When Henry Ford II announced Project Falcon to shareholders on May 21, 1959, few could have guessed that Ford’s compact rival for the Volkswagen Beetle would be transformed into an Australian icon by the late ’60s.
Watch Falcon’s 50th anniversary behind the scenes video series
In the most successful launch in automotive history (at least until Mustang), Ford sold 435,676 Falcons in America in its first year. Australian sales began in September 1960. After a troubled start, that original Falcon was thoroughly re-engineered for local conditions.
Click here to read the 72 page eBook on Falcon’s 50th anniversary
It was the beginning of a long-term strategy, under an assertive and bold local management, that would see a home-grown proving ground, much-expanded R&D centre – including a styling studio – a successful racing history directly tied to the GT muscle sedan … all for the ongoing development of truly indigenous Australian cars.By the time the Americans decided to end Falcon production in late 1969, Ford Australia was deeply into the creation of a uniquely Australian model. That XA was the first of six Australian generations, culminating in today’s FG, the best Falcon ever.So far Ford Australia has produced almost 3.5 million Falcons, a staggering achievement. Now, 50 years on, let’s celebrate a great Australian car.Make sure you grab a copy of the bumper July edition of Wheels, featuring a compelling history of the Ford Falcon in this its 50th anniversary year. Wheels documents the story of this uniquely Australian car, from the early days of the fragile XK Falcon and subsequent grueling reliability trials, to the glory days of Allan Moffat’s victory at The Mountain in the thundering Phase III GT-HO, and much more beyond.
To help celebrate Peter Robinson’s 50th year as a motoring writer, we figured he deserved one of his more challenging assignments…RELIVING my old stories via hundreds of faded magazines, I quickly realised that the task set by editor Thomas would be close to impossible. Compile a definitive list of the best cars I’ve driven over a 50-year career? How, exactly? Despite the sheer enormity of it, one thing I began to appreciate is just how lucky I’ve been. I never, ever imagined I’d be so fortunate as to owe my livelihood to driving and writing about cars.To the task at hand, then. Even applying the personal criteria as established with Bulgin and others, my initial list stretched to over 200. Getting it down to 59 took weeks. Eliminating that final nine took another week. Trust me, I’ve sweated over this.A few of my great cars are remembered as great because they formed the basis for unforgettable road trips. Eliminating cars I’d not driven meant ignoring remarkable machines that deserve to be recognised as making important contributions to the history of the car.There was another dilemma. Modern cars run rings round even the best 50-, or 40-, or 30-, or even 20-year-old icon. But still, context – the perspective of the time in which they appeared – is critically important. This is not a list of the most significant cars in the history of motoring, but it includes memorable cars that made a significant impact on me and on Wheels, and in that sense I’m applying the standards of the day to each selection.I can’t claim my line-up to be categorically complete. Left out are some special models I’ve not yet driven. One final thought. I don’t expect anybody to agree with my 50 picks. By all means let me know what you think via the Wheels letters page, tell me if I’ve left something out or made a howler, and come up with your own list and let us know what it is.
To help celebrate Peter Robinson’s 50th year as a motoring writer, Wheels magazine figured he deserved one of his more challenging assignments…
Since the dawn of motoring, carmakers have tirelessly endeavored to improved interior environments.
From a Chevrolet Bel Air convertible in ‘Dr No’ to the Aston Martin DBS in 2008’s ‘Quantum of Solace’ – the cars of James Bond are synonymous with the 007 films they have featured in. Take a look back at the classic cars, equipped by Q with an array of unique gadgets and features – to make these the 007 vehicles of choice.
Which cars do you think have made the biggest impact around the world? We’re talking about the ones that still make their influence felt decades – and in a couple of cases more than a century – after they first appeared.
Now in its 11th year, Meguiar’s MotorEx is the largest and most prestigious motoring enthusiast event of its kind in Australia. Covering over 22,000 square metres and with vehicles making up a combined value of over $50 million dollars – the girls of the Meguiar’s MotorEx added even further attraction.
The Renault FRENDZY is the first glimpse of the many dozens of exotic and futuristic concept cars set to appear at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show (Sept 13-25, 2011).According to its maker this city-sized, plug-in electric vehicle is a cross-over between a commercial van and passenger wagon.Renault is Europe’s largest producer of light commercial vehicles and says the FRENDZY is the fourth step in its new design strategy based on the different stages of the human life cycle, developed under the leadership of Laurens van den Acker, Renault’s Senior Vice President, Design.The FRENDZY’s powertrain, it is the same as that of Kangoo Z.E., a 44kW electric motor that revs to 10,500rpm and instantly delivers peak torque, which is a constant 226Nm.
Whether you’re just cruising like Brad Pitt, or crazy like Tom Cruise, movies need cars. There have been some classic cars featured in the past – and the upcoming feature films are no exception.
Check out the coolest upcoming cars in the hottest movie releases:
Welcome to the under-four-second club, where entry is strictly controlled to cars that can blitz the 0-100km/h sprint in less time that it has taken you to read this sentence.
