Falcon XY 4WD
in [Aussie Drivers]
|
From: DAvid on 19 Oct 2007 21:40 http://www.4wdonline.com/Ford/Falcon.html Interesting to note only 430 of these were built by Ford and built at their Brisbane plant . I still see an odd one here and there in regional Qld and I was not aware of their problems which explains why Ford dropped them like a hot spud. DAVO
From: Noddy on 19 Oct 2007 23:43 "DAvid" <davideo(a)bigpond.net.au> wrote in message news:Q%cSi.2070$CN4.182(a)news-server.bigpond.net.au... > http://www.4wdonline.com/Ford/Falcon.html > Interesting to note only 430 of these were built by Ford and built at > their Brisbane plant . I still see an odd one here and there in regional > Qld and I was not aware of their problems which explains why Ford dropped > them like a hot spud. Too bad the article was written by people who have no idea :) The 4wd utes were built by Ford as a special order for the Queensland and Northern New South Wales Electricity Commissions for use as service vehicles in remote areas, and it was never intended for them to go into production for private use. The reason why only 432 was all that were ever made was because that was what the contract called for, and once the vehicles were delivered that was the end of the model run. There was never any intention to begin civilian production, or carry the model over into the XA utility. Basically, it was a private manufacturing deal between Ford and the QLD & NSW governments that helped Ford shift a heap of old stock XY Falcon ute body tubs. They were all built identical in that each one of them was fitted with a 250 cubic inch 6 that was mounted on a 30 degree slant to provide front axle suspension clearance between the front diff and the sump, they had mustang style firewall bracing in the engine bay for increased rigidity, and they were fitted with a three speed manual with a Spicer transfer case & front & rear axles. They were all also fitted with a heavy duty custom made bumper incorporating a PTO winch. They were all sold to the government under the terms of the contract and handed out to the various Electricity service departments as required, and only ever saw private civilian use once they had reached the end of their service life and were disposed of by the government at auction. None were ever sold to the public new. -- Regards, Noddy.
From: Noddy on 20 Oct 2007 02:06 "Blue Heeler" <woof(a)bark.net> wrote in message news:5ntfscFg5e2qU1(a)mid.individual.net... > This is the second time you have written something to the effect of > above. > > It simply is not true. It is according to Eddie Ford and his book "The history of Ford in Australia". -- Regards, Noddy.
From: GrassyNoel on 20 Oct 2007 02:49 Modern Motor said at the time that Ford had XA utes, vans and wagons under study.
From: Noddy on 20 Oct 2007 03:28
"Blue Heeler" <woof(a)bark.net> wrote in message news:5ntlnlFk36ovU1(a)mid.individual.net... > Wouldn't be the first time an "official" history has been just plain > wrong. It surely wouldn't. > Let's just agree that they were dogs and leave it at that. Fair enough. For what it's worth I've had a drive of one and didn't think they were that bad. A cabinet maker around the corner from me has had one for years, and has been trying to flog it to me for quite a while after a tree in his back yard fell on it and squashed the roof down to the dashboard level. Before that I actually borrowed it a few times and used it to move some junk, and while it was a pig to drive it certainly didn't stand out as particularly bad compared to other things of the era. I mean, when I was a young kid I did a round the country trek in a series I Landy, and by comparison the Falcon 4wd ute felt like a Rolls-Royce to drive. -- Regards, Noddy. |