Ford BA & BF Falcon - Shannons Club TV - Episode 120

In this episode of Shannons Club TV, Mark Oastler & John Wright take a look back on the handsome Aussie Fords that restored pride in the embattled blue oval - The BA and BF Falcon.

[@boss302frostyfordfan2]

As a Ford fan in racing and in road cars the BA/BF Falcons were absolute masterpieces

[@boss302frostyfordfan2]

ISLIPPEDONMYBEANS ! That’s awsome mate I recently just bought a ba Fairmont ghia V8 and I’ll be keeping that for a long time very rare car to find

[@keanvanderwesthuizen3476]

They were mate if it wasn't for the ba bf range ford would have gone to nothing thanks to the ba bf range you saved ford from total destruction thanks to Ford Australia I have a bf gt I fricken love it

[@Aaajjjjjjjjj]

As a Holden man, I still can’t understand how the BA didn’t win back Ford’s sales leadership over the less attractive VY.

[@randomdude4669]

@@Aaajjjjjjjjj it really was a crap ton better looking than the blander vy and z that was stuck in the early 2000s

[@Dylan_Mulvaney_OFFICIAL]

​@@Aaajjjjjjjjjbecause ford let down their fans too many times, like getting rid of the V8 during the XF to EA2.

[@vincekara9446]

Those BA engines run forever. My BA2 XR6 has now hit 305K KMS and doesn't even leak a drop of oil!

[@jimpikoulis6726]

Jeff Polites was the last true BOSS of Ford Australia when the company was shambles because of the AU he was the man to save it and made some critical design changes to the BA especially with the XR series it was him who signed off on the final design changes to the XR that paid off in the long term. RIP

[@kristianvanbekkem6977]

and t hat turnaround will go down in history, it shaped the enthusiast communities we have today and created great competition for holden who in return made some equally great cars, particularly with the hsv/fpv war further encouraged by v8 supercars. What a time to be alive. Rest in Peace

[@jimclarke1108]

IV owned BA from new, with no serious issues, still an excellent car done 385,000k, 12 years later, gave it to my son, now i have the FGX, both great cars and cheap to run with smooth effortless power

[@Mr101sexpanther]

Jim Clarke how many ball joints centre bearings diff bushes brake hoses hyme joints blade bushes him modules ect ect ect

[@jimclarke1108]

@@Mr101sexpanther 1 full set brake hoses, 3 centre bearings, 2 front bushes,plenty front discs , 1 full set rear end bushes, no problem with the ECT, ignition barrel cost $900, cheap car over 12 years, and golig great now, im a mechanic ))

[@marklowe7431]

@@Mr101sexpanther One replaced they're fine. There's a few faults with these but one they're sorted they never stop.

[@jimclarke1108]

@@lobsterwhisperer7932 iv replaces a few sets of front wheel bearings, i v written a list of repairs here someplace before ))

[@Gokizzmass]

I've had an RTV since new & replaced 1 wheel bearing. Nothing else.

[@project_calais4977]

Ive driven my mates Manual 2004 BA MkII XR6 Falcon. I was surprised and blown away by its massive amounts of power at the lower end of the rev range. Even driving up the highway it felt smoother over bumps than my VZ Calais. Decent economy too. Did around 8.8L/100km on the highway.

[@madhardcorenick]

Still love my BA XT Falcon. Over 410,000km and still kicking strong. Original motor and transmission.

[@greengecko5788]

My transmissions done after 200 000km :(

[@rickdb8480]

@@lobsterwhisperer7932 Itd be worth more than one not in as good condition & low kms but they're still worth not a lot unfortunately

[@greengecko5788]

@@holdenvtseries2274 nah 4 speed actually

[@randomdude4669]

@@greengecko5788 yeh the btr speeds are shit

[@jman4652]

Love the, ba and bf. I've had a bf gt. And I loved it. Now I'm doing an, xf s pac project. And I'm putting an el xr6 motor in it. And sell the 250 crossflow. You guys need to do a video on the XF falcon range. Bee good to watch.

[@themancuniancandidate2744]

As a Pommy migrant to Australia who grew up on small displacement/high output turbo engines (when petrol is $2.75 a litre, nobody drives a V8), I didn't see the point of big V8s when I first moved here. Why buy a gas guzzling car that will be outperformed in the speed stakes by a 4 cylinder hot hatch which uses half as much fuel? Then I got my first drive in a BF XR8....and it all fell into place. The Falcon V8 is the PERFECT car for Australia. Nothing else will eat up the kms in such comfort, with such space, and with such power on tap when you need to overtake a truck or caravan. I am the proud owner of one of the very last BF XR8s, and 14 years after it rolled off the line at Campbellfield it still sounds and drives almost like new. What a car.

[@georgecupac1202]

You forgot to mention the BA with the modular 5.4L V8 but still a good show. Love your work

[@nicbered2367]

I have a BA GT in Acid Rush with just on 100K's on the clock. I'm so glad I got my hands on one.

[@atrothe]

Why don't you do an episode on the FG Falcons...the best of them all..G6E Turbo. Mine is insured with Shannons. The G6E Turbo is a fantastic car. I got out of a Mercedes Clk320 coupe into the G6E Turbo 270Kkw. What a difference the G6E Turbo is better in every way. I get 8.4 litres per 100 on long distance trips at 110Klm Hour in total comfort.

[@LPVP123]

How about doing an episode on the BA Falcon Enforcer and DevilR as there are both limited production to only 125 cars of each version of these very rare XR8s

[@Magpie_Mark92]

BA got me back to loving fords. I hated fords in the AU years

[@doug-core8850]

It's a bit disrespectful to not include it's production car racing history. It won a championship and was a great package that was raced by fpv staff and at one point Steven Johnson. It's just strange as this series ignores product ion car racing when shannons is a big sponsor of the nationals where the category currently finds its home.

[@gutz1981]

If I ever move back to Australia, I might pick one of these up as I liked them when they were new and really wanted one, and so, hopefully, it would be more affordable now if I was to ever get things going again.

[@paspax]

Come home, Mate. The cars are waiting...

[@gutz1981]

@@paspax Ha ha, I'm tempted. Things are not going the way they were in the UK for me. But its hard to start at zero in Australia and hope for a comfortable outcome. Especially when you are closer to 40 than 20 as I was when I first moved back and still tough to get by. We'll see.

[@Fletch889]

Also forgot to mention the success of SBR in 2004 bought 2 limited edition Xr8 models in 2005. The shockwave blue marcus ambrose devil r and the envi green russell ingall enforcer. 125 of each were produced to celebrate the 1,2 victory of 2004. These models can be quite hard to get in decent condition now days

[@gregriggs5524]

Fletch_Xr8 I have an Enforcer and I thought if a review of the BA Falcon was put together it would have been a complete review, perhaps they couldn’t find any Devil R’s or Enforcers to take any pics too include them, SBR certainly deserves a full review though, I feel ripped off as well, waiting with anticipation to see the Envi Green Enforcer and Shockwave Blue Devil R, definitely worthy of a mention in my opinion, as you said they are product of ford motor racing history to celebrate the 1-2 win of the 2004 V8 Supercar championship.maybe the can do a revised edition.

[@Fletch889]

@@gregriggs5524 although these cars didn't get a build number they are up there in the list of the lowest produced models. There were only a few other special model Ford's that had under 125 produced.

[@elmonteslim3711]

I have a 2004 GT (Citric Acid) hidden in the back of the garage...currently has only 14,000 KMs. I hope it will be worth something one day.

[@theturkeybandit]

Elmonte Slim how much do you want for it?

[@lvpo8866]

Get it out of the garage and drive it! It's a car!

