Ford Problems

Ford's SUV plans had one difference to most other companies, and it was a bold one at that – they decided to build a two-wheel drive version as well as the traditional four-wheel drive wagon.They recognised that many SUV buyers really just wanted a high-riding, roomy station wagon for the perceived benefits of being able to see the road better, and they weren't interested in going off the black top.Apart from the drive train, the Territory didn't have much in common with the Falcon. It was fundamentally a new car from the ground up.It rolled on a longer wheelbase than the Falcon, but was shorter in length and much taller. Its shape was neat and clean, its lines uncluttered and purposeful. Overall, it fitted the new genre perfectly.Inside, it was roomy with comfortable seating for five in standard form, but up to seven adults with the optional third row, and plenty of space for everything a family needs to take with them when venturing out in the big, wide world.Mechanically, the Territory was very similar to the BA Falcon. It came with the same 182kW, 4.0-litre, double-overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine for power, the same four-speed automatic transmission with sequential sports shift, and the choice of either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.While it rode higher than the Falcon, the suspension was similar – the Territory boasting independent front suspension with the Falcon's control blade independent rear.Brakes were disc front and rear with anti-skid electronics, traction control and grade control for off-road safety.Few will have been driven off-road, certainly the two-wheel-drive cars will have stuck to the black top, but it's worth checking underneath four-wheel drives for any damage that might have been sustained by driving off-road. When CarsGuide tested one shortly after its release, the fuel tank guard was damaged from grounding in a rut on a bush track, and a section of the rear bumper was dislodged when caught on the road while attempting a steep climb.There's plenty of choice on the market so it's well worth being selective. Be sure to look for damage to trim and interior fittings caused by kids bored during long journeys.Being favoured for family transport, also keep an eye peeled for dings and dents from shopping centre parking.Some owners are concerned about the fuel consumption and looking to convert to dual-fuel. Ford doesn't currently offer a dual-fuel system, but there are after-market systems available to convert the Territory to dual-fuel to save on running costs. The concern with high-riding cars is that the higher centre of gravity means sloppier handling, but the Territory rides and handles quite well with no obvious problems attributable to the higher ride.Four-wheel disc brakes with anti-skid and electronic brake force distribution, power steering and independent suspension combine for an impressive primary safety package for crash avoidance.All models feature dual front airbags. But with side-curtain airbags, the TS and Ghia offer superior secondary crash protection.

That same car retailed at almost $40,000 when it was new.Now, my dealer mate added his profit to the price before he retailed it out of his yard at $20,500, but even then it was still just a tick over half the original sticker price.The BA Futura used here is just an example of the bargains out there in near-new cars, particularly the Falcons, Commodores, Magnas and Camrys.The BA Falcon was a make-or-break car for Ford. After the disastrous AU the BA had plenty of ground to make up if the company was going to be viable going into the future.Thankfully for all of us it turned out to be a pretty decent car, far and away better than its disappointing predecessor.Ford pumped lots of new features into the BA, far more than it really would have, had it been a normal upgrade.The 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine was given a major overhaul with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder with infinitely variable valve timing. In base form the Barra engine put out 182kW at 5000 revs and 380Nm at 3250 revs, more than sufficient to give the BA plenty of zip. There was the choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed auto, the latter having sports shift.The suspension was also revamped, particularly the rear suspension.The overhaul continued inside as well with an all-new layout focused around a central control console. Standard features in the base XT included airconditioning, CD sound, power driver's seat, power front windows, trip computer, cloth trim, dual front airbags, anti-skid brakes, 60/40 split-fold rear seat.In addition to that, the Futura had cruise control, power rear windows, 16-inch (40.64cm) alloy wheels, rear centre armrest, cup holders, grab handles and courtesy lamps.Make the next step up to the Fairmont and you also drove away with dual-zone airconditioning, velour trim, six-stack CD, woodgrain dash, leather-trimmed steering wheel, side airbags, and traction control.The last step, sporty XRs aside, was to the Fairmont Ghia which had the added features of a six-way driver's seat with memory for settings, adjustable pedals, 17-inch (43.1cm) alloys and fog lamps.With just 30,000km or so under its wheels there should be little that's gone wrong with the Falcon. To date there is none of the head gasket, radiator, power steering problems that were a regular occurrence on the AU. And rental car agencies say they're having a better run out of the BA Falcon than they are with the equivalent Commodore or Magna. In reliability terms they are rating it as high as the Camry.Mechanics working on roadside assistance are reporting an annoying BA problem.It seems they simply stop and can't be started again without being towed to a Ford dealer where the electronics can be checked.With decent handling from independent suspension front and rear and anti-skid brakes the Falcon delivers quite good primary safety.On the secondary level it has dual front airbags, and on the Fairmont, side airbags.There are lots of compelling reasons for buying used large cars, but saving money is the best one. At auction, BA Falcon XTs are being knocked down for as little as $14,500 on average. At retail prices, the same car will sell for $3000 more. The Futura sedan retails for about $18,500 and the equivalent wagons will cost about $18,500 and $19,500.

