Ford Falcon GL (XE). 1982–4 (prod. 191,209 all types). 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon, 2-door pick-up. F/R, 3273, 4098 cm³ (I6 OHV), 4942, 5766 cm³ (V8 OHV). Revised Falcon launched March 1982 with more European-style grille. Ford finally passed Holden on the sales’ charts thanks to the Falcon. Leaf springs gone in favour of four-link suspension on sedans. Five-speed gearbox introduced on 3·3 six; auto sixes have column or floor-shift options; 4·9 V8 auto only; 5·8 on sedan only; throughout XE run, three-speed manual 3·3 still available as base model. V8, however, deleted for 1983—a mistake that cost Ford dearly with traditional buyers defecting to Holden. Injected 4·1 six introduced 1984 with four-speed manual or three-speed auto.

Manufacturing location: Broadmeadows, Victoria, Australia

Marque: Ford | Model: Ford Falcon | Predecessor: Ford Falcon (XD) | Successor: Ford Falcon (XF)

q.v. Ford Fairmont (XE)