Ford Falcon 1967 News

All 1500 cars were eagerly snapped up buy eager buyers.  Now it is hoping to repeat that success with a Series II Limited Edition G6.  The 2010 G6 LE is identical in specification to last year's model but gets prestige paint at no extra cost. The LE is $36,990 drive-away, $500 more than the previous LE.  Buyers get almost $4000 of additional equipment at no extra cost.  Ford Australia vice president marketing, sales and service, Beth Donovan, says the overwhelming success of last year's LE prompted its return. "The 2010 G6 LE offers customers almost $13,000 of net retail value compared to the regular G6, so we expect demand will continue to be strong," she says.  Rather than increase the build numbers, Ford is sticking with another 1500 LEs. Based on the popular G6, the LE version gets a host of additional features, including special exterior finishes and luxury interior.  There are 18-inch G Series alloys, special colour accents on the grille, fog light bezels and rear bumper insert, as well as "Limited Edition" badging. Inside standard equipment includes side curtain airbags, leather-detailed seat trim, leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with satin alloy audio and cruise control buttons, iPod integration and Bluetooth integration.  The LE is also available with a dedicated E-Gas LPG engine and four-speed automatic. E-Gas models get 17-inch alloys to differentiate it from the petrol model.  The dedicated LPG E-Gas version is an extra $2000, while a $2000 government grant from the LPG Vehicle Scheme is available to eligible customers.  The return of the LE marks a continuing attempt by Ford to lift its appeal. The performance XR sedans still overshadows the G Series cars.  Of all Falcons sold, more than 43 per cent are XR cars. Dealers are currently selling 2009 XR6 stock for $36,490 driveaway.

But this one is not just any old engine. It is the all-new 5-litre Coyote V8 that will soon be slotted into the Ford Falcon XR and, once a supercharger is bolted to the top, become the hero engine at Ford Performance Vehicles. In its most basic form it pumps out 307 kiloWatts of power and 529 Newton-metres of power, well up on the current Falcon V8 and even better than Holden's 6.2- litre Chevrolet V8. The Coyote is seen for the first time in Detroit as part of the unveiling of the latest Ford Mustang, and is a radical remake of the V8 blueprint with lightweight, all-alloy construction and twin- overhead camshafts.  "We will be taking an engine from the Coyote family," admits Ford Australia's spokesperson, Sinead McAlary, in Detroit. But that's as far as it goes. No-one is saying yet if the Coyote will be in the XR8, or used by FPV, or subject to a supercharged upgrade.  Even the American engineer in charge of the Coyote program is sworn to secrecy in Detroit.  "I keep getting asked all these questions but I honestly cannot say anything. My boss would kill me," he tells Carsguide. Ford Australia is moving rapidly towards a Coyote future as it also prepares for a four-cylinder Falcon, as well as an LPG upgrade and a diesel powerplant for the Territory.  Even its gearbox strategy is set for an overhaul, with the old- fashioned four-speed used in lower-grade Falcons and the LPG model heading for the scrapheap in favour of a six-speed self-shifter. The reasons for the changes _ and an investment of $230 million to keep the Falcon current through to its current replacement date in 2015 _ hinge around changing consumer tastes and new emission regulations.  Ford is well aware that it needs to make the Falcon more fuel efficient, which is why it has a local program tied into the goals of the Ecoboost operation. But it also needs to keep the car attractive to muscle-car shoppers. The big problem is that Ford's current 5.4-litre V8 cannot meet the next generation of emission-control regulations that come into effect later this year for new cars. The Euro 4 standards are much tougher and are compulsory for any vehicle sold in Australia from the start of 2011. So Ford is forced to find a new powerplant and Coyote is the key, with an easy entry to the world of Euro 4 together with better performance and economy.  There are rumours that Ford will keep the Coyote just for FPV and can the XR8, but Ford's president Marin Burela is not convinced. "The XR8 has worked, and worked well, for us," Burela says, without giving anything away.  "We're still doing the research. We have to find out what people want from us."

