Introduction
The XP Falcon was introduced in March 1965,AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, page 62 replacing the XM Falcon which had been in production since 1964. It was the final series of the first-generation Falcon which had been introduced as the XK Falcon in 1960. The main change from the XM was the 'torque box' steel subframe which added structural rigidity to the car. This was a key in improving the public perception of the car, as the early models were considered flimsy and were unpopular with Australian fleet buyers. The running gear and most other components stayed the same from the XM through to the XP. All of the utility, sedan delivery, and taxi/police kit vehicles had five-lug 13-inch wheels and larger 10-inch drum brakes, as had all previous commercial models. Commercials had always had lower-ratio differentials (4.00:1) and larger 6.70 x 13 tyres. The high-end Fairmonts, which were released by Ford Australia as a means of competing with Holdens Premier came with 14-inch four-lug wheels to accommodate the standard disc brakes on this model, whereas other models had 13-inch wheels if disc brakes were not optioned. Both Fairmonts and Futuras (including Futura hardtops) featured bucket seats, however only the Futura models had a center console, The 200 ci Super Pursuit engine initially in four-main bearing form and finally with the imported seven-main bearing unit, three-speed automatic transmission, and a padded dash along with carpets, perforated, colour-matched headlining, blower heater, screen washers, chrome-plated interior mirror, seven interior door-operated lights, and a handbrake on warning light flasher as standard. Vacuum-assisted disc brakes were standard in the Fairmont only and optional on other sedan and hardtop models. The XP Falcon shared the same front panels (bonnet and front guards) as the 1960-63 Mercury Comet.Model range
The XP Falcon passenger car range was initially offered in four-door sedan, two-door hardtop, and five-door station wagon body styles marketed as: * Falcon Standard SedanFord XP Falcon sales brochures as reproduced in AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, pages 62–83 * Falcon Standard Wagon * Falcon Deluxe Sedan * Falcon Deluxe Hardtop * Falcon Deluxe Wagon * Falcon Futura Sedan * Falcon Futura Hardtop * Falcon Squire Wagon In September 1965, the Falcon Futura Sedan and Falcon Squire Wagon were replaced by two new Fairmont models marketed as: * Fairmont Sedan * Fairmont Wagon The XP Falcon commercial vehicles range was offered in two-door coupe utility and two-doorProduction and replacement
Production of the XP Falcon range totaled 70,998 vehicles prior to its replacement by the XR Falcon in September 1966.AC Bushby, The Australian Falcon Collection, 1989, page 84 A total of 93 XP Falcon Squire wagons were produced between February and August 1965.References
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