Ford Falcon XA-XC hardtop - buyer's guide

By: Cliff Chambers

Date: 07.10.2022

It was the second and last Falcon Coupe and gave Ford its memorable one-two Bathurst finish

The XA Falcon launched in February 1972 was very different in shape and character from the conservative XW-XY series it replaced. Six months later came a Hardtop version, with swooping roof and bulbous flanks that borrowed design influences from the US-made Ford Torino.

XA Hardtops were initially available in three versions; 500, Fairmont and GT and at prices that began at an enticing $3450. During the body shape’s lifespan there were limited-edition variants too: the Superbird, John Goss Special and Cobra.

Fairmont two-doors became common sights in 1970s corporate carparks, avoiding the ‘boy racer’ stigma and insurance premiums that attached to GTs but with similar performance. Packing a 351 engine, a Fairmont with air-conditioning, power windows, vinyl top and maybe sunroof cost more than a GT and delivered status by the truck load.

Two-door Falcons were similar in length to the four-door XA but headroom was crimped by 30mm and rear passenger legroom by a massive 122mm. The doors were longer, the glass, rear sheet-metal, turret and body embellishments were all different.

| 2021 Market Review: Ford Falcon/Fairmont XA-XC

Ford’s XA-based race weapon for 1972 should have been the GT-HO in Phase IV spec, but that plan was scuppered by political interference. Its demise left the XA two-door with the task of battling Holden’s compact Torana XU-1 then the V8 L34 for the greatest prizes in Australian motor sport and it didn’t let the brand or fans down.

The Hardtop’s record included three Bathurst 1000 victories, including the famed 1-2 in 1977, plus other successes in the hands of stalwarts including Allan Moffat, John Goss and Murray Carter.

Reliable sources suggest that XA Hardtop production including GTs was 8689 units, narrowly surpassed by the XB with its 9731. With the two-door programme winding down, XC production reached a skimpy 1048, including the 400 allocated to Cobra production.

The mildly restyled XB model was the first mainstream Australian car available with body-coloured bumpers, plus improvements like cabin carpet for the base model and a column-mounted headlight dipper/flasher across the range. It also matched Holden’s offer of full synchromesh on the basic three-speed manual transmission.

| Read next: Ford Falcon XA GT hardtop

By 1976 when Ford announced the slightly altered XC model, time was almost up for the two-door version. GT production had ended with the XB and sales of other Hardtop versions were slow. Magazine articles showed coupe bodies ‘out to grass’ behind the Ford factory and if you got a two-door that began to rot within months, this would be the reason.

Today, no 1970s Ford Hardtop is cheap, so you might as well go for gold in the shape of a 351 Fairmont. Most are automatic but a scarce four-speed manual will be the better investment. Fuel consumption with either transmission will be pretty awful, but if you can afford upwards of $100K for the car, is 18L/100km really going to matter?

| Read next: Ford Falcon XB GT hardtop

Value range: Ford XA-XC hardtop (Fairmont 351)

Fair: $40,000
Good: $95,000
Excellent: $135,000
(Note: exceptional cars will demand more)

BUYER'S CHECKLIST

Body & chassis

Low survival rates, especially among the basic models, confirm that XA-XC Hardtops succumbed quickly to rust. Some repair sections are available but the cost of replacing big slabs of rusted metal and repainting might still be uneconomic. Cars restored 20+ years ago can be rusting again, so look at rear quarter panels for bubbling and do the same to the rear pillars and roof. Also check wheel arches and inner mudguards, the panel between the rear window and boot-lid, door bottoms, sills and front mudguard attachment points. Hardtop doors were shared with vans and utilities, so bear that in mind when trawling wrecking yards or the classifieds. Being long and heavy they stress their hinges and can be hard to close, however repair kits are available.

Engine & transmission

Ford motors remain easy to rebuild, with all parts available and the option of fitting an exchange unit. Cylinder heads and timing covers leak, however main bearing seal failure is more serious and costly to fix. Altered manifolds and bigger carburettors are commonplace on V8s but don’t go for a massive four-barrel unless you’ve got a big fuel budget. Be wary of four-speed manuals that make crunching noises when downshifting or an automatic that takes more than a couple of seconds to select reverse. Reconditioned autos are available from around $2500.

Suspension & brakes

With Falcons of this age, creaks and groans from soft springs and tired ball joints are hard to avoid but not expensive to rectify. Basic parts needed for a complete front-end rebuild should cost less than $1500. Rear springs can crack and in extreme cases the axle housing is bent. If the rear tyres are edge-worn be suspicious. A soft brake pedal, pulsing through the pedal, dirty or leaking fluid are all signs that a brake overhaul is due. Parts including uprated disc rotors are easily found. If the car has been fitted with larger than standard wheels, ensure the tyres aren’t being damaged by contact with steering components or the rear bodywork.

Interior & electrical

Worn cloth or vinyl seat trim, carpets and headlining can be replaced at reasonable cost but be tough when negotiating on a car that has a seriously cracked dash. New lenses and surrounds are being reproduced and some switchgear is also available. When test-driving, ensure that the dash warning lights illuminate with the ignition and go out once the car is moving. Basic headlights are awful so budget for a halogen upgrade. Power windows that are slow to move, noisy or shudder will be fiddly to fix so negotiate a price discount. Ford starter motors are noisy by nature, however units that jam or clatter loudly when engaged will need replacement.

1972 - 1978 Ford Falcon XA-XC hardtop

NUMBER BUILT: 19,468 (including GTs)
BODY STYLE: All-steel integrated body/chassis two-door hardtop
ENGINES: 3278cc & 4089cc in-line six-cylinder, 4942cc & 5766cc V8 with overhead valves and single downdraft carburettor
POWER & TORQUE: 179kW @ 5000rpm, 412Nm @ 2600rpm (5.0lt V8)
PERFORMANCE: 0-96km/h – 9.7 sec, 0-400 metres – 17.2 sec 5.0lt V8 auto
TRANSMISSION: Three or four-speed manual, three-speed automatic
SUSPENSION: Independent with coil springs, shock absorbers & anti-roll bar (f) Live axle with semi-elliptic springs and shock absorbers (r)
BRAKES: Drum or disc (f) drum or disc (r) power assisted
TYRES: 6.95x14 cross ply or ER70H14 radial

From Unique Cars #469, Aug/Sep 2022

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