The EL Ford Falcon was released in 1996. 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 EL was first released and it is interesting to see where things were back then vs how they are today. Where were you when the EL Falcon was first released?
Cost of a new Ford EL Falcon
- Base sedan models started at approximately $29,000–$30,000
- GLi and Futura models ranged from $31,000–$33,000
- Performance XR6 and XR8 variants could exceed $37,000
- The EL featured refined exterior styling, improved suspension, upgraded interior trim, and modern electronics, continuing the focus on family comfort, safety, and optional performance
Price of a Ford NL Fairlane
- Base NL Fairlane sedan started at around $42,000–$44,000
- Higher-spec models could exceed $48,000, offering premium leather interiors, climate control, power accessories, and luxury features
Cost of a Ford DL LTD
- Base DL LTD models started at approximately $53,000–$55,000
- The LTD remained Ford Australia’s flagship luxury sedan, featuring executive comfort, advanced technology, and top-tier finishes
Average wage
- Average weekly wage: about $800–$820 per week
- Average annual wage: about $41,500–$42,500
Average house price
- Around $200,000–$210,000
Price of petrol
- Around $1.10–$1.15 per litre
Prime Minister
- John Howard (Liberal Party)
Population of Australia
- About 18.0 million people
Top-grossing movie
- Independence Day, Twister, and Mission: Impossible were international and Australian hits
Top song
- Macarena by Los del Río dominated Australian charts
Significant world event
- The mid-1990s economic recovery continued, with technological adoption accelerating
- Internationally, globalisation and the internet began reshaping business, media, and lifestyle
Popular TV / radio in Australia
- Popular shows included Home and Away, Neighbours, and Hey Hey It’s Saturday
- FM radio remained dominant for pop and youth music, shaping consumer trends
Significant Australian news story
- John Howard’s government focused on economic management and infrastructure
- Consumer preferences leaned toward luxury, performance, and safety, influencing Falcon, Fairlane, and LTD sales
Interesting comparisons
- The EL 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 EL Falcon cost about $80, while Fairlane and LTD tanks could cost $95–$100
- A week’s wages could buy roughly 600–620 litres of petrol