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#1 | ||
Ford screwed the Falcon
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 7,026
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Never a fan. And the AU was one of the worst examples where they used the European Ford edge styling on the American Ford blob styling.
Exhibit A - Ka
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Falcon: 1960 - 2016 My cars Current ride 2016 FG X XR6 - 6 speed manual Previous rides 2009 FG XR6 - 6 speed auto 2006 BF MkII XT ESP - 6 speed auto 2003 BA XT V8 - 5 speed manual 1999 AU Forte - 5 speed manual 1997 EL Fairmont - 4 speed auto 1990 EAII Fairmont Ghia - 4 speed auto |
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#3 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Canberra Region
Posts: 8,920
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AU styling was ahead of its time, and had to be cheapened/dumbed down for a fleet/family sedan.
The AU drawings looked like what Mercedes made into the CLS and what Hyundai made into the Ionic 6.
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2016 FGX XR8 Sprint, 6speed manual, Kinetic Blue #170 2004 BA wagon RTV project. 1998 EL XR8, Auto, Hot Chilli Red 1993 ED XR6, 5speed, Polynesian Green. 1 of 329. Retired 1968 XT Falcon 500 wagon, 3 on the tree, 3.6L. Patina project. |
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#4 | ||
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,688
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It must have been that far ahead of it's time that it's time still hasn't come because they are still ugly.
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#5 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,126
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Quote:
Just look at modern Jap and Korean models to get an idea. The design is all over the show. AU, the first Focus, 3rd Gen Mondeo have aged far better than their competitors, more so the higher models ST170, ST220, Fairmont Ghia. |
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#6 | |||
Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 48,997
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Quote:
The absolutely ancient engine they chose for the Ford KA is hilarious too, We were all living in 1998 and Ford Australia was living in 2998, or taking a healthy dose of shrooms. Last edited by Franco Cozzo; 11-07-2024 at 11:07 PM. |
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#7 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 371
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It was only the media and ford marketing that crusified the AU. By far the best falcon produced , and have owned and still own every falcon fron XC to BF. Beauty is in tne eyes of the beholder.
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#8 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,267
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Quote:
At the time, the biggest outcry was more about the waterfall grille on the Forté but when that was replaced by the egg crate fill panel, it seemed like all the complaining stopped. I didn’t have any problem with the XR front, it looked great an once the lower series grille was calmed down, they too were fine. Anyway, Fairmont Ghia was good enough to see off Taurus Ghia, whic never stood a chance Truth to tell Taurus proabaly gave buyers perspective, the AU look much better on the eye, Ford US probably looked to Falcon style as seeing how to correct the football Taurus. |
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#9 | |||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,132
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Quote:
The 1st Gen Focus was a knockout success, most of that from the fresh, modern styling. That is drove so well was merely a side benefit for most buyers. ![]() ![]() The KA! was never intended for this market, but it sold incredably well for Ford across Europe. The Puma coupe that morphed from the KA! was also highly desirable. ![]() ![]() The second generation Mondeo looked fantastic, not quite as overt as the Focus and KA!, but the sharp angles and handsome presentation was well received. The Cougar coupe was not popular but was also well resolved stylistically. ![]() ![]() The AU Falcon was a massive case of mixed messaging. Ford Australia were under immense pressure at the time because Ford head office wanted Ford Aus to simply roll over and start making the Taurus instead of a unique Australia-only model. In the end, Ford Aus had to play along to get their way by adopting a New Edge styling, which Ford Aus then for whatever reason blended with the blobby Taurus-like American styling cues. I personally think New Edge in its truest form (think Focus and KA!) was never going to work on the Falcon, it was simply too big to carry off the sharp lines intersected with curves. Actually, if you look at the second-gen Mondeo, you will see that they largely ignored the second part of that, as in they used straight lines rather than carrying the curved lines of the lights and bumpers into the actual body panels. It's kind of what Ford did to create the BA, straightening out the tapering curvature to create a more formal look. ![]() ![]() The reality is, and many might not realise this, but the Australian car buyer is hugely conservative when it comes to styling.
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#10 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,126
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Quote:
Looks especially good in ST form. 170kw V6 and 6spd manual. ![]() |
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#11 | |||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,132
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Quote:
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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