The XP Falcon was released in 1965. 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 XP was first released and it is interesting to see where things were back then vs how they are today. Where were you when the XP Falcon was first released?
The XP would be the 4th Falcon model produced in just 5 years starting with the original Australian XK Falcon back in late 1960.
Cost of a new Ford XP Falcon
- Starting price: approximately $2,600–$2,900
Average wage
- Average weekly wage: about $45–$50 per week
- Average annual wage: about $2,400–$2,600
Average house price
- Around $9,500–$10,500
Price of petrol
- Around 8–9 cents per litre
Prime Minister
- Robert Menzies (Liberal Party)
Population of Australia
- About 11.4 million people
Top-grossing movie
- The Sound of Music was one of the biggest films of 1965.
- Other popular films included Help! and Doctor Zhivago.
Top song
- Help! by The Beatles dominated Australian radio charts.
Significant world event
- The Vietnam War escalation, with Australia committing more troops, was a major focus of international and domestic attention.
Popular TV / radio in Australia
- Bandstand continued to dominate youth music culture.
- Homicide and Division 4 were popular police dramas on TV.
- Radio Top‑40 stations were the key source of pop music.
Significant Australian news story
- Ongoing post-war suburban expansion and car ownership growth.
- Federal debates on conscription and Vietnam War involvement were increasing political and social tension.
Interesting comparisons
These comparisons help place the XP Falcon into everyday Australian life:
- The XP cost roughly one year’s average wage
- The average house cost about 4 times a yearly wage
- Filling the ~50L tank cost about $4–$5
- A week’s wages could buy roughly 550 litres of petrol