The XA was certainly the first Australian
Falcon that couldn't claim close kinship with an American
Falcon. Sometime early in 1968 the decision had been taken to
discontinue production of the US Falcon. Thus it was that in May
of that year, a team of Ford Australia executives flew to
America to begin 
work
on what was to become the 1972 XA Falcon. There they would
collaborate with senior Dearborn stylists because the Australian
operation was at that time considered to be too small to have
complete autonomy.
Very early on in the project the Americans suggested that an abbreviated
version of the new Fairlane/Torino - a car of which they were proud - would do
the job. By using the center section of the car in conjunction with a shorter
wheelbase and shorter front and rear overhangs, an attractive car of Falcon
dimensions could be created.
But the Australians had immediate doubts, believing that the effectiveness of
the Fairlane/Torino styling was largely a consequence of those long, flowing
overhangs and the long wheelbase.
A clay model was built and everyone agreed that the Australians' reservations
had been right. While the XA bears some resemblance to the Fairlane/Torino, it
was in fact an all-new design.
In October 1968, work was completed after three Australian designers had
worked 90 hours. Dearborn was so impressed with the work achieved by the
Australian stylists that Ford Australia was told to build itself a design
center.
The
XA Hardtop was released in three editions: Falcon 500 Hardtop, Fairmont Hardtop
and GT Hardtop. The 500 and the Fairmont could be ordered with a GS Package as
an option. They were all exclusively designed and built in Australia. Engines
came in a variety of sizes from the six cylinder 200ci, 250ci and 250ci 2V to
the V8 302ci Cleveland and the 351ci Cleveland. Transmissions were either C4 or
FMX automatics or 4 speed manuals. Delivering the power to the road was normally
done an 8" or 9" differential.
Identifying an XA Falcon Hardtop
There are four major external features that differentiate the XA Hardtop
from the XB and XC Hardtops.
- The grille is made with horizontal lines meeting at a point in the center.
- The hood meeting at a point in the center.
- The front marker/turn lights cut into the front fender.
- The rear lights have a concave design.
It has now been 35 years since the XA was released so these features are used
as a general indication only. A lot of cars have been modified over time.
The XA Family
There were a total of 129,473 XA's produced between March, 1972 and
September, 1973. Ford didn't keep detailed production records for all editions
but we can tell you the Hardtop numbers: 4,525 XA Falcon 500s; 3,273 XA
Fairmonts and 891 GTs.
The other models in the range consisted of 120,784: Sedan, Wagon, Utility
(Ranchero) and Panel Van (Sedan Delivery).
