BF Exclusive: 1976 Ford XB Falcon 8-Seat Station Wagon
With the demise of the vehicle manufacturing industry, Australian buyers constantly seek locally produced models from Ford, Holden, and Chrysler to park in their garages. These represent an appreciating asset, and many are extraordinarily practical. That is the case with this 1976 Ford XB Falcon Station Wagon. These are excellent family vehicles, but this one enhances its versatility courtesy of the original owner’s decision to order it with the rare optional third-row seating. This is a genuine 8-seater that combines excellent comfort with impressive long-range cruising capabilities. It requires a total restoration, but the owner feels that is a task for a true enthusiast to undertake. Therefore, he has listed the Falcon exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
Ford Australia spent the early post-war years selling locally assembled versions of models sourced from the United Kingdom. However, this process was expensive, leaving the company unable to compete with the Holden juggernaut. It commenced local production and assembly of the American Ford Falcon in 1960, and its evolving models remained the brand’s mainstay until local production ended in 2016. The first Falcons mimicked their American counterparts, but the Third Generation model that emerged in 1972 featured wholly Australian styling. The Falcon received a facelift in late 1973, with the new model designated the XB. This Wagon is one of those vehicles, rolling off the Broadmeadows line in the final days of XB production. It wears what appears to be its original Pottery Beige paint, but it is begging for restoration. There is some panel damage, and the owner states that the rust visible in the photos is the extent of its problems. It has impacted typical spots like the lower doors, front fenders, outer A-pillars, and hood. However, critical areas like the rockers, rear quarter panels, and tailgate appear sound. Production may have ended for these classics, but companies like Rare Spares offer excellent reproduction steel that would consign the rust to a distant memory. The front bumper is missing its rubber over-rider inserts, but the remaining trim looks like it would polish or restore nicely. This Wagon also features desirable options like the chrome roof rack and rear window dust deflector.
Falcon buyers in 1976 could choose from four engines to power their new purchase. This Wagon features what I believe is the larger and more popular 250ci version of the two six-cylinder powerplants. It would have sent 155hp and 240 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed C4 automatic transmission. That made it a competent long-distance cruiser that returned respectable fuel consumption figures. Many believe these are some of the most desirable models offered by Ford, as they were the last cars produced before Australian buyers faced the first round of the dreaded emission regulations. One of the most significant upgrades with the XB model was that it was the first where every vehicle rolled off the line with power front disc brakes. The owner confirms that this Wagon ran when it was parked in 2000, and given the bulletproof reputation of these engines, revival may be possible with a little effort. The Wagon received new steering and suspension components in 1997, including an idler arm, pitman arm, ball joints, and shocks. One of the attractions of the Falcon is its mechanical versatility. If the new owner isn’t concerned about originality, there are options worth considering. Buyers could order these vehicles with a 302ci or 351ci V8 under the hