Ford Falcon (XP)

{{Short description|Australian full-size car}} {{For|a complete overview of all Falcon models|Ford Falcon (Australia)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox automobile | image = File:Ford Falcon XP (15809045836).jpg | caption = Ford Falcon Deluxe Sedan | name = Ford XP Falcon | aka = Ford XP Fairmont | manufacturer = Ford Australia | production = March 1965 – September 1966 | class = Mid-size car | platform = | layout = Front engine, rear-wheel drive | body_style = 4 door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door hardtop 2 door Utility (Ute) 2-door panel van | engine = 144 ci (2.3L) Straight-6 OHV 170 ci (2.8L) Straight-6 OHV 200 ci (3.3 L) Straight-6 OHV | transmission = 3-speed manual 2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic 3-speed automatic | wheelbase = {{convert|2781|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|4658|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|1781|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|1420|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|1175|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} | predecessor = Ford XM Falcon | successor = Ford XR Falcon }}

The '''Ford Falcon (XP)''' is a mid-sized car produced by Ford Australia from 1965 to 1966. It was the fourth and last iteration of the first generation of the Falcon, and also included the '''Ford Fairmont (XP)''', the luxury-oriented version.

==Introduction== The XP Falcon was introduced in March 1965,<ref name=Bushby62>AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, page 62</ref> replacing the XM Falcon which had been in production since 1964. It was the final series of the first-generation Falcon which had been introduced as the XK Falcon in 1960. The main change from the XM was the 'torque box' steel subframe which added structural rigidity to the car. This was a key in improving the public perception of the car, as the early models were considered flimsy and were unpopular with Australian fleet buyers.

The running gear and most other components stayed the same from the XM through to the XP. All of the utility, panel van, taxi and police vehicles had five-Stud 13-inch wheels and larger 10-inch drum brakes, as had all previous commercial models. Commercials had always had lower-ratio differentials (4.00:1) and larger 6.70 x 13 tyres.

The up market Fairmonts, which were released by Ford Australia as a means of competing with Holdens Premier came with 14-inch four-stud wheels to accommodate the standard disc brakes on this model, whereas other models had 13-inch wheels if disc brakes were not optioned. Both Fairmonts and Futuras (including Futura hardtops) featured bucket seats, however only the Futura models had a center console,

The 200 ci Super Pursuit engine initially in four-main bearing form and finally with the imported seven-main bearing unit, three-speed automatic transmission, and a padded dash along with carpets, perforated, colour-matched headlining, blower heater, screen washers, chrome-plated interior mirror, seven interior door-operated lights, and a handbrake on warning light flasher as standard. Vacuum-assisted disc brakes were standard in the Fairmont only and optional on other sedan and hardtop models.

The XP Falcon shared the same front panels (bonnet, front guards and front bumper bar) as the 1960-63 Mercury Comet along with a Ford Australia designed grille, the XP being a single headlight car whilst the Comet having twin headlights.<ref name=shannonsXD>{{cite web | url = https://www.shannons.com.au/club/news/classic-garage/1979-82-ford-xd-falcon-was-ford-robbed/ | publisher = Shannons | title = 1979-82 Ford XD Falcon: Was Ford Robbed? | date = 3 March 2014 | first = Joe | last = Kenwright }}</ref>

==Model range== The XP Falcon passenger car range was initially offered in four-door sedan, two-door hardtop, and five-door station wagon body styles marketed as: * Falcon Standard Sedan<ref name=Bushby>Ford XP Falcon sales brochures as reproduced in AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, pages 62–83</ref> * Falcon Standard Wagon<ref name=Bushby/> * Falcon Deluxe Sedan<ref name=Bushby/> * Falcon Deluxe Hardtop<ref name=Bushby/> * Falcon Deluxe Wagon<ref name=Bushby/> * Falcon Futura Sedan<ref name=Bushby/> * Falcon Futura Hardtop<ref name=Bushby/> * Falcon Squire Wagon<ref name=Bushby/>

In September 1965, the Falcon Futura Sedan and Falcon Squire Wagon were replaced by two new Fairmont models<ref>Norm Darwin, The History of Ford in Australia, 1986, page 158</ref> marketed as: * Fairmont Sedan<ref name=Bushby/> * Fairmont Wagon<ref name=Bushby/>

The XP Falcon commercial vehicles range was offered in two-door coupe utility and two-door panel van body styles marketed as: * Falcon Standard Utility<ref name="Utility">[http://xpfalcon.kicks-ass.net/XPFalcon/Brochure/Ute%20Page2.jpg Ford XP Falcon Utility sales brochure]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Retrieved on 27 January 2011</ref> * Falcon Deluxe Utility<ref name=Utility/> * Falcon Sedan Delivery<ref>[http://xpfalcon.kicks-ass.net/XPFalcon/Brochure/Delivery%20Wagon%20Page%201.jpg Ford XP Falcon Sedan Delivery sales brochure]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Retrieved on 27 January 2011</ref>

<gallery widths="200px heights=150px"> File:1966 Ford XP Falcon sedan (7708102766).jpg|Ford XP Falcon sedan File:1966 Ford XP Falcon sedan (7708101942).jpg|Ford XP Falcon sedan File:1965 Ford Falcon (XP) Deluxe sedan (18187648549).jpg|Ford XP Falcon Deluxe sedan File:Ford Falcon XP (15212715644).jpg|Ford XP Falcon Deluxe sedan File:1965 Ford XP Falcon Deluxe station wagon (7026477333).jpg|Ford XP Falcon Deluxe wagon File:1965 Ford XP Falcon Deluxe station wagon (6880380018).jpg|Ford XP Falcon Deluxe wagon File:1965-66 Ford XP Falcon Deluxe Hardtop.JPG|Ford XP Falcon Deluxe hardtop File:1965 Ford XP Falcon Deluxe hardtop (6106426076).jpg|Ford XP Falcon Deluxe hardtop File:1965-66 Ford XP Futura Hardtop.JPG|Ford XP Falcon Futura hardtop File:1966 Ford XP Falcon Futura hardtop (7708099592).jpg|Ford XP Falcon Futura hardtop File:Ford Falcon XP Squire Wagon.jpg|Ford XP Falcon Squire wagon File:Ford Fairmont XP Sedan.jpg|Ford XP Fairmont sedan File:1966 Ford XP Fairmont sedan (6107223401).jpg|Ford XP Fairmont sedan File:Ford XP Falcon Utility.jpg|Ford XP Falcon Standard utility File:1966 Ford XP Falcon utility (5636648681).jpg|Ford XP Falcon Standard utility with Australian Army specification canvas canopy File:Ford Falcon XP Ute 1.jpg|Ford XP Falcon Deluxe utility File:Ford Falcon Sedan Delivery (XP).JPG|Ford XP Falcon sedan delivery </gallery> {{Clear}}

==Production and replacement== Production of the XP Falcon range totaled 70,998 vehicles<ref name=Bushby62/> prior to its replacement by the XR Falcon in September 1966.<ref>AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, page 84</ref> A total of 93 XP Falcon Squire wagons were produced between February and August 1965. {{Clear}}

==References== {{Commons category|Ford Falcon (XP)}} {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200614014226/https://www.ranleys.com/vehicle/xp-falcon/ XP Falcon]}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ford Falcon (XP)}} XP Category:Cars of Australia Category:Cars introduced in 1965 Category:Cars discontinued in 1966 XP Falcon Category:Sedans Category:Station wagons Category:Coupé utilities Category:Vans Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles