Ford Falcon (EB)

Visually, the 1991 EB Falcon remained nearly identical to its predecessor, including carrying over the 3.9-litre Ford straight-six engine and four-speed M85LE automatic. The most noticeable changes were the transfer of the Ford emblem from the tip of the bonnet to the grille and a full-length applique bridging the gap between the tail lights, featuring reversing lamps on both sides of the rear number plate. Additionally, the C-pillar air vents were removed. The return of the V8 engine since its demise in the Ford Falcon (XE) of 1982 was welcomed by the motoring press. The V8 was paired to the four-speed M95LE automatic transmission. Changes also were made to the front suspension geometry, giving the EB a much better level of grip and steering feel. The first XR6 (EB II Sedan) and XR8 sports models appeared in the EB series. == Model range ==

Series I The model range of the first series on sale from July 1991 comprised these variants: • GL • S • S XR8 • Fairmont • Fairmont Ghia File:1991 Ford Falcon (EB) GL sedan (26634211185).jpg | Falcon GL sedan File:1991 Ford Falcon (EB) S station wagon (25933552654).jpg | Falcon S wagon File:1991 Ford Falcon (EB) S XR8 sedan (2010-12-17).jpg | Falcon S XR8 sedan File:1991-1992 Ford EB Fairmont Ghia sedan 02.jpg | Fairmont Ghia sedan Series II The revised Series II (EB II) model, appearing in showrooms in April 1992, had the six-cylinder engine upsized by 35 cm3 (from 3949 to 3984 cm3). This brought the nominal total swept capacity to 4.0 litres. Production of the EB Falcon range totalled 36,374 with 84,847 examples of the EB II being produced. == Motorsport ==

The Falcon (EB) SS was raced in the 1993 Australian Production Car Championship, with Mal Rose claiming a championship win, after finishing first four times in six rounds. Marking the return of the Falcon to top-level touring car racing for the first time since 1984, the Group A 5.0-litre touring car specification EB Falcon had impressive success in the 1993 Australian Touring Car Championship. This was the first season run under the new Group 3A rules, with the EB winning seven of nine rounds. Glenn Seton Racing carried the bulk of success, with drivers Glenn Seton and 1980 World Drivers Champion Alan Jones finishing first and second, respectively. The Dick Johnson Racing Falcons driven by John Bowe and Dick Johnson managed to score third and fifth. The Seton team's second EB Falcon driven by Geoff Brabham and David Parsons won the 1993 Sandown 500 (the first Falcon to win the Sandown endurance race since Allan Moffat in an XB Falcon GT hardtop in 1974), though a mid-year aerodynamic package given to the Holden Commodore (VP)'s made the Falcons not as competitive at Bathurst. The Falcon received its own upgrade in 1994 with the addition of small wings on the side of the front air dam, which brought it back into contention. This allowed the DJR Falcon driven by Dick Johnson and John Bowe to win both the 1994 Sandown 500 and the 1994 Tooheys 1000 at Bathurst. This was the Falcon's first Bathurst win since Johnson and John French won the crash-shortened 1981 race in an XD Falcon and the Falcon's 9th Phillip Island/Bathurst win overall. == See also ==