FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

As no one has mentioned the latest (sad? ;D) news from the dark side of the dark side (ie. US parent company, Fomoco, has flagged the imminent death of the Aussie Falcon), I hereby take this opportunity to claim victory for the mighty Holden in the 50 year battle for the hearts and minds of the car buying public of Australia.
We always knew we were on a winner, didn't we?

Totally off topic, but I thought I recognised the latin quote in your profile "Fortius Quo Fidelius" or Strength Through Loyalty, which is of course the motto of the mighty Saints.  Can I deduce then Rabbitoh that you are a fan of the Red, White & Black?

Well, not being a staunch loyalist, I am saddened that you will lose a more or less home brand to international forces (and yes I have had a falcon). I know it is not 100% Oz as such, but a rear wheel drive family car with a decent motor is a bit of a thing of the past. Despite that, there is nothing wrong with such a beast and worst of all, how many will lose their jobs as more and more stuff is outsourced?

RIP Falcon, hopefully not RIP Ford Australia jobs....

ownfc59 - As a Fawlty Towers episode went;   "Don't mention the war"

It's too early yet, Rabbitoh is still getting over September & you must approach these matters gently until the pain wears down a bit  :'(

Ken

Sad :( :( think what the last 50 odd years would have been like with out the Holden verses Ford rivalry that has gone on at every Bathurst  1000 ,Drag strip, Car show lounge room ETC ETC ETC  RIP  ......FC427......

Let me just say right up front: I dislike Falcons :-\
My grandfather never had one, my father never had one, I will never have one and if my son knows what's good for him, he will never have one ;D

But I can't help thinking that this may be the death of the Aussie built big6/V8 sedan altogether.

Sure Holden has some export contracts which have helped a bit, but the trend is away from large cars in Australia and towards fuel efficient hybrids.
My family car is a VZ Commodore but how many other forum users have Commodores, or Falcons for that matter?

Probably the minority I would think
Food for thought.
Ken

I too think that this will sound the death of the large Australian car. I was brainwashed at an early age, all my family had Fords, in later years I bought what I saw was value for money at the time and what was on offer. I currently have a Falcon in the garage, but prior to that it was a VS Commodore

I certainly hope that if Ford pull the plug on the locally made large car, then Holden doesn't. Previously when Ford Australia dropped the V8 in 1982, Holden capitalised on this, Ford later realised their mistake and reintroduced the V8. I hope that this is history repeating itself, and Holden will be able to capitalise on another mistake made by Ford

Keith

Upon reading either of the current Motor of Wheels magazines (I can't remember which one) they were hinting at new drivetrains for the Falcon in the next couple of years - a V6 and a 5.0 V8. To me it doesn't sound correct that the Falcon is going to disappear anytime soon - Holden would be handed the market on a silver platter, while Ford focused on, well, Focuses, and Fiestas.

But anything is possible, I guess... They did delete their V8 option in the 80's, and they got rid of their long wheelbase options recently, and at this point, don't have a current FG Falcon Wagon to replace the old BA/BF.

Any me - well, my daily is a Nissan Pulsar, when I'm not riding bikes. A whole bundle of fun  ::). Still, the Pulsar, as bland as it is, gets around 800 kilometres to a tank of fuel. I'm happy with that - if I feel the need for speed, I get out the old dinosaur FC.

Cheers,

Ol_Girl_58

I'm with Ken on this one, I don't like Falcons.  They're too small.  :P  I'm onto my third Fairlane, a very nice G220.   :)  The only suitable replacement for a string of Valiants.        :o

However much they may be the dark side, we need them to keep value added employment in Australia and to cause GMH/HMC to keep on making Commodores and their derivatives.  Austrailia has been a leading light in medium (now large) front engine/rear wheel drive cars, both GMH/HMC and FoMoCo making world leaders in each segment that they have chosen to contest.

I doubt that the Falcon is dead.  You may not see any more V8 Fords, FPV will take that business over.  A 4 cylinder Falcon may be an unusual car, in the same way that 4 cylinder Commodores were unusual.   ???

I reckon that the Falcon will survive and if FoMoCo have their heads screwed on properly, they'll try to chase the US market in the same way that GMH/HMC are doing.  FoMoCo should bang their corporate heads together, quite hard, for not seeing the possible market for a FG Fairlane as a pursuit vehicle replacement for their aged Crown Victoria.  An FPV Galaxie 500 version would have been a hoot too.


Brett

true, me, my dad and my grandad never had falcons, grandad had a fairmont and fairlane, i have a LTD, falcons are poverty cars, and we dont have a commodore, unless you include the unregistered VK berlina down the side of the house, we have a vp calais becuase commodores are for poorpers.

falcons and commodores are not only the best in price range but the easiest and most affordable to obtain parts for when the car is no longer brand new.

Yes ownfc59, "died in the wool" is the term, I believe. I was five in '66 when we last (first?) won the GF.
As Ken mentioned, we are all still a bit shell shocked :(
The only sad bit about the loss of Henry's big rwd Aussie sedan I agree, are the jobs that will probably go from Broadmeadows/Geelong.
On second thought, Geelong deserves no sympathy from me ;) ;)
Go Saints in 2010.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/12/2790540.htm

It's all about the profits, why produce 2 things at a reasonable profit when you can produce just the one and "make a killing"  ::)
As I have read and heard in many places, the car industry wen't south when the bean-counters started making the design decisions.

Not sure about the large cars dying altogether though, us Aussies (and Yanks) are apparently getting bigger (I know I am  ::) ), interesting to hear someone in the media asking the question "why do fuel efficient cars have to be small and uncomfortable?".

By all accounts, if the Falcon gets replaced, it will be by the Taurus.
(http://www.carbuyersnotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2010taurus_live_opt.jpg)
(http://img2.netcarshow.com/Ford-Taurus_2010_800x600_wallpaper_07.jpg)
Much more Aurion like, but I bet it will sell well, and it might mean that Ford gets serious with bringing in the latest Mustangs to satisfy the V8 brigade.
I hope Ford Australia can win over the boffins in the US and talk them into a rear whell drive V8 for the masses. I would hate to see such ventures as the V8 supercars fall down along with the Falcons.
Oh, and I am not so one eyed to say I wouldn't own 1. Hell, there has been a Ford in my garage in the past, and I have no problem with there being 1 parked there in the future. It just has to learn to share the space with my FC. ;)
Regards
Alex

Paul in Ireland said:


Well the Commodore isn't 100% Oz either, Paul. 

The deal GM made with the Chifley government was that the new Holden had to be mostly Australian - and the 48-215 was - over 90% local content.  Over the years the local content fell off, bit by bit (the interior door handles (among other stuff) on your FE/FC are straight-up Chev).

I believe the VE Commodore is manufactured from over 60% imported components. (And something like 5 of GM-H's current line-up of 8 sedans (2 & 4-w-d) are Korean.)

At least GM is prepared to share its models around the world, e.g. Pontiac G8,  Vauxhall Monaro, etc, as well as develop its own export markets which F#&d failed to do.

Maybe it's us - are we the last of the dying race that yearns for gutsy rear-wheel drives?  Unless you want to pay for a Beamer or M-B, then in a few years the mid/large car may well be f-w-d like the Taurus and the Aurion.

Martin

Let me be clearer - My family have never had Fords - not Fairlanes, Escorts, LTD's, Cortinas or A models.
I can't switch between the 2 - I love Holdens therefore I don't drive Fords - It's like supporting St Kilda but having a soft spot for Collingwood - it can't be done :-X

Commodores are great cars - I appreciate the work that Australians do and I would never buy a new imported car because I care about our own manufacturing abilities - they need our support.

Ken

it is likely that the falcon will be replaced by something similar to the ford taurus, but in the 90's they imported the taurus and sold like maybe 7 of them, i think ford will realise there mistake, and to the australian public, or at least people my ages (teenagers/young adults) nothing could replace a big 6 or V8. especially not 4cylinder front wheel drives
Leigh

Ford, what can i say but  :P :P :P :P :P, go the mighty Holden ;D ;D
                        Pedro

Without Ford there to keep Holden honest you might be eating your words  :P

With no direct comment being made toward any of the previous statements I must say that although almost every car I have owned has been Holden "badged",I am not so one eyed as to not appreciate all kinds of nice cars.My Grandpa had an FC as well as other Holdens,My Dad had a FX,FJ,FC,HD,HQ but then also had a Chrysler Royal (Don't cringe,I was quite a reasonable looking car) and a couple Toyota utes (cringeworthy but tough vehicles) and is now back on the Holden scene.My Mum started buying the family cars after the HQ and bought a Chrysler Centura (cringe away!),very powerful and fast car but a piece of shit at the same time (kept falling to bits).After that had an XE then EB falcon which had several major problems.Went back to a VY and now a VZ SV6 which she loves to bits and it really cranks.My brother has a stunning XW Futura which he recently rebuilt and has owned for almost 30 years and I would be very proud to have in my garage sitting next to my Commodores,FJ and FC.I know,alot of useless information there but when I first started typing I was just going to comment on how the loss of the Falcon might affect jobs and the touring cars but have just realised how it would affect the history of Australian motoring.... ???

I agree, It'll be a bad thing.
Maybe V8 Supercars will eventually become known as the "in line 4 cylinder hybrid super plastic people movers"
I'm sure we haven't heard the last of the Ford V8 in Oz. Remember when they stopped making V8 Falcons in the 80's, it didn't last too long.

here's the last Ford that I bought ;D

(http://i48.tinypic.com/2q1xumt.jpg)

found in Cowra, completely rust free, now residing somewhere in the UK (long story)...

Interesting that if you import a classic car into the UK, they will try to issue you with the appropriate 'age' rego plates, if an appropriate number is available, at no charge...hence the period plates. Shown here touring Scotland in early 90's..

Jonno

My first car was a 54 VW - what a gutless wonder - followed by a 61 Morris Major which I couldn't keep exhaust valves from burning out.  Then in the early 60's I saw the light and purchased a 58 FC with 20,000 miles on the clock.  This was a delightful car.  Then in 66 I sold it to purchase a very low mileage HD 179 followed be a VB Bommydore then a VH then a VT Berlina which we still have.  The next car will be another Commodore.  I am Holden through and through and would never consider a F#&d product.

Keith

What are they going to use for Taxis  ???

Some of you need to open up your other eye , the FORD F6 Typhoon has to be one of the best cars ever made in this country. Even just a base XR6 Turbo is a great car.

Don't forget Holden made some of the worst this market has ever seen. Remember the VN? The Ecotec engine debacle? The Camira? Both sides have made some average vehicles (surely the EA Falcon is hands down the worst ever Aussie built mass production car?)

Realistically how can a country with a population of only 22 million people support two local car manufacturers anyway? With no government protection thanks to the Button car plan of 20 years ago their failure has been and remains inevitable.

I'll be sad to see the jobs go more than the car. As for the V8 Stupidcars, they can stop that marketing event now thanks.

all i can say is ,
if holden has to race a taurus ?
i am pertitioning for nc touring cars to be the main race at bathurst ;D

True i suppose we also need the crap cars so we can appreciate ours more  ;), to be honest though i have owned a couple of fords, one XR that the starter motor kept dropping out of and a tank fairlane station wagon that i really did like, to me it's like footy etc. even though you may have a grudging respect for the other team you can't show it and you have to take the micky out on the opposition at every opportunity(all in fun though), I know this doesn't belong here but it seems appropriate at the moment

If a race was held between a "really" good ford, a Holden and santas sleigh,
which one would win.



The Holden of course because the other two don't exist :P :P ;D ;D
                       Pedro

I bought my FG G6E Turbo in august 08 because i heard from a good source that the FG was going to be the last of the straight sixes.But due to the Global economy crisis the funds for  developing a vehicle to house the American V6 were canned.

As i have said before i am a old HOLDEN MAN  i just don't like Commodores.

I have owned a lot of holdens up to HZ.

I have owned a lot of fords from XY to current.

Project FE Panelvan to start soon.

Cheers Neil

Actually I recently read somewhere that the reason the Falcon is being dropped is due to a merger between Ford and Renault.They are due to release a car based on several features of both the Renault Clio and the Ford Taurus.They are expecting the new design to be named the Clitaurus... ;D ;D ;D ;D..........

That'll be no good!

I'll never find where I've parked it!!  ;D ;)

Apparently it will come with factory fur on both front & rear bumpers, but models produced in the Brazil factory will have this option deleted.

Hehehehe  :D :D :D

From Today's Sydney Morning Herald:

'Falcon is dead', Ford insider tells US mag ($2)

Would it be going to far to suggest the "Clitaurus" will have a distinct smell of FISH oil. ??? ::)

While I for one am sorry to see the demise of the Falcon, to have it replaced with the Musang is hardly surprising. I am surprised that this did not happen long ago, as when the Mustang was developed, it was developed from Falcon components.

It seems like Ford wasted an opportunity may years ago, when it was realised how successful the Mustang would be, not to manufacture it here in Australia. Certainly in my opinion, it was a long time between drinks when Ford made a decent product, some might say that they still haven't. I don't want to see Australia get the crap shoved down our throats that no one else in the world wants.

I think that Holden is certainly looking like they are in the box seat.

Keith