Ford Falcon Problems

With Ford celebrating 50 years of Falcon it seems appropriate to look back at one of the more memorable models that dot the rich Falcon history, the stylish XM/XP Falcon Hardtop.Other models are more highly prized than the XM/XP Hardtop, the XY GT and its Phase III HO spin-off for instance, but there are few more admired models than the lovely coupe.Back in the mid-'60s, the Australian car market was undergoing a transformation of seismic proportions. Where Australians had been served a diet of utilitarian models in the 1950s, carmakers were beginning to offer cars with more style and pizzazz as the '60s rolled out.Engines grew in size and performance, rumbling V8s were more widely available, go-fast stripes and GT badges started to appear, and stylish two-door coupes were added to the model list of choices that were previously limited to family-friendly sedans and wagons. Ford led the way with the first coupe when it launched the two-door Hardtop in 1964.MODEL WATCHHolden had a stranglehold on the market as the 50's came to a close, so Ford had to play catch-up when it launched the Falcon in 1960.With its Detroit styling, the Falcon was way ahead of Holden at the time. With little competition, Holden styling had lagged behind the American styling of the time and looked old and stodgy compared to the sleek, airy newcomer with the blue oval badge.Ford would have made more progress in hunting down the Holden, but the first Falcon quickly developed a reputation for being unsuited to Australian conditions when its front-end began to collapse.Those problems were quickly fixed, but Australians had become wary of the new Ford and sales stagnated.Trying hard to make up for the early setback, Ford grabbed the attention of local buyers by releasing the Hardtop. In conjuring up the coupe Ford raided the corporate parts bin in Detroit where it found the slimline turret, pillarless doors and rear quarter panels that had been used in the American Falcon Sprint.The Hardtop first appeared in the XM range in 1964 as the base model Deluxe and upmarket Futura.Apart from the looks, the Hardtop varied little from the regular Falcon sedan. It used the same engines, gearboxes, suspension, steering and brakes as the family four-doors. The Deluxe had an 83 kW 2.8-litre 'Pursuit' six and a three-speed manual gearbox, while the Futura was only available with a two-speed automatic transmission and most were built with a more powerful 90 kW 3.3-litre 'Super Pursuit' six.In 1965 Ford released the XP with its squarer front, but other than that there were few changes to the Hardtop. The Deluxe and Futura models continued. The engine offerings were the same, but a better three-speed unit replaced the two-speed auto. Ford dropped the hardtop when it went to the XR in 1966. By then it is believed some 3000 XM Hardtops and up to 7000 XP models had been produced.IN THE SHOPThe great thing about old Falcons is that you can get pretty much everything you need to repair or restore your car. There are a number of local outlets specialising in older Falcons and they can supply most parts you might need. If not it's more than likely you can get whatever you need, NOS or repro, from the US. The Falcon mechanicals are robust, and while tired engines might need rebuilding, the parts and know-how are readily available to do it.When shopping for a car it's best to search for one with a good, solid body with minimal rust and body cracking. That way you're not likely to have to big body repair bills to bring your car back to showroom condition. It's also worth noting the condition of the bright work on the body, as that can be hard and costly to replace. Stainless steel trim, wheel covers, bumpers, grilles and badges in good condition can be a real bonus as they can soak up big dollars when it comes to repairing or replacing them.ON THE ROADWhile it looked sporty the XM/XP Hardtop wasn't a performance car, it was conceived as a stylish cruiser that turned heads as it rolled down the road. The steering was over-geared and vague, the drum brakes faded fast if put under real pressure, and the chassis understeered if pushed through corners with any vigour.While the Hardtop accelerated quite well for its time - it needed 15 seconds or so to reach 100 km/h - it could only be described as lethargic by today's standards. But as a weekend cruiser when performance and handling don't matter too much there are few nicer classics than the XM/XP Falcon Hardtop.Fitting modern tyres, lowering the suspension, fitting better shock absorbers and larger sway bars, and fitting disc brakes can make an enormous improvement and transform the Hardtop into a much more enjoyable car to drive today.IN A CRASHForget airbags, anti-skid brakes, traction or stability control, the XM/XP Hardtop was made well before these modern safety systems were even thought of. Check the seat belts and make sure they are in good condition, as the belts and the body structure are the only crash protection the Hardtop has.AT THE PUMPThe XM/XP Hardtop was no fuel miser; contemporary road testers reported