1985 Ford XF Falcon GL Sedan

Description

Ford’s replacement for the XA-XC range of Falcons was launched in 1979 and unlike Holden, who downsized with the Commodore in response to the fuel crisis, the new XD remained very much a traditional large Australian sedan.  This proved a wise decision, with the XD-XF family of Falcons easily outselling the Commodore for most of the 1980s.  The XD was sold with three different equipment levels, the base GL, the Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia and could be ordered with two different six cylinder (3.3 and 4.1-litre) and two V8 (4.9 and 5.8-litre) engines under the bonnet.  A brand new alloy cylinder head was jointly developed for the sixes with Honda and found its way into production in June 1980, resulting in improved fuel economy and better low down torque.  The revamped XE Falcon was unveiled in March 1982 with revised frontal styling and completely redesigned rear suspension featuring a Watts linkage, four trailing arms and progressive-rate coil springs.  Also notable as the final V8-powered Falcon for some years, the XE also saw the introduction of electronic fuel injection in February 1983, helping Ford maintain its grip on the number one sales position, something consolidated by its successor, the XF of October 1984.  With subtle styling revisions, the XF’s appearance was softer and more European than ever, along with a redesigned interior featuring a new instrument panel and folding rear seat, fabrics and door trims, better equipment levels across the model range and more power thanks to upgraded engine management.  Ford built just over 220,000 XF Falcons and Fairmonts between 1984 and 1988 and comfortably outsold its arch rival Commodore in that period.