Falcon Facts: XC Falcon

The six cylinders were redeveloped to run more efficiently and they got a new cross-flow cylinder head. Australia converted to metric measurement, so now the 3.3L had 80kW and the 4.1L had 92kW.
The big 5.8L V8 was now available on all Falcons, while handling and suspension was revised. There were no GT variants in the XC range, and the closest replacement was the Fairmont GXL, the standard engine being the 4.1 six with auto, V8s optional. The Futura also didn’t make it into the XC range. In December 1976 the XC Hardtops went on sale.
Listening to the complaints, Ford lowered the waistline at the rear doors and fitted lower headrests, in a bid to increase visibility. The XC got a square looking grille, new bumpers and improved tail lights. The Fairmont featured square headlights, the rest had rounded lights. A redesigned instrument panel freshened up the interior, complete with circular instruments.
In May 1978, the XC was updated; this model was known as the XC 1/2, and it was a response to Holden’s new Radial Tuned Suspension. The suspension across the whole range was modified, which greatly improved the ride and handling. The XC 1/2 can be identified by the blue Ford badge in the centre of the grille.

Ford XC Falcon

On Sale: July 1976 - March 1979 (XC 1/2: May 1978)

How do I know it's an XC? Horizontal grille with protruding centre section, square headlights on Fairmont, round on others, rear door beltline is lower, new horizontally divided tail lights

Models available:
Falcon:
Falcon 500:
Falcon GS:
Fairmont:
Fairmont GXL:

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

Option packs/prototypes/limited editions:

X Pak:
Celebration:
Sundowner:
Alan Moffat:
Rally Pack:
Concorde:

Phase IV:

(Limited Edition) $275 of extras, different cloth seats
(Limited Edition) Falcon 500 with tinted windows, standard air, March 1978
(Option Pack) Falcon 500 van with bright side stripes & decals, different wheels
(Limited Edition) Falcon 500 sedan with driving lights, September 1977
(Option Pack)
(Show Car) Falcon van modified by Peter Arcadipane for Motor Shows. Futuristic, aggressive body kit with square wheel arches and front bumper, square headlights.
(Prototype) Factory special built for Perth Motor Show. 5.8L V8 with bib spoiler, rear-facing shaker hoop scoop, roof spoiler, blade spoiler on the tail, pinstriping.

What’s new? Visibility improvements, new dash

Falcon Firsts:

Prices at introduction: Falcon sedan - $5456, Fairmont GXL sedan - $7822

Total XCs built: 171082

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

Engines:
3.3L 6 cyl
Bore and stroke: 93 x 80 mm
Power: 80kW at 4600rpm
Torque: 220Nm at 2000rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Single throat carburettor
Compression ratio: 8.8:1

4.1L Low Compression 6 cyl
Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm
Power: 85kW at 3900rpm
Torque: 272Nm at 1900rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Single throat carburettor
Compression ratio: 7.9:1

4.1L High Compression 6 cyl
Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm
Power:92kW at 3700rpm
Torque: 289Nm at 2400rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Single throat carburettor
Compression ratio: 8.9:1

4.9L V8
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 151kW at 4600rpm
Torque: 364Nm at 3000rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Four barrel carburettor
Compression ratio: 9.2:1

5.8L V8
Bore and stroke: 102 x 89 mm
Power: 162kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 429Nm at 2700rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Four barrel carburettor
Compression ratio: 8.9:1

Fuel consumption: 17.8L/100km (Fairmont GXL 4.1 4 speed, Modern Motor magazine)

Performance (Falcon 4.9 V8 sedan, three speed auto):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 84km/h
2nd: 145km/h
3rd: 175km/h
0-100km/h: 11.5 seconds
Standing 400m: 17.5 seconds

Suspension:
Front
Independent with coil springs and hydraulic double acting shock absorbers, stabiliser bar, XC 1/2 adding increased spring rates, revised mountings

Rear
Live axle, semi-elliptic springs with hydraulic double acting shock absorbers, XC 1/2 adding 18mm stabiliser

Brakes:
Front
Hydraulic operation, 286mm power assisted and ventilated discs

Rear
Hydraulic operation, 254mm drums, power discs on Fairmont GXL

Steering: Recirculating ball, optional variable power steering

Wheels: Pressed 6 inch steel disc wheels with safety rims

Tyres: 185 SR14 radials

Dimensions:

Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase:
Front track:
Rear track:
Kerb weight:
Turning circle:
Fuel tank:
Boot space:

Sedan
4866mm
1900mm
1369mm
2819mm
1539mm
1527mm
1475kg
12 m
79.6 litres
780 litres

Hardtop
4837mm
1969mm
1308mm
2819mm
1539mm
1527mm
1498kg
12 m
79.6 litres
780 litres

Interior dimensions:

Front headroom:
Rear headroom:
Front shoulder room:
Rear shoulder room:
Front hip room:
Rear hip room:
Front legroom:
Rear legroom:

Sedan
950mm
934mm
1524mm
1524mm
1529mm
1529mm
1055mm
922mm

Hardtop
930mm
922mm
1524mm
1524mm
1529mm
1529mm
1054mm
822mm

Features:

Awards:

Rivals: HX/HZ Holden, Chrysler VK/CL/CM Valiant

XC Falcon Links (new window)

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Falcon Facts: Frank, Des' XC Falcon 500
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Falcon Facts: XD Falcon

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