Before Ford’s RTV range of Falcons from the mid-2000s, there was a previous iteration released in the early 1970s based on the XY model ute.
Production lasted just one year in 1972 despite plans for further expansion of the concept beyond just the ute body as a wagon version was on stream.
Initially, the ute was to be sold only in New South Wales and Queensland as a test before being rolled out nationally if the sales results went well.
The Falcon was constructed at Ford’s Eagle Farm assembly plant in Brisbane, which was better suited to bespoke needs of constructing the four-wheel-drive version.
Sharing the assembly line with locally produced F-Series trucks in addition to supplying components for Willys Motors, famous for its Jeep off-road offerings of which the Falcon shared components from.
A delay in obtaining the Jeep-sourced four-wheel-drive parts forced the delayed release of the XY four-wheel-drive just as the new XA was hitting the showrooms. Further plans were to continue the concept into the new XA model line-up if sales demanded it.
Identified by its jacked up stance and flimsy front spoiler used to hide the four-wheel-drive underpinnings, the Falcon required a lot of re-designing and reinforcing under the skin to allow the componentry to fit.
The six-cylinder engine was slanted to allow clearance between the axle and sump, with a three-speed manual transmission sending the power through all four wheels.
Inside, the padded dash panel, sun visors and door-mounted arm rests made the Falcon a nice environment to be in.
Priced at $3680, Ford produced 432 examples before production stopped due to what is has been suggested as the combination of a lack of profitability and a failure to meet Australian Design Rules.
Luckily for Ford fans, there was a ready replacement in the form of the locally assembled F-Series trucks.
Some 40-years later, Ford Australia made a big impact with its locally developed Territory SUV and RTV Falcon-based offerings.