10 Facts you may not have known about the XR
XR Falcon and ZA Fairlane Trim codes
The XR Falcon was in production from September 1966 until March 1968. The XR was the first of the second generation of Australian Ford Falcons and the 5th update overall. It was a complete make over of the previous model XP Falcon. It would usher in a number of changes for the Falcon who had finally found its feet in the Australian market and was now looking to capture a larger share of the Australian family car market. The introduction of the XR Falcon signalled a new direction for Ford Australia, . The change met with much anticipation and delight from the Australian buyers.
The XR was a drastically different looking car to the previous models. The XR had a sporter more aggressive look that was roughly based around the American Ford Mustang with a longer bonnet and a shorter boot. Despite being roughly based around the American Ford Mustang, we saw the 2 door coupe dropped from the Falcon line up.
The focus for Ford Australia had shifted from reliability to performance. With petrol prices being relatively cheap and buyers having more disposable cash than anytime since the great depression the concept of increased performance was appealing to many Australian car buyers. The XR Falcon is probably best known among enthusiasts as the car that introduced the V8 engine to the Ford falcon line up. Although versions of the Ford V8 had been around in Australia as far back as the 1920’s it was not available in Ford Falcons sold in Australia.
The XR won Wheels Car of the Year for 1966. Therefore making it two years in a row for the Ford Falcon who also won it the previous year with the XP Falcon.
The XR was available with a 3 speed manual or a 3 speed automatic transmission. 2 inline 6 engines were available (170 cubic inch 83kW, 200 cubic inch 90kW) as well as a V8 (289 cubic inch 149kW)
Just over 90 000 XR Falcons were produced in 18 months with prices starting at $2 226, the Australian dollar was adopted and the Pound was dropped as Australia’s official currency by the time the XR was on sale.
10 Facts you may not have known about the XR
XR Falcon and ZA Fairlane Trim codes