Two events coincided to change the Falcon’s fortunes forever.
Firstly, Ford daringly proved the XP’s durability by staging a punishing 70,000-mile (112,000km) non-stop endurance trial in nine days where the cars successfully averaged 70mph (112km/h) – all with a mesmerised Australia watching.
And secondly Holden released its ’65 HD turkey and buyers turned away in droves.
The last of the XK-based cars, the XP’s squarer nose, new “luxury” Fairmont model (replacing the Futura and Squire from September ’65 it pioneered front disc brakes on an Aussie car), improved packaging (more legroom and boot space), better steering feel and ride, beefed-up body, upgraded auto (now a three-speed unit), and Wheels Car of the Year guernsey turned sales around.
Engines carried over.
Significantly, Ford Australia imported a handful of the new US Falcon-based Mustang models as an image booster. In the end, 70,998 XPs were produced.