fuel consumption of up to 17 L/100 km. But that's not likely to concern anyone wanting to use it as a weekend classic. The XM/XP Hardtop was built when fuel contained lead, so it's best to use PULP to get a decent octane rating and use a valve protection additive. An alternative is to fit the engine with hardened valves and valve seats, and then use unleaded without the additive.LOOK FORClassic pillarless coupe stylingCruising comfortModest performanceBuy rust-free carCheck condition of body trimLikely to maintain, perhaps increase, value over time.OTHER CLASSIC FALCONS TO CONSIDERXR FALCON GT 1967: The first Falcon GT with its gold paint, black stripes, sports steering wheel and gearshifter is a most desirable classic Falcon. Gaining in value as GT fans realise its real place in Falcon history. Pay up to $80,000.XC FALCON COBRA COUPE 1978: Ford created one of the all-time great Falcon classics when it released the XC Cobra Coupe. It was a smart marketing idea to get rid of the last 400 coupe bodies. Striking in white with bold blue stripes the Cobra was the last blast in the classic early Ford performance line. Pay up to $75,000.BA/BF FALCON XR6 TURBO 02-08: Of the more recent Falcons the BA/BF Falcon XR6 Turbo models are likely to become great Falcon classics in years to come. With their tyre-shredding performance, road-hugging handling and downright good looks the hotshot turbos have the special ingredients needed to acquire true classic status. Pay $14,000-$30,000.THE BOTTOM LINE: An affordable and good-looking cruiser that ticks most classic boxes.CLASSIC RATING: 85/100

The traditional prestige players are priced beyond the means of most of us -- but the qualitative difference separating the business class and the topline versions of the rest has diminished to the point of non-existence. All right, you'll look better in the car park comparison stakes if you drive the exxier choices listed here, but you're by no means always driving the better car.WAGONSOne's a classy Volkswagen Group sport wagon with a direct injection turbo petrol engine with the option of a cutting-edge transmission. And so's the Audi.The Czech-made Skoda is essentially a bigger in the body, more discreet, better riding and cheaper VW Golf GTI, the car that more than any other blurs the distinction between the prestige pack and the rest.The handling-enhancing electronic diff of the new GTI is on its way to the RS, so while the twin clutch DSG adds $2300, the generous standard kit (including tasty 18s) and skinny options list means there's not a lot more to spend. Rare is the Audi of which that can be said.The output of the front-wheel-drive Avant's turbo four is similar (132kW/320Nm plays Skoda's 147kW/280Nm), limited for its continuously variable transmission. Quattro and the full-fat engine sets you back another $13,000 -- and the premium is already just a bit silly.SEDANSOne's a perfectly balanced, rear-wheel-drive, inline petrol six with great steering and a six-speed ZF automatic. And so's the BMW.All right, we're comparing a big tarted-up Aussie taxi with a thoroughbred mid-size Bavarian sport sedan here, but what of it? Priced $33K south, this Falcon is probably the best-value car in the country on a metal for money basis and that price difference buys a lot of basic unleaded petrol for that 4.0-litre atmo six with its whacking 195kW/391Nm. If there's a quickish car that rides as well as the Falcon, it's known not unto us.As to the Bimmer, well, you'd go there if you could, even if the peerless handling comes at the price of run-flat tyres and an options list to make your eyes bleed.DIESELSOne's a European-built front-wheel-drive with a sophisticated turbodiesel engine and bank-vault build quality. And so's the Volvo. Now the first prestige Euro to be owned by a Chinese company, Volvo did rather well out of its association with Ford (certainly better than Saab did out of GM). But the years of proximity invite comparison.Long the choice of UK sales reps and families, the Mondeo's marriage of the diesel with an auto and capable dynamics give it a comfortable niche position at this level of the market. The Titanium edition gives the long Ford the trim and kit to compare with the premium brigade.Despite its more potent five-cylinder engine and Swedish aura of invulnerability, we just can't see the extra spend in the stolid Volvo.SUVSOne's the best-driving compact SUV and... uh, that's the BMW, actually. We've often said that if BMW made front-wheel-drive family cars they'd handle like Mazdas, so the two brands' respective four-wheel-drives should logically be even closer.Not quite, but not to the extent that the X3 is nigh-on $20K better. The X3's only real advantage in Australia's restricted conditions is its standard six-speed auto. Stop us if you're tired of hearing this, Mazda doesn't yet have a slusher for its diesel.While the Mazda's engine is slightly bigger and more potent than the BMW diesel, it has to haul a nearly two-tonne kerb weight. The X3 is 250kg lighter but, within, it's also the most dated Bimmer.How much is that badge worth, again?