Cost of a new Ford XC Falcon
- Base sedan models started at approximately $4,800–$5,200
- Deluxe and GT models ranged from $5,400–$6,200 depending on options
- The XC featured styling updates, improved interiors, and V8/six-cylinder options, though the muscle car era was beginning to slow due to fuel prices and insurance costs.
Cost of a Ford ZH Fairlane
- Base ZH Fairlane sedan started at around $8,000–$8,500
- Higher-spec models could exceed $9,500, offering luxury appointments like air conditioning, power steering, premium interiors, and advanced safety options.
Cost of a Ford P6 LTD
- Base P6 LTD models started at approximately $9,000–$9,500
- The LTD was Ford’s flagship luxury sedan, targeting executives and families seeking top-tier comfort and advanced features.
Average wage
- Average weekly wage: about $105–$115 per week
- Average annual wage: about $5,500–$6,000
Average house price
- Around $22,000–$24,000
Price of petrol
- Around 16–17 cents per litre, reflecting the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis
Prime Minister
- Malcolm Fraser (Liberal Party)
Population of Australia
- About 14.1 million people
Top-grossing movie
- Rocky and Jaws were popular worldwide (late 1970s).
- Locally, films such as Mad Max (1979) were just on the horizon.
Top song
- Dancing Queen by ABBA dominated Australian charts.
Significant world event
- Ongoing economic effects of the oil crisis, including inflation and rising fuel costs.
- Internationally, the Cold War and Middle East tensions continued to influence global politics.
Popular TV / radio in Australia
- Countdown (launched 1974) became the dominant music program for youth culture.
- Homicide, Division 4, and Bellbird continued as popular drama series.
Significant Australian news story
- Economic pressures from inflation and fuel prices dominated headlines.
- The Fraser Government introduced policies aimed at economic stabilization and energy management.
- Car ownership remained high, though fuel efficiency became an increasing concern for buyers.
Interesting comparisons
These comparisons help place the XC Falcon, ZH Fairlane, and P6 LTD into everyday Australian life:
- The XC Falcon cost roughly one year’s average wage, while the ZH Fairlane cost around 1.5–1.6 years’ average wage, and the P6 LTD cost about 1.8–2 years’ average wage
- The average house cost about 4 times a yearly wage
- Filling the ~55L tank in an XC Falcon cost about $9, while the larger Fairlane and LTD V8s could push it to $11–$12
- A week’s wages could buy roughly 550–600 litres of petrol