Ford Falcon (XF)

Ford XF Falcon
1986-1988 Ford Falcon (XF) GL sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Australia
Also called	Ford Fairmont Nissan Ute
Production	October 1984 – February 1988 (sedan, wagon) October 1984 – March 1993 (utility, panel van)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	2-door coupé utility 2-door panel van 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Related	Ford ZL Fairlane Ford FE LTD
Powertrain
Engine	3.3 L I6 4.1 L I6 (Carburetor) 4.1 L I6 (EFI)
Transmission	3-speed automatic 3-speed manual 4-speed manual 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Length	4,775 mm (188.0 in)
Width	1,860 mm (73.2 in)
Height	1,367 mm (53.8 in)
Curb weight	1,333 kg (2,939 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	XE Falcon
Successor	EA Falcon (sedan, wagon) XG Falcon (utility, panel van)

The Ford Falcon (XF) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1984 to 1988. It was the third and final iteration of the fourth generation of this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (XF)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon. Between 1993 and 1999, this series provided the platform for the Falcon utility (XG and XH) that was sold alongside the fifth generation.

Overview

The XF sedan and wagon range was sold between October 1984 and February 1988,^[1] with the utility and panel vans running through to March 1993.

The ride and handling were described as competent, but the non-powered steering was heavy at low speeds with an overly strong castor action after performing a manoeuvre such as a U-turn. Engines were modified to run on unleaded fuel from January 1986. The XF series remains Ford's best-selling Falcon model to date with 278,101 built.^[2]

Powertrains

XF models were available with a choice of 3.3 or 4.1 litre engine six-cylinder engines.^[3] The 4.1 litre unit was standard on Fairmont models.^[4]

Transmissions available were four- or five-speed manual floor shift, or the much more popular three-speed automatic with the selector lever located either on the floor or the column in cars that seat six. In three-seat utilities and vans, the three-speed manual on the column was standard.

Specification levels

• Falcon (utility and panel van)
• Falcon GL (utility, panel van, sedan and wagon)
• Fairmont (sedan and wagon)
• Fairmont Ghia (sedan and wagon): the luxury Ghia featured a 4.1 litre fuel injected or carburettor inline six-cylinder engine, and a trip computer which calculated fuel consumption, driving times, among other things. The drive line consisted of a BW40 three-speed auto with either a 2.77 or 2.92 LSD and four-wheel disc brakes. A wagon variant of the Ghia was made available from October 1986.^[5]

An optional "S" pack was available on some models, featuring body stripes, fog lamps, styled wheels, Falcon "S" badging, steering rack adjustment, driver's lumbar support, driver's seat tilt and footrest and sports instrument cluster.^[3]

Ford produced some limited edition value-packaged vehicles during the XF-series, including the Falcon Silver Edition sedan of 1985 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Ford Falcon in Australia. There was also the six-seater GL-based Falcon Family Edition sedan and wagon of 1986. These limited edition vehicles featured unique versions of two-tone "style-tone" paintwork.

• 

  1986–1988 Ford Falcon GL sedan

• 

  1987 Ford Falcon GL wagon

• 

  1985 Ford Falcon Silver Anniversary sedan

• 

  1986–1988 Ford Fairmont Ghia sedan

• 

  1990–1993 Ford Falcon utility

• 

  1988–1990 Ford Falcon utility

Nissan Ute

1988–1991 Nissan Ute

External image

1988 Nissan Ute print advertisement

The Nissan Ute was a badge engineered version of the XF Falcon utility sold by Nissan in Australia from August 1988 to 1991.^[6] Nissan Utes were sold as a result of a model-sharing scheme known as the Button car plan. In an attempt to rationalise the Australian automotive industry, the Button plan induced car manufacturers to share core platforms. For this particular vehicle, XF series Ford utility vehicles were rebadged as "Nissan".

Nissan did not offer the various equipment levels of the Ford donor vehicle, instead offering only two basic trims (DX and ST) without the option of an "S" pack. The plan was generally considered a "disaster" by the industry as the car buying public steered clear of the badge engineered vehicles. Furthermore, spare parts could often only be purchased from the original vehicle maker—as was the case with the Nissan Ute. The model code was "XFN".

Motorsport

Due to the lack of a V8 Engine, the XF Falcon was not suitable for involvement in the Australian Touring Car Championship, with most Ford supporting drivers and/or teams electing to race the Ford Mustang or Ford Sierra RS Cosworth under the new Group A regulations.

The XF Falcon however was raced in the AUSCAR series, with Jim Richards winning the first AUSCAR series in a XF Falcon. XF AUSCAR's were fitted with 5.8L 351 Cleveland V8's (subsequent Falcon models in AUSCAR racing would use the 5.0L 302 cui V8), and had an aero kit designed by Ford Australia designer Wayne Draper.^[7]

Notes

1. "Ford Falcon XF". Unique Cars and Parts. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
2. "Falcon XF Technical Specifications". Unique Cars and Parts. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
3. "XF Falcon (1984 - 1988)". Falcon Facts. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
4. Ford Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia sales brochure, Ford Australia, October 1984.
5. Davis (1987), p. 186.
6. Kenwright, Joe (2005-05-01). "Day of the Clones PtII". CarPoint. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
7. http://www.hointerceptor.com.au/MilleniumFalcon.htm

References

• Davis, Tony (1987). Aussie Cars. Hurstville, New South Wales: Marque Publishing. ISBN 0-947079-01-7.