But Ford is hoping its new G6 Limited Edition sedan will add some spice into the established G Series line-up. With XR models making up 43 per cent of Falcon sales and the rest high-end G-Series cars, the entry $42,490 G6 has largely been something of an orphan in the Falcon line-up. Ford Australia president, Marin Burela, wants to change that. "The G6 has not been known as well as we would like in that mid-$30,000 segment," he says. For that reason the G6 Limited Edition will kick off at $36,490 drive-away, pitching right into the mid-size and large car segments, but more importantly aimed at Holden's refreshed Commodore line-up. A G6 LE dedicated LPG version will cost $2000 extra. "We are comfortable that it will drive incremental sales in the Falcon range," Burela says. The G6 LE gains $4000 of extra gear, including 18-inch alloys, leather trim, side curtain airbags, as well as other cosmetic upgrades and iPod integration and Bluetooth. The LPG model gets 17-inch alloys. With the arrival of the Limited Edition, Burela has flagged some changes in the G series line-up. "We are looking at the opportunity for less complexity in the model line-up in the G Series," he says. However, he will not be drawn on whether the G6 and the G6E will become one model. "We're not sure, it's too early to say," he says. And the Limited Edition numbers? Burela's not saying. "It spoils it for customers if they know," he says. However, Carguide understands 1500 LEs will be built.

UTES are almost compulsory for Jason Hodges. As resident gardener and landscaper on Better Homes & Gardens a workhorse is his first choice. He says he has always owned and driven utes. Hodges' long-term relationship with utes has gone hand-in-hand with his lifestyle. But he does have others in his life -- a 1967 convertible Mustang and a 1963 two-door Falcon - which come out for special occasions.What was your first car?An HQ Kingswood ute. It was white with a blue tarp. I was 17 and I loved it because it was a ute not a car. The worst thing about it was everyone wanted to borrow it, or borrow you, when they moved house.What do you drive now?A metallic blue Commodore ute. I've had about 12 utes. I've had Holdens, Toyotas and Fords, but nine out of the 12 have been Holdens. I also own a 1967 convertible Wimbledon white Mustang and a 1963 two-door Falcon. I usually drive the Mustang to golf on a Saturday or if I'm quoting for a job. I also take it on dates, if I can get one. I'm not sure if the Mustang impresses on dates. I think it can be too showy, whereas the 1963 Falcon, because it's Australian, is a little more understated.Do you have a favourite drive and who would you take?Up to the Hunter Valley from Sydney. I normally go up there with mates. We have dirt bikes up there so I'm usually go there with a bloke, not a girl.How far would you drive in an average year?A lot. I'd do about 35,000km a year.Do you have a favourite motoring memory?I love road trips, especially up to Nambucca Heads or Crescent Head. I've enjoyed them as a kid and an adult. I drive to Tamworth for the Country Music Festival every year and I sleep in the back of the ute. As I've become more recognised for being on TV, people stop and ask, "Where are you staying?'' And when I tell them, "In my ute'' they look a bit surprised. We usually go to the Olympic town pool for a s- - -, shave and a shower. People don't expect me to do that, but I'm still a lad.What would you buy if money was no object?A 1967 convertible Mustang.What music is playing in your car?I like mellow, chilled-out music like Jack Johnson, Pete Murray, Missy Higgins, Lee Kernaghan or Troy Casser-Daly.How much is too much for a new car?I've never bought a new car, but I don't know how much is too much. If it does the job and it makes you happy, you enjoy it and it de-stresses you when you're in traffic ... you can't put a price on that.What should be done to make driving safer?We should be tested more often, not just when we get our licence. I'm sure I have bad habits after driving for 18 years without anyone testing me.Are you sponsored by a car company?No. But it would be nice.

