Ford Falcon S (EA26 - 1988)
The Ford EA Falcon is a car which was produced by Ford Australia from 1988 to 1991. The vehicle was developed under the codename EA26, representing a large 'E' segment car, developed in 'A' Australia. The 26 represented the nominal 26th engineering project. The program launched as the EA in 1988, with EB, ED, EF and EL major updates in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1996 respectively.
The EA series was available in eight model variants. Comprising Base (GL), sporty (S), mid-spec (Fairmont) and luxury (Fairmont Ghia). These models were available in four-door sedan and 5-door wagon variants.
The Falcon nameplate was not used on Fairmont & Fairmont Ghia models.
No commercial vehicle variants of the EA were developed and the existing XF Falcon utility and panel van both continued in production alongside the EA passenger vehicles.
Long-wheelbase sedans (Fairlane and LTD) were further developed from the standard Falcon, sharing the longer wheelbase and doors of the wagon models.
Engines and transmissions:
Engine choice comprised three straight-six units: the 3.2 litre and 3.9 litre with ”CFI” throttle body injection and a 3.9 litre with ”MPI” multi-point fuel injection. The Falcon GL was equipped with the 3.2 L straight-six, although most were sold with the 3.9 CFI. The 3.9 L CFI engine was available in the Falcon S and in the Fairmont and the MPI version was standard in the top of the range Fairmont Ghia. The return of the V8 "Windsor" engine did not occur until the EB update.Engines for all Falcon models were manufactured and assembled at Ford's Geelong operations (also home to the Stamping Plant)
A five-speed T50D fully synchronised manual and Borg-Warner Model M51 three-speed automatic transmission were offered, however the latter was replaced by a four-speed BTR Model 85LE in the Series II range then updated to the BTR 95LE in the EB update in 1991. Taxi owners, however, would continue to fit reconditioned 3-speed M51 automatic transmissions (as these were less costly) to these cars, until the bellhousing design was finally changed in later models preventing this practice[citation needed].
Development:
The result of a A$700 million development program, the EA Falcon bore a passing resemblance to the European Ford Scorpio. However under the skin, it remained an entirely Australian design, and is credited as the first Falcon model to employ wind tunnel testing. It would retain the traditional Falcon hallmarks of width and rear-wheel drive. This proved to be the correct move as sales of the Falcon began to climb after the fuel crisis aftermath, while those of the rival Commodore slipped. It became clear that Australian buying patterns had not truly changed and what the public wanted was a full-size (albeit smaller) family car.
The story of what might have been, regarding Falcon is as interesting as what 'was'. The furl crises of the 1970s caused a significant down-sizing of vehicles in the US, whilst in all markets a larger number of smaller vehicles were introduced from manufacturers who previously had focused on larger cars. Also. at this time, the Ford Motor Company had taken a large shareholding in Toyo Kogyo (more commonly known as Mazda). Ford intended to use Mazda's expertise in designing small efficient vehicles to provide a range of platforms that Ford (through its joint venture studio in Hiroshima) and also Ford Australia's design and engineering operations, to make suitable alterations to these platforms such that the vehicles could be sold as Fords throughout Asia-Pacific, and even the US.
Project Capricorn was the codename for a vehicle derived from the front-wheel-drive Mazda 626, utilising a longer wheelbase, that was to replace the Falcon XF (the last update of the XD-XE-XF series launched in 1979). Work commenced shortly after the XD launch.
An image and small amount of text is shown at the following link:
www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11301296
The EA, however retained much of the platform from preceding generations of Falcon model, dating back to the 1960s. This allowed the vehicle to retain its 'full-size' status, something that was considered an asset in the Australian market prior to the rise in popularity of 4WD wagons, crossovers, or comfortable 5-seat pickup trucks.
In addition, Ford's dominance of the taxi market in Australia meant that a car that could comfortably seat three along the back seat—and even the front, with a bench seat installed—was necessary. It also ensured that Ford could retain, at least until Holden released the new Statesman/Caprice in 1990, the market for official cars for governmental use.
Success of the EA generation Ford Falcon allowed Ford to be the top selling car brand through much of the 1980s and into the 1990s, along with Falcon being the most popular car for much of this time.
[Some text taken from Wikipedia].
This Lego miniland-scale Ford Falcon S Sedan (EA26) has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 85th Build Challenge, - "Like, Totally 80's", - for vehicles created during the decade of the 1980's.
Ford Falcon S (EA26 - 1988)
The Ford EA Falcon is a car which was produced by Ford Australia from 1988 to 1991. The vehicle was developed under the codename EA26, representing a large 'E' segment car, developed in 'A' Australia. The 26 represented the nominal 26th engineering project. The program launched as the EA in 1988, with EB, ED, EF and EL major updates in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1996 respectively.
The EA series was available in eight model variants. Comprising Base (GL), sporty (S), mid-spec (Fairmont) and luxury (Fairmont Ghia). These models were available in four-door sedan and 5-door wagon variants.
The Falcon nameplate was not used on Fairmont & Fairmont Ghia models.
No commercial vehicle variants of the EA were developed and the existing XF Falcon utility and panel van both continued in production alongside the EA passenger vehicles.
Long-wheelbase sedans (Fairlane and LTD) were further developed from the standard Falcon, sharing the longer wheelbase and doors of the wagon models.
Engines and transmissions:
Engine choice comprised three straight-six units: the 3.2 litre and 3.9 litre with ”CFI” throttle body injection and a 3.9 litre with ”MPI” multi-point fuel injection. The Falcon GL was equipped with the 3.2 L straight-six, although most were sold with the 3.9 CFI. The 3.9 L CFI engine was available in the Falcon S and in the Fairmont and the MPI version was standard in the top of the range Fairmont Ghia. The return of the V8 "Windsor" engine did not occur until the EB update.Engines for all Falcon models were manufactured and assembled at Ford's Geelong operations (also home to the Stamping Plant)
A five-speed T50D fully synchronised manual and Borg-Warner Model M51 three-speed automatic transmission were offered, however the latter was replaced by a four-speed BTR Model 85LE in the Series II range then updated to the BTR 95LE in the EB update in 1991. Taxi owners, however, would continue to fit reconditioned 3-speed M51 automatic transmissions (as these were less costly) to these cars, until the bellhousing design was finally changed in later models preventing this practice[citation needed].
Development:
The result of a A$700 million development program, the EA Falcon bore a passing resemblance to the European Ford Scorpio. However under the skin, it remained an entirely Australian design, and is credited as the first Falcon model to employ wind tunnel testing. It would retain the traditional Falcon hallmarks of width and rear-wheel drive. This proved to be the correct move as sales of the Falcon began to climb after the fuel crisis aftermath, while those of the rival Commodore slipped. It became clear that Australian buying patterns had not truly changed and what the public wanted was a full-size (albeit smaller) family car.
The story of what might have been, regarding Falcon is as interesting as what 'was'. The furl crises of the 1970s caused a significant down-sizing of vehicles in the US, whilst in all markets a larger number of smaller vehicles were introduced from manufacturers who previously had focused on larger cars. Also. at this time, the Ford Motor Company had taken a large shareholding in Toyo Kogyo (more commonly known as Mazda). Ford intended to use Mazda's expertise in designing small efficient vehicles to provide a range of platforms that Ford (through its joint venture studio in Hiroshima) and also Ford Australia's design and engineering operations, to make suitable alterations to these platforms such that the vehicles could be sold as Fords throughout Asia-Pacific, and even the US.
Project Capricorn was the codename for a vehicle derived from the front-wheel-drive Mazda 626, utilising a longer wheelbase, that was to replace the Falcon XF (the last update of the XD-XE-XF series launched in 1979). Work commenced shortly after the XD launch.
An image and small amount of text is shown at the following link:
www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11301296
The EA, however retained much of the platform from preceding generations of Falcon model, dating back to the 1960s. This allowed the vehicle to retain its 'full-size' status, something that was considered an asset in the Australian market prior to the rise in popularity of 4WD wagons, crossovers, or comfortable 5-seat pickup trucks.
In addition, Ford's dominance of the taxi market in Australia meant that a car that could comfortably seat three along the back seat—and even the front, with a bench seat installed—was necessary. It also ensured that Ford could retain, at least until Holden released the new Statesman/Caprice in 1990, the market for official cars for governmental use.
Success of the EA generation Ford Falcon allowed Ford to be the top selling car brand through much of the 1980s and into the 1990s, along with Falcon being the most popular car for much of this time.
[Some text taken from Wikipedia].
This Lego miniland-scale Ford Falcon S Sedan (EA26) has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 85th Build Challenge, - "Like, Totally 80's", - for vehicles created during the decade of the 1980's.