The Fairlane name was moved to Ford's new intermediate, introduced for the 1962 model year to bridge the gap between the compact Ford Falcon and the full-size Galaxie, making it a competitor for GM's A-body 'senior compacts'. With an overall length of 197 in (5004 mm) and a wheelbase of 115.5 in (2934 mm) it was 16 in (406 mm) longer than the Falcon and 12.3 in (312 mm) shorter than the Galaxie.
Like the Falcon, the Fairlane had a unibody frame, but the body incorporated an unusual feature Ford dubbed 'torque boxes,' four boxed structures in the lower body structure designed to absorb road shock by moving slightly in the vertical plane. Suspension was a conventional short-long arm independent arrangement in front, with Hotchkiss drive in the rear. The Fairlane was initially offered only in two-door or four-door sedan body styles.
The Fairlane's standard engine was the 170 CID (2.8 L) six, but as an option, it introduced Ford's new, lightweight Windsor V8, initially with a displacement of 221 CID (3.6 L) and 145 hp (108 kW); a 260 CID (4.2 L) version was added at mid-year, with an advertised 164 hp (122 kW). The Sports Coupe option débuted mid-year and featured bucket seats and a mini console. The trim level supplemented the Fairlane and Fairlane 500 trim levels (the 500 model having more decorative trim, such as a wider chrome stripe down the side and three bullets on the rear quarter panels). The 289 CID engine was introduced in mid-1963, with solid lifters and other performance pieces helping the engine produce an advertised 271 hp (202 kW); however, it was equipped with single exhaust like the less powerful engines. This engine was coded "K" in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Exterior identification was by fender-mounted "V" badges that read "289 High Performance". That same year, station wagons arrived, called the Ranch Wagon and Ranch Custom Wagon. All 1962 Fairlanes had "B" posts despite the popularity of the pillarless hardtop and convertible styles in that era.
Ford saw the problem and introduced two pillarless hardtop coupes for 1963, in Fairlane 500 and Sports Coupe trim. For 1963 and later Sports Coupe models, the center console, which had come from the Falcon parts bin for 1962, was changed to be similar to that of the Galaxie. Front end styling for the '63 models mimicked the big Galaxie models, but the rear end retained the small tailfins and "pieplate" taillamp styling cues. The Squire wagon (a fake woodie) was available for 1963 only, including one model with front bucket seats.
The 1964 and 1965 Fairlane ranges consisted of similar body styles: base Fairlane and Fairlane 500 two-door coupes and four-door sedans, Fairlane 500 and Sports Coupe two-door hardtops. The Fairlane Squire wagon was dropped, but the standard station wagon was continued. The 221 V8 was dropped after 1963, leaving the six as the base engine and the 260 as the base V8. The "K-code" 271-horsepower 289 V8 continued into 1964 gaining dual exhausts, while a 195 horsepower (145 kW) version of the 289 with a two-barrell carburetor and hydraulic lifters was introduced. The two-speed Fordomatic continued as the automatic transmission choice for the 260 in 1964, while 289 V8s got the new "C4" three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission option. All 1965 models featured 14-inch (360 mm) wheels as standard, in place of the earlier 13-inch (330 mm) wheels, and Fordomatic was finally phased out, leaving Cruise-O-Matic the only automatic available for the Fairlane. The 260 was also dropped after 1964, leaving the two-barrel 289 as the base V8. Styling-wise, in 1964, a new grille and headlight bezels were introduced, the tail fins were dropped, some chrome decorating on the side was changed and the shape of the trunk lid changed. Styling features for 1965 included body-color headlight bezels for the deluxe models and rectangular taillight lenses, a return to the 1962-1963 trunk lid, along with less chrome on the body and a small standup hood ornament.
The Fairlane was revised in 1966. XL, GT and GTA packages were introduced, as well as a convertible to join the existing range of sedans, hardtops and station wagons. The "K-code" 289 was dropped this year. GT featured a 390 CID V8 as standard, while the GTA had a SportShift Cruise-o-Matic automatic transmission. The base 390 CID engine, meanwhile, developed 335 bhp (250 kW) and had a four-barrel carburetor. Mid year, Ford produced 60 special Fairlane 500 2-door hardtops with a '"R-code" 427 CID unit rated at 425 bhp (317 kW) and equipped with Ford's "Top-Loader" 4-speed manual transmission. Built to qualify the engine/transmission combination for NHRA and IHRA Super Stock racing, they were white and had a fiberglass hood with a forward facing hood scoop which ended at the edge of the hood. The Fairlane Squire wagon débuted for 1966.
Minor trim changes were introduced for 1967 as the Fairlane was mildly facelifted. The 289 CID small-block became the base V8, with a 200-cubic-inch six standard, with the 390 CID optional (with either two- or four-barrel carburetor, at 275 and 320 bhp (240 kW) respectively). The 427s were still available, either with a single four-barrel carburetor or dual quad carbs, developing 410 (Q-code) and 425 bhp (R-code) respectively; however, 427s were not available on XL models. The notable addition for the 1967 model year was a Ranchero pick-up truck as part of the Fairlane range (from 1960 to 1965, the Ranchero was based on the Falcon, while in 1966 it used the Fairlane platform but Falcon styling). 1967 Fairlanes also saw the introduction of a number of Federal government-mandated safety features, including a new energy-absorbing steering column with large padded steering wheel hub, soft interior trim, 4-way hazard flashers, a dual-chamber braking system and shoulder belt anchors.
The Falcon Ranchero and Falcon station wagon were, between 1966 and 1970, identical under the skin to the Fairlane versions of the same model. Only sheetmetal and trim differed.
Holden History 1950s
The Holden Sedan was produced from 1959 to 1960.
1 engine (2.2 liters / 63 hp) is on Histomobile.
191700 units were produced.
During the 1950s, Holden dominated the Australian car market. GM invested heavily in production capacity, which allowed the company to meet increased post-war demand for motor cars.[6] Less expensive four-cylinder cars did not offer Holden's ability to deal with rugged rural areas.[12][19] 48-215 sedans were produced in parallel with the 50-2106 coupé utility from 1951; the latter was known colloquially as the "ute" and became ubiquitous in Australian rural areas as the workhorse of choice. Production of both the utility and sedan continued with minor changes until 1953, when they were replaced by the facelifted FJ model, introducing a third panel van body style.[20] The FJ was the first major change to the Holden since its 1948 introduction. Over time it gained iconic status and remains one of Australia's most recognisable automotive symbols.[21] A new horizontally-slatted grille dominated the front-end of the FJ, which received various other trim and minor mechanical revisions.[22][23] Although little changed from the 48-215, marketing campaigns and price cuts kept FJ sales steady until a completely redesigned model was launched.[24] At the 2005 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Holden paid homage to the FJ with the Efijy concept car.[25]
The EK of 1960 was Holden's response to the Ford Falcon, with the availability of automatic transmission.
Holden's next model, the FE, launched in 1956; offered in a new station wagon body style dubbed "Station Sedan" in the company's sales literature.[26] Strong sales continued in Australia, and Holden achieved a market share of more than 50 percent in 1958 with the revised FC model.[27] This was the first Holden to be tested on the new Holden Proving Ground based in Lang Lang, Victoria.[28] The opening of the Dandenong, Victoria, production facility in 1956 brought further jobs; by 1959 Holden employed 19,000 workers country-wide.[29]
Ford History
The Ford XP Falcon is a car which was produced by the Ford Motor Company in Australia between 1965 and 1966. This car was a evolution of the previous XK, XL, and most recently the XM Falcon's. The car itself main change was the 'torque box' which was a steel subframe which added structural rigidity to the car. This was key in improving the public perception of the car as the early models were considered flimsy and we unpopular with the Australian fleet buyer.
The running gear and most other components stayed the same from the XM through to the XP. However from a cosmetic aspect there was the addition of a new Fairmont as the top of the range in the sedan range adding to the Falcon and the Futura's in the hardtop models. Other interesting points as model differentiation include the commercial models (Ute and Wagons) have five-stud wheels for additional strength and a lower ratio differential for better low speed performance. The high end models (Futura/Fairmont) came with 14 inch wheels whereas the Falcon had 13 inch. Other Fairmont specifics included the bucket seats and the 200ci Super Pursuit engine, and padded dash as standard. Vacuum assisted brakes were also standard in the Fairmont and Hardtop models.
The XP range also saw the last of the 'woodies' or the Squire being the wooden sided Wagon popular in the USA in that era.
In 1965 the build sheets are available which is almost exclusively the XP build. This shows the breakdown of the model variations in the 70998 XP cars built:
The Ford Capri is a true cult classic, especially with the United Kingdom. This is reflected by the huge volume of parts and accessory dealerships still active, and the sheer volume of active owners clubs. Much of this status is due to the Capri's styling, appearing more American aggression that European chic, the car had a real bravado image. This was aided by the media's coverage of the Capri, which is as much a cult legend as the car itself. From appearences in Only Fools And Horses (being Del Boy's sporty, weekend number in a hideous lime green), a staring role in The Professionals (with Bodie and Doyle driving 3.0L versions at break-neck speeds, mostly side-ways), a regular spot on Minder (a Capri was often the car of choice for Terry McCann) to John Wayne jumping Tower Bridge in on the film Brannigan. Not forgetting Ford's immortal ad-line when marketing the Capri; "The car you always promised yourself2.
In development the Capri was known as the Colt, however Ford were forced to change this due to trademark held by Mitsibushi. In searching for a new name Ford settled on Capri which they lent from an earlier, unsuccessful model of their's, the Ford Consul Capri 335. The first Capri proper, the Ford Capri Mk1, was released in 1969 and was intended to emulate the success Ford had enjoyed in North America with their Ford Mustang, hence the somewhat 'muscle car' image of the Capri's design. Based mechanically on the Cortina and produced in the UK at the famous Dagenham plant, the Capri was intended to be an afforbable car with the inital range including 1.3L and 16L engine derivatives. Ford did also include some m or exotic versions though, with the Ford Capri 3000GT powered by a 138hp Essex V8, and the range topping 2.0L Cologne V6. Adding to the list of sporting Capris on offer, 1971 saw the release of the Capri RS2600. With many uprated and race inspired parts, the RS2600 was a fantastic track tool and ispired Ford to use it as the basis for their Group 2 RS2600, used in the European Touring Car Championship. This 2.6L engine was later detuned by Ford and used in their luxury Capri, the 2600 GT.
With the Mk1 Capri having already sold over 400,000 units, 1972 saw the release of the Mk1 facelift, known by some enthusiasts as the Capri 'Bis'. Main changes were a more comfortable ride, new rectangular headlights and the Kent engines being replaced by Ford Pinto lumps. Then in 1973, not only did Ford sell the 1,000,000th Capri, they also replaced the already impressive RS2600 with the RS3100. This was essentially nothing more than a larger capacity RS2600 however Ford Motorsport only produced 100 of this new range. Tuning for the touring car version of the RS3100, the Group 4 RS3100, was left to Cosworth who managed to get 435hp from it.
After selling more than 1.2 million Capri's 1974 saw the release of the Mk2 Capri. Although mechanically very similar to to the Mk1 the 1973 oil crisis did force Ford to make some changes. Thye car was a more everyday afair now, with a shorter bonnet and Ford's adoption of the now ever-popular 'hatchback' boot design. The range contained a new 2.0L version. Despite the lean toward the more practical with this Capri, Ford still wished to keep the sporting element alive and so released the Ford Capri John Player Special.
