Looking for a Mad Max Falcon
In spite of the Ford Falcon name, the '73 Australian Ford
Falcon is a car you won't find in the United States. In the U.S. the Ford
Falcon was produced from 1960 to 1970. Production of the Australian Ford
Falcon also began in 1960, but is still being made today, making the Falcon
one of the biggest selling names in automotive history. Initially, the Australian
Falcon was an American Falcon that was modified for the harsher Aussie environment
and changed to right-hand drive, but that started to change in 1964 when
the first wholly Aussie designed Falcon hit the market. It still looked
very much like the American Falcon, but small changes in body style, suspension
and drivetrain were being introduced. These changes accelerated when the
second generation Australian Falcons came to market in 1967, and by 1970,
the year the American Falcon was retired, its Australian cousin looked nothing
like the original.
The third generation of Australian Ford Falcon ran from 1972
to 1979 and included the XA, XB and XC models all of which retained the
same basic body style you see here In fact, more than one year/model Falcon
was used for the movie for the various police cars used. Today, the Falcon
is into its 7th generation, a fitting legacy for the first "foreign"
car to enter the Australian car market and successfully compete with the
Holden.
Australian
Ford Falcon History
History
of the Mad Max Interceptor
The Butler's search for a Falcon that they could turn into
a Mad Max replica eventually led them to this little beauty. It's a 1975
Ford Falcon XB Coupe with a few GT option (like hood and side scoops), and
the 351 Cleveland Motor. After seeing these photos, sent to them by the
seller in Australia, the Butlers contacted a trusted broker in Texas who
had the vehicle inspected in Australia to confirm that the car was truly
as nice as it appeared in these photos. Eventually the deal was made and
the car was shipped to the U.S., receiving its first and only body damage
(minor damage to left front fender), at the hands of U.S. Customs when they
drove it out of the shipping container for inspection. I tru government
fashion, they denied responsibility for everything.
The more you look at this car, the more you wish Ford had
kept the Falcon model alive and let us American muscle car enthusiasts have
a chance to buy and drive it. Good looks, big motor, how could they have
gone wrong?
And here is what the Falcon looked like after its arrival
at the Butler's house.
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Hot Rods & Custom Stuff, 2324 Auto Park Way, Escondido, CA.,
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