The AU Ford Falcon was released in 1998. Here is a bit of a snapshot of what things were like and what things costs in Australia at that time. The landscape has changed a lot since the AU was first released and it is interesting to see where things were back then vs how they are today. Where were you when the AU Falcon was first released?
Cost of a new Ford AU Falcon
- Base sedan models started at approximately $32,000–$33,000
- Futura, Fairmont, and XR6/XR8 models ranged from $34,000–$42,000 depending on options
- The AU Falcon introduced a completely new platform, with more modern styling, improved aerodynamics, enhanced suspension, and updated electronics
Price of a Ford AU Fairlane
- Base AU Fairlane sedan started at around $50,000–$52,000
- Higher-spec models could exceed $60,000, offering luxury interiors, climate control, advanced audio, and full power accessories
Cost of a Ford AU LTD
- Base AU LTD models started at approximately $65,000–$68,000
- The LTD remained Ford Australia’s flagship luxury sedan, featuring executive-level comfort, premium finishes, and advanced features for safety and convenience
Average wage
- Average weekly wage: about $850–$870 per week
- Average annual wage: about $44,500–$45,500
Average house price
- Around $220,000–$230,000
Price of petrol
- Around $1.10–$1.15 per litre
Prime Minister
- John Howard (Liberal Party)
Population of Australia
- About 18.4 million people
Top-grossing movie
- Titanic, Saving Private Ryan, and Armageddon dominated box offices internationally and in Australia
Top song
- My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion topped Australian charts
Significant world event
- The late 1990s were characterised by economic growth, globalisation, and the rise of the internet
- Technology and telecommunications were rapidly shaping business, media, and daily life
Popular TV / radio in Australia
- Popular shows included Home and Away, Neighbours, and Hey Hey It’s Saturday
- FM radio and early online music channels began influencing youth culture
Significant Australian news story
- Economic growth and the dot-com boom dominated headlines
- Car buyers increasingly valued technology, comfort, safety, and performance, influencing Falcon, Fairlane, and LTD models
Interesting comparisons
- The AU Falcon cost roughly 0.7 of a year’s average wage, XR6/XR8 variants approached 0.9 of a year’s wage
- The average house cost about 5 times a yearly wage
- Filling the ~70L tank in an AU Falcon cost about $80, while Fairlane and LTD tanks could cost $95–$105
- A week’s wages could buy roughly 620–630 litres of petrol
- The AU Falcon represented modern, tech-forward family and performance sedans, while AU Fairlane and AU LTD offered executive luxury and prestige
- AU Falcon