The Ford Falcon is best known in the U.S. as a stylish, economical, and affordable compact vehicle that hung around for three generations for over a decade, but in Australia, the Falcon nameplate adorned what was also one of the best-selling vehicles for a number of years there, too. Rarely do we see Aussie Ford Falcon models surface for sale in the U.S., but when they do, they typically conjure up plenty of interest, which isn’t surprising given how cool they are. Now, someone will get the chance to bring home this imported 1978 Ford Falcon XC Cobra 302.
This vintage Ford Falcon is up for auction at Bring a Trailer as number 349 of just 400 XC Cobras produced for the Australian market in total, and it’s one of 199 equipped with the 302 cubic-inch V8. The Shelby-inspired special edition model was created by Ford to celebrate Allan Moffat and Colin Bond’s 1-2 finish at the 1977 Bathurst 1000, and it also represented the final iteration of the two-door hardtop Falcon. All 400 examples were finished in Sno White paint with Bold Blue and Light Blue lower bodywork and over-the-top stripes.
This particular example is quite nice on the outside as well as inside, where it features black cloth seats with blue stripes, air conditioning, a push-button radio, and three-point seatbelts up front. Power comes from the aforementioned 302 V8, which is fitted with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor, an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, and a custom cam from Wade Camshafts, along with long-tube headers and a dual exhaust. It’s mated to a three-speed automatic transmission and limited-slip rear differential.
This rare Ford Falcon is already conjuring up plenty of interest at auction, as one might imagine, but we’ve seen this phenomenon play out with other imported Blue Oval models in recent months. That list includes a newer Falcon ‘ute, a 1989 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth, and a 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth, to name just a few.
Comments
THIS is what Ford should name a performance sedan. Mad Mad inspired Raptor Falcon is a huge opportunity
I dig it.
Looks like a big Mustang II.
Woof.
And to think I bought the Mustang II Corbra version of this. Poster child for the malise era of automobile manufacturing. You younger guys should all own a car from this period to realize how great cars are today. Boat anchor emission strangled 302, crappy handling.
We were on a Viking Cruise in Australia in Jan, 2020, yep, just before COVID. They have all kinds of neat looking vehicles made just for their market. And, many hang in there for years.
The Ford Ranchero was an awesome looking car. Yes, they still have the Ranchero,
The GM Holden was also a big seller. Remember when it was brought to the US. It did not sell very well.
It’s a Falcon ute. Was never a Ranchero. And it finished in 2016.