Falcon Facts: XA Falcon

The driver’s vision was not good, and drivers had trouble seeing over the high rear seat while reversing. The high waistline only added to the vision problem.
As before, the sedan was sold alongside the wagon (with longer wheelbase), ute and panel van and, after seven years, a 2-door. The Falcon Hardtop was brought in to compete with Holden’s Monaro. Designed to be a GT, with its large wheels, the Hardtop was also available in standard trim, with the narrow tyres letting down its looks. The Hardtop shared the same doors as the ute and van, but it suffered the visibility problems of the sedan. Those who found themselves in the rear of a coupe had to cope with an enormously thick rear pillar and tiny rear windscreen. And it was impossible for the driver to tell how much of the car was hanging out the back there.
The XA’s handling characteristics were very good and the seating was improved. The interior was a thoroughly modern design, and again, the wrap around fascia was likened to an aircraft cockpit. High-backed bucket seats were optional (standard on the Fairmont), and a heater and rear seat belts were now standard across the range. Front disc brakes were standard on the Futura and Fairmont and front quarter-vent windows were optional. This was a good decision as these were an Australian institution and popular amongst smokers and country drivers. The optional power steering take-up rate was low, even though the XA was a handful to steer.
The six cylinder engines remained unchanged, the V8s got small power increases. These engines were superior to their Holden equivalents, although the 3.3 wasn’t really suited to such a heavy car.

Ford XA Falcon

On Sale: March 1972 - September 1973

How do I know it's an XA? All new rounded body, grille has horizontal bars, wraparound clear indicators, six individiual tail lights (sedan), thick c-pillar, curved beltline

Models available:
Falcon:
Falcon 500:
Futura:
Fairmont:

sedan, wagon, ute, van
sedan, wagon, van, hardtop
sedan
sedan, wagon, hardtop

Option packs/prototypes/limited editions:

Superbird h/top:

GS Pack:

(Limited Edition) Hardtop with 302 V8, GT instrumentation, rear window louvre, Superbird decals, choice of three paint combinations. $3590.
(Option Pack) GT-style rally stripes, 12-slot wheels, GT 3-spoke wood grained steering wheel, full instrumentation. Available on Falcon 500, Futura or Fairmont; sedan, wagon, ute, van or hardtop

What’s new? Longer wheelbase for wagon, hardtop resurrected, heater and seatbelts standard

Falcon Firsts: First Falcon designed and built in Australia

Prices at introduction: Falcon sedan - $2750, Fairmont sedan - $3770

Total XAs built: 152609

Transmission: 3 speed manual, 4 speed manual, 3 speed automatic

Engines:
3.3 200 cubic inches (3.3L) 6 cyl
Bore and stroke: 3.68 x 3.13 inches
Power: 130bhp (97kW) at 4600rpm
Torque: 190lb-ft (258Nm) at 2000rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Single throat carburettor
Compression ratio: 9.1:1

4.1 250 cubic inches (4.1L) 6 cyl
Bore and stroke: 3.68 x 3.91 inches
Power: 155bhp (116kW) at 4400rpm
Torque: 240lb-ft (325Nm) at 1600rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Single throat carburettor
Compression ratio: 9.3:1

4.1 2V 250 cubic inches (4.1L) 6 cyl
Bore and stroke: 3.68 x 3.91 inches
Power: 170bhp (127kW) at 4200rpm
Torque: 250lb-ft (339Nm) at 2200rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Bendix twin throat carburettor
Compression ratio: 9.3:1

5.0 302 cubic inches (5L) V8
Bore and stroke: 4 x 3 inches
Power: 240bhp (179kW) at 4600rpm
Torque: 305lb-ft (414Nm) at 2600rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Two barrel carburettor
Compression ratio: 9.5:1

5.8 351 cubic inches (5.8L) V8
Bore and stroke: 4 x 3.5 inches
Power: 260bhp (194kW) at 4600rpm
Torque: 355lb-ft (481Nm) at 2600rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Two barrel carburettor
Compression ratio: 9.7:1

Fuel consumption: 15.9 mpg (Falcon 500 4.1 auto, Modern Motor magazine)

Performance (Falcon 302 sedan, three speed auto):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 52mph (84km/h)
2nd: 88mph (102km/h)
3rd: 108mph (174km/h)
0-60mph (0-97km/h): 9.7 seconds
Standing quarter mile (402m): 17.2 seconds

Suspension:
Front
Independent with coil springs and hydraulic double acting shock absorbers, stabiliser bar

Rear
Live axle, semi-elliptic springs with hydraulic double acting shock absorbers

Brakes:
Front
Hydraulic operation, 11.25 inch discs, 11.25 inch power assisted discs on Futura and Fairmont, optional on other models

Rear
Hydraulic operation, 10 inch drums

Steering: Recirculating ball, optional variable power steering

Wheels: Pressed 5 inch steel disc wheels with safety rims

Tyres: 6.95 x 14 (sedans), 7.35 x 14 wagons, optional on sedans

Dimensions (sedan):
Length: 186.5 inches (4737mm)
Width: 74.8 inches (1900mm)
Height: 53.9 inches (1369mm)
Wheelbase: 111 inches (2819mm)
Front track: 60.5 inches (1537mm)
Rear track: 60 inches (1524mm)
Kerb weight: 3017lb (1369kg)
Turning circle: 39.4ft (12 m)
Fuel tank: 17.5 gallons (79.6 litres)
Boot space: 27.6 cubic feet (780 litres)

Interior dimensions (sedan):
Front headroom: 38 inches (965mm)
Rear headroom: 36.7 inches (932mm)
Front shoulder room: 60 inches (1524mm)
Rear shoulder room: 60 inches (1524mm)
Front hip room: 60.2 inches (1529mm)
Rear hip room: 60.2 inches (1529mm)
Front legroom: 41.5 inches (1054mm)
Rear legroom: 31.9 inches (810mm)

Features:

Awards:

Rivals: HQ Holden, Chrysler VH/VJ Valiant, Leyland P76

XA Falcon Links (new window)

Falcon Facts: XA Falcon GT
Falcon Facts: ZF Fairlane
Falcon Facts: XY Falcon
Falcon Facts: XB Falcon

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