It's often the original model that becomes the much-admired classic in later life, and that's certainly the case with the first Falcon GT Ford, launched in 1967.  The XR Falcon GT can lay claim to a number of firsts. It was the first Aussie muscle car and the first V8 to conquer the Bathurst mountain.MODEL WATCHThe GT was one of the smartest marketing moves ever seen in Australia. Ford was building a high-speed pursuit car for the police when some smart marketing men thought it would make a great high-speed road car and, perhaps more importantly, a potent race car for events like Bathurst.Using the police pursuit specification as a base, a GT spec was developed. The GT was based on the XR Falcon sedan, the first to offer a V8 engine, and was enhanced with some special go-fast gear and dress-up equipment so it looked the part.All apart from a handful of special build cars were painted GT Gold with black GT stripes down each sill and across the boot lid, while the grille was also blacked-out for added effect. GT badges adorned the grille, boot lid and the C-pillars.It wasn't over-the-top to the point of being garish, it looked just about perfect.Inside, there was a Mustang-style woodrim steering wheel, extra dials with the speedo going all the way to 140mph (225km/h), and there was a Hurst shifter jutting out of the centre console. The engine would be a more powerful version of the standard 4.7-litre pushrod V8. The compression ratio was boosted, it had a sports camshaft, four-barrel Holley carburettor, special intake manifold and exhaust system. All that added up to 225hp (168kW) at 4800 revs while torque was 305lb ft (413Nm) at 3200 revs, enough to power it to 100km/h in a little more than 10 seconds and, at 195km/h, it was the fastest car ever produced in Australia at the time.The V8 was linked to a four-speed manual gearbox with the final drive delivered to the rear wheels via limited-slip diff.Underneath the glittering gold panels, the suspension had been stiffened with heavier springs, bigger shock absorbers and a larger front anti-roll bar. The steering ratio had been reduced, disc brakes were fitted to the front, and the wheels were wider and fitted with radial tyres.IN THE SHOPThe XR GT is almost 40 years old and will have many of the problems that affect all old cars. Rust can be a particular problem, and their high performance meant that many have been crashed, some a number of times. That means a thorough inspection is needed to determine the condition of the body.The good news is that it's not too difficult to find replacement body parts as they're the same as those on regular XR Falcons.Finding second-hand body parts in good condition, however, requires patience and persistence. Mechanically there is nothing daunting about the GT. The 4.7-litre V8 is a simple and durable unit and there are plenty of parts available to rebuild them.Same goes for the gearbox, rear axle, suspension, steering and brakes. The difficulty with the GT is replacing those special GT parts that might be missing.CRUNCH TIMEThere's not much to talk about on the safety front. Airbags were a thing of the future in 1967, even seat belts were optional, although the GT did come with lap-sash belts up front.FORD FALCON GT 1967Not recommended for daily drivingRumbling V8 performanceAuthenticity is a mustRust and crash damageMust be complete with all special GT featuresGreat looksRATING12/20 A head-turner that's fun to drive and appreciating in value.