Ford XC Falcon

Ford Falcon (XC) Ford Fairmont (XC)
Ford Falcon 500 Sedan (XC) with GS Rally Pack
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Australia
Production	July 1976 – March 1979
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car
Body style	4-door Sedan 4-door Station Wagon 2-door Hardtop 2-door Coupé utility 2-door Panel van
Powertrain
Engine	3.3 L Inline 6 4.1 L Inline 6 4.9 L Cleveland V8 5.8 L Cleveland V8
Transmission	3spd manual 4spd manual 3spd auto
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,819 mm (111.0 in)
Length	4,866 mm (191.6 in)
Width	1,900 mm (74.8 in)
Height	1,369 mm (53.9 in)
Curb weight	1,475 kg (3,251.8 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	XB Falcon
Successor	XD Falcon

The Ford Falcon (XC) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1976 to 1979. It was the third and last iteration of the third generation of this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (XC)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

The XC series was a facelift of the XB Falcon, itself an upgrade of the XA Falcon which had entered production in 1972. Introduced in July 1976, the XC was the first model to comply with the new pollution regulations specified under Australian Design Rule 27A. The response to the 1st of July 1976, mandatory anti-pollution laws (ADR 27A), was to redevelop the Falcon six cylinder engines with a cross-flow head for greater efficiency.

Visually, the XC Falcon was given a restyle treatment. The XC had an less aggressive nose which incorporated two round headlights on Falcon models and two rectangular headlights on Fairmont models. Ford also addressed the vision problems of the XA and XB by going to great expense and redesigning the rear door windows and installing an all-new dash and installing higher front seats. It was the last model Falcon to use coke bottle styling and was replaced with the XD Falcon in 1979.

Total production of the XC range reached 171,082 vehicles prior to the replacement of the XC by the XD Falcon in March 1979.

The XC Falcon range of passenger vehicles consisted of nine models:

The Fairmont models were not badged or marketed as Falcons.

The XC Falcon range of commercial vehicles consisted of five models:

Ford Falcon 500 Sedan (XC)

Ford Fairmont Sedan (XC)

Ford Fairmont Wagon (XC) (with GS Rally Pack)

Ford Fairmont Hardtop (XC) (with optional vinyl roof)

Ford Fairmont GXL (XC) (with optional vinyl roof)

Ford Falcon Utility (XC)

Fairmont GXL

Unique to the XC model was the GXL version of the Fairmont, Available in 4.1L Straight 6, or 4.9L Cleveland V8. A upgraded engine package, the GT Power Pack, used the larger 5.8L Cleveland v8. The Fairmont GXL was replaced in the Following XD range with the Fairmont Ghia model.