1972 FORD FALCON XA

1972 FORD FALCON XA. The Ford Falcon (XA) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1972 to 1973. It was the first iteration of the third generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (XA)—the luxury-oriented version. The XA platform was also used for the Australian Ford Landau. Sold between March 1972 and September 1973, the XA series was the first Falcon to be designed (with assistance from Ford's US headquarters) and manufactured in Australia. Designed by Jack Telnack, it featured an entirely new body which was larger and more roomy than that of its XY series predecessor, giving it the "coke-bottle" look. The XA range also had a longer list of options, although the choice of engines carried over from the previous XY Falcon range. All V8 302 ci and most 351 ci "Cleveland" engines were now Aussie made. GT Falcons could have Aussie or imported 351 ci V8s fitted. Wagons, utilities and panel vans now featured a longer wheelbase than the sedan. Fairmont wagons had a dual-action tailgate that could be opened either downwards or sideways, optional on base model Falcon and Falcon 500 Wagons. The addition of a two-door hardtop to the range marked the first time that this body style had been offered on an Australian Falcon since the XP series of 1965–1966. The hardtop's longer doors with frameless windows were shared with the utility and van, with a different shape glass to suit the commercial vehicles' body apertures. The shorter doors of the sedan and wagon with their framed windows were also available with optional quarter vent windows, though these were very rare, mainly fitted to cars in the hotter parts of Australia. This option was available in the subsequent XB and XC models, though very scarce. The XA Falcon range were the first Falcons fitted with in-dash vents for face level flow-thru ventilation, although they only worked while the car was in motion. A total of 129,473 XAs were built. While successful, the XA Falcon range proved to be short-lived as it gained a significant frontal appearance update to become the XB series in September 1973. CC rating: 3,277cc 200 ci (3.3L) Inline 6 NZ First Registration: 15-Aug-1972