User:John Nevard/Ford Falcon



Ford Falcon is a car nameplate used to refer to several vehicles beginning with the Ford Falcon introduced by Ford to compete in the emerging American compact car market in 1960. A front-engined rear-wheel drive vehicle of unibody construction, it offered an alternative to Ford's larger cars while still being capable of seating six passengers. Body styles would include sedans, station wagons, convertibles, panel vans and a pick-up derivative. Engines included the new Ford Thriftpower Six's, joined by more powerful Windsor V-8's as the years went on. The North American Falcon would provide the base for the first generation of Ford's legendary Mustang pony car - which would cannibalize the sales of the Falcon - before it was discontinued after 1970, replaced by the Ford Maverick.

Outside North America, the Falcon was built by Ford subsidiaries, initially from imported parts. In Argentina and Australia, Ford subsidiaries would continue to develop the Falcon long after production ceased in North America. In Argentina, the platform the Falcon was based on remained similar to that of the original with styling and safety updates over the years until production stopped after 1991. In Australia, production continues with five generations of Australian-designed Falcons since 1972.