Ford Falcon 1985 News

Forty years ago, in October, 1984, the bestselling Ford Falcon in the nameplate’s 56-year history in Australia was launched. The XF series held the top spot every year until production ceased in February, 1988, ahead of the handsome but flawed EA’s debut. This success was nothing short of astonishing.

Over the past week voters have rallied to the Big Australian's cause, lifting it from 5.5 percent up to 8.7 per cent in the overall favourite stakes.

It's certainly slipping in the votes for the Carsguide People's Choice Award, now sitting well outside the top five with just one Ford up there to represent the brand

The auction house says the Williams FW07/04 is the most original and authentic FW07 in existence. Campaigned by Frank Williams and driven by Alan Jones, the car has been part of the Peter Brigg Family Collection at the York and Fremantle Motor Museums in Western Australia since 1981.The Williams FWO7 race cars were the first 'ground effect' cars and are regarded as one of the most successful F1 designs of all time, with the car's underbody panels directing airflow to increase downforce.The aerodynamic effect generated around two tonnes of downforce at about 300km/h.This car's pedigree includes four Grand Prix wins from July 1979 to January 1980 before becoming the number one test car for Williams. A crash removed it from service - it was rebuilt as a show car before being sold to Peter Briggs and going on display at the York Motor Museum in WA.The car came to Adelaide in November 1985 for the first F1 Grand Prix held in Australia, where Alan Jones told Peter Briggs about the history of the FW07/04. Jones said he remembered the tyre testing crash, saying it was the only time he thought he could die when driving a Williams as the front tyre came off, bounced off the bodywork and left a black scrape on his helmet as it went over the top of the car.Sotheby's Australia has returned to the world of classic and collectible car auctions with its Collectors Motor Cars Department and the ex-Jones car will be one of the feature cars at next month's auction. Sothebys Australia's national head of collectors' motor cars James Nicholls says the car could fetch anything up to one million dollars."It's difficult to tell as this is such a specialist car - we certainly think it will be in the high hundreds of thousands, it could be $700,000 or higher than that. With the (Formula One) race in Melbourne bringing people into the country we're hoping people are aware of the car, it's a very prestigious car, a ground-breaking car driven by Alan Jones so it's pretty significant here and internationally," he says.The April 18 catalogue also has a 1975 XB Falcon GT Hardtop, raced by John Goss, Allan Moffat and Sir Jack Brabham, in 1975 Bathurst blue and white livery. Also up for auction is a 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow two-door sedan owned by actor Peter Sellers.Log on to www.sothebysaustralia.com.au for more information.

Previous Bathurst 1000 Winners 1963 Harry Firth/Bob Jane Ford Cortina GT 1964 Bob Jane/George Reynolds Ford Cortina GT 1965 Bo Seton/Midge Bosworth Ford Cortina GT500 1966 Rauno Aaltonen/Bob Holden Morris Mini Cooper S 1967 Harry Firth/Fred Gibson Ford Falcon XRGT 1968 Bruce McPhee/Barry Mulholland Holden Monaro GTS

The type of used car you buy could mean the difference between life and death, an Australian study says.The study found, for example, that drivers and passengers are 26 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a Daihatsu Hi-Jet microvan (made between 1982-1990), than a VW Golf hatch (1999-2004), the 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings report says.And the Transport Accident Commission believes the report's release could potentially slash the road toll by a third.Released in Melbourne yesterday, the study examined more than 2.8 million cars of 279 different types involved in crashes from 1987-2005 in Australia and New Zealand.Researchers rated vehicles on how much protection was offered to drivers and how much the vehicle was likely to harm other road users in an accident.Small cars and other vehicles built before 1990 performed worst for safety, with the Daihatsu Hi-Jet, Daewoo Kalos (2003-2004) and Ford Falcon XE/XF (1982-1988) poor examples.About two-thirds of cars in the worst performing category were light cars, including the Daewoo Kalos (now badged as Holden Barina) and the Hyundai Getz.Cars rated the highest for protection were the VW Golf and Bora models (built between 1999 and 2004) and the Holden Astra TS (1998-2005).Most four-wheel drives scored average or better results for occupant protection, but were more likely to harm or kill other road users.The report was conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre with support from Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, TAC, VicRoads and state and federal road authorities.VicRoads vehicle safety chief Ross McArthur said selecting a vehicle that met minimum safety standards was not enough.“You can get good performing cars that are cheaper and you can get cars that are more expensive that don't perform as well,” Mr McArthur said.“As a rule, the newer the car is, the better performance it has, but that's not always the case so you need to be informed.”The cost of a vehicle also did not necessarily mean it was safer, said RACV chief vehicle engineer Michael Case.Consumers needed to consider the safety ratings when buying a car to ensure its safety.Mr Case said structural design and safety equipment such as airbags played an important role.“Among small cars, the Toyota Corolla, the Holden Astra and the VW Golf have performed well and these vehicles are very affordable for used-car buyers,” he said.  Safety scoreVehicles scoring better than average in crashes:VW Golf/Bora (1999-2004)Holden Astra TS (1998-2005)Toyota Corolla (1998-2001)Honda Accord (1991-1993)Mercedes C Class (1995-2000)Peugeot 405 (1989-1997)Subaru Liberty/Legacy (1989-1993)Toyota Cressida/Mark II (1989-1993)Subaru Forester (1997-2002) Models that scored worse than average:Mitsubishi Cordia (1983-1987)Ford Falcon XE/XF (1982-1988)Mitsubishi Starwagon/Delica/L300 (1983-1986 and 1987-1993)Toyota Tarago (1983-1989)Toyota Hiace/Liteace (1982-1986 and 1987-1989 and 1990-1995).Source: 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings report 

And what better place for a reunion and an anniversary celebration than the Australian Muscle Car Masters at Eastern Creek, where more than 500 of these powerful, historic cars will be raced and displayed.It's a step into the past as racing car legends such as Morris, Peter Brock, Allan Moffat, Leo Geoghegan, Harry Firth, John Goss and many more will be in attendance to meet fans and sign autographs.All the best cars from the 1960s, '70s and '80s will strut their stuff in Historic Touring Races and Hot Lap sessions. Morris hasn't driven that winning Torana L34 in almost 30 years, and is looking forward to his hot lap next Sunday, September 3."It was the very first Torana with a V8 engine and the car that we raced was the very first Torana L34 that was ever built off the production line," Morris said this week. "It was fantastic. I raced that car in 1975, also, and I drove with Frank Gardner that year and we came in second place. So it had a second outright and a first outright at Bathurst, and I don't know if that's been repeated."Morris says the 1976 victory was the highlight of his 20-year career, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The piece of nostalgia that saw him to success now lives at the Bathurst Museum but will make the trek to Eastern Creek next weekend.In a contrast of fortune, also on display will be the Torana that captured all the 1976 pre-race publicity but crashed on the grid. The blue Torana due to be driven in that race by Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss jammed in gear at the start and was rammed from behind by a little Triumph Dolomite.Now, 30 years later, it too has been restored for display.More than 150 cars have already entered the race events with a range of Historic Touring Car events covering categories from the 1950s to the '90s. And there will be specific events, such as the biggest Torana race in the world and the best of the best.Racing driver Des Wall is looking forward to toeing the line next Sunday in the classic he bought at an auction last November.The Ian "Pete" Geoghegan Mustang, which has a story of its own, is worth quite a large sum. Wall claims it is probably the best car of its time."It's a significant car in Australian motor-racing history. It won three Australian touring car championships and it's been restored to the way it was in 1971," Wall says.Wall has been racing for more than 30 years and his son, David, has followed in his footsteps as a race driver.He says the Mustang performs surprisingly well, but differently, of course, to the newer Porsches and Chev Corvette he usually races."It's very good. It surprised me how competitive the car is for a car of that era," he says. "We drive current race cars also. The difference ... I expected it to be wider than what it is. Apart from the brakes not being what current cars have, the car is quite a substantial race car."Next Sunday's show is expected to draw big crowds, after the same event last year attracted more than 10,000 people, despite appalling weather."I think a lot of people who are motor-racing enthusiasts are getting more and more interested in the history, they want to see the cars that the heroes were in," Wall says."Some people love football and tennis and various things, we just love motor racing. It's our sport of choice, something we're very passionate about."Among the classic old touring cars on display that became famous in the golden Bathurst era of the 1970s and '80s will be the VK Group A Commodore that gave Allan Grice his first Bathurst win, in 1986. Also on show is the Allan Moffat/Jacky Ickx Falcon XC Hardtop that was involved in the dominant Ford 1-2 team win in 1977. The only man to win Bathurst and the Australian Grand Prix, John Goss, will display his 1974 winning Falcon and the 1985 winning Jag XJS. Kevin Bartlett will have his Chev Camaro in action.The event is also a major drawcard for car clubs. The 2006 Torana GTR and XU-1 Nationals are expected to attract up to 80 road-going machines.