covers off the latest evolutions of its performance GT sedan, F6 sedan and Super Pursuit Ute.
"Today we have given the public a glimpse of a new era in Australian performance motoring," said Ford Performance Vehicles General Manager Rod Barrett.

"Our new model range offers performance enthusiasts the ultimate in performance engineering, luxury appointments and sports styling."

For the first time, the Ford badge will not appear on FPV models. The new-look FPV vehicles will feature FPV badges prominently on the centre grille and centre boot lid.

"Featuring the FPV badge on all our new models is a major repositioning for the FPV brand," said Barrett.

"It signifies the maturing of our brand and the evolution of FPV as Ford's performance partner."

As with Ford, FPV has repositioned its high performance sedan and Ute model variants, with seven stunning vehicles divided into the GT series and F6 series families.

"The repositioning of the vehicle line-up has been done for similar reasons to the Ford G Series," said Barrett.

"It is all about growing the brand and attracting new customers. The GT series family continues our strong iconic heritage, while the F6 series family caters to those performance car enthusiasts who prefer a slick turbo charged six-cylinder to a thundering V8."

The GT series family retains the familiar GT and GT-P sedan nameplates, and introduces the stylish new luxury GT-E sedan.

The bold exterior styling of the new GT and GT-P is highlighted by the trademark unique front grille treatment, rear wing, side striping and V8 bonnet bulge accented with a newly designed hood decal.

Visually, the new GT-E is distinguished from its V8 siblings by its refined rear lip spoiler, chrome accenting and distinctive GT-E badging.

The GT-E's unique 19-inch alloy wheels are matched by a premium brake package, with six-piston Brembo brakes now featured as standard.

"The GT-E is a sophisticated luxury performance car that will cater for those buyers that don't want the stripes, wings, and seats offered in the GT-P; however want to retain all the performance attributes of that car," said Barrett.

The Super Pursuit and Pursuit Ute variants complete the GT series range.
The F6 series family features the F6 sedan and F6 Ute - the Typhoon and Tornado nomenclature are discontinued on the new vehicles.

Significant ride, handling and safety advancements have been made to the new FPV stable. Each new model variant has been fully engineered and designed to provide the performance enthusiast with the ultimate in Australian performance motoring.

Safety advances include the addition of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) on FPV sedan & Ute vehicles for the first time.

Significantly, FPV customers will also have a choice of manual or auto transmission at no additional cost.

"The option of auto or manual transmission at no extra cost caters for both our luxury and overt sports customers, without penalising either for their choice of transmission," said Barrett.

FPV has produced exhilarating performance upgrades across the GT and F6 range, however the exact engine performance power and torque figures will be revealed closer to the on sale date in June.

"The unique FPV enhanced design gives each vehicle and a bolder road presence," said Barrett.

"Coupled with performance upgrades, the new FPV range is a revolution in Australian performance motoring. I'm sure our loyal and passionate customers will be extremely impressed."

GT Series
GT-E
GT-P
GT
Super Pursuit
Pursuit
F6 Series
F6 sedan
F6 Ute

[Source: FPV via World Car Fans]

Ford Unveils All New FG Falcon

Ford Australia today unveiled the all-new FG Falcon range, showcasing all-new exterior and interior architectures and designs, an all-new front suspension, new powertrains with more power, more torque and improved fuel economy, and an advanced safety package.

The official debut of the 2008 FG Falcon included the entire new model range, with sedan, Ute and Ford Performance Vehicles line-ups all on show ahead of mainstream sedan models going on sale in May.

The all-new FG Falcon range also introduces a new model line-up and nomenclature, incorporating the new sports luxury G Series sedan range, along with three different exterior front end treatments and a significant realignment of models and specifications.

"The all-new FG Falcon range represents another step forward for automotive vehicle design in Australia," Ford Australia President Bill Osborne said.

"It is an exceptional large car package that delivers outstanding performance, fuel efficiency, refinement and safety to meet the needs of a wide variety of customers.

