Ford Falcon (XC)

The Ford Falcon (XC) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1976 to 1979. It was the third and last iteration of the third generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (XC)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

Overview

The XC series was a facelift of the XB Falcon, itself an upgrade of the XA Falcon which had entered production in 1972.

Introduced in July 1976, the XC included significant changes to comply with new Australian Design Rules. ADR27A set limits for the emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen.[1] To meet the new requirements, engine compression ratios were dropped, and the engines now featured an exhaust gas recirculation valve and positive crankcase ventilation. In order to offset power losses as a result of implementing emissions controls, Ford upgraded the six-cylinder engines with a new crossflow cylinder head with larger valves, and fitted all V8 engines with four-barrel carburettors. While quoted power outputs were lower than those claimed for the XB Falcon, this reflected a move from SAE gross to DIN methodology, which measured power of the engine as installed in the car with cooling, charging and exhaust systems installed.

Model range

The XC Falcon range of passenger vehicles consisted of nine models:[8] The Fairmont models were not badged or marketed as Falcons.

The XC Falcon range of commercial vehicles consisted of five models:[13] The contemporary Fairlane and LTD models were codenamed ZH, and P6 respectively.

Fairmont GXL

Unique to the XC model was the GXL version of the Fairmont, Available in 4.1L Straight 6, or 4.9L Cleveland V8. An upgraded engine package, the GT Power Pack, used the larger 5.8L Cleveland v8. The Fairmont GXL was replaced in the following XD range with the Fairmont Ghia model.[22]

GS Rally Pack

A GS Rally Pack was fitted as standard equipment on the Falcon GS Hardtop[13] and was available as an option on Falcon 500 Sedan and Wagon,[13] Fairmont Sedan and Wagon,[13] Falcon Utility and Van[23] and on Falcon 500 Utility and Van.[23] The pack included special paint treatment, bonnet scoops, bumper overriders, slotted steel wheels, enhanced instrumentation, a sports steering wheel and long range driving lights.[13] The driving lights were not included when the pack was fitted to Fairmont models.[13]

Limited edition models

In December 1977, 12 special-build XC hardtops were released, all with VINs beginning JG65TE. These were based on the GS hardtop but featured an homologation pack of additional parts that Ford persuaded CAMS was now available as standard on GS hardtops, in order to include those parts on their race cars. The pack included front and rear spoilers, twin electric radiator fans, various body and steering braces for durability and stiffness, and a reverse bonnet scoop that supplied cool air to the engine via a circular hole in the bonnet. This homologation pack would also form the basis of the 30 Option 97 "Bathurst Cobras" the following year.

Ford Falcon Cobra

In August 1978, Ford Australia introduced the limited production Falcon Cobra, a high-performance version of the XC Falcon Hardtop. Only 400 were built, including 4.9-litre and 5.8-litre street versions and 30 "Bathurst Specials".[24][25]

Allan Moffat Special

In 1977, a limited number (500) of the Falcon 500 sedan were marketed as Allan Moffat Specials. These cars received XB GT-style blackouts and a sticker on the front doors consisting of Allan Moffat's signature and an Australian flag, as well as other options such as the GS Rally pack and Sports handling suspension as standard.

manufacturer	Ford Australia
production	July 1976 – March 1979
predecessor	XB Falcon
successor	XD Falcon
class	Full-size car
body style	4-door Sedan 4-door Station Wagon 2-door Hardtop 2-door Coupé utility 2-door Panel van
engine	3.3 L Inline 6 4.1 L Inline 6 4.9 L Cleveland V8 5.8 L Cleveland V8
transmission	3spd manual 4spd manual 3spd auto
wheelbase	2819 mm
length	4866 mm
width	1900 mm
height	1369 mm
weight	1475 kg

Overview

Model range

Limited edition models

Motorsport

External links

References