[@brendanrefalo8377]

$$$$$$$

[@elmonteslim3711]

@@lvpo8866 That's true but I have a few cars and my daily is a 2017 Caprice with LS3 V8. Its a lot more comfortable (and quicker) than the manual GT.

[@maxrockatanksyOG]

Had a BA XT ex Landsborough Police car (jammed a side mount blower on it), a BF F6 Tornado & a BF MK2 XR8 that i brought from new & jammed a GT500 engine into. Now have an FG MK2 XR6 N/A that i may jam a FXG XR8 engine into. Great cars, and damn sad we dont make aussie built cars now

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

sad that the government didn't support the car industry.

[@daveg5590]

This makes me feel better about spending big $ on my 2005 G220 next month.

[@barrythomson8770]

Best looking Ford ever,.BF Fairlane , but i'm biased !

[@lukeguilfoyle2425]

Can't go wrong with a Fairlane Ghia 👌🏻

[@daveg5590]

Nah Barry, the 2005 BA G220, but I'm biased!

[@steveseiler8782]

i love this car

[@yusuf.alajnabi]

Some of the best models ford had ever made

[@bondisteve3617]

Thanks

[@marklowe7431]

Cobra stock std. Not for long with stock oil pump gears, pass side secondary tensioner ass about and of course the infamous drivers side primary tensioner that leaves cam timing out by up to 6 degrees. Admirable that those cobras are keep original but sometimes certain original components will be the cause of failure.

[@brendanlovejoy8679]

I used to be a holden man.and owner..I have a ba xr6..it kicks ass..

[@timfordfalconxf7714]

Saying this with a fairmont ghia BA in my drive way :)

[@simont1299]

Barra? No mention of this now iconic engine.

[@TCFan25]

BF MKII Ghia's by far the most underrated and versatile models going. Excellent cross between luxury and sports saloon. Also much harder to find in the 2nds market compared to the XRs!

[@jamienat.1943]

Nice cobras!

[@ponyexpress4843]

iv had my bfgt mk11 for five years now but sadly it;s time for it to go will miss the era of v8;s iv had

[@chrissmith9854]

As I can’t comment on the EF/EL and EA-ED video I’ll do now.. So quick to point out the bad..they had superior interior than holdens and a tighter feel..better steering and handling..just missed out on the stroker TS50 motor that should have been in the EL-EB GT..and the 200kw motor would have been nice from EF xr8 onwards..I have a BFT great car, super fast even now..but not the same build quality as my EF Fairmont 5.0L..but love all my fords.worst being my FG xr6

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

i really cant believe how under powered these are..no wonder they're worth nothing..not to mention the EL has to be the ugliest GT ever.

[@bluespig1]

Skipped the AU3 220kw and the P250 ute, TE50 & TS50 with the lovely 250kw Windsor. All in the best steering/handling Falcon ever, the AU XR sedan.

[@joelbibleminorprophet3411]

Ford Driver , AU is a top car. Son just bought a Tickford fairmont Ghia. (Absolute Bargain). They receive a lot of criticism. Other than a sagging interior roof lining or stuck power windows, they go forever. Up the mighty AU. (From a much older Ford Falcon driver).

[@yusuf.alajnabi]

I love the AU falcon I have one myself but the BA was a great car.

[@tan.91]

fuck yes i love the b-series ive owned a silhouette ba-xr6, a white ba-xr6, a uu blue ba-xr6, a rapid yellow ba xt (ex taxi painted), a ba futura, a ba xl ute, i fucking love the barra engine to LOL

[@trevorthefilthyrat3742]

What year did the TS50 come out?

[@GreendragonDMX]

1999-2002

[@lukeguilfoyle2425]

TS50 was an AU mate, BA and BF's weren't tickford badged at any point.

[@eternalrest2859]

How is the supercar series even relevant, the cars use a 5.0L V8 and the Road cars use the 5.4. And what about the Magnet and "Rip Curl" Models??

