Ford Falcon XB - Last GT for a while…

[@Twenty_Six_Hundred]

In the late 80s my dad had a XB GT hardtop. Was such a cool car and as a young lad i just loved riding in it.

[@markbehr88]

Yes it would have been the duck’s guts! 👍

[@jamesrebbechi5247]

Things of such beauty and steel. In my humble opinion the A, B & C Hardtop’s were and still remain at the very pinnacle of Australian auto design. Great video Mark, perfect balance of info and nostalgia. Thank you for your time and effort.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much. I appreciate that and am glad you liked it 👍

[@perpetualgrin5804]

For me its The Charger😅.

[@markbehr88]

@@perpetualgrin5804 fair enough. I would go hardtop.

[@aus80srockradio94]

Totally agree James!

[@carleybebbington7846]

Pinty about the rust.

[@markbehr88]

Here is my latest video in the Falcon series. The very popular XB. Please Like 👍, Comment and Subscribe. Thanks for watching.

[@vicbittertoo]

around 12.00, the quarter windows were available in what was called the smokers pack, quarter windows and extra door ashtrays :):):)

[@markbehr88]

I wonder of any of those customers are still alive? 🤔😳

[@gergatron7000]

Hey Mark, great series. I grew up with an XB GS coupe as our family car. It was quite a uniqe combo of options as it was polar white with a McLeod stripe package in a metallic bronze vinyl. Instead of the factory GS stripe, the stripe started at the front wheel arch, swept up and along the crease line, then turned up again at the rear pillar and across the roof to meet the other one. The tail panel was also that colour. The interior I've not yet seen in another car. Black GS dash and console, with green velour seat faces but the seat piping, back, side trim and door cards were in white vinyl. It had 14x7 Aunger Hotwires which i believe were a dealer fit (it came from Peter Warren). Mechanicals were 302, 4-speed with dual exhaust option. We towed caravans, took rubbish to the tip, did the soccer runs, went grocery shopping all in ths car. My mum hated driving it. No power steering in a big heavy V8, heavy clutch and poor rear visibility. One day, she went to change gear and the gearstick came out in her hand (good old plastic ball pivot on the single rail box). Another day, she was driving along and a muffler fell off. She just pulled over, grabbed it with a rag, shoved it in the boot and kept driving. She reckoned it sounded like a Sherman tank. I was there but I probably thought it sounded cool. I still remember long trips interstate sitting in that cramped back seat but it was the only car we had for a long time, so i didnt know any better. Its last rego was 1989, and the sticker was for the 88 Bicentenary. Dad pulled it off the road due to it having rust so bad it was unroadworthy. It was only 14 years old... Imagine a 2009 car having rust that bad... I couldn't. 70s cars in general were atrocious for rust and Fords were no exception. This one had no chance, as it was never garaged in its life. It now sits in my garage, more than 30 years after turning its last wheel on the road, awaiting my finances, time and energy to bring it back to life.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much. Cool story and so glad you still have it. Like my Dad’s 72 Galaxie (check out the ep). I hope you get to restore it one day. A lot of cool memories. 👍👍

[@gregharvie3896]

re the rust, I'm a mate of Mark Behr's & we have another mate David who wanted a pair of maroon Ford LTD's both a P5 & a P6. The P5 he bought was a great car in every way other than some rust in the 2 left side doors and left front mudguard. He bought one that had its engine tranny' & diff pulled out for a XY GT HO clone/replica, and had a big hit on front right side, however all left doors & mudguard 100% perfect, no rust and perfect paint. With no right front guard on the "wreck" you could see behind where the guard would normally cover the side of the firewall below the front A pillar. I was shocked at the almost rattle paint can weak application of matt black paint , the multiple small welded pressed pieces of steel , when the water comes out of the air intake plenum below the windscreen , like a waterfall the water would wash over the almost steps down this hidden part of the car , and on each "step" there was deposits of dirt hardened like cement , and if broken off the rusted steel came too, poor engineering design, in addition to this the whole xa to xc range, Fairlanes , and LTD's P5 & P6 front mudguards were unlined so all the wet "muck" off the road would be thrown up to the back of each front guard nestling in at the end of the sill rail , rusting that , the base of the fire wall and the mudguard skin as well again poor design , Valiants were near identical in poor drainage and no mudguard liner. Whereas at Holden the 1971 HQ's to 1985 WB's all had fully lined front mudguards with no "catchment " spots to rust out, additionally the front air vent drainage was way different and once it poured out of rubber drainpipes it spewed straight onto the road in a purpose designed void area with no place for any "muck" to lodge nor cause rust. For many years I owned a 1965 Aussie built Ford Galaxie, and it had both fully lined front guards & a front drain vent system near identical to Holden's, so Ford knew how to do it properly and stop rust, but deliberately designed in this issue. The most alarming thing when looking at my mate Dave's donor P5 wreck, I was to find that Ford Australia made the long wheelbase LTD's by cutting a completed , painted Fairlane bodyshell in half 6 inches after the central B pillar, then doing a cut and shut grafting in a lengthening plate in the roof, little sill rail lengthening pieces, a join plate on the inner back door shells and a stiffening plate was fitted inside the roof shell. Horrible to see as in the stripped out wreck you could see the "extra" rust caused by this atrocious, cheap cut & shut welding job, all the welds were of a poor quality, plus there had been no factory attempt to seriously treat all the pure unpainted steel let into the roof and even the rear internal floor sections that had been added. No wonder that there are more old Holdens still out there on the road compared to this series of Fords. When Holden listened to customer complaints re note enough rear legroom in the "H" series statesman's to fix it in the WB series, Holden used a short-cut/modified station wagon roof pressing, making the roof longer in one continuous piece of steel, not cut and joined. The rear axle was moved back a few inches, rear dog's leg pressing was shrunken and the rear door lengthened the back seat pulled backwards in the car several inches, plus it was raised up slightly as there was way more headroom supplied by the clever re use of the old station wagon roof pressing and the near vertical back window. This gave the WB's the same rear seat legroom as a P5 or P6 LTD in a solidly built and engineered car. However, the overall WB length was the same as it had been on the first HQ Statesman, this is clever engineering.

[@markbehr88]

@@gregharvie3896 Hi Greg. Very comprehensive summary. I do agree the quality of the extension of the LTD should have had more remedial finishing work done (in terms of longevity as appearance wise when new it looked fine). The only area I would dispute is rear leg room, where the Statesman was more Fairlane like. The LTD had noticeably more rear legroom. I can get the dimensions.

[@grantbellinger7403]

My most favourite car,since I was kid

[@markbehr88]

👍👍

[@tba3900]

A friend of mine dad had a only black 351 GT coupe. Had only done 32,000km when he had his stroke. He told me that one day when he is better he will drive it again. He also said it’s the only thing keeping him alive. Sadly he never got to drive his GT again but lived a lot longer than doctors expected. I truely believed that his will to get better was spurred on ,to one day to drive probably one of the best looking GT’s Ford ever made.

[@markbehr88]

That is a shame. At least the car brought him a lot of joy. 🙏

[@marcushaynes843]

She's the last of the V8s !!! Mad Max reference. Greetings from the U.S.

[@markbehr88]

That’s it. 👍

[@RongNguoi]

I drove Falcon 500 with a 250 cu in and 3 on the tree as a Taxi...It was a good reliable car and did about 500,000 kilometers on one engine, (we only swapped the engine because over 80 Ks it would blow smoke...As far as I can remember I did another 100,000 or so on a recon engine before swapping to an XC...I do remember it had one little funny feature, when you turned right and booted it, it would cock the back and spin the right hand wheel...Of course being a young hoon in those days I did it all the time...But overall my memories of that car are very good...

[@markbehr88]

I bet you did 😉👍

[@clarkstar11]

If i did have to choose my fav Falcon the Xb is One of them lol. Cheers Mark! awesome Video m8!. How cool is that Green John Goss special........

[@markbehr88]

Very cool. Appreciate the comment 👍. Love the green Gossy.

[@GlenB1963]

Hi Mark. Great clip mate. I owned a red pepper, GT 351 sedan. It had the 4 speed top loader, factory vinyl top, factory power steer, factory 4V heads and factory air con, plus all the paperwork to go with it. I paid $8000 in 1991 and sold it in 1995 for $8500. What an idiot I was!!!

[@markbehr88]

Thanks. Glad you liked it. At least you can say you actually owned one 👍

[@sykcnt8012]

what an idiot

[@alfinpogform4774]

I feel your pain. I had a XB GS Fairmont 302 stoked to a 351, painted in GT livery, sold it in '98 for $2200. Thought I might buy another one a few years later, but by then the pricing had run away from me. I ended up 15 years ago buying a '72 fastback Mustang instead like the one in this vid, about 1/3 the price of an XB Coupe but just as fun in my opinion. In hindsight though with the value of the XB GT's and coupes being totally ridiculous, I would have been fairly uncomfortable owning and driving one today knowing how much I had to lose if it was crashed into or stolen.

[@markbehr88]

@@alfinpogform4774 They have certainly skyrocketed. I think most people just use them sparingly and carefully- but there is always the risk. 👍

[@alfinpogform4774]

@@markbehr88 Forgot to mention that my XB was a coupe, at the time I was selling I was amazed that hardly anybody cared about such incredible looking cars!

[@justink1075]

The x abc coupe has the most beautiful side window design ever produced.

[@markbehr88]

@@justink1075 Agree. Terrific profile. 👍

[@romemancer7905]

The early 73 to 74 cars were the go to car for high performance engines...By 1976 new emmission regulations and detuning made the GT a shadow of its former self...Most being fitted with only the 2V 351...Leaving the Landau and LTD to have the 4V engine as standard...Cheers...!

[@markbehr88]

Yes. I’m sure you’re right there

[@noelgibson5956]

No XB had to meet ADR27A. The XC was the first that had to comply with the regulation, being released at the exact time it was imposed. There were no XC GT's.

[@markbehr88]

@@noelgibson5956 That’s right. If you watch the XC episode I cover that. Not aware anyone suggested there was an XC GT. It was replaced with the GXL but you could order a “351 GT Powerpack”. The XB episode is titled Last GT…..for a while. 👍

[@josephlucca3826]

The early XB GTs had the 351 4V engines with the big port heads, that had bigger valves and a higher compression ratio. The later XB GTs had the Australian 4V, which had 2V heads and the same Autolite carburettor with a 4 barrel manifold. The redline on the tachometer also dropped to 5200rpm. If these produced 300hp, the original 4V must have produced 350 to 380hp

[@aussietaipan8700]

Its a pity these cars of that era did not have the gal metal used in todays cars. I have seen so many Fords and Holdens rusted out.

[@markbehr88]

Yes, rust was an issue. That’s why the survivors are so much $$$$$ 👍😀

[@vicbittertoo]

Cool !!, as a young fella I had an XA Fairmont 302 coupe and an XBGT 4 door, orange :), fun times, paid $2000 for the XA and $4000 for the XB :)

[@markbehr88]

Those really were the days! 👍👍

[@Locoman3801]

Thank you Mark for your great video , I bought my "old" XBGS Falcon ( sedan ) back in 1990 from it's original owner & I still love driving it these days some 34 something years later & still going strong & with an original 6 cylinder pre-crossflow motor in it.

[@markbehr88]

@@Locoman3801 Thanks. Great you still have it. 👍

[@wafive]

You do a great job on these vids mate. I am also a bit of a Galaxie lover. Had a 71 for a while, lovely car.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks 👍

[@markbehr88]

I am glad you enjoy the videos. I do love my Galaxies too 👍

[@jamesfrench7299]

Micheal Douglas was taking off hard from the kerb in them with the obligatory tyre screech in The Streets Of San Francisco, or were they the very similar 72? NSW dignitaries used them for special events in Aussie assembled examples.

[@markbehr88]

@@jamesfrench7299 They were 71, 72 and later models up to around 77 as I recall? I have them all on dvd.

[@UncleJoeLITE]

I really did love my dad's XB. It was a cool looking car, the 500 with a 250, vinyl floor, 3spd auto, cockpit style dash, brown with a brown interior. But I honestly missed the silver 1968 302 Fairlane we sold when he got it far more. My brother went on to buy an XB in the 90s. I learned the XB was a car to treat with 'respect'. Thanks Mark.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks for that. I can understand why you missed that Fairlane too. 👍

[@Redpepper7376]

My dad’s first Ford was an XB sedan coming from a HT Holden sedan which he said just wandered all over the road. We were the black sheep because the rest of the family were Holden. The Xb was and still is a fantastic car, purchased an Xb 4dr 351 10 years ago.

[@markbehr88]

@@Redpepper7376 Thanks. It was marketed as The Great Australian Road Car, which I thought was a terrific tagline. I tried to get Ford to reinstate that for FGX but……. Your 351 would be a great car. 👍

[@Redpepper7376]

@@markbehr88 Its a red-pepper Fairmont 351, 9inch disc brake rear, c4 auto and lowered. Awesome cruiser.

[@markbehr88]

@@Redpepper7376 very nice. Definitely a keeper 👍👍

[@danozism]

Some great info and photos there Mark- especially the designs that never got beyond the production point. Ford definitely gave Holden a run for their money during the 70's, that's for sure!

[@markbehr88]

Thanks Dan. What a great industry we had ! 👍

[@mickfrendo8212]

I'm obsessed with XB Ford's. Thanks for this video !

[@markbehr88]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@jasoncarpp7742]

G'day Mark. Another awesome video! Beautiful looking car. I find the Ford XB Falcon way more attractive than what we got here in the USA. 🙂

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much Jason. It is a good looking car for sure 👍

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@markbehr88 I could be wrong, but the XA-XC Falcon reminds me of our Ford Maverick/Mercury Comet sold here in North America.

[@gergatron7000]

Ford globally certainly had a design language that they stuck to. Our local Fairlane and LTD, which shared the Falcon wagon and ute's longer wheelbase, definitely show some US Mercury and LTD styling themes.

[@markbehr88]

@@jasoncarpp7742 similar. They (Comet etc) are smaller though.

[@markbehr88]

@@gergatron7000 yes. That’s right. The LTD actually had a longer wheelbase than wagon and Fairlane until the XD model (FC) 👍

[@malparish2938]

Love this series Mark, the XB is still one of my dream cars....

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much Mal 👍

[@XBGTCOUPE]

still got the Hardtop and a 99 AU S series silhouette

[@markbehr88]

Hang onto em! 👍

[@Thepigfromthepot]

I had an original John goss special in the workshop a few years ago original owner from new he drove it for a few years and then pretty much locked in his shed ever since I think I have some pics of it some place

[@markbehr88]

That would have been a very nice car. Blue or green?

[@romemancer7905]

A lot of Victorian viewers old enough would remember the bright yellow XB highway patrol cars with the big letters INTERCEPTOR down the lower side...A common sight on the hume in the mid 70s...No doubt where they got the idea for the Mad Max cop cars...NSW opting to use the chargers...the cop cars were emission exempt having the 4V Cleveland with a hot tune ...and a warning sticker under the hood that the engine was not to be tampered with by unauthorized persons.!!! cheers...

[@markbehr88]

Interesting. I grew up in NSW. We had XB sedans and hardtops in plain white similar to the photo at the end of the episode. Plus the Chargers. I even saw a Torana hatchback once 👍

[@jamesrebbechi5247]

I do indeed. One of those suddenly lit up the back of my hardtop at around 5am one morning on the Hume. Scared the crap out of me because up until then I thought I was the only one on the road. Net result 12 months plus lawyer’s fee.

[@markbehr88]

@@jamesrebbechi5247 I had a similar experience in the US once with a Plymouth Fury police car in Montana. One minute nothing, the next barreling up behind me, lights ablaze.

[@lukesm5747]

Great video.Henry would be upright in his grave if he could only see what Ford is building today.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much 👍

[@couttsy222]

I'm really enjoying your series on the Falcon, Mark. So many memories...... It's great that you mention details that seem irrelevant now but at the time were big news (eg: the horn-on-th-end-of-the-stalk). As a teenager at the time I remember the XB well. After many years of faithful service, my father's ZB Fairlane 500 company car had to be handed back and it was replaced in the family by a copper bronze 250ci XB Falcon wagon, exactly the same as at 3:55 except ours had an alloy wind deflector above the rear window. It was an uncomfortable, evil handling, unreliable pig of a car. Oh, how we yearned for the much lamented ZB Fairlane! When the wagon was finally traded in a few years later no one shed a tear.

[@markbehr88]

I can see why you would have missed the Fairlane. With a V8 though that Copper Bronze would have been transformed into something that may have elicited a tear upon sale 😀👍

[@Justin-hb6cg]

My mum had a brown with silver GT sedan. I remember her having traffic light drag races against my dad who was driving his Mach1 Mustang. The 70s were very different to now. Great video. Thanks.

[@markbehr88]

It was better then (outside of the technology). Glad you liked the video. 👍

[@markbehr88]

Your parents had cool cars btw.

[@Justin-hb6cg]

@@markbehr88Yes they did. My dad drives a Chrysler 300C now, my mum drives a VZ Calais. Once a petrol head … (They don’t race each other anymore).

[@markbehr88]

@@Justin-hb6cg I had a friend in high school (Year 7). His mum worked in the canteen and she drove a Mulberry and silver GT sedan XB model. Very cool car. His dad had an Aston Martin. We had the Galaxie so I thought - these people like their cars too! 😀

[@Justin-hb6cg]

I can picture that Mulberry GT, (probably had the white interior), very cool car. Did she line it up against the Aston ?

[@RongNguoi]

Excellent video and good memories...Thank you...

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much. I hope you enjoy the others too. 👍

[@grooveyguru154]

When I worked at the Ford factory while in a short break from studies in 1978, I was one of the factory workers picked as a spot welder to work on the beautiful blue and white XC falcon cobra coupes. From memory 500 were built. The panels of four door falcons were clamped together on an automated production line then spot welded by hand. The 2 door cobra sedans were assembled on a different production line to the 4 door. We clamped the roof supports as well as the fire wall to the sides, clamped the sides to the floor pan using hand clamps hand and spot welded them together in an empty area of the factory. From the first one i saw until today, I think they are a beautiful car.

[@markbehr88]

Great memories. I wish you had pics! 👍

[@aus80srockradio94]

That's a very interesting observation that I was unaware of in regards to the grille being influenced by the XW/XY design. Thanks also Mark for the "bonus" addition of relevant commercials at the end of each video, a nice touch indeed!

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much. Glad you liked it. 👍

[@YokRzeznic]

Fella me ol ma was seeing in the late 80s had a V8 Panel Van with the GS stripe. I loved that thing.

[@markbehr88]

That would have been very cool 👍

[@YokRzeznic]

It was. The cargo space was carpeted so we used to roll around on the corners when we did small trips. But as I said, 80s, safety wasn't such a pressing issue back then. Ma had a copper bronze XA Falcon at the time, too. Pretty sure it had the whote roof. But I think we lost all the photos from back then. (Also, after we kids popped the park brake on the XA and rolled it through the shed door, there appeared a haggard XB wagon in the back yard for us to play in instead. Back in the days you could get a 70s Falcon for free) @@markbehr88

[@sykcnt8012]

And your mother would have got pounded every time she jumped in the back of it..

[@ramonmartin4908]

Love the XB one of my favourite fords.I owned 2 of them back in 80,s and early 90,s one wagon and a sedan.albeit they were only 250 six cylinders.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks. The XB certainly has plenty of fans! 👍

[@stevengriffin7873]

I remember sitting in a GT coupe red with black trim in the showroom.That was nice.

[@markbehr88]

Cool memories 👍👍

[@tasymoraitis9532]

My favourite Aussie muscle car ever thank you for this wonderful doco please do more great work mate

[@markbehr88]

Thanks. There is a full series of Falcon history videos on the channel from XK to BF. Please check out the playlists. 👍

[@747fa]

Yep. The XB with the bonnet scoops and, what I term, the slightly raked or slanted grill made quite an impression on me. And the BA/BF XR6/XR8 was the next most impressive looking Ford to my mind. Good video!

[@markbehr88]

Thanks. Glad you liked it. 👍

[@AussiePom]

We had a family member out from the UK in the 70's and dad hired a XB sedan in light blue which had a three on the tree with a brown vinyl interior. I remember in the rain a push of the windscreen washer and the washer jets squirted fourteen individual jets of water onto the windscreen. We went up to Coonabarabran from Sydney to see some friends on a farm at Purlewaugh. I can remember how much more comfortable the Falcon was in comparison to the old 69 440 Cortina dad owned.

[@markbehr88]

Yes, they were a good cruising family car. 👍

[@muntedmonk3884]

Thanks Mark for your interesting videos, especially this one on the XB which my brother owned a hardtop for many years. A great car that I can always remember the vinyl roof. I’m glad I stumbled into your channel a few weeks ago and after subscribing have enjoyed many of what you have posted. Being a big Ford fan myself, after our family where Ford dealers here in Victoria for many years, that my now 81 yr old father first established when he purchased his first dealership in Moe back in 1988 after working for many years doing F&I at Coffee Ford Ringwood then a move to Sydney to work with Robert Power in Castle Hill, but eventually moving back to Victoria to become the new Ford dealer in Warrnambool in 1993. He enjoyed many years of success there picking up Victorian rural dealer of the year on several occasions, to eventually selling Warrnambool to Marcus Norton in 2009 and our Hamilton Dealership, where we also had Nissan as well, changed hands in 2013. I worked along side Dad for around 14 years and many memorable moments where had, mostly prior to the turn of the century. Anyhow, just wanted to thank you and keep up the good work. 👍

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much. When I was at J Walter Thompson as Senior Account Director on the Ford FDAF account I spent plenty of time with the DP in Warrnambool and had dinner there too many moons ago. 👍

[@michaelguerin56]

The XB front really looked good at the time and still looks great now.

[@markbehr88]

Agree. Good looking car. 👍

[@louiskats5116]

Goodday Mark, Firstly let me commend you for using the right terminology throughout the video calling the XB a Hardtop that put a smile on my face. Great video & you can see you thoroughly know your XB's. My favis the XA but I remember back in the 80's XB's were everywhere & now you are lucky to see one. Plenty of Greeks had XB's coue of my uncle's had them even a Futura. With all the emissions I am surprised the GT was still pushing 300hp. Look forward to the XC video. Cheers Louis Kats 👍

[@markbehr88]

Thanks Louis. Yes XB’s were everywhere. Like XFs and AUs. Notice even they are disappearing. My brother had 3 XB Fairmont V8s over the years. They were very inexpensive 👍.

[@louiskats5116]

@@markbehr88 👍

[@strawman12]

Thank you for these fantastic videos on Australian ‘Fords’. The XB was my first car. The XC was my second. Looking forward to seeing that one. Cheers

[@markbehr88]

Thanks Adam. You keep subscribing and I’ll keep making the episodes 👍

[@ceegee3664]

Don't remember if I've already commented, Utube likes comments so here's another one, Uncle had a XA 351 Ute with GS driving lights, full instrumentation, air-conditioning, 4 speed, as kids we'd sit in back on gravel road enjoying torque , it failed to negotiate with a cow and he parted it out, told me later didn't realise what he had, my first car was Maybe an Allan Moffat special with driving lights, 302, 4 speed, full instrumentation,black accents on canary shit yellow, it'd been thrashed, turns out reason the gear stick lifted on acceleration was 2 snapped engine mounts.... half a turn of free wheel in steering column... nostrils looked trick but obscured passenger corner from drivers seat, XA bonnet gave better visibility

[@markbehr88]

Don’t think you did. I would remember the cow story! Those AM specials are rare now. Rust got most of them 🫣

[@ceegee3664]

GXL had a Cartier 4 Barrel so were an undercover GT with standard 4 wheel discs, Landau were first with 4 wheel discs as phase 4 was cancelled always thought so much went into Landau with different rear windows, great looking car

[@markbehr88]

@@ceegee3664 Yes Carter carbs on XCs. All XC V8s were four barrels to cope with the emissions (ADR27A). Agree the Landau (model name P4) was one of the best Aussie cars ever. 👍

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Dash was good looks practicality outstanding

[@nikamichi]

Thanks Mark, more great content. Along with the XT, my fave Falcon.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much 👍

[@nkelly.9]

Great content on these fantastic motorcars. Thank You for your efforts Mark. When we used to make stuff.. before joe hokey and tony abbot shut down automobile manufacturing.

[@markbehr88]

@@nkelly.9 Thanks very much. 👍

[@PeterAndersons]

The orange accent stripe on the Goss special looks a lot like the XT GT. I used one to break up the white on my XW.

[@markbehr88]

Yes, definitely looks the part. My brother had a Candy Apple red XT GT auto with the white stripes and I was impressed to see that they were reflective. Pretty sure 3M made them back in the day?

[@johnphillips519]

I had a XB GS 302 sedan, Been kicking myself ever since selling it for $1,500 on a trade in, Ive always loved the look of the XB, Especially the coupes .

[@markbehr88]

Yes, I know how you feel 🤔

[@LeTessier916]

Another great video thanks. The XB was my favourite. I owned an ex police 4 door sedan. Ended up being a 351 4 speed. Wish I never sold it 😊

[@markbehr88]

Thank you. That would have been a very nice car 👍l

[@LukeAshton-u5h]

Great content Mark really enjoyed that. Xb are my favourite car, as I owned a xb hardtop years ago.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much 👍

[@chrisweeks6973]

Thank you, Mark. Having previously owned an XP and an XA, I very much liked the XB and the Hardtop was a lovely-looking car with great character and presence. Today's offering are so bland and insipid by comparison.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks Chris. Glad you enjoyed it. Agree with you 👍

[@jamesfrench7299]

I missed this one. While not a personal fan of the XB styling, some of the pictures were beautiful and went some way to converting me somewhat. Then I remember there's the XC.

[@markbehr88]

I like em all really 👍

[@jamesfrench7299]

They were probably the best underneath. No emissions to worry about and lots of improvements over the XA. Plus that driver oriented dash layout much like BMW does.

[@ricknel76nelson54]

Have always thought an Appolo Blue, XB GS sedan, was a great colour/ option combo.

[@markbehr88]

Yes. Good looking combo for sure 👍

[@shoominati23]

I saw a guy who took one of those 71 Mustangs and made it out as a John Goss replica. Probably cheaper in total than even finding the local car in the first place!

[@markbehr88]

I think I might have seen that one. 👍

[@svenomick5857]

Hey Mark great site, always loved the XB I have had three XB Falcons still have one good Model I think keep up the good work

[@markbehr88]

Thanks. Australia’s top selling car in 1976. 👍

[@OLDS98]

Thank you Mark. You did not have to say it for me. You said it in the video for me many times. American influenced Ford design. You see it a lot on this series. Did they offer power windows? I noticed I did not see any on these models. The thing I observed is the driver focused interiors. The Americans got away from that for a while. It is so obvious the Australian Fords diverged from the American Fords. Quite interesting.

[@markbehr88]

Hi Olds98. Yes, power windows were definitely available as they were debuted in XA. Very strong US influences styling wise and actual parts. That would start to become more Euro in later years although the US influence still remained. 👍

[@OLDS98]

@@markbehr88 The United States did not start doing the "Euro" thing on its cars until the mid to late 1980's because they were losing sales and market share and wanted to compete with what was coming from there. They were bad at it too initially. It was not until recent efforts like Cadillac CT5 and CTS and STS in the 1990s and Lincoln LS. The 1986 Ford Taurus and Sable and 1988 Lincoln Continental did a good job of coming Euro with American. It was like if you cannot beat them, join them. Australia did the best combo of American and Euro with the Falcons, Holden Commodore. You can see Australia was coming into its own with what you are sharing. I do miss American car styling in 2023. Everything looks like everything from Korea, Europe and Japan. Now The Koreans are making great products. They have to compete now as well. There is no rest for anyone in the industry. One thing I will say at least the 1995-1999 Oldsmobile Aurora looked different and looked American but European on the inside. Thank you for your video.

[@markbehr88]

@@OLDS98 yes, like the big trucks I would have stuck with distinctly American styling and say if you want Euro - Buy it! 😀

[@OLDS98]

@@markbehr88 Well stated. Toyota has copied the American styling truck themes with the Tundra. It looks American and it is built in America. It would be nice to see American styling stand on its own again and bring in buyers, but everything is now suv and crossover heavy in the United States market.

[@markbehr88]

Yes. I do hope sedans and coupes and even wagons, make a come back. 👍@@OLDS98

[@area51isreal71]

Cheers Mark, another enjoyable video. Just to pick up on the taxi point, you would think it would be a great testimonial to your product to see them in use as a taxi. What greater recommendation could you get? In the early eighties as a second job I drove cabs and back then in Queensland cabs could be no older than six years. So once the Valiant's and Kingswood's became too old the only choice was a Falcon. They would happily go to 500,000 k's and still be smooth and quiet to drive. The XB? Yes a very good car that set Ford on the way to market leadership (briefly) with the XC. Holden's HJ facelift of the HQ probably helped them as well.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks. You are right. In the past the taxi was good for your reputation re durability etc. Later though, when keeping up with the Jones’ became a Euro focussed keeping up with the Johans’ people started to look down their noses at Made in Australia as they had to have the latest European car in their driveway to say “look at me”.

[@gergatron7000]

Same applies to Camrys today. They have a reputation for rock-solid reliability but people would rather be seen in expensive, unreliable European cars and pay for the privilege.

[@markbehr88]

@@gergatron7000 Yes. That’s true. The added appeal of the Falcon type cars were the performance styling and features, motorsport link, cool utes and vans etc. That’s why our Aussie cars are so loved. But what you say about the Camry v snob value and attitudes is spot on. 👍

[@Luke-er6pg]

This is a very good series of videos!

[@markbehr88]

Thanks Luke 👍

[@deanstevenson6527]

Major Anomaly 1: Ford Australias M code 250 2V 170 hp gross in line six was withdrawn, although a few pre July 1973 pilot 'preproduction' versions were put together which are proven to exist. Replacement head and intake parts Coded 74 were also available to service the M code XA Falcon 2Vs or allow someone to furnish the L code 155 hp engine with an M code cylinder head, tubing headers and 302C Bendix Stromberg Technico WW carburettor. Funnily enough, automatic or 4 speed manual, the acceleration figures and top speed of the M code 250 verses the 150 pound heavier Y code 302 Cleveland 2 bbl with 70 extra horsepower...were neck and neck!

[@markbehr88]

Yes, I noticed it was not listed as an available factory option in the XB though.

[@crunchytheclown9694]

Had a 2v in a modified g60 in the 90s, what abeast

[@robertmorris6529]

Dean ,any idea why ' withdrawn ' , was it because it equalled 302 performance , reducing cost of separate part with low customer orders or Police request ?

[@robertmorris6529]

I had an ex VICPOL XY 250 2v Ultra white Tu-tone Blue trim 3 on tree , Eng No NH1994 .

[@deanstevenson6527]

@@robertmorris6529 According to Ford Hammill, Ford had didn't sell as many 2V or 4V Cleveland engines in the US and Canada as it expected. By 1972, just two years in, it hadn't sold more than 500,000, by 74, just over a million. It was expected that the Cleveland line in the Falcon based cars would make up 30%. The 2V 250, didn't mess up that delicate sales balance, but only sold 12500 Australian sales in 2 years from 71 to 73. The locally made Y code 302 2V and K code 351 2V from the Geelong weren't fully on production, sometimes there were casting issues at the plant, so the M code was just a gap filler. With ADR27, the 250 2V wasn't emissions compliant with the open air cleaner and that intake manifold , it was the same thing that killed the V6 Capri imports. It was decided early by Engineer Bill Gay from the Casting Division that the CEP2 Cleveland transfer machines would be going to Australia to bolster full, efficient Cleveland production at Geelong. That didn't happen until late 1975, after an aborted attempt to get the Cincinnati milling tools to Australia via a boat that had a load shift damage the plant. The M code was just a gap filler. The XB Failed to really grow 351 sales due to the gas crunch, but 302 sales were more than 12500 stronger over the two years... exactly equal to what the M code sales were over those previous years.

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi Mark, hope your well. A great looking car the XB , I like the looks of the hard top and the pick up ( Ute ) I would love to have a 351 GT hard top with manual gear box. Is this the model with the drop snout in Mad Max's Interceptor based on. As always a great video on Ford's we don't have in Wales I wish we had them. Great video Mark, Take care👍

[@markbehr88]

Thanks Shaun. Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the Mad Max car was based on an XB as far as I know 👍

[@deanstevenson6527]

Major Anomaly 2: Although stated as a 300 hp gross M code style engine from the 1970 Mustang, the T code was more often the home grown 290 hp gross 4bbl 2V 351C introduced on the automatic XA GT's nearing the end of its life... the last of the imported, high compression, big port, 4V U.S. engines lasted only through to the first few months before ADR 27 Jan 1, 1974. The US engines had a continuation of the R code Boss 351 engine from 72-73. An additional Q code 261-266 hp Cobra Jet option with open chamber low compression heads after July 1973. Ford Australia 4V 351C's had only used 1970-1972 spec M code US import Hi Conpression engines, and created its H code HO engines by machining at Ford Special vehicles. None of the R to Q code US engines were officially offered in Australian Falcons, but the Tooling from CEP2 was sent by Sea from Ohio, and Caterpillar D9 components broke free at high seas, damaging the transfer machines. The parts were reshipped back to the US for repair, and late in 1975, the Cleveland engines made at the Geelong line were done so with updated CEP2 plant. Ford Australia had access to the rare Mustang HO 275 hp net engine, it was not US74 emissions compliant, and the HO 261-266, which WAS. Since ADR 27A, the Australian design rule for July 1976 emissions was USA 1973, it is clear Ford had access to emissions compliant Cleveland 4V specification engines to factory homologate very strong engine parts like those used in NASCAR for 1974. Instead, Ford Australia, probably under the auspices of Dearborn, essentially let Holdens weak axled and sometimes oil surge prone 308 L34 Toranas beat the 4V XB GT Falcon Hardtops. A similar issue to Bathurst 1978, where Falcon Cobras were left short changed, while Holden upped the ante with a Boss 302 780 cfm carb on L34, and then Twin ID Webers on the GP bodied A9X sedan and hatchbacks. As an example, Ford Australia used the Pinto 1973 auto and manual engine emissions package to get ADR 27 and then 27A emissions compliance in the Cortina TD, TE and TFs. Holman Moody later supplied engines to De Tomaso Pantera's and Ford Australia, yet didn't even use the best 1972 to 1974 Cleveland Open Chamber engines, which could use the Solid State 429 or 460 Green strain relief ignition system, and even the factory bolt on solid lifter roller rockers with a valid Boss 302 Trans Am part number. As John Goss said in AMC in 2019. "Ford could have easily made the parts to win races, but under the guy they had ( Bill Gay in the US plant) none of the means of production was set up to support to Cleveland engined race teams. You had to go through boxes of OEM parts, and really work every part if you wanted to win with the factory supplied XB engines". Yet Big Al Turner was able to get US cast alloy 351 Cleveland's to Kiwis campaigning Mustang IIs ( the later PDL car) . Ford Australia's on again and off again relationship with racing in the 70s was great if you had a Cologne Capri or Mustang II, less so for the XB. I guess the XB GT Hardtop in XC Falcon drag won the 77 Bathurst, but I am adamant, FoMoCo Broadmeadows could have trounced GM- H all through the 70s.

[@markbehr88]

Thank you. That is terrific information. Love the level of detail. Great that this info is preserved. 👍👍👍👍😀😀

[@deanstevenson6527]

@@markbehr88 Sources: 1.The Pantera Forum, and 2. the late Roger Huntington's 1986 article on Cleveland V8s, used in Street Machines Hot 302and 351s in 1988 (Father of The Roger Huntington's Hale 1/4 Mile Equation). 3. UK Ford's. 4. Phil Scott's 1985 Australian Emissions article in Wheels Magazine, which links the US 73 and US74 , USA 75 regulations to Jan 1974 ADR27, July 1976ADR27A , the three 27B, 27C variants and Jan 1986 ADR37 5. Sir John Wright's Wheels 1982/83 Thundering GTs, where the difference between ADR27 and ADR27A is explained. 7. AMC c.2019, interview with JG on the inability to get high performance factory parts from the US foundry via Bill Gay. ( This is not anti BG sentiment, everyone in Ford had a job to do, being a cast iron foundry manager overseeing all American and Outpost plants was very difficult after Ford won Le Man's) 8. Des Hammill, Small block Ford engines and "Ford Cleveland by Des Hammill 335-series V8 engine 1970 to 1982"

[@markbehr88]

@@deanstevenson6527 Thanks for the source info. John Wright (Dr John Wright) is a personal friend and past work colleague. He is a wealth of info and has written some excellent books too.

[@deanstevenson6527]

@@markbehr88 Ah, the Doctor, not the Sir! Love his promotions work on the XR6 S and XR8 S in 1992. FoMoCo nailed just the right Prose with his work.

[@markbehr88]

@@deanstevenson6527 I am sure he’d love the Sir too! 😀

[@lizandian]

Great work! Who would the Police use a two door hardtop?

[@markbehr88]

@@lizandianThanks. Interceptor work 👍

[@jamiespinks3657]

It's a rather curious decision made to only offer the John Goss special with the lesser 302 V8, given that it was released in celebration of John Goss (& Kevin Bartlett's ) win at Bathurst in 1974, winning in a car that had the 351 V8.

[@markbehr88]

@@jamiespinks3657 Agree. 👍

[@petermurgatroyd2002]

Loved the episode

[@markbehr88]

Thanks 👍👍

[@reneperin8742]

The Ford Cobra to made a big hit when first released it sold for about $6000 I think and later became worth a lot more

[@markbehr88]

Yes. That will be in my XC episode. 👍

[@tonyelberg7814]

YA GOT ME MATE, GREAT VIDEOS

[@markbehr88]

Thanks 👍👍

[@jgsheehan8810]

Very good video Mark. I especially liked seeing the McLeod horn cars. The one I was talking about in the XA video was white with black stripes. It looked superb, horn indeed. It was why I’ve preferred the XA GT Hardtops looks over the XB & C Hardtops. That one car. Did John Goss express any disappointment that the 351 wasn’t available in the Goss Falcons?

[@markbehr88]

Thank you very much. I did ask John about the 351 but this was essentially a value pack, dress up retail campaign to move hardtops - and the 302 was almost mainstream with approx 25-30% of total sales. Whereas the 351 was more a high ticket item and not as broad in appeal for the majority of customers.

[@VigilanteAgumon]

The XB GT was also the Falcon that gained international fame thanks to being featured in the Mad Max films.

[@markbehr88]

Definitely. A few have been exported because of that too. 👍

[@LeopoldoNotarianni-rk9vv]

Can you please cover the Zephyr, Early Falcon 60-66, Tank Fairlane, Compact Fairlane & Customline ?

[@markbehr88]

Hi. I have done all the Falcons to XB so far. Check them out on the channel. I’ll do Fairlanes next. 👍

[@13smarts1]

To me the XB is the pick of the XA XB XC models, and at that time I had a Cortina so I was used to the horn on the end of the indicator stalk!, XC's were were way more troublesome than XB's,(ADR27A emission problems, water leaks, clutch and accelerator cable breakages, interior trim problems), much like the later XF's weren't as good as the XE's, Ford trying to get the cost of production down maybe, you only had to look at the thickness and quality of the vinyl used in XB's compared to the other models.

[@markbehr88]

@@13smarts1 Interesting. I had an XC Fairmont and liked it. 👍

[@Xchardtop]

Awesome stuff Mark can I upload the John Goss ad for the Racing Ford Falcon Hardtop group on Facebook ? PS i had a 4 door XB Falcon in the 80's now I have an XB Hardtop !

[@markbehr88]

Thank you. No problems at all. You may find a better copy on the net. It is a terrific ad. 👍

[@chrisF351]

Great vid as always Mark👍, im guessing XC will be the next vid?

[@markbehr88]

Thanks Chris. Yes, the XC will be the next video in the series but I’ll also be doing other videos in between those. I plan to do the Fairlane once I finish the Falcons and then I will do other series of Ford,Holden and Chrysler plus other misc vehicles. Glad you like them.

[@chrisF351]

@@markbehr88 awesome 👍. I'm looking forward to more videos. Thanks Mark

[@louiskats5116]

Goodday Mark, We're those JGS with the 302 we're they 4BBL or 2BBL Cheers Louis Kats 👍

[@markbehr88]

I think they were 2 barrel as far as I recall.

[@louiskats5116]

@@markbehr88 👍

[@davidbarnsley8486]

I did always like the xb but never owned one 😂 I just can’t believe how ford don’t have actual records of how many cars they built

[@markbehr88]

I thought they had records but not of some of the options, like the GS pack for example?

[@andrewdouglas3091]

My dad was always a Ford man. He owned an XR an ex police car. He an XA Fairmont wagon, an XB Ute and an XE Falcon wagon. I’m. a BMC fan, but have two FG XR6’s and I love them. I also have an SV6 VF Commodore. I still think the Falcon is a nicer long distance driver. I regularly drive to Sydney from Brisbane and always take the Falcon. What a great car. It’s a shame it’s all gone. Australia just built better cars than the USA. Their protection of unions killed us. They loved the SS. But didn’t realise what a good car they had. Ford should have exported the Falcon and Territory, but probably weren’t allowed to as it was a better product. Barra motors are now sought after world wide because they are amazing. Stupid family company restricting and protecting unions. Idiots. Australia could have been your BMW, Mercedes. But but you protected yourselves with Pontiac Aztecs and shitboxes like that. It’s all gone now. You fucked up. America is a third world country in denial. You messed up.

[@markbehr88]

Yeah, I wouldn’t really characterise the US car industry based on the Pontiac Aztec, just as I wouldn’t characterise the Australian industry based on the Holden Sunbird or the UK industry with the Reliant Robin. Unfortunately, for a whole host of reasons that impacted the US, UK and Australian car industries - from high labour costs to cheap foreign labour (with no protection for workers or the environment) to the local cultural cringe of not buying local etc. Exporting jobs and wealth in the pursuit of cheap overseas products has been a characteristic of many Western countries. Better to pay a little more and have domestic industry and employment I say 👍.

[@12cm32]

i drove dads 74 v8 for many miles at 100km/hr until 3rd gear became optional; whats that roar, (on the tree) oh i'll drop this down mum; (2nd to top) Lplater at the time and Ford backed me; no legs out of bed... 2nd gear for a long time; cleaned those plugs lmao; no i wasn't looking at rpm; was a wagon, no tacho...i was L plater... The Ford comment was proof of build; station wagon/2nd gear/100km/hr/2nd gear/100km/hr for a long time, then top and quiet lmao... she reved well, 302cc i think... overtaking was quick.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Why do you reckon they transitioned from Miles per Hour (MPH) to kilometres per hour (km/h)?

[@deanstevenson6527]

Metrification happened as a result of the British Commonwealths entry into the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973. NZ and Australia followed. Km/h, the System International measurement for Mph ( it was Km/h, not kph, a recurring error listed at an Australian and New Zealand Government level) became a mandatory speed measurement under the new July 1973 Australian Design Rules that became law for I January, 1974. These requirements existed because the EEC now had 1968 US FMVSS ( United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) style minimum requirements. Ironically, metrics were required because international sale forced car makers to adopt either British Standard, US, or Japan Industrial Standards. From 1968 to 1978 Ford Australia's Falcon was sold as a recurring import in small quantities to the United Kingdom

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@deanstevenson6527 Okay. For cars sold here in the USA and Canada, speedometers display both MPH and km/h.

[@markbehr88]

A much better answer than I had planned! 😀

[@markbehr88]

Like my Mark VI Lincolns with the digital dash. I can just press a button and it goes from miles to Km.

[@robertmorris6529]

​@@deanstevenson65271st 12 months of XB -ZG Dual speedo markings to allow new batch orders of speedo assembly ,with Metric only workings .

[@royferntorp]

I loved the XB. By the time I got a company car it was the XC GXL. The Ford went and brought out the XC v1.5. Felt ripped off somehow.

[@markbehr88]

I think I still would have been happy with a GXL 👍

[@royferntorp]

@@markbehr88 I drove one of the later XC's. That's when I realised the 1st version had an understeer problem. Fixed for the later version. Both at the 250 but the C4 in the later model felt crisper.

[@markbehr88]

@@royferntorp Yes the update XC was definitely better. I had a pre update XC Fairmont 4.9 litre V8. Not a GXL, just a standard Fairmont with no power steer! I still liked it though. 👍

[@royferntorp]

@@markbehr88 The power steer was a god-send. The usual 300 turns lock to lock vanished. However, the power steering had a heart attack once you went beyond those ER-70's tyres. They fixed it in the XD. Funnily enough they fitted the ZG climate control.

[@speedracer412]

So apologies in advance from US you've probably been asked a million times but are these falcons same ones in mad max, are these full frame cars like the Torino? Or are these falcons closer to like a 71 mach 1 (unibody) but both have similar quarters? Love to buld a mad max car but nvr be able to ship a real one to Pittsburgh Pa. But Torino's and mustangs aee almost free

[@markbehr88]

@@speedracer412 Hi. Yes, the same models. They are unitised like a 1970 Torino or 71 Mustang. 👍

[@speedracer412]

@@markbehr88 Torinos have full frames mustangs do not so which one is it closer to front suspension is also different,

[@markbehr88]

@@speedracer412 No. the 1968 series and following 1970 series Torinos are unibodies. I own a 1970 Cyclone, 1970 Montego and a 1970 Torino. The 1972 series (I have a Squire wagon) is a full chassis car. You can google it. 👍

[@markbehr88]

As I said before, the Falcon is like the 1971-73 Mustang. 👍

[@speedracer412]

@@markbehr88 that would definitely explain the weight difference mustangs weigh only around 3100ish and "google" says the falcon 3000ish , Torinos are 3600+ all day long like the boat they are lol

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Wasnt a XB GT in name only but 4 wheel discs was improvement

[@markbehr88]

It was a powerhouse compared to what was coming in the later 1980’s though.

[@Eric-kn4yn]

@@markbehr88 i had last commodore from germany 6pot 235 kw and thats not unusual now thats more than XBGT

[@markbehr88]

@@Eric-kn4yn sure. The new cars have a lot more performance. Problem is most of them are not CARS and they are generally devoid of character. But as modes of transport 👍.

[@Eric-kn4yn]

@@markbehr88 yes australian character is disappearing not just cars on trains buses trams 👽

[@markbehr88]

@@Eric-kn4yn That is true Eric

[@mrporsche4236]

Also you forgot to mention the 250 2v engines in the xy and xa models. They had 170 hp and they were faster then the 302. My father had one

[@johngibson3837]

😊 was an engine I always wanted that 2v

[@markbehr88]

Yes I only mentioned the engine itself not the 2V.

[@perpetualgrin5804]

There was also a BS Stillwell model😅

[@markbehr88]

What features did that have?

[@perpetualgrin5804]

@@markbehr88 My father had a green hardtop, looked like a GT but had a 250 CID. We called it the ' Green Slug '.

[@markbehr88]

@@perpetualgrin5804 still pretty cool though hey.

[@mrporsche4236]

It is the last gt the newer ones are not gt,s they are taxis with modern v8 engines with zero soul. Ive owned many early ford muscle cars the xb gt was the best built best driving gt by a huge distance regardless of what is your favourite which to me is the xy gt. The xw gt ho phase 1 has the best throttle response of all the gt,s

[@markbehr88]

Far enough. I was Product Planner on the FPV GTs so have a different view.

[@lancecooper4646]

16:39..back when i actually bothered watching Bathurst🔥👅😛😈👍

[@markbehr88]

I know what you mean!

[@lancecooper4646]

@@markbehr88 this is what they need at Bathurst 🔥👅😈😛👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/j53YhZecqrpseassi=6qTmytFD4enPv0rJ

[@7071t6]

I believe the XA and XB used to get a Wynns Products bundle in the boot of each car sold in australia, basically oil treatment, coolant treatment and transmission treatment ( If auto) as well. Yep had a XB GT SED, Tropic gold with chrome bars ,so earlier model, the later ones had color coded bars etc. ✌✌👌👌👍👍🦘🦘🚓🚓🚗🚗😎😎

[@markbehr88]

Hi. I have never heard of that? Maybe more a dealer aftermarket offer? Not sure?

[@7071t6]

@@markbehr88 used to work for wynns, yes it was curtain dealers, but mostly larger ones, also the teflon coating was a option in the late 1990's. cheers 🦘🦘👍👍👌👌✌✌🚓🚓🚗🚗😎😎

[@markbehr88]

@@7071t6 makes sense. 👍