Ford Falcon (XL)

The Ford Falcon (XL) is a mid-size car which was produced by Ford Australia from 1962 to 1964. It was the second iteration of the first generation of the Falcon

Ford Falcon (XL)
Ford Falcon Deluxe Sedan (XL)
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Australia
Production	August 1962 – February 1964
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size car[1]
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door coupé utility 2-door panel van
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2.4 L (144 cu in) Falcon Six I6 2.8 L (170 cu in) Falcon Six I6
Transmission	3-speed manual 2-speed Fordomatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,781 mm (109.5 in)[2]
Length	4,602 mm (181.2 in)[2]
Width	1,778 mm (70.0 in)[1]
Height	1,384 mm (54.5 in)[1]
Curb weight	1,106–1,135 kg (2,438–2,502 lb)[2]
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Falcon (XK)
Successor	Ford Falcon (XM)

Overview

The Falcon XL was introduced in August 1962,^[3] replacing the Falcon XK which had been in production since 1960.^[4] Visual changes from the XK included a new convex grille, bumper mounted park/turn lights, new taillights, and a revised, squared off roofline (on the sedans) which was promoted as the “Thunderbird roofline”.^[5] Other changes included a new manual gearbox (although it was still a three-speed unit), new clutch, new starter motor, new air cleaner, new suspension system and a new carburettor.^[5]

Both of the engines from the XK were retained; a 144 cu in (2,360 cc) Falcon Six inline-six, which produced 67 kW (90 hp; 91 PS) and an optional 170 cu in (2,786 cc) version of the Falcon Six, which produced 75 kW (101 hp; 102 PS).^[2] Pricing started at £1,070 ($2,140 AUD) for a base model Falcon.^[6]

Model range

The Falcon XL range included four-door sedan and five-door station wagons.^[7] The luxury Futura Sedan and Squire Wagon models were new for the XL series,^[5] the latter featuring simulated woodgrain side and rear panels.^[8] Commercial vehicle derivatives were available in two-door coupe utility and two-door panel van body styles with the latter marketed as the Falcon Sedan Delivery.^[9]

Models were marketed as follows:

• Falcon Sedan^[10]
• Falcon Deluxe Sedan^[10]
• Falcon Futura Sedan^[10][11]
• Falcon Station Wagon^[10]
• Falcon Deluxe Wagon^[10]
• Falcon Squire Wagon^[10]
• Falcon Utility^[12]
• Falcon Deluxe Utility^[12]
• Falcon Sedan Delivery^[13]

• 
  Ford XL Falcon Deluxe sedan
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Deluxe sedan
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Futura sedan
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Futura sedan
• 
  Ford XL Falcon station wagon
• 
  Ford XL Falcon station wagon
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Deluxe station wagon
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Squire station wagon
• 
  Ford XL Falcon utility
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Deluxe utility
• 
  Ford XL Falcon Deluxe utility
• 
  Ford XL Falcon sedan delivery (with additional side windows)

Production

The Falcon XL was replaced by the Ford Falcon (XM) in February 1964,^[14] production having totalled 75,765 units.^[3]

Motorsport

A Ford Falcon XL built up as a tribute to the car which was credited as "First across the line" in the 1962 Armstrong 500

A Falcon XL driven by Bob Jane and Harry Firth was “first across the line” in the 1962 Armstrong 500, with the first four places in Class B filled by Falcon XLs.^[15]

References

1. "1962 Ford Falcon Sedan 144 Six 3-speed (XL) (model since August 1962 for Australia ) specifications & performance data review". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
2. "1962 Ford (Australia) XL-series Falcon Base Sedan all versions specifications and performance data". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
3. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 32
4. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 11
5. Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 86
6. "XL Ford Falcon (1962-64)". Ranleys. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
7. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, pages 34–40
8. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 40
9. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, pages 44–45
10. Ford Falcon sedan and station wagon brochure (DM26-7/62), Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Ltd
11. The Ford Falcon sedan and station wagon brochure (DM26-7/62) uses the term Futura Sedan but shows that the model also carried Falcon badging
12. 1962 Ford Falcon XL utility brochure, www.oldcarbrochures.org Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 23 April 2015
13. 1962 Ford Falcon XL sedan delivery Brochure, www.oldcarbrochures.org Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 23 April 2015
14. AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 46
15. "1962 Armstrong 500". Unique Cars and Parts. Retrieved 20 December 2014.