wilkopj ~ Your 84 Fairmont sounds like a lot of fun
and the old single rail makes it even more fun to drive than an Auto.
No wonder your lad is waiting for the day when you hand it over!
You are quite right about the XF S Pac with 5 speed manual transmission.
A very rare bird indeed.
I very nearly bought one about 15 years ago. Classic white with the black lower S Pac stripe and red bumper beading.
It drove a dream and I was ready to buy it until I looked under it and observed the cracked front crossmember.
The seller was not interested in doing anything about it even though it was an RWC item, nor would he come down in price. I should have bought it anyway.
I have had 2 XFs since, an 87 Fairmont which lacked power as in 87 models Ford fitted low compression engines and an 86 S Pac auto which was a rocket.
Today I drive an 84 Fairmont to which I recently fitted a balanced and blue print XF engine with a mild cam and a 4 speed single rail box.
It has been my daily for some 16 years and my 25 yo son made me promise it to him. By the time I give it to him it should be worth $50-100k.
It will be a while because I am having so much fun driving it. ;-) Cheers.
Today I drive a 1984 Fairmont
KegRyan, g'day, call me "Old School" or just "old" but I just don't like super-low profile tyres on older cars.
Having owned an XF I thought it looked good with standard tyre size, and my Mustang would look stupid with 50 series profile I am sure.
To each his own, and I respect that, but I have heard reports of sidewall damage and a harsh bumpy ride from 40-45 profiles, I don't know if 50-55 would be much better ?
I have 60 series on my pony car and it looks right to me. Just sayin' ..........
XF series 2 S pack EFI 5 speed bilstien suspension 16 " enky rims with 50 profile tyres all factory spec car ( motor show car)
ex motor show car in a non ford colour blue (camira SR colour)looked good though
JohnW I hope you are right, because I agree the XF deserves some credit. It filled the needs perfectly for a Family car and although performance wasn't startling it was adequate, even in the LPG-Only XF I owned.
Safe handling, decent brakes, the good old Six-Pot, and not a bad image style-wise. Under-rated for sure.
Great episode guys 👍🏼
Yes I remember only to well how shattered I was when Ford dropped the V8. Another one of Fords “brain farts”
I had a rare Maroon XF S Pack Wagon, 5 Speed, EFI. It was a truly great family truckster. It was lowered about 3 inches and only had about 1 inch of travel so it was a pretty rough ride but it handled awesome on some very expensive Yokohama rubber. It had air bag rear. We did 100K on top of the 100K it already had when I bought it.
In the end it was electrical gremlins that let it down and it left me stranded a couple of times. Traded it in for a AU1 Fairmont. Which was one of the Best cars I ever owned.
My XF engine design was not adequate for the change to unleaded fuel. If the throttle was opened even the slightest bit the engine would ping its head of. the engine definitely let it down.
A good episode of the biggest selling Falcon series. However, while a big seller at the time it will not ever be as collectable as other series.
The subsequent EA offered much more potential but not until really the EB was this potential really achieved. Meanwhile the XF was a quiet achiever in terms of reliability, driving ease and comfort. But never the series one would really want to get other than for effortless transport.
Ahoy Philwr, Holy Cow, a 360 Chrysler engine in a Sunbeam Tiger ?
(would have been a tight fit ?)
Isn't that about a hundred more cubic inches than the original factory 260 V8 ? That would be a real weapon indeed.
It might be a handful too, but boy it sounds like a fun machine !
Cheers
Trust me PonyRider, it was a barrel of fun. When the 62 year old owner was in launch mode, he looked at me and said; 'Hang on - there's a 62 year old delinquent at the wheel!"
carnut_73, they were still an evolution of the Falcon platform, I suppose you could say closest to the 71-73 Mustang. The main difference was a change to coil spring rear suspension on sedans with the previous XE model in 82.
Relatives had XF wagons, the later facelift so 4.1 & 5 speed which was a good package for the country and a lot of dirt roads. The XF was a good solid car even if a bit of an excitement-free zone.
Hi Johnh785. Thanks for making mention of the change to coil spring rear suspension. Although it offered a better ride etc, the down side was that because of the big arch in the rear body housing the the coil spring verses the flatter under body configuration required for the leaf spring it added significantly to repair costs when they were given a decent Liberace... I forget the approximate price difference in repairing a coiled suspension car versus a leaf spring car when they had taken a considerable hit up the rear. The rear leaf spring configuration also made a better tow vehicle.
I've seen the video, thank you. And while I love the idea of a 4wd car, the ground clearance didn't appear to be enough for this car for any serious off-road driving.
In 2005 I was in Reno Nevada and I was invited to a friend's friend's place; he had 2 early model Mustangs! We looked at the cars and he asked me what I thought was under the hood (bonnet) - I guessed 289's as I had not looked for engine emblems on the front guards. He lifted the bonnet and there in all its glory was an XF 4.1 carb donk. He'd removed the Yankee 6's from the Mustangs and dropped in the Aussie donk; he was over the moon with the improved performance. I returned to Australia and shipped him a flex plate, a C4 bell housing and other odds and sodds like a water pump etc! BTW - he had a Sunbeam Tiger with a nicely worked Chrysler 360 and Dana diff - talk about a rocket.
I own an 88 Fairmont and I love it, she hasn't done high ks and is in great original condition, I keep her in a shed with a cover on and only drive it occasionally which i love as she is a real comfy cruiser
Susan. I concur with your thoughts. I took an XF S Pack off my father; it was his car which he bought when it was 6 months old. It was incredibly clean and not dissimilar to the car featured in the video. It was quiet, a tad soft in the suspension, but an excellent road car which was helped in part by its 2.77 diff. All that meant was it was no rocket away from the lights... I had a number of people wanting to buy it when I off loaded it. A young plumber snapped it up!
Motown I tried to respond earlier to your comment about 6-Cyl engines but the screen froze on me.
I didn't word my post very well. What I should have said is that in my opinion the 250 cu in (4.1 litre) straight- six-pot Ford motors were brilliant,
(had one with 60 thou overbore in a Cortina that was a real weapon)
and it is only more recently that the Barra has become increasingly popular due to the fact the bottom end is strong enough to take any 'beefing up' topside without any drama. The Barra is higher and heavier than previous sixes, but lends itself to modifications giving outstanding performance, and some enthusiastic rev-heads are favouring the Barra over the V8 engine for it's potential.
Motown1 Your red XF S-Pack would have been a treat to drive.
Especially with a 5-speed. The XF I owned was Auto, and LPG only, not dual fuel. However, it was still a good car all round.
Though I think if I had bought one like yours I would have kept it !
I'd buy an XF Fairmont if one were available here in the USA. I'd leave everything stock original, except for the gauges and I'd convert everything from km/h to MPH, etc.
We got the Ford Fairmont in the USA between 1977 and 1984, but it was based on the Fox platform. I don't know what chassis the Australian Ford XF Falcon Fairmont was based on.
Great episode. I had a red XF S pack 5 speed manual. It was a nice car to drive. Very easy, great visibility - just simple motoring. I bought it off my brother and since sold it on to a friend of mine. They are becoming quite rare now whereas it wasn't that long ago that there were XF Falcons everywhere. I was not a fan of the Fairlane or LTD at all - especially the rear tail lights which looked very cheap compared to the earlier ZF/ZK/FC/FD models plus the six cylinder only engines.
G'day guys. Another awesome episode. I consider the XF Falcon the best looking car since the XB Falcon. And what do you need a V8 engine for? Possibly to tow a travel trailer (caravan) with?
Another fantastic episode keep them coming on the XF Falcon.I love the XF Fairmont Ghia Sedan & Wagon, ZL Fairlane, & FE LTD, with the optional EFI V6 & Automatic transmission In original condition. I still rembember the XF falcon sedans wagons & panel Vans when they were police cars & taxis In the late 80s & early 90s. :) :) :)
Very significant car in Ford Australia's history. The XF was one of the biggest-selling Falcons. It consolidated Ford's sales leadership but at the same time lost a younger generation of future Ford buyers, who were turned off by the company turning off its high performance tap.
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Comments
PonyRider
wilkopj ~ Your 84 Fairmont sounds like a lot of fun
and the old single rail makes it even more fun to drive than an Auto.
No wonder your lad is waiting for the day when you hand it over!
wilkopj
You are quite right about the XF S Pac with 5 speed manual transmission.
A very rare bird indeed.
I very nearly bought one about 15 years ago. Classic white with the black lower S Pac stripe and red bumper beading.
It drove a dream and I was ready to buy it until I looked under it and observed the cracked front crossmember.
The seller was not interested in doing anything about it even though it was an RWC item, nor would he come down in price. I should have bought it anyway.
I have had 2 XFs since, an 87 Fairmont which lacked power as in 87 models Ford fitted low compression engines and an 86 S Pac auto which was a rocket.
Today I drive an 84 Fairmont to which I recently fitted a balanced and blue print XF engine with a mild cam and a 4 speed single rail box.
It has been my daily for some 16 years and my 25 yo son made me promise it to him. By the time I give it to him it should be worth $50-100k.
It will be a while because I am having so much fun driving it. ;-) Cheers.
Today I drive a 1984 Fairmont
PonyRider
KegRyan, g'day, call me "Old School" or just "old" but I just don't like super-low profile tyres on older cars.
Having owned an XF I thought it looked good with standard tyre size, and my Mustang would look stupid with 50 series profile I am sure.
To each his own, and I respect that, but I have heard reports of sidewall damage and a harsh bumpy ride from 40-45 profiles, I don't know if 50-55 would be much better ?
I have 60 series on my pony car and it looks right to me. Just sayin' ..........
KegRyan
XF series 2 S pack EFI 5 speed bilstien suspension 16 " enky rims with 50 profile tyres all factory spec car ( motor show car)
ex motor show car in a non ford colour blue (camira SR colour)looked good though
PonyRider
JohnW I hope you are right, because I agree the XF deserves some credit. It filled the needs perfectly for a Family car and although performance wasn't startling it was adequate, even in the LPG-Only XF I owned.
Safe handling, decent brakes, the good old Six-Pot, and not a bad image style-wise. Under-rated for sure.
DrJohnWright
I think the XF is one of the Falcons that will be more highly rated as the years pass.
SusanTailby
I hope so as I have one lol and in a way I don't care as I love it
ESPXE
Sorry,
Just can't get into XF's
Maybe I'm just biased.. Love the ESP pic that you have used though
DrJohnWright
Excellent Racing Garage segment. Well done, MO.
SteveRiley
Great episode guys 👍🏼
Yes I remember only to well how shattered I was when Ford dropped the V8. Another one of Fords “brain farts”
I had a rare Maroon XF S Pack Wagon, 5 Speed, EFI. It was a truly great family truckster. It was lowered about 3 inches and only had about 1 inch of travel so it was a pretty rough ride but it handled awesome on some very expensive Yokohama rubber. It had air bag rear. We did 100K on top of the 100K it already had when I bought it.
In the end it was electrical gremlins that let it down and it left me stranded a couple of times. Traded it in for a AU1 Fairmont. Which was one of the Best cars I ever owned.
boardy
My XF engine design was not adequate for the change to unleaded fuel. If the throttle was opened even the slightest bit the engine would ping its head of. the engine definitely let it down.
Lebowski
A good episode of the biggest selling Falcon series. However, while a big seller at the time it will not ever be as collectable as other series.
The subsequent EA offered much more potential but not until really the EB was this potential really achieved. Meanwhile the XF was a quiet achiever in terms of reliability, driving ease and comfort. But never the series one would really want to get other than for effortless transport.
Sadly, it lost ford so many future sales.
LX355
The XF should be in the Guinness Book of Records for the world's weakest outer door handles :)
PonyRider
Ahoy Philwr, Holy Cow, a 360 Chrysler engine in a Sunbeam Tiger ?
(would have been a tight fit ?)
Isn't that about a hundred more cubic inches than the original factory 260 V8 ? That would be a real weapon indeed.
It might be a handful too, but boy it sounds like a fun machine !
Cheers
Philwr
Trust me PonyRider, it was a barrel of fun. When the 62 year old owner was in launch mode, he looked at me and said; 'Hang on - there's a 62 year old delinquent at the wheel!"
johnh875
carnut_73, they were still an evolution of the Falcon platform, I suppose you could say closest to the 71-73 Mustang. The main difference was a change to coil spring rear suspension on sedans with the previous XE model in 82.
Relatives had XF wagons, the later facelift so 4.1 & 5 speed which was a good package for the country and a lot of dirt roads. The XF was a good solid car even if a bit of an excitement-free zone.
Check out this video from Glenn Ridge's Car Show about taking an XF off road! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWaN...
Philwr
Hi Johnh785. Thanks for making mention of the change to coil spring rear suspension. Although it offered a better ride etc, the down side was that because of the big arch in the rear body housing the the coil spring verses the flatter under body configuration required for the leaf spring it added significantly to repair costs when they were given a decent Liberace... I forget the approximate price difference in repairing a coiled suspension car versus a leaf spring car when they had taken a considerable hit up the rear. The rear leaf spring configuration also made a better tow vehicle.
carnut_73
I've seen the video, thank you. And while I love the idea of a 4wd car, the ground clearance didn't appear to be enough for this car for any serious off-road driving.
Philwr
In 2005 I was in Reno Nevada and I was invited to a friend's friend's place; he had 2 early model Mustangs! We looked at the cars and he asked me what I thought was under the hood (bonnet) - I guessed 289's as I had not looked for engine emblems on the front guards. He lifted the bonnet and there in all its glory was an XF 4.1 carb donk. He'd removed the Yankee 6's from the Mustangs and dropped in the Aussie donk; he was over the moon with the improved performance. I returned to Australia and shipped him a flex plate, a C4 bell housing and other odds and sodds like a water pump etc! BTW - he had a Sunbeam Tiger with a nicely worked Chrysler 360 and Dana diff - talk about a rocket.
SusanTailby
I own an 88 Fairmont and I love it, she hasn't done high ks and is in great original condition, I keep her in a shed with a cover on and only drive it occasionally which i love as she is a real comfy cruiser
Philwr
Susan. I concur with your thoughts. I took an XF S Pack off my father; it was his car which he bought when it was 6 months old. It was incredibly clean and not dissimilar to the car featured in the video. It was quiet, a tad soft in the suspension, but an excellent road car which was helped in part by its 2.77 diff. All that meant was it was no rocket away from the lights... I had a number of people wanting to buy it when I off loaded it. A young plumber snapped it up!
SusanTailby
Cool Philwr that's nice to know and I hope you got a good price for it!
PonyRider
Motown I tried to respond earlier to your comment about 6-Cyl engines but the screen froze on me.
I didn't word my post very well. What I should have said is that in my opinion the 250 cu in (4.1 litre) straight- six-pot Ford motors were brilliant,
(had one with 60 thou overbore in a Cortina that was a real weapon)
and it is only more recently that the Barra has become increasingly popular due to the fact the bottom end is strong enough to take any 'beefing up' topside without any drama. The Barra is higher and heavier than previous sixes, but lends itself to modifications giving outstanding performance, and some enthusiastic rev-heads are favouring the Barra over the V8 engine for it's potential.
PonyRider
Motown1 Your red XF S-Pack would have been a treat to drive.
Especially with a 5-speed. The XF I owned was Auto, and LPG only, not dual fuel. However, it was still a good car all round.
Though I think if I had bought one like yours I would have kept it !
carnut_73
I'd buy an XF Fairmont if one were available here in the USA. I'd leave everything stock original, except for the gauges and I'd convert everything from km/h to MPH, etc.
We got the Ford Fairmont in the USA between 1977 and 1984, but it was based on the Fox platform. I don't know what chassis the Australian Ford XF Falcon Fairmont was based on.
Motown1
By the way they are straight six engines not V6 and not Barras - the Barra was released in the much later series models.
Motown1
Great episode. I had a red XF S pack 5 speed manual. It was a nice car to drive. Very easy, great visibility - just simple motoring. I bought it off my brother and since sold it on to a friend of mine. They are becoming quite rare now whereas it wasn't that long ago that there were XF Falcons everywhere. I was not a fan of the Fairlane or LTD at all - especially the rear tail lights which looked very cheap compared to the earlier ZF/ZK/FC/FD models plus the six cylinder only engines.
carnut_73
G'day guys. Another awesome episode. I consider the XF Falcon the best looking car since the XB Falcon. And what do you need a V8 engine for? Possibly to tow a travel trailer (caravan) with?
PonyRider
The Six-Pot Ford was adequate in many ways.
The Barra Six Cylinder is quite a bit more than just "Adequate",
It begs to be tweaked !
MercedesFreak
Another fantastic episode keep them coming on the XF Falcon.I love the XF Fairmont Ghia Sedan & Wagon, ZL Fairlane, & FE LTD, with the optional EFI V6 & Automatic transmission In original condition. I still rembember the XF falcon sedans wagons & panel Vans when they were police cars & taxis In the late 80s & early 90s. :) :) :)
edwards_boyd
MercedesFreak, FYI they had a 4.1 "250" straight six, not a V6.
MarkOastler
Very significant car in Ford Australia's history. The XF was one of the biggest-selling Falcons. It consolidated Ford's sales leadership but at the same time lost a younger generation of future Ford buyers, who were turned off by the company turning off its high performance tap.