Ford Falcon (XT)

The XT Falcon range was introduced in March 1968 as a facelifted version of the XR Falcon, which it replaced. The XT featured a revised grille and taillights and improved safety features including split-system brakes, larger tyres and electrically operated windscreen washers. Standard equipment in the luxury Fairmont models included bucket seats, front disc brakes, a heater/demister, a wood-grain dash, carpet and courtesy lamps in all four doors. The Fairmont Wagon featured an electrically operated tailgate. == Model range ==

The XT was offered in 4-door Sedan, 5-door Station Wagon, 2-door Utility and 2-door Van variants as follows. • Falcon Sedan • Falcon 500 Sedan • Fairmont Sedan • Falcon GT Sedan • Falcon Wagon • Falcon 500 Wagon • Fairmont Wagon • Falcon Utility • Falcon 500 Utility • Falcon Van The luxury Fairmont models were not badged or marketed as Falcons. File:Ford Falcon XT Sedan.jpg|Ford XT Falcon sedan File:1968 Ford XT Falcon 500 (6048568551).jpg|Ford XT Falcon 500 sedan File:1968 Ford XT Falcon 500 (6048563507).jpg|Ford XT Falcon 500 sedan File:1969 Ford XT Falcon 500 station wagon (23115550426).jpg|Ford XT Falcon 500 wagon File:1969 Ford XT Falcon 500 station wagon (22773668119).jpg|Ford XT Falcon 500 wagon File:Ford Fairmont Sedan (XT).jpg|Ford XT Fairmont sedan File:1968 Ford XT Fairmont (6048548827).jpg|Ford XT Fairmont (non standard wheels) File:11 XT GT Candyapple Red (G) 97==.JPG|Ford XT Falcon GT sedan File:1968 Ford XT Falcon GT (6048583617).jpg|Ford XT Falcon GT sedan File:1969 Ford XT Falcon utility (24160209091).jpg|Ford XT Falcon utility (non standard wheels) File:1968 Ford XT Falcon utility (6049154932).jpg|Ford XT Falcon utility File:Ford Falcon 500 Utility (XT).JPG|Ford XT Falcon 500 utility File:1968 Ford XT Falcon 500 utility (35843280794).jpg|Ford XT Falcon 500 utility ==Engines==

Four engines were offered in the XT range, all with increased capacity. • 3.1 L (188 CID) 114 bhp six-cylinder was standard on Falcon and Falcon 500 models • 3.6 L (221 CID) 135 bhp six-cylinder was standard on Fairmont models and optional on Falcon and Falcon 500 • 5.0 L (302 CID) 210 bhp V8 was optional on Falcon, Falcon 500 and Fairmont • 5.0 L (302 CID) 230 bhp V8 was standard on Falcon GT Engine capacity was now officially quoted in litres rather than cubic inches. ==Production & replacement==

After a production run of 79,290 vehicles the XT Falcon was replaced by the XW Falcon in June 1969. The XT model designation would be reused to denote the base model specification in 2002 on the entry-level model of the BA Falcon, replacing the previous AU Forte. ==Motorsport==

An XT Falcon GT driven by Bill Gates and Jim Bertram scored an outright victory in the 1969 Rothmans 12 Hour Classic race for production cars at Surfers Paradise International Raceway on 5 January 1969. A team of three XT Falcon GTs won the Teams prize in the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon, finishing 3rd, 6th and 8th outright. ==References==