70,000-mile torture test for XP Falcon

Ford’s XP Falcon has its 60th anniversary in 2025.

The XP helped Ford re-establish the Falcon as a worthy and reliable competitor to Holden after the less than stellar reputation of the XK, XL and XM models.

The XP also won the 1965 Wheels Car of The Year Award.

It was the first six cylinder car to win the COTY and the first of the US “Big Three” in Australia to achieve the recognition.

Wheels magazine indicated the epic reliability enduro and publicity stunt at Ford’s You Yang proving grounds, where six XPs were pounded mercilessly for 70,000 miles, day and night, was influential in its decision.

“An outstanding achievement” they said of the enduro, in the COTY award story in the January, 1966 edition.

Ford also decided to really make life difficult for Holden dealers with the release of the Fairmont in September, 1965.

It replaced the Futura sedan and Squire wagon and boasted power disc brakes as standard.

All Holden could do was offer discs as an option, relegating the market leader to being a follower.

Ford further outflanked Holden by giving buyers a choice of three engines sizes — 144, 170 and 200 cubic inches.

Holden made do with its 149 and 179 engines.

The cleverest part of the XP was its shape.

To give the car a more imposing appearance Ford’s small design team re-used the front fenders and grille opening from the US 1960/61 Mercury Comet.

Getting back to the Wheels COTY, I wonder what might be the reaction today if Wheels gave its award to a car with five-year-old styling?

In the COTY story, editor Bill Tuckey seemed to imply it was more a reward for Ford’s efforts to improve the Falcon over the previous five years than the XP itself.

He concluded by saying: “It has taken a lot of hard work and a lot of talent and a lot of money . . . but the chickens have come home to roost.”