Ford XB Falcon Hardtop

Ford Falcon (XB) Ford Futura (XB) Ford Fairmont (XB)
Ford Falcon 500 (XB) sedan with GS Rally Pack
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Australia
Production	September 1973 – July 1976
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car
Body style	4 door sedan 5 door station wagon 2 door hardtop 2 door coupe utility 2 door panel van
Powertrain
Engine	200ci 6-cyl (3.3L) 250ci 6-cyl (4.1L) 302ci V8 (4.9L) 351ci V8 (5.8L)
Transmission	3spd manual (column) 4spd manual (floor) 3spd auto (column & floor)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,819 mm (111.0 in)
Length	4,808 mm (189.3 in)
Width	1,900 mm (74.8 in)
Height	1,369 mm (53.9 in)
Curb weight	1,394 kg (3,073.2 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Falcon (XA)
Successor	Ford Falcon (XC)

The Ford Falcon (XB) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1973 to 1976. It was the second iteration of the third generation of this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (XB), the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

The XB series bore minor cosmetic differences to the preceding model, the XA, aimed at giving the car a more muscular stance. First time equipment offerings included standard front disc brakes on all models and an available carpeted interior.

The XB Falcon range included the following models:

A Grand Sport Rally Pack option, which included bonnet scoops, striping, GS insignia and "GT" instrumentation, was available on Falcon 500, Futura and Fairmont models.

Falcon 500 (XB) sedan

Falcon 500 (XB) Utility with GS Rally Pack

Falcon 500 (XB) Van with GS Rally Pack

Fairmont (XB) sedan with GS Rally Pack

Fairmont (XB) Hardtop with GS Rally Pack

Fairmont (XB) wagon with GS Rally Pack

Ford Falcon GT (XB) sedan

Falcon GT (XB) Hardtop

In July 1974, a special Falcon Sovereign Edition was released to celebrate Ford Australia's 50th anniversary. It was based on a Falcon 500 fitted, as standard, with a vinyl roof, Fairmont wheel covers, carpet, 11 transistor radio and three thin body stripes. No records were kept on these cars so exact specifications and build quantities are unknown. Production of the Sovereign is believed to have ended in July 1975.

Among the limited edition variants of the XB was the John Goss Special, released in 1975 and named for the race driver who took a Falcon to victory in the 1974 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 Touring Car race at Bathurst. These specials were based on the Falcon 500 Hardtop, with decals and other bolt on options, such as the GT Bonnet. They were available in White with a choice of two accent colors: Emerald Fire and Apollo Blue.

Max McLeod owned a Ford dealership in Rockdale, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, and sponsored John Goss entered Falcons in the South Pacific Touring Series, ATCC and multiple Bathurst 1000 races. In addition to further modifications to Fords own John Goss Special, McLeod offered the "horn" pack to various Falcon models. These cars are known for their stand-out "strobe" stripes that were applied to the cars, these stripes were the same as used in the McLeod sponsored John Goss racing cars.