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Ford Falcon Fairlane XA-XB-ZF-ZG repair manual

About the Ford Falcon XA and XB Series

Ford Falcon XA

The end of production of the Falcon in the US paved the way for much greater Australian input in the design of Australian-made Falcons, from 1972 onwards, although for several years there was still a distinct resemblance to the US-made Mustang. The XA Falcon, introducing a new hardtop coupe model, burst onto the scene with its distinctive range of paint colours, with purple and wild plum being popular, often ordered with white or black upholstery. The XA Falcon Hardtop bore a strong resemblance to the 1970-71 Ford Torino, and shared its "frameless window" doors with the utility and panel van variants. The drivetrains carried over from the XY, although the 250 2V was soon dropped, and the 'full-house' GTHO engines no longer required due to changes in production racing regulations. Ford had planned a 'Phase IV' GTHO (and built four), but cancelled it in the wake of the so-called 'Supercar Superscare'. XA also became the first Australian car to come with front disc brakes across the board.
Ford XA Falcon panel van

The GT variant kept the twin driving lights but reverted to a bonnet blackout with no strips at all on the vehicle. The front guards received fake 'vents' just behind the indicators, and NACA ducts were added to the bonnet. Steel '12-slot- wheels were introduced although some GTs received the 5-spoke Globe 'Bathurst' wheels, which had been ordered for the GTHO Phase IV and now needed to be utilised. Other performance parts from the aborted Phase IV found their way onto GTs, including larger fuel tanks and winged sumps. These specced up GTs are generally referred to as 'RPO83's after the option code covering the additional parts, although what parts any given RPO83 received seems to have been governed by the luck of the draw rather than any specific process.

The hardtop variant formed the basis of the two-door version of the Ford LTD (itself a variation on the Fairlane model), which was known as the Landau.

Ford Falcon XB

In 1973 the XB Falcon (sold with the slogan "The Great Australian Road Car") was introduced with more aggressive styling, a multi-function control stalk (indicators, high beam, horn), new colours including colour-coded bumpers on the GT variants, and minor trim variations. Engine options were as before, but the 170 bhp (130 kW) six was dropped. New Panel Van and Utility trim packages, "Surferoo" and "Surfsider" respectively, were introduced.

The GT variant introduced four-wheel disc brakes for the first time on an Australian-built production vehicle (the earlier GTHO models used large finned drums at the rear), along with radius rods to help locate the elliptical spring solid rear axle. The first 211 XB GTs built were fitted with a US-built version of the Cleveland 5.8 litre V8 known as the 'big port' motor, and later XB GTs were fitted with an Australian-built version of the motor with 'small port' heads. There is a notable difference in performance between these motors, and also in resale value as the early US-powered GTs are rarer and thus more collectable. The twin driving lights remained, as did the bonnet locks. The bonnet scoops were now integrated into the 'power bulge' on the bonnet. The bumpers were now body-coloured, and the power bulge, wheelarches, sills and valances were painted in a contrasting colour to the body (with Yellow Blaze body and black valances seemingly the most popular colour combination).

From behind, XB hardtops can be distinguished from the later XC models by the tail lights, which have flat lenses with chrome bezels.

This classic car is world renowned for its starring roles in the movies Mad Max and Mad Max 2 (The Road Warrior), both starring a young Mel Gibson. In Mad Max, the police use yellow XA and XB sedans, and Max later drives a customised black XB hardtop known as the Pursuit Special, or incorrectly as the Interceptor.

 

Ford Falcon and Fairlane V8 - XA XB ZF ZG Gregory's Service and Repair Manual 1972-1976 1973 1974 1975

 

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