1965 Ford Falcon XP Utility

Description

The final facelift of the first generation of Aussie Ford Falcons, the XP was announced in February 1965 with revised sheet metal, interiors and - on the Fairmont at least - the option of power-assisted Girling disc brakes, a first for an Australian-built car. From a styling perspective, the XP appeared both more modern and aggressive thanks to a different front end treatment to the outgoing XM, with a flatter bonnet and squared off lines. The XP Falcons were available with three engines, the basic 144 Economy Six, the 170 Pursuit Six and the 200 Super Pursuit Six. Ford offered a choice of transmissions, including the Borg-Warner Type 35 automatic designed and built locally. The model line-up was extended to include the base Falcon (sold in sedan, wagon, ute and van versions), intermediate Futura, upmarket Fairmont (in sedan and wagon versions) and the Hardtop Coupé. The XP drew rapturous praise at the time of its launch, winning Wheels 'Car of the Year' award in 1965 and is still regarded as the best of the first generation Falcons today. By the time production drew to a close in September 1966 some 70,954 examples of the XP series had been manufactured and today the model is still held in high regard, a firm favourite with collectors, enthusiasts and Ford lovers of all ages.