The Ford Falcon (XL) is a mid-size car which was produced by Ford Australia from 1962 to 1964. It was the second iteration of the first generation of the Falcon
Overview The Falcon XL was introduced in August 1962,AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 32 replacing the Falcon XK which had been in production since 1960.AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 11 Visual changes from the XK included a new convex grille, bumper mounted park/turn lights, new taillights, and a revised, squared off roofline (on the sedans) which was promoted as the “Thunderbird roofline”.Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 86 Other changes included a new manual gearbox (although it was still a three-speed unit), new clutch, new starter motor, new air cleaner, new suspension system and a new carburettor.
Both of the engines from the XK were retained; a Falcon Six inline-six, which produced and an optional version of the Falcon Six, which produced . Pricing started at £1,070 ($2,140 AUD) for a base model Falcon.
Model range The Falcon XL range included four-door sedan and five-door station wagons.AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, pages 34–40 The luxury Futura Sedan and Squire Wagon models were new for the XL series, the latter featuring simulated woodgrain side and rear panels.AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 40 Commercial vehicle derivatives were available in two-door coupe utility and two-door panel van body styles with the latter marketed as the Falcon Sedan Delivery.AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, pages 44–45
Models were marketed as follows: Falcon SedanFord Falcon sedan and station wagon brochure (DM26-7/62), Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Ltd Falcon Deluxe Sedan Falcon Futura SedanThe Ford Falcon sedan and station wagon brochure (DM26-7/62) uses the term Futura Sedan but shows that the model also carried Falcon badging Falcon Station Wagon Falcon Deluxe Wagon Falcon Squire Wagon Falcon Utility1962 Ford Falcon XL utility brochure, www.oldcarbrochures.org Retrieved 23 April 2015 Falcon Deluxe Utility Falcon Sedan Delivery1962 Ford Falcon XL sedan delivery Brochure, www.oldcarbrochures.org Retrieved 23 April 2015
Production The Falcon XL was replaced by the Ford Falcon (XM) in February 1964,AC Bushby, The Australian Ford Falcon Collection, 1989, page 46 production having totalled 75,765 units.
Motorsport
A Falcon XL driven by Bob Jane and Harry Firth was “first across the line” in the 1962 Armstrong 500, with the first four places in Class B filled by Falcon XLs.
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