 Organisers of the Super Cheap Auto Bathurst 1000 are predicting the massive crowd generated last year by the death of Peter Brock will be overtaken tomorrow week.More than 193,000 spectators, a rise of almost 30,000 on 2005, turned up over four days at Mt Panorama in 2006 as the tide of emotion following nine-time winner Brock's untimely death a month earlier descended on Australia's most hallowed motor-racing venue.“We are on track for the biggest Bathurst 1000 ever,” V8 Supercars Australia chairman Tony Cochrane said.“Many people thought with the death of Peter Brock last year those crowds would never be repeated.“More than 80,000 advance Bathurst ticket sales had been made before the Sandown 500 last month.“We are further ahead with grandstand sales than we were last year.”Special celebrations have been organised for the 45th running of Bathurst that will include a parade of some former champions and their cars.The legendary Harry Firth and tyre king Bob Jane wrote the first chapter in the Bathurst story when they shared a Ford Cortina GT and won what was called the Armstrong 500 Mile race in 1963.Firth and Jane's Cortina will be one of several former winning machines which will be honoured in a special parade of champions before the 161-lap marathon next Sunday.The traditional race start of 10am will be pushed back to 10.30am to make way for extended pre-race hoopla.Series broadcaster Channel 7 will showcase each of the 31 cars in the race, showing them on individual laps immediately before they grid-up and informing viewers of their progress since rolling out for the opening practice sessions on Thursday.The Bathurst bangers will go off on presentation laps at about 40-second intervals which will add about 20 minutes to the pre-race hype.Channel 7 has committed an unprecedented 21 hours of live coverage over three days from next Friday to Sunday.Even if bad weather and safety cars conspire to slow the race, Seven has given an assurance that it will bump its 6pm news back if necessary to show the race in its entirety.The later start gives organisers some breathing space to help spectators filter into Mt Panorama and there is now time for two support races prior to the Bathurst 1000 starting.“The later start helps from a point of view of filtering traffic into the circuit precinct, easing the pressure on day-trippers from Sydney and has made way for two support events (Carrera Cup and Touring Car Masters),” V8 Supercars general manager of special events, Shane Howard, said.There are modifications to the movement and consumption of alcohol in response to a tightening of NSW liquor laws at major events this year.An insignificant number of punters have requested refunds in light of the changes.“Let's deal with the truth . . . we are approaching over 80,000-odd advance ticket sales,” Cochrane said.“We've had 20 — two-zero — requests for refunds.”Alcohol can still be brought into and consumed in the camping areas but it is prohibited to take alcohol into or out of the licensed areas, defined this year at the bottom of the circuit.The bottom of the mountain from the Chase through to Pit Straight and Harris Park and up Mountain Straight will be fully licensed.“We don't have any choice in that these are the terms and conditions of operating a major event in NSW,” Howard said.“What we can do is negotiate with our caterer to ensure that alcohol prices in the venue are as low as the caterers can operate to.”More than $750,000 is being spent on beefed-up police and security.There will be 160 police at the circuit, double that of last year and there will be tougher searches at the entry points for fireworks and other contraband.Great Race highlights1963 Legendary Harry Firth and Bob Jane claim the first Bathurst enduro, the Armstrong 500, in a Ford Cortina GT.1966 It was the year the mighty Morris Mini Cooper S conquered Mt Panorama with Rauno Aaltonen and Bob Holden sharing the wheel.1967 Firth claims his second Bathurst win with Fred Gibson in a Ford Falcon XR GT.1972 A youthful Peter Brock won the first of his nine victories at the mountain with a brilliant solo drive in a Holden Torana LJ XU1.1981 A star was born when Dick Johnson and his co-driver, Brisbane car dealer John French, steered a Ford Falcon XD to victory a year after the well-chronicled “rock” incident.1995 After suffering a puncture on the opening lap, Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall came from a lap down to win.2002 The decorated Jim Richards claims a seventh title as co-driver to Mark Skaife in the lead Holden Racing Team Commodore.2006 Peter Brock's understudy Craig Lowndes takes an emotional win with Jamie Whincup a month after the legendary racer was killed in a tarmac rally in Perth.