[@ryanslut5607]

Rip curl versions whr looks package to get rid of old stock

[@18624100]

Just picked up a ba ford rtv ute now thats ford thinking for ya its a pitty it did'nt finish in the fg series ..

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

muscle car warehouse has the newer cobra for sale.

[@cenzofrisina6517]

The auction guy has no idea . get someone on who has more of an idea or get him to do homework prior to coming on. lol. have course the fpv is top mate. no talk of of hiw they are all numbered, the great gearbox options etc etc. anyhow great vid besides Chris the auction dude.

[@TCFan25]

He's just basically a fence sitter that's simply there to validate the opinions of the other two hosts.

[@cenzofrisina6517]

@@TCFan25 yeh 100 percent. it's just terrible to watch.

[@jordanscarreviews6164]

Owners example 7:48

[@GreendragonDMX]

70kw difference?? XR8 made 260kw so only 30kw...only thing is if yoir talking about the barra V8 vs the FPV Boss engines...then its a 70kw difference

[@paspax]

Barra is an inline 6 cylinder engine.

[@aussiejonno]

@@paspax incorrect, "Barra" was assigned name to all Falcon engines in brochures at time of BA release except xr8 and GT V8 engines

[@paspax]

@@aussiejonno Barra is an inline 6 cylinder engine.

[@aussiejonno]

@@paspax yes it is and so is the barra220 V8 5.4l 3v

[@paspax]

@@aussiejonno You keep thinking that, Mate. I suppose HO stands for High Output too. lol

[@leoprior3437]

Really annoying how he keeps asking Mr Shannon the pecking order! Of course the rare/sort after one's are going to be worth more.

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

the dude they bring in to report on rarity, always! I mean always! says the same spiel on every car, total fence sitter too. Afraid to rock the apple cart by having an original opinion.

[@TCFan25]

Basically just Mr. Rinse and Repeat.

[@yiannisdanatzis2889]

BAs had excessively constant mechanical faults that you would never hear about with the AUs.

[@GTFORDMAN]

the BA GT's might have looked fast but a barley 5000 max rpm and a 17 second 1/4 mile time at least it looked good while being hosed by a tarago!

[@captainkaos754]

They were a half arsed attempt at keeping pace with hsv offerings. Even a vt gts was a far superior car, 300 kw. These things were exactly the same as XC cobras, just a marketing exercise with paint roller stripes but no performance to back it up. The 5.4 litre was a giant heavy waste of space.

[@GTFORDMAN]

@@captainkaos754 yep, but the XC Cobras had something that these didn't & that was a 351 Cleveland!

[@chrissmith9854]

They were not that bad..but yeah the heavy 5.4L need a bit to wake up..still do 0-100 in just under 6sec in manual and 6speed auto..not to bad for 1880kg

[@daveg5590]

You've obviously never driven one "GTFORDMANCAPITALLETTERS"

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

@@GTFORDMAN that thing attracted heat from the sun.

[@dragunovbushcraft152]

I could never understand Aussie's obsession with sedans. Not that there's anything wrong with it. I just prefer 2 doors.

[@davodrums]

Dragunov Bushcraft It has a lot to do with being able to fit the whole family in comfort. Also good for long distances, which is common for trips in Australia. These things just cruise all day without raising a sweat ;-)

[@dragunovbushcraft152]

@@davodrums I can see that :).

[@daveg5590]

Engineered to drive like a 4 door, without the impracticality of only 2 doors, all without losing power.

[@Dylan_Mulvaney_OFFICIAL]

The last real GT was the EL, after that they lost their uniqueness..

[@urabusliberty9258]

God the au really killed the falcon

[@bluespig1]

That is a very ignorant comment @3:50 from somebody who should know better.

[@chrisbell8240]

Nice a ba pretend gt .

[@mangomcpoo475]

useless market update as usual

[@TASMAN-1]

Over engineered shit!