1970 XW GT HO Phase 2 introduced. Falcon first and second at Bathurst. XY Falcon launched with the Phase 3 GT HO version. 30,000th completely knocked down (CKD) vehicle exported. $45 million expansion announced. Ford Credit Australia formed as a finance company for dealers and car purchases.
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The XY and XW Falcons has gone onto become two of the most legendary models in Australian motoring.
In 1971 Ford Falcon took the first three places in Bathurst and enforced Falcon GT HO Phase cars as the iconic Australian muscle car.
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The British designed Escort made up Ford Australia’s small car lineup.
The XA Falcon a complete new vehicle and the first all Australian designed was launched in 1972, it came with a sedan, wagon, ute, panel van and a two door hard top. Long wheel base luxury versions of the vehicle also followed. Ford went about investing huge money into its Australian facilities including a crash barrier and emission lab at the Lara Proving Ground and $4 million into a new Plastics Plant at Broadmeadows.
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The XA GT Falcon was at home on the open road and the racetrack.
1973 XB Falcon launched. including last GT model until the ED in 1994. Falcon wins Bathurst yet again. The English designed Escort and Cortina made up the small and medium vehicles in Ford’s impressive showroom fleet of the time.
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The Cortina was the European designed mid size vehicle and was released in four and six cylinder variants.
1974 saw the first global integration of Ford Australia with Ford Asia-Pacific Regional Office formed, responsible for operations in Japan, S.E. Asia, Pacific Island, New Zealand and Australia. Falcon wins Bathurst yet again.
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The two door hardtop Falcon is one of the most loved of all the the Falcon body styles.
1975 Louisville heavy duty truck range announced and was to become the first right hand drive versions of the popular truck in the world. Ford Construction Equipment range released.
The last of the XA Falcon body the XC Falcon launched was launched in
1976. Ford once again invested heavily into its Australian operations with $72 million product investment and facility expansion program announced. 7A Tractors range released.
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The Marquis was a long wheel base luxury model based on the Falcon
1977 saw more facility growth including an expansion of the Plastics Plant. Falcon took out the 1-2 in one of the most famous Bathurst finishes ever at Mount Panorama.
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The XC Falcon X Pack
1978 saw the first of the Courier utility and commercial range go on sale in Australia other commercials released in 1978 included the Transit Van and ‘D’ Series trucks announced. The most memorable launch was the XC Falcon Cobra Hardtops which went on to become one of Ford Australia’s most iconic vehicles with a limited run of only 400 produced.
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The XD Falcon was launced at Werribee Park in Victoria with special guest Henry Ford II
1979 Henry Ford II visited Australia for launched of all-new XD Falcon, Fairlane and LTD range. The Falcon took on modern European styling and some new technologies including lightweight plastic fuel tank to the sedan, the first mass-produced car in the world to have this technology. New Trader medium duty truck range released.
