An interesting little item about the Ford Falcon in Argentina.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11968544
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The later ones are a hit with the Australians, I suppose down to their ruggedness and simplicity. When the presenter said that they had a dark side, I thought she was going to mention the rear suspension design. Weren't there problems with the swing axle that could make the car go out of control at speed (and caused a few deaths in America), or am I thinking of the Ford Thunderbird?
They look a bit like a Bristol 412 to me.
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>> that could make the car go out of control at speed (and caused a few
>> deaths in America), or am I thinking of the Ford Thunderbird?
Wasn't that the Chevrolet Corvair which became Ralph Nader's crusade of the time?
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>> Wasn't that the Chevrolet Corvair which became Ralph Nader's crusade of the time?
Of course you're right GB, I remember watching a pretty sobering programme about American car safety and the Corvair figured largely.
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Cos of the US safety changes they ended up with those 5?mph damage free bumpers which found their way here on big bumper Volvo/Saab models and the like if i recall correctly.
They may have looked a bit of a lump but with a bit of disguising for newer models they were the answer to a lot of minor accident damage.
Looking at some modern cars the slightest tap would end up costing hundreds...i'm sure i've read that something like a 10mph shunt at the front of the new Nissan Skyline will result in over £10K's worth of damage as pedestrian safety features will be triggered.
Watching that Falcon video makes one envious of the benefits of a warm climate and affordable petrol.
edit..'I would love to import one'..trouble is in our climate you'd be forever waxoyling it and probably fighting a losing battle, lots of similar vehicles i'd love to have in my imaginary fleet.
Last edited by: gordonbennet on Sun 12 Dec 10 at 15:36
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...Watching that Falcon video makes one envious of the benefits of a warm climate and affordable petrol...
And real, down-to-earth women.
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>> ...Watching that Falcon video makes one envious of the benefits of a warm climate and
>> affordable petrol...
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>> And real, down-to-earth women.
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Alas, a rarity now.
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>> Alas, a rarity now.
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Import, recommended, mine was already here so no SVA test or rustproofing..;)
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M.o.t. each year then GB:))
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As you well know Mart it's regular serv... tlc that makes the difference and keeps them running sweetly..:-)
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Is there a Sister available.....::))))
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>> The later ones are a hit with the Australians,
It was the Aussie connection that raised my interest. The early ones (same as the 60's ones on this clip) were also a huge hit out there. The Aussies like them big, powerful, simple and rugged. The falcon fitted the bill perfectly and they have gone on to produce locally built locally designed Falcons.
I would love to import one.
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>>I would love to import one.
This company has done it for you...
www.coleman-milne.co.uk/new-cars/ford-fairlane-dorchester/
Although described as a Fairlane it is from the same family of cars, if wikipedia is to be believed.
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Friends in Australia lent me a Falcon, (their 3rd car), when I was last there. Straight 6, 4 litre engine, and a 3 or 4 speed auto box, (I just put it in "D"). Ideal for the driving conditions, good job petrol is half the cost of UK fuel.
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Ideal for the driving conditions, good job petrol is half the
>> cost of UK fuel.
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They haven't suffered global warming, the stuff you've been experiencing it this last week..;)
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>> They haven't suffered global warming, the stuff you've been experiencing it this last week..;)
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Its hot enough there to need a fitted carpet on the top of the dashboard to stop it cracking, fortunately even though they have bush fires and droughts, they keep their politicians on a short lead and they would not get away with a fraction of the global warming things (or anyting else) our lot do.
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>> Its hot enough there to need a fitted carpet on the top of the dashboard
>> to stop it cracking, fortunately even though they have bush fires and droughts, they keep
>> their politicians on a short lead and they would not get away with a fraction
>> of the global warming things (or anyting else) our lot do.
At the moment its wet enough there to need an Ark, really severe floods in the Eastern States.
Its washed away the first decent crops they had managed to grow after 6 years severe drought.
You want wild changing weather? Try theirs, it makes ours seem steady. The place is either burning or drowning.
One of my family had a car written off by hailstones and the roof of the house collapsed under the weight of tons of ice balls. That was in Western Australia. - The hot side.
Last edited by: Zero on Sun 12 Dec 10 at 21:23
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>> One of my family had a car written off by hailstones and the roof of
>> the house collapsed under the weight of tons of ice balls. That was in Western
>> Australia. - The hot side.
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I arrived in Sydney for a visit just after a major hail storm, smashed roofs, and cars, from hailstones like cricket balls, localised to a small area but intense. When I lived in Sydney I saw a mini whirlwind start in the harbour and run across Hunters bay and into the suburb of Mosman, It left small boats on rooftops, and ripped a few roofs off. They certainly have extremes of weather, I visit the Perth area these days, the main problem there is wild fires.
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>> www.coleman-milne.co.uk/new-cars/ford-fairlane-dorchester/
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>> Although described as a Fairlane it is from the same family of cars, if wikipedia
>> is to be believed.
I don't think zero wants a hearse AW, although he may take pleasure in transporting some members of this forum to their final resting place.
:)
Last edited by: corax on Sun 12 Dec 10 at 19:43
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I'm a fan of the Ford Falcon. I've got a T shirt depicting the ex Alan Mann racer ("Too Much Just Ain't Enough"). Saw it at Donington Park a few years back. Those Argentine ones do not appear to be the V8 and have different, ugly, headlights to the US spec. So a disappointment....
Last edited by: Glaikit Wee Scunner Snr. {P} on Mon 13 Dec 10 at 19:41
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Dad bought a Ford Fairmont Estate in the early 1970's - Aussie built but closely related. As I recall, Godfrey Davis (main Ford dealer in London) were selling a few of them as a side-line. It had a 6-cylinder engine - all torque and no revs - going to a 3-speed auto box, was a lovely shade of metallic purple with tan plastic seats - totally 1970s! It was so well built that the bumpers - big chrome affairs - were the jacking points!
But it drank like an Aussie on 4x and had to go with the fuel crisis of 1973 - to be replaced by a 425cc Citroen Dyane. The very definition of chalk and cheese!
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Ford Falcon - corax
