Cost of a new Ford XK Falcon
- Starting price: approximately £1,015–£1,120 (around $2,030–$2,240 after 1966 decimal conversion)
- This was very competitive for a brand-new full-size family sedan, positioned as Ford Australia’s first locally produced Falcon.
Average wage
- Average weekly wage: about $36–$40 per week
- Average annual wage: about $1,900–$2,100
Average house price
- Around $8,000–$9,000
Price of petrol
- Around 7–8 cents per litre
Prime Minister
- Robert Menzies (Liberal Party)
Population of Australia
- About 10.3 million people
Top-grossing movie
- Spartacus was one of the biggest films of 1960 internationally.
- Other popular films included Psycho (Hitchcock) and Exodus.
Top song
- Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini by Brian Hyland was a major international hit and popular on Australian radio.
Significant world event
- The U-2 incident (1960) heightened Cold War tensions between the United States and USSR.
- The “space race” was gaining public attention with early satellite and rocket launches.
Popular TV / radio in Australia
- Television was still very new (introduced 1956). Popular programs included variety shows and imported dramas.
- Radio Top‑40 stations remained a major source of music.
Significant Australian news story
- Australia was experiencing strong post-war economic growth and suburban expansion.
- Infrastructure projects and increasing car ownership were shaping everyday life.
Interesting comparisons
These comparisons help place the XK Falcon into everyday Australian life:
- The XK Falcon cost roughly 1–1.2 times the average yearly wage
- The average house cost about 4–5 times the yearly wage
- Filling the ~50L tank cost about $4
- A week’s wages could buy roughly 500 litres of petrol