1978 Ford XC Fairmont GXL V8 Sedan

The final version of the third generation Falcon was the XC, easily recognisable by the restyled frontal aspect with large rectangular headlamps (on Fairmonts) and - on later models at least - the first use of Ford's new blue oval badge for an Australian car. Introduced in July 1976, the XC also had different bumpers, revised bonnet line and less pronounced coke bottle effect while the engines were revised, with redesigned cylinder heads aimed at meeting strict new emissions controls. During the lifespan of the XC, Ford made some significant changes to the suspension for the switch to radial tyres. Ford released a range topping luxury model known as the Fairmont GXL, perhaps the closest in spirit to the GTs of old when fitted with the optional 351-cid V8. The GXL came with power discs front and rear as standard and most were sold in automatic form with either a 302-cid (now with four-barrel carburettor for better performance) or 351-cid V8 and all came with a 9-inch diff. Inside the upmarket appointments included power windows front and rear, cloth trim, air conditioning and a radio/tape deck while alloy wheels and special badging completed the package. All these goodies didn't come cheaply, with the asking price of $7,822 a significant step up from the more basic Falcon models. The final XC rolled out in March 1979, making way for a new generation of Falcons ready to tackle the 1980s.