"For the first time in Falcon's history, the new model will come to market with three distinct faces on the vehicle, offering both private and fleet customers, and both sports and luxury customers, a new Falcon to suit their lifestyle.
There are now three families of vehicles in the FG Falcon sedan range, including:

1. Falcon XT

2. G Series, incorporating
• G6
• G6E
• G6E Turbo
3. XR, incorporating
• XR6
• XR6 Turbo
• XR8
"The introduction of the all-new G6E Turbo will create excitement and provide the perfect balance of sports luxury performance for customers who don't wish to compromise on either sports or luxury options," Mr Osborne added.

A new body structure for the FG Falcon delivers significant improvements in structural integrity for greater occupant protection, and side and frontal crash performance, as well as improved vehicle refinement.

All petrol Falcon sedans will come standard with an advanced safety package, incorporating driver and front passenger airbags, front side head/thorax airbags, driver and front passenger Beltminder® system, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TC), and Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)

Side curtain airbags, in conjunction with front side thorax airbags, are standard on premium sedan models, but are also available as an option across the rest of the sedan range.

A new reverse camera system is standard on G6E and G6E Turbo models, and optional on the overt sports XR range, while a reverse sensing system is standard on all G Series models and available as an option across the rest of the sedan range.

All FG Falcon Utes will have ABS with EBD as standard, while Traction Control is standard on XR Utes and optional on the remainder of the Falcon Ute line-up.

New model line-up

The new 'FG' series prefix for the eighth generation Falcon range heralds the arrival of the all-new Falcon line-up, as well as serving as an acknowledgement of the strong heritage of the long-running Fairmont and Ghia nameplates.

That acknowledgement also translates to the introduction of the new sports luxury G Series sedan range, incorporating the G6, G6E and G6E Turbo models.

The G6 is a nod to the "Ghia" nameplate and an extension of the G8 nomenclature used on the outgoing Fairlane range in recent years, while the "6" represents Falcon's high-tech six-cylinder engine.

G6E builds on the nod to "Ghia" and is a modest acknowledgement of the European-inspired styling and distinct design cues evident in the new vehicle, while G6E Turbo announces the introduction of the acclaimed I6 Turbo engine as the new hero of the sports luxury line-up.

Falcon XT
With a focus on interior appointments and safety features, the Falcon XT raises the bar for entry-level vehicle private customers and fleet buyers. For the first time on Falcon, it will have its own appearance and be distinctly different from the rest of the range.

The XT comes with the choice of either an I6 petrol engine producing 195kW of power and 391Nm of torque matched to a new five-speed automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift (SSS), or an optional 156kW E-Gas dedicated LPG engine with a four-speed SSS auto. The ZF six-speed automatic transmission is available as an option on the I6 petrol engine.

Standard interior appointments include automatic climate control, four-way power driver's seat, four-speaker single CD audio system, a new, larger Interior Command Centre (ICC) LCD screen, cruise control and 60/40 split fold rear seats.

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is standard on all petrol models, while the XT also features driver and front passenger airbags, front side head/thorax airbags, and a driver and front passenger Beltminder® system.

G6
The entry G Series model, the G6 raises the bar for the discerning luxury buyer with a range of standard features in addition to those on the Falcon XT. These include a unique G Series front bumper and grille, front fog lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels, along with luxury interior appointments, including suede seat bolsters and a rear centre armrest with cup holders. The G6 also incorporates luxury sports suspension and, on the safety front, a reverse sensing system as standard equipment.

G6E
The G6E builds upon the luxury G Series story even further, adding to the standard G6 specification with a range of features to deliver a highly-specified luxury G Series variant. Standard G6E features include the acclaimed ZF six-speed automatic transmission, along with a side indicator integrated into the exterior mirror housing, a front fender badge, unique 17-inch alloy wheels and a unique G6E front grille.

The interior adds a Bluetooth® mobile phone integration module, a premium audio system with seven-inch TFT colour ICC screen, six-disc in-dash CD player and subwoofer, an electrochromatic rear vision mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats and an eight-way power driver's seat with three-position memory. On the safety front, the G6E adds a reverse camera and side curtain airbags as standard equipment.

G6E Turbo
The new hero of the sports luxury Falcon line-up, the G6E Turbo is differentiated from the G6E by a range of performance-oriented features, including the I6 Turbo engine that produces 270kW of power and 533Nm of torque, matched to the ZF six-speed automatic transmission. New 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear lip spoiler and bright headlamp bezels complete the unique exterior elements, while 19-inch alloy wheels are available as an option.

Interior differentiation includes fabric-wrapped lower door trims and an iPod Integration feature, which provides a fully integrated interface between a customer's iPod unit and the vehicle's audio system.

Falcon XR6
The FG Falcon XR range continues to build on the powerful and distinctive design cues that have contributed to the cult status enjoyed by XR vehicles. The XR6 incorporates a host of features over and above the Falcon XT, including a new Tremec six-speed manual transmission as standard - with the option of either the five-speed automatic or the ZF six-speed automatic transmissions - and sports suspension.

The exterior is differentiated by the signature XR double-drop lens headlight treatment, XR front bumper, grille and rockers, front fog lamps and unique 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the XR6 features a sports instrument cluster, sports seats, alloy pedal covers and an aluminium gear shifter on manual transmission models, with reverse camera and reverse sensing systems available as options.

Falcon XR6 Turbo
In recognition of its overt sports status, the XR6 Turbo will - for the first time - be specified to the same level as the XR8, with the main difference between the two models being the engines.

The FG Falcon XR6 Turbo builds on the equipment levels of the XR6 with a range of performance and comfort-oriented features, including a 270 kW / 533 Nm I6 Turbo engine, limited slip differential, upgraded front brakes and 18-inch alloy wheels. The world-class ZF six-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

Falcon XR8
The XR8 shares its major equipment specifications with the XR6 Turbo and is differentiated by its engine and signature bonnet power bulge. The exciting Boss 290 5.4-litre four-valve V8 engine moves to the XR8 with the introduction of the FG Falcon and is complemented by a new exhaust system with a Semi Active Muffler (SAM). The new exhaust system produces an unsurpassed, sporty V8 exhaust note, while also delivering a more refined interior environment.

A bold 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheel design is available as an option on all XR models.

Falcon Ute

The all-new FG Falcon Ute will go on sale shortly after the mainstream sedan range, offering no compromise performance and functionality, with the ideal mix of truck-like capability and car-like comfort, driveability and safety.

Each model in the new Falcon Ute range represents a unique mix of workhorse and recreational elements, which ensures the job gets done during the workday week, as well as on weekends when its time to getaway.

Falcon Ute
The entry level model, Falcon Ute is available in either Cab Chassis or Styleside Box bodystyles with a choice of engines and transmissions.

Standard powertrain specification is the I6 petrol engine, producing 195kW of power and 391Nm of torque, matched to a new six-speed manual transmission, while the new five-speed automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift (SSS) is available as an option. Also optional is the E-Gas dedicated LPG engine, which is matched with the proven four-speed automatic transmission with SSS.

Other features include cloth trim, a single CD audio system with a new, larger Interior Command Centre (ICC) LCD screen, cruise control, four-way power driver's seat, power mirrors and windows, and steering wheel mounted controls for the audio and cruise control systems.

Safety items include driver and passenger airbags, driver and passenger Beltminder® system, and ABS with EBD, while side head/thorax airbags are available as part of an optional Safety Pack that also includes a perimeter alarm system.

R6
The new R6 model introduces an all-new model name to the FG Falcon Ute range, with a host of key sports features that deliver an altogether sportier look, feel and drive, as well as close links to the overt sports XR line-up.

With sports suspension, front fog lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, XR rockers and rear bumper, and a new, flush-fitting tonneau cover (on the Styleside Box model), the new R6 offers a fresh combination of sports ute dynamism with renowned workhorse capabilities.

On the inside, the R6 features sports bucket seats with unique seat trim, passenger seat lumbar adjustment and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

XR6
The XR6 builds on the specification and equipment of the new R6 model while still offering a wide choice of bodystyles - Cab Chassis and Styleside Box - and powertrains - I6 petrol with six-speed manual or five speed automatic transmissions, or I6 E-Gas with four speed automatic transmission.

The exterior is differentiated by the signature XR double-drop lens headlight treatment, XR front bumper and grille, front fog lamps and unique 17-inch alloy wheels, while Traction Control (TC) adds to the list of standard equipment.

Inside, the XR6 features a sports instrument cluster, sports seats, alloy pedal covers and an aluminium gear shifter on manual transmission models, along with automatic climate control and a sports leather steering wheel. Bluetooth mobile phone integration, iPod Integration and 18-inch alloy wheels are available as part of an optional XR Sports Pack.

XR6 Turbo
Like its sedan cousin, the XR6 Turbo Ute will - for the first time - be specified to the same level as the XR8, with the main difference between the two models being the engines.

The FG Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute builds on the equipment levels of the XR6 with a range of performance and comfort-oriented features, including a 270 kW / 533 Nm I6 Turbo engine, limited slip differential, upgraded front brakes and 18-inch alloy wheels. The world-class ZF six-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

XR8
The XR8 shares its major equipment specifications with the XR6 Turbo and is differentiated by its engine, the exciting Boss 290 5.4-litre four-valve V8, and signature bonnet power bulge.

A bold 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheel design is available as a stand alone option on all XR Ute models or as part of the XR Luxury Pack, which also includes premium sports interior, leather seat trim, premium audio system and dual zone climate control.

[Source: Ford of Australia via World Car Fans]

We wonder if someone isn't waiting for the apocalypse to begin and starting to horde all the rarest models so that they may be the Maddest Max of them all. Our advice to those of you who own rare Falcon models in the greater Australia area: buy a viper. Not an alarm system, not a car, but an actual viper to protect it. [ABC.net.au]

While the cops are promising to "get to the bottom of the incident," we'll continue to enjoy watching the added joy that sirens and lights bring to hoonage. No word yet on if they'll crush the cruiser when they find it. [News.com.au]

"Once inside, the offenders moved a number of vehicles in order to gain access to the car. These vehicles were driven out through the front roller doors which face onto Collingwood Street, and parked down the side of the premises.

These include a Rolls Royce Stretch Limousine, a late model Holden GTS Monaro valued at $100,000 and a Honda Odyssey."

Sales of light cars are up 9.2%, but four-wheel-drives are leading the market with a 15% increase year-over-year. The best-selling car is still Holden's Commodore sedan, but Ford's older Falcon was down 22% through October compared to last year. Ford is pinning its hopes on a refreshed Falcon to turn things around next year. [Sydney Morning Herald]

Ford Announces Bold New Look on Falcon XR

Ford Australia today announced details of a new look Falcon XR sedan range, along with a unique, limited edition Falcon XR Ute, both of which are due to make their public debut at next week's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. The new look Falcon XR sedan includes a new bodykit and revised exterior mirror treatment, along with a revised alloy wheel design on premium XR sedan models - XR6 six-speed automatic and all XR6 Turbo and XR8 sedan models.

The new bodykit features a modified front bumper with new mini rockers on each side, all-new side rockers and a new insert in the rear bumper valance, all of which have been treated with an accent colour paint finish. Modified exterior mirror scalps are also finished in the accent paint colour, which is a high-gloss Dark Argent for maximum impact.

The premium XR models receive a revised five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheel with a unique shadow chrome paint finish to complement the new bodykit. The new look wheels are finished in a high-gloss Mid Argent paint colour with a machined face, along with a matching Mid Argent wheel centre cap, and are available as an option on the XR6 six-speed manual and four-speed automatic models.

"The new look Falcon XR sedan is the most significant upgrade to the exterior design of the performance XR models since BF Falcon was introduced," Ford Australia Vice President Marketing and Sales Mark Winslow said. "With its powerful and distinctive quad-headlight signature, the Falcon XR continues to have an unmistakeable road presence, while the new bodykit and individual paint treatments are sure to make the XR sedan stand out from the pack even further." Due to go on sale in mid-November, recommended retail pricing remains unchanged for the restyled XR sedan models.
Limited Edition XR by Craig Lowndes Ute

In a further announcement, a limited edition "XR by Craig Lowndes" Falcon Ute special vehicle pack has been released, which is available on XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8 Styleside Box models, including XR6 with the optional E-Gas dedicated LPG engine. Due to go on sale in mid-October, the exclusive XR by Craig Lowndes Utes offer almost $6,000 of additional equipment and features for just $1,000 over the recommended retail price of the standard XR Utes.

Additional features include a set of four 18-inch sports alloy wheels, a one-piece hard tonneau cover with integrated power bulge and rear spoiler, Momo steering wheel, prestige audio system with six-disc in-dash CD player, an iPod®/MP3 audio player input connection and unique "by Craig Lowndes" decals.

"Recently voted one of the ten greatest Australian racing drivers in history by a panel of drivers, journalists and senior motorsport figures, Craig's achievements within the world of V8 Supercar racing resonate with a huge percentage of our Falcon XR Ute customers," Mr Winslow said. "And as the reigning Bathurst and Sandown champion, it's fitting for the Craig Lowndes name to sit alongside the performance XR brand in celebration of his achievements at the highest level of Australian motorsport."

As part of the exclusivity of the XR by Craig Lowndes Utes, only a limited selection of exterior paint colours are available - Lightning Strike, Octane, Vixen, Conquer and Silhouette. The Momo steering wheel is available in Blue, Grey or Red depending on the exterior paint colour and interior seat trim colour of the vehicle. Only 650 examples of the limited edition XR by Craig Lowndes Ute will be built.

We'll have more on Jay's ungodly cool collection of rare flat-front Econolines later on, of course; in any case, he definitely knows his way around 60s Ford hardware. I've always liked this mean-looking wagon, so I came right over when I heard it was for sale.


The first thing he did when he got this wagon a couple decades ago was to ditch the 6-banger and drop in a 289/C4 combo. Then he installed a dual-reservoir master cylinder (they weren't required in the US until the '66 model year). Then he rebuilt the suspension and fixed all the little stuff that didn't work. The cool thing about this car is that everything works.


He wants to keep the 289, which is fine with me; were I to buy this wagon, I'd grab a 5.0 HO out of a late-80s Mark VII and drop it in. Right there you get weeks of hell, what with Ford's 5 million different bellhousing/flywheel combos, plus the wiring and fuel-injection plumbing.


Then, of course, I'd need a manual transmission; if you're going to have a bench seat, you must have a floor-shift manual trans! I know a guy with a Toploader he'll sell cheap, but the junkyards are full of Mustangs with T-5s. Naturally, Jay has all the Falcon clutch pedal/linkage hardware I'd need.


Hell, he even has the Falcon-only shifter housing for the transmission hump!


This wagon has a bunch of 60s-vintage travel stickers on the rear side glass. Oh yeah!


The Biggest Little City in the World! Every station wagon needs faded travel stickers.


So, if I got this wagon, I'd soak it with a thick coat of black primer. Then apply the biggest wheels and tires that fit in the wheelwells. Chop a few inches out of the front suspension. Cherry Bomb exhaust, of course, and maybe a nice JC Whitney fiberglass hood scoop.


The problem is, I wouldn't be breaking any new ground with such a project. I've had a bunch of 60s Fords, so I'd be able to evade some of the pitfalls that make Project Car Hell so maddeningly fun. Then, too, the hot-rodded primered station wagon has become a bit too hipster-ish for comfort in recent years. And, of course, there's the godawful suspension on these cars; just ask the Mustang guys how much it costs them to upgrade the front suspension from "dangerous" to merely "sucky" and you get the picture. At least it's no sweat throwing disc brakes on the Falcon/Mustang, thanks to the ready availability of Ford Granada parts.


It's got a bit of California-style roof rust, too. Not that I'd care too much, of course, but leakage is a drag.


So, really, taking on this project would be sort of a punt for me, albeit a punt with a seriously fun car as the end result. What I'm mostly considering for a project, however, would be something involving junkyard turbocharging and Megasquirtage. I like the idea of a (smog-exempt) '75 Volvo wagon with a Detroit V8 and remote turbocharger gear in the cargo area, or an early-70s Buick Apollo/Olds Omega/Pontiac Ventura with a turbo-ized GMC 292 six. But there are other options as well. What say you, readers?

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Imagine a world in which the smallest desires of schlubbish Australian men are instantly satisfied. The Mr. Frothy beer truck comes through your neighborhood... you can buy a BFT brand 280" TV set... metrosexuals are rounded up and, presumably, sent to labor camps in Tasmania. And, of course, you get to drive a ute with a big V8 under the hood! We kinda prefer the utes of the 70s, but damn, the Falcon XR8 would sure make a nice US-market Ranchero! – Murilee Martin

Related:
Classic Ad Watch: Australian Falcons [internal]

"The blue car may even be a V8...Apart from the side cladding, fake C-pillars and front and rear "bras"...we don't mind saying that the obviously shorter overhangs and dynamic profile look good to us.

This is a car Ford Australia needs badly. Despite a kick in the large car market last month, Falcon sales continued to slide, while sales of its rival Holden Commodore and Toyota Aurion strengthened. In fact, Falcon sales were down last month by a whopping 24.3 percent compared to last May.

Yes, Ford needs the new Falcon badly."

"The new Falcon may even become more significant for Ford Australia, with recent strong speculation that the Australian-designed platform on which its built is being considered as the basis for Ford's next generation of rear-wheel-drive cars for the vast US and Canadian markets."

Scoop: 2008 Falcon caught on video [Wheelsmag.com.au]

Related:
The Hulk's Ride, Pre-Smash: Eric Bana's Aussie Ford Falcon; Hoons Caned in Australia!; Aussie Courts Taking Hoons' Cars for Good [internal]

Okay, so it's not a missle-launching Lun or a gigantonormous Caspian Sea Monster, but it is an ekranoplan none the less. What's more it's remarkably fuel-efficient, advertised as getting around 26 mpg of diesel. And, according to the Economist it's registered as a boat! It's the Sea Falcon, the perfect vehicle for our weekend getaways to Catalina, Oakland, Baja and beyond. We still wish it launched missiles though. And that we were friends with Fred Schneider. We'd take him whale-watching at 120 miles per hour while dining on rock lobster and listening to Pylon. – Davey G. Johnson

Sea Falcon

Related:
A plane that thinks it's a boat [The Economist]; Because We Could All Use More Ekranoplan in Our Lives [Internal]

Heading back out to Alameda's Victorian-lined avenues in search of more old iron, I figured it would be best to find something from Detroit after yesterday's Swedish steel...

Let's not even think about the late-70s Fairmont-based Futura. That car was clearly driving to a future of malaise and diminished expectations, on a road paved with shattered dreams and broken whiskey bottles. Not like the real Futura, the one based on the Falcon. Look at it!

Look at those taillights! Like the afterburners on a Mach 10 SuperJet blasting off to the Moon Base!

And the Futura emblem is just gorgeous, combining a proud bird of prey and a commie-killin' jet plane. Come on Ford, drag those old designers out of retirement!

So what if it's fake? This hood scoop is space age! Ford? You got those old designers back on the team yet? Drag 'em out of retirement- it's an emergency!

Big chunky metal switches. Plastic that doesn't apologize for being plastic. Stamped sheet metal and glued-on vinyl. Detroit used to be able to make cheap look good.

All right, we admit the Falcon had perhaps the most godawful terrible suspension made by Detroit in the postwar era, and this particular car probably wheezes along with a 144- or 170-cube six (though wise buyers plunked down the extra bucks for the 260 V8 with four-speed). But, regardless of door-handle-scraping suspension or anemic powerplant, we love this car.

