The Ford XD Falcon is a car that was produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between 1979 and 1982.
The XD series was introduced on 28 March 1979 and was initially offered in five models:
- Falcon GL (sedan and wagon)
- Fairmont (sedan and wagon)
- Fairmont Ghia (sedan)
There was also an ESP (European Sports Pack) model released in 1980.
The base engine was a 3.3-litre six-cylinder with a 4.1-litre (250 cu in) six, a 4.9-litre (302 cu in) and a 5.8-litre (351 cu in) also available. Transmissions available were three-speed column shift manual for six-cylinder versions, the popular four-speed manual floor shift, and the most popular transmission choice, the three-speed automatic with the selector lever located either the column or floor. Stylistically, the XD was strongly influenced by the European Ford Granada Mark II of 1977.
Commercial variants of the XD Falcon were released in September 1979 with four models offered:
- Falcon (utility and van)
- Falcon GL (utility and van)
A total of 197,293 XD Falcons were built.
Falcon GL sedan Fairmont sedanFamous quotes containing the words ford and/or falcon:
“There can only be one Commander-in-Chief. In these times, crises cannot be managed and wars cannot be waged by committee. To the ears of the world, the President speaks for the nation. While he is of course ultimately accountable to Congress, the courts, and the people, he and his emissaries must not be handicapped in advance in their relations with foreign governments as has sometimes happened in the past.”
—Gerald R. Ford (b. 1913)
“Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)