Innholdsfortegnelse for #249 17-04 i Just Cars

“APPROPRIATELY ENOUGH, THE LAST VEHICLE OFF THE BROADMEADOWS ASSEMBLY LINE WAS A FALCON.” The morning of 7 October, 2016, saw the end of an automotive era in Australia, when Ford’s Broadmeadows and Geelong factories ceased production permanently, bringing an end to Ford’s local manufacturing and assembly operations after 91 years. The last vehicle as off the line was identified by Ford as the 4,356,628th vehicle produced at the Broadmeadows assembly plant. FINAL FALCON Appropriately enough, the last vehicle off the Broadmeadows assembly line was a Falcon, specifically a Kinetic (blue) XR6 sedan. Coming off the line at around 10:30AM, the last Falcon built in Australia ends a lineage that goes back to June, 1960, when the first Falcon was produced at Broadmeadows. The final Falcon was preceded by the last…

For the past decade, the needs of classic and competition vehicle owners with Weber carburettors fitted to their vehicles have been met by Weber Performance. Based in Braeside in suburban Melbourne, Weber Performance distributes Weber carburettors, conversion kits, jets and replacement parts, as well as a large range of associated fuel system components, such as manifolds, pumps, regulators and filters. “We offer our products and services to speed shops, engine builders and dyno tuners, as well as direct to the public,” said Weber Performance’s Daniel van Stokrom. The work doesn’t end at the counter, though: “We also perform servicing and restoration work on Weber carburettors, as well as offering advice to those who aren’t sure what they require,” Daniel adds. WEBER AND THE HTCAV Given the ‘historic’ part of Historic…

The XA series Falcons that debuted in March, 1972, were the first ‘All-Australian’ Falcons. When Ford USA dropped the Falcon from the North American lineup in 1970, Ford Australia had no template they were obliged to follow, so were free to do their own thing. The XA series was the first expression of that freedom. FOUR AND TWO In addition to seeing the first completely Aussie Falcon, the XA series also saw the arrival of the first performance 2-door fastbacks to wear the Falcon badge. Sure, there had been 2-doors in the XM and XP series, but they were really 2-door sedans: the XA 2-door hardtop was a very different beast, with aggressive sports styling and unique sheetmetal from the firewall back. In GT form, that 2-door body shape looked…

Some say the last great Falcons were built in the XA-XC era. But in recent years, there has been growing appreciation for the XD-XF models, and more specifically the XD and XE ESP versions that are being regarded as GTs – by some, at least – in all but name. JUST CARS has witnessed this newfound desire for the ESP: when the magazine started in 1996, they were barely on the enthusiast’s radar. Today, the ESP, especially the XE “last of the V8” models, like the car featured here, is seen as a bona fide collectable and prices have risen accordingly. “Less than 550 V8-engined XE ESPs were built before the 5.8 and 4.9 became unavailable.” TAKING ON THE GENERAL Today, it’s generally regarded that Ford’s decision to…

INTRODUCTION Resto My Ride is an all-new TV show created by Declan McKearney and Sam Martin. The team behind the ‘EJ for EJ’ resto (featured in JUST CARS #237), Dec and Sam have used that project as the basis for ‘Resto My Ride’ ; a series that’ll document the restoration of vehicles of all types. In February, the Resto My Ride competition – Get Resto’d - was launched, inviting people to submit details on projects (cars, trucks, bikes, boats and more) they’d like to see restored by Dec and the team at Bodymaster Prestige Paint and Panel. The winners not only get their restoration documented on Resto My Ride ,…

We’re looking for all sorts of classics, customs, restorations, rods, street machines, as well as rare and unusual cars to feature in future issues. It’s not only cars, though. Do you have a collection of vehicles, model cars or other memorabilia? Maybe you’ve undertaken an epic road trip, or just seen, built or done something of interest and relevance to JUST CARS readers. To have your story featured in a future JUST CARS , email details, along with images, to: editorial@justauto.com.au  Alternatively, you can post information and photos to: JUST CARS – FEATURE MY STORY, Locked Bag 34, Geelong, VIC, 3220. Share the story of your special car, collection, road trip or more with the readers of JUST CARS…

Just like an Indiana Jones adventure, every car nut dreams of finding a long lost treasure, parked and forgotten decades ago. If it’s a classic piece of Aussie-made motoring history, like this mothballed Ford XA Falcon GT, it’s even better. Regardless of whether it’s a shed, garage, car-port or an actual barn, “Barn Find” has become a worldwide colloquialism. Most barn finds start out as daily drivers, but then an event takes place that changes everything. Such an event took place almost thirty years ago, when this Red Pepper XA GT was the pride and joy of a young man named Pat. “Pat added a performance alloy inlet manifold, genuine Phase III 780cfm Holley carb, mag wheels and rear stabiliser bar – plus a set of…

“When it made its debut in 1979, the last Falcon Sundowner was based on the Falcon GL panel van, but added a number of unique features. ” Ask people about a ‘panel van’ and the first word that usually comes out of their mouth is ‘Sandman’. Usually followed by ‘sin bin,’ ‘shaggin wagon’ and a few other phrases that probably shouldn’t be printed! While the Sandman was the first and best known of the “recreational” panel vans that appeared in the late 1970s, Ford had players in the market, too, including the Falcon-based Sundowner. SURF BEFORE THE SUN In January, 1974, late into its long and successful run, Holden’s HQ series added a new variant to the range – the Sandman. Tapping into the emerging trend for personalised commercial vehicles…

We’ve collected more classic Aussie Falcons for Part II of our special. Again, we feel this selection represents a diverse range of rare, unusual and desirable classic Falcons. What’s on show in Part II reflects not only the diversity of vehicles available to Falcon fans and the breadth of the Aussie collector car hobby, but also classics that you’re likely to find advertised with JUST CARS. Enjoy Part II of this special feature. If you think you’ve got a special Falcon, share it with us – email details and photos to: feedback@justauto.com.au  or post to: Locked Bag 34, Geelong, VIC, 3220.…

Without a doubt, the 1978 XC Falcon Cobra is the most recognisable of all the classic-era Falcons. Sure, the GTs might be tougher and the GT-HOs more desirable, but the Cobra is the one Falcon that everyone knows and the one Falcon that cannot be mistaken for anything else. Period. We can thank Edsel B. Ford II for that. “It was Edsel Ford II who suggested a ‘Cobra’ special edition with a colour scheme defined by twin racing stripes that ran the length of the car.” THE EDSEL FACTOR Back in 1978, Edsel Ford II, one of Henry Ford’s great-grandsons, joined Ford Australia as an assistant managing director. Serving under Brian Inglis, Ford Australia’s first home-grown boss, Edsel was here to learn the ropes in an environment that attracted less…

Production of the Falcon is officially at an end. October 7 saw the last new Ford Falcon come off the line, followed by the closure of the factories at Broadmeadows and Geelong. The job losses, both directly and in suppliers and supporting industries, will be keenly felt and JUST CARS understands that times are hard for many of those who have been a part of Ford’s local operations - for decades in some instances. So what does the future hold? Ford Australia are adamant they’ll be an important part of the Australian automotive scene in the years to come, but will it be the same with no home grown product? That’s hard to see, but what is certain is that enthusiasts’ passion for the classic Aussie…