Because there's nothing wrong here that a centrifugally-supercharged 302 and a complete suspension upgrade wouldn't fix. Ooh, four-door Futura sleeper! – Murilee Martin

Related:
Ghetto Fabulous: Oaktown's Falcon Culture [internal]

There's a man in England named Adrian Bennett. He is going to move to Australia with his family and his car. Why? Because he is going to convert his replica Ford Falcon V8 Interceptor from Mad Max status to the way the supercharged beauty looked in The Road Warrior. Why? So he can drive it near Robin Hill, which is where they filmed the second film. Can you say mumbo? Yeah, we're smitten. More like Mr. Bennett, please. – Jonny Lieberman

The Hulk's Ride, Pre-Smash: Eric Bana's Aussie Ford Falcon [Internal]

Even with most of Oakland's customizers of vintage Detroit iron going with GM products- a trend with deep historical roots going back to the popularity of the '50 Chevy in old-school lowrider culture- there's a group of Oakland guys who've broken free of the GM trend and gone with the Ford Falcon. Daniel has hipped us to a fine documentary about the Falcons of Oakland; make the jump to his site to check out the trailer. – Murilee Martin

Ghetto fabulosity and the Ford Falcon. [Fear the Beard]

Related:
Piense Fuerte. Piense Ford Falcon. [internal]

Poor Coop. His recently-purchased Ford Falcon wagon was uncerimoniously crumped by a legal eagle sipping a caffeinated beverage and making an illegal left turn. Mister Cooper's laid up with a busted leg and the front end of his fresh garage-saling ride is ailing in a way that isn't just gonna buff right out. We wish the artist a speedy recovery and the lawyer a festering boil right in the middle of his forehead for mangling such a fine automobile and injuring one of our favorite artists. – Davey G. Johnson

OUCH! [Positive Ape Index]

Related:
He Brakes for Nobody: Coop's New Wheels [Internal]

Considering how many of us wreck or otherwise trash our first cars, it was a vicarious thrill to hear actor Bana had kept his first, a 1974 Ford XB Falcon coupe, for 23 years. When his star rose, he had enough A$ scratch to restore the coupe to the muscle-car glory it never achieved as a lowly six-cylinder beater. Alas, as we reported yesterday, he smashed it into some trees in the Targa Tasmania rally — a race in which he's been competing for 11 years — this past weekend. But Hot Rod had just recently documented the car's extensive rebuild, which included a kind of resurrection from a rusty death. Maybe the latest damage will buff right out. – Mike Spinelli

1973 XB Ford Falcon Coupe - Extreme Makeover [Hot Rod]

Related:
Hulk Smash...Car Into Tree! Eric Bana Crunches 1974 Ford XB Coupe In Aussie Rally [internal]

While we're not huge fans of vehicle confiscation, Mr. Terrence Lord of Gisborne, Australia makes a good case for the authorities. His 1980 Toyota Corona was seized after he'd been caught driving drunk on four occasions, including once blowing a 0.15. He'll also be rightly jailed for 15 months and disqualified from driving for four years. Next week, another hoon will be trying to save his 1996 Ford XR6 from going to the auction block. For those who've lost their driving privileges may we suggest the "I am the Hoon of the Day" shirt from the Gawker Store? It's what all the felon hoons are wearing these days.– Matt Hardigree

Hoon Loses Car For Good [Herald Sun]

Related:
Hoon Of The Day: Cah Jumping In Massachusetts [Internal]

Here's a trio of extremely 70s ads for several Australian Ford models. There's a Fairmont wagon, a Falcon GS panel van, and... hey, that Falcon XB sure does look familiar! Come hell or high water- or collapse of civilization- the Falcon is tough enough to get through what you have to get through. – Murilee Martin

The History Of The Interceptor [MadMaxMovies.com]

Related:
He Drinks, You Play: The Mel Gibson PCH Driving Game [internal]

OK, it wasn't the fault of those poor green Falcons that the death squads drove them during Argentina's Guerra Sucia; I mean, we don't hate the ZIL just because Beria's thugs had a fleet of them in the Lubyanka parking lot, do we? Of course not. So head over to the lovingly obsessive Todo Falcon site in Argentina, where you'll find endless photographs, scanned driver's manuals, and (if you can read Spanish) interesting info about the '62 Falcon That T