Alternative AU concepts

[jpblue1000]

Originally Posted by Dauphin

Hopefully it will be offered to an author one day when production ends who can write a definitive book about the Australian Ford Falcon from start to end. They will sell thousands of copies I am sure.

Problem is they need to sell tens of thousands to make it worthwhile writing a book!
HAHAHaaa ...yeah

[Dauphin]

I've self-published five books about Australian cars which have sold in small numbers, it's a very worthwhile experience. You just have to have a passion and make the time to do it.

Here we go... I found the alternative design direction pic for the AU series, kind of. There was always the threat it would replace the Falcon.

[Paull]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

What will happen to all documents, drawings, concept designs, clay models etc when Ford ceases local production? This history should be saved and not turfed into a bin.

I visited the Ford archives back in 2007. At that time, they had truck loads of boxes in a holding area. Adrian Ryan told me that they were EL design documents and as 7 Years had passed, they were in preparation for throwing out. He said Ford would only hold that stuff (hard copies), for 7 years. You would think however, that they would keep everything in soft copy.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by Dauphin

I've self-published five books about Australian cars which have sold in small numbers, it's a very worthwhile experience. You just have to have a passion and make the time to do it.

Here we go... I found the alternative design direction pic for the AU series, kind of. There was always the threat it would replace the Falcon.

image

I'm also assuming Ford had a global thing going on with the grill at the time?? very noticeable with the EL Falcon, 96-00 Taurus and HC, HD and HE Mondeo

[Sprint XR8]

The first AU clay, May 94




August 94 AU clay with an alternative styling proposal.


The US styling proposal for AU Falcon.

[XR Martin]

Uncanny

[naddis01]

It looks like they picked the least ugly concept and that is saying something.

Ahead of its time? Ha. It's time still hasn't come because it is still ugly. The only decent looking AU is a T3.

[MethodX]

I worked at the market research clinic for the AU, the reception wasn't good.
But they made it anyway...

[Adamz Ghia]

I still think with a few proportional changes to overhangs, windscreen rake wheel sizes ect the basic AU design could be built today and be better received than it was in 1998. It's a fantastic shape and has aged really well. A series 1 XR8 pulled into work the other day, had the full body kit and sunroof. I couldn't help but stare at it, the bloke who owned it from new had it looking like it just rolled off the production line, looked amazing. No mods or anything, he just looked after it really well.

[fgpsi]

Put an au next to a vt and the au looks far more current

Was ahead of its time

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by CoupeXB

The first AU clay, May 94

Wow, in 1994, Ford Australia basically designed a car with German styling 20 years ahead of its time. Did Ford AU invent a time machine ?

[Falcon SXR8]

Wow thank goodness we got the au we did

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Wow, in 1994, Ford Australia basically designed a car with German styling 20 years ahead of its time. Did Ford AU invent a time machine ?

All more the proof of how far ahead the AU design really was.

[rocketscientist]

I'll never forget the first image of an AU that I ever saw. In yet another chapter of the long sorry saga of Ford PR's ineptitude they decided to unveil it in 'The Ages' weekend car guide with a povo pack just coming off the production line surrounded by staff with dumbfounded looks of pride on their faces.

It did not bode well for the future. To my mind it was the beginning of the death spiral of public perception that barring the blip of the BA's relative success, Ford continues to struggle to recover from.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by wildrider

I'm also assuming Ford had a global thing going on with the grill at the time?? very noticeable with the EL Falcon, 96-00 Taurus and HC, HD and HE Mondeo

That would be 'The Changing Face of Ford'

The slogan used during the EL years to justify giving it that ******* ugly hole in its face to bring it inline with Festiva, Mondeo and Taurus styling of the time.

[Davehoos]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...SSS_ATTESA.jpg

AU picture just looks like a left over from the pintara U13 update with benz association that ford has followed in oz.

holden looks like BMW-ford looks like menz--something to get excited about.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

That would be 'The Changing Face of Ford'

The slogan used during the EL years to justify giving it that ******* ugly hole in its face to bring it inline with Festiva, Mondeo and Taurus styling of the time.

Does anyone remember the Ford ad on the radio:

"New Ford Car.... it's a visual thing" and AU pronounced as Ohhhhhh from the Mambo Number 5 song

[Davehoos]

I liked the adds. Best thing about that period.

The pop up add on my yahoo this morning is --Ford go further- That's what service should be.
Free loan car- SYNCtm upgrades-Caped service for life-free auto club.

Could insert allsorts of comments here.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Does anyone remember the Ford ad on the radio:

"New Ford Car.... it's a visual thing" and AU pronounced as Ohhhhhh from the Mambo Number 5 song

I do. the played that Ohhh part at the end of the ads

[Spammy]

A mate of mine owned a Ford dealership, around the time of the Au launch he had another dealer calling him every month trying to buy the dealership. Initially he didn't want to sell but then he went to the dealer pre launch party for the Au, he sold the dealership the next day.

[Adamz Ghia]

Didn't have the heart to wake 'em

Not the Falcon, but has the end part of the ad you're talking about...

http://youtu.be/LF8eMc88A_E

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

Didn't have the heart to wake 'em

Not the Falcon, but has the end part of the ad you're talking about...

http://youtu.be/LF8eMc88A_E

Yep thats the one. So according to Fords marketing dept, the correct way to pronounce AU is Ohhhhhhh!

[Adamz Ghia]

I'm pretty sure they used that bit for all their ads, I vaguely remember the Lazer ads had it at the end too... One of the ads had the actual Mambo No. 5 song playing...