{{Short description|Australian full-size car}} {{For|a complete overview of all Falcon models|Ford Falcon (Australia)}} {{For|the original American Falcon|Ford Falcon (North America)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox automobile | image = File:Ford_Falcon_XK_Sedan.jpg | caption = Ford Falcon Deluxe sedan | name = Ford Falcon (XK) | manufacturer = Ford Australia | production = September 1960 – August 1962 | class = Mid-size car<ref name="1960 falcon 140">{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1960/999830/ford_falcon_sedan_144_six.html |title=1960 Ford Falcon Sedan 144 Six 3-speed (XK) (model since September 1960 for Australia ) specifications & performance data review |publisher=Automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=2014-12-19}}</ref> | layout = FR layout | body_style = 4-door sedan<br/> 5-door station wagon<br/>2-door coupé utility<br/>2-door panel van | engine = {{convert|144|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} Falcon Six I6<br/>{{convert|170|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} Falcon Six I6 | transmission = 3-speed manual<br>2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic | length = {{Convert|4602|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="auto catalog">{{cite web|url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/ford_australia/falcon_fairmont_futura_1gen/xk_falcon_base_sedan/1960.html |title=1960 Ford (Australia) XK Falcon Sedan performance data, specs & photo |publisher=Automobile-catalog.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-20}}</ref> | width = {{Convert|1778|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="1960 falcon 140"/> | height = {{Convert|1384|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="1960 falcon 140"/><!--to verify, click "Full specifications under dimensions--> | wheelbase = {{Convert|2781|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="oldcarbrochures1960">{{cite web|author=Dusan Ristic-Petrovic |url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/Australia%20and%20New%20Zealand/1960%20Ford%20%20Falcon/1960%20Ford%20Falcon%20_Aus_-08.html |title=File: Australia/1960 Ford Falcon/1960 Ford Falcon _Aus_-08 |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-20}}</ref> | weight = {{Convert|1103|-|1130|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="auto catalog"/> | predecessor = | successor = Ford XL Falcon | related = }}
The '''Ford Falcon (XK)''' is a mid-sized car that was produced by Ford Australia between 1960 and 1962. It was the first of four models in the first of seven generations of the Australian Falcon produced until 2016, outlasting its North American namesake by several decades.
==Overview== The first Falcon sold in Australia was the XK series, which was introduced in September 1960. It was initially offered only as a four-door sedan, in both Falcon and Falcon Deluxe trim levels; the Deluxe offered two-colour seat and door upholstery in vinyl. The XK was essentially a right-hand drive version of the North American 1960 model, although local rural dealers often included modifications such as heavy-duty rear suspension (five leaves) and larger 6.50 x 13 tyres. Front seat belts were optional.<ref name="oldcarbrochures1960"/>
The steering was light and the ride surprisingly good, on well-paved roads. Whereas the North American model used an 'economy' 3.10:1 rear axle ratio, the Australian Falcon was built with a 3.56:1 ratio which better complemented the torque characteristics of the engine. It had a {{convert|38|ft|m|abbr=on}} turning circle.<ref>{{cite web |author=Dusan Ristic-Petrovic |url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/Australia%20and%20New%20Zealand/1960%20Ford%20%20Falcon/1960%20Ford%20Falcon%20_Aus_-07.html |title=File: Australia/1960 Ford Falcon/1960 Ford Falcon _Aus_-07 |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-20 |archive-date=18 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818032705/http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/Australia%20and%20New%20Zealand/1960%20Ford%20%20Falcon/1960%20Ford%20Falcon%20_Aus_-07.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The wagon, added to the range in November 1960, was shortened at the rear due to concern that the back of the car might scrape on rough roads and spoon drains.
Billed as being "Australian-with a world of difference", Falcon offered the first serious alternative to Holden, and became an instant success. Sales were aided by the contemporary FB series Holden being perceived as lacklustre and dated by comparison. Two engines were available; a {{convert|144|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} Falcon Six inline-six, which produced {{convert|67|kW|hp PS|0|abbr=on}} and an optional {{convert|170|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} version of the Falcon Six, which produced {{convert|75|kW|hp PS|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="goauto">{{cite web |url=http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/carfamilytree?ReadForm&ID=AD35192686A6A0A2CA257125001A1501 |title=Ford Falcon (XK Falcon) |publisher=GoAuto.com.au}}</ref> The Falcon was available with either a three-speed column shift manual transmission, or a two-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission.<ref name="goauto"/>
Although the engines were superior to the Holden FB's {{convert|138|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} inline-six, which produced {{convert|56|kW|hp PS|0|abbr=on}}, and the Holden was only available with a manual transmission, the Falcon quickly gained a reputation for weak gearboxes and suspension components, and struggled to take much of Holden's marketshare.<ref name="goauto"/> This was further compounded by the introduction of the new Holden EJ in July 1962.<ref name="goauto"/>
The XK range was expanded in May 1961 with the addition of utility and panel van body styles, officially designated as Falcon Utility and Falcon Sedan Delivery, respectively.<ref name="Ford_Falcon_Collection">{{cite book | last = Bushby | first = A. C. | title = The Australian Ford Falcon | publisher = A.C. Bushby | year = 1989 | isbn = 0-7316-3621-X}}</ref> As with the wagons, these lacked the extended rear overhang of their American counterparts, and also used the same front doors as the XK wagon and sedan, rather than the longer coupe-style units used by the US sedan delivery and Ranchero, as the US utility was called; this resulted in a much larger B-pillar on the XK utility and van than their US counterparts. The utility and van also lacked a rear bumper bar, having a pair of rubber ‘bumperettes’ wrapping around the rear corners instead.
The Falcon was also exported in small numbers to the various Empire colonies and Commonwealth nations.<ref name="Falcon/Cortina Australia 1963 eresources.nlb.gov.sg">{{cite web|author= |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19630930-1.2.116.aspx |title=Aussie Ford now adds Cortinas to Falcon line |publisher=The Straits Times |date=30 September 1963 |accessdate=25 February 2016 }}</ref> Pricing for a base model XK Falcon started at £1,137 ($2,274 AUD)<ref>{{Cite web|title=XK Ford Falcon (1960-62)|url=https://www.ranleys.com/vehicle/xk-falcon/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614015938/https://www.ranleys.com/vehicle/xk-falcon/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=14 June 2020|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Ranleys|language=en-US}}</ref> When production of the XK Falcon ended in August 1962, 68,465 units had been sold.<ref name="goauto"/>
The North American counterpart to the XK Falcon was also the basis of the Frontenac marque produced by Ford Canada for a single model year (1960).
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px"> File:1960-62 XK Sedan-.JPG|Ford XK Falcon sedan File:1961 Ford XK Falcon Deluxe Sedan (10359220375).jpg|Ford XK Falcon Deluxe sedan File:1961 Ford XK Falcon Deluxe sedan (6045538110).jpg|Ford Falcon Deluxe sedan File:1961 Ford XK Falcon Deluxe station wagon (41314781474).jpg|Ford XK Falcon Deluxe station wagon File:1961 Ford XK Falcon Deluxe station wagon (36678395715).jpg|Ford XK Falcon Deluxe station wagon File:1961 Ford Falcon XK Utility.jpg|Ford Falcon utility </gallery>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{commons category|Ford Falcon (XK)}} {{Ford Falcon}}
XK Category:Cars of Australia Category:Cars introduced in 1960 Category:Cars discontinued in 1962 XK Falcon Category:Sedans Category:Station wagons Category:Coupé utilities Category:Vans Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles