{{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 XM Sedan.jpg | caption = Ford Falcon Deluxe Sedan (XM) | name = Ford Falcon (XM) | manufacturer = Ford Australia | production = February 1964 – February 1965 | class = Mid-size car<ref name="specs">{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1964/999290/ford_falcon_sedan_144_six.html |title=1964 Ford Falcon Sedan 144 Six 3-speed (XM) (model since February 1964 for Australia ) specifications & performance data review |publisher=automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=20 December 2014}}</ref> | layout = FR layout | body_style = 4-door sedan<br/>4-door station wagon<br/>2-door hardtop<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<br/>{{convert|200|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} ''Falcon Six'' I6 | transmission = 3-speed manual<br/>2-speed ''Fordomatic'' automatic | wheelbase = {{convert|2781|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="specs"/> | length = {{convert|4651|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="specs"/> | width = {{convert|1793|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="specs"/> | height = {{convert|1394|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="specs"/> | weight = {{convert|1106|-|1305|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="specs2"/><ref name="futura"/> | predecessor = Ford XL Falcon | successor = Ford XP Falcon }}
The '''Ford Falcon (XM)''' is a mid-size car that was produced by Ford Australia between February 1964 and February 1965. It was the third iteration of the first generation of the Ford Falcon.
==Overview== The XM series Falcon range was introduced in February 1964, as a replacement for the XL series Falcon.<ref name="specs"/> The XM featured around 1,500 modifications from the XL, including numerous changes to the suspension which now featured stronger ball joints, new front upper wishbones, coil-over shock units and relocated rear spring-hangers. Also new were bigger axle shafts and tougher engine mounts. The vacuum operated windscreen wipers of the XL series were replaced by a two-speed electric motor unit and the seats were stronger with better quality upholstery.<ref name=uniquexm>{{cite web |url=https://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_ford_falcon_xm.htm |title=Ford Falcon XM |publisher=Unique Cars and Parts |accessdate=10 October 2009}}</ref> Unlike previous Australian Falcons, the XM represented a significant departure from the contemporary US Ford Falcon models in terms of exterior styling.<ref name=uniquexm/>
Both of the engines from the XK and XL Falcons were retained, albeit with a small power increase for both engines; a {{convert|144|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} ''Falcon Six'' inline-six, which produced {{convert|96|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} and an optional {{convert|170|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} version of the ''Falcon Six'', which produced {{convert|111|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="specs2">{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/ford_australia/falcon_fairmont_futura_1gen/xm_falcon_base_sedan/1964.html |title=1964 Ford (Australia) XM-series Falcon Base Sedan all versions specifications and performance data |publisher=automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=20 December 2014}}</ref> For higher specification models, such as the Deluxe trim, a {{convert|200|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} version of the ''Falcon Six'' was available for the first time (often referred to as the ''Super Pursuit'' engine),<ref name="motoring aus advice">{{cite web |url=http://www.motoring.com.au/advice/2013/classic-and-rare/ford/falcon/from-the-classifieds-1964-ford-falcon-xm-coupe-35495 |title=From The Classifieds: 1964 Ford Falcon XM coupe |publisher=motoring.com.au |date=8 March 2013 |accessdate=20 December 2014 |first=Tim |last=Britten}}</ref> and produced {{convert|121|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="specs3">{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1964/998870/ford_falcon_deluxe_hardtop_200_super_pursuit_six.html |title=1964 Ford Falcon Deluxe Hardtop 200 Super Pursuit Six 3-speed (XM) (model since July 1964 for Australia ) specifications & performance data review |publisher=automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=20 December 2014}}</ref> The 170 engine was also made the standard engine for the top-spec Futura models.<ref name="futura">{{cite web |url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/ford_australia/falcon_fairmont_futura_1gen/xm_futura_hardtop/1964.html |title=1964 Ford (Australia) XM-series Futura Hardtop all versions specifications and performance data |publisher=automobile-catalog.com |accessdate=20 December 2014}}</ref>
A two-door hardtop body style was added to the range in July 1964.<ref name=Davis>Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 90</ref> It was offered in Falcon Deluxe Hardtop and Falcon Futura Hardtop trim levels, with the 170 cubic inch "Pursuit 170" engine as standard equipment and the 200 cubic inch "Super Pursuit" available as an option on both models.<ref name=XM_Hardtop_brochure>''All fun and fancy-free'', sales brochure for XM series Ford Falcon Hardtop models, Ford Sales Company of Australia Limited, DM112-5/64/40M</ref>
==Model range== The Falcon XM passenger car range, released in February 1964,<ref name=uniquexmtecspec>[https://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/falcon_XM_technical_specifications.htm Falcon XM Technical Specifications] Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 10 October 2009</ref> comprised three sedan and three station wagon models,<ref name=XM_brochure>''The New Falcon'', sales brochure for XM series Ford Falcon Sedan and Station Wagon models, Ford Sales Company of Australia Limited</ref> marketed as follows: * Falcon Sedan<ref name=XM_brochure/> * Falcon Deluxe Sedan<ref name=XM_brochure/> * Falcon Futura Sedan<ref name=XM_brochure/> * Falcon Wagon<ref name=XM_brochure/> * Falcon Deluxe Wagon<ref name=XM_brochure/> * Falcon Squire Wagon<ref name=XM_brochure/> The Falcon XM Hardtop range, released in July 1964,<ref name=Davis/> comprised two models,<ref name=XM_Hardtop_brochure/> marketed as follows: * Falcon Deluxe Hardtop<ref name=XM_Hardtop_brochure/> * Falcon Futura Hardtop<ref name=XM_Hardtop_brochure/>
The Falcon XM commercial vehicle range comprised four models:<ref name=XM_insert>''The New Falcon - with Certified Golden Quality'', newspaper insert for XM series Ford Falcon models</ref> * Falcon Standard Utility<ref name=XM_insert/> * Falcon Deluxe Utility<ref name=XM_insert/> * Falcon Standard Sedan Delivery<ref name=XM_Sedan_Delivery_brochure>''The '64 Falcon Sedan Delivery'', sales brochure for XM series Ford Falcon Sedan Delivery models, Ford Sales Company of Australia Limited, DM86-1/64</ref> * Falcon Deluxe Sedan Delivery<ref name=XM_Sedan_Delivery_brochure/> <gallery widths="200px" heights="150px"> File:1966 Ford Falcon (XM) sedan (18794607288).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Sedan File:1966 Ford Falcon (XM) sedan (18795959779).jpg|Ford XM Falcon sedan File:Ford Falcon XM Deluxe (22863968483).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Deluxe Sedan File:Ford Falcon XM Deluxe (23408617351).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Deluxe sedan File:1964 Ford XM Futura Super Pursuit (10323243454).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Futura sedan File:Ford Falcon (35085792853).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Futura sedan File:Ford Falcon XM Wagon.jpg|Ford XM Falcon Deluxe wagon File:1964 Ford XM Falcon Deluxe hardtop (7708063346).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Deluxe hardtop File:1964 Ford XM Falcon Deluxe hardtop (7708066776).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Deluxe hardtop File:Ford Falcon XM Hardtop (15647662717).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Futura hardtop File:1964 Ford Falcon (XM) coupe (21247272008).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Futura hardtop File:Ford XM Falcon Utility.jpg|Ford XM Falcon utility File:1964 Ford XM Falcon utility (23837489185).jpg|Ford XM Falcon utility File:1964 Ford XM Falcon Deluxe Utility (12963652884).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Deluxe utility File:Ford Falcon Ute (39436412464).jpg|Ford XM Falcon Deluxe utility File:1964 Ford Falcon XM Panel Van.jpg|Ford XM Falcon sedan delivery File:1964 Ford XM Falcon sedan delivery (23947846750).jpg|Ford XM Falcon sedan delivery </gallery>
==Production== 47,039 examples of the XM series were produced,<ref>AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 46</ref> prior to its replacement by the revised XP Falcon in March 1965.<ref>AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 62</ref>
==References== {{Commons category|Ford Falcon (XM)}} {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== * Norm Darwin, The History of Ford in Australia, 1986 * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200614015614/https://www.ranleys.com/vehicle/xm-falcon/ XM Falcon]}}
{{Ford Falcon}}
XM Category:Cars of Australia Category:Cars introduced in 1964 Category:Cars discontinued in 1965 XM Falcon Category:Sedans Category:Station wagons Category:Coupé utilities Category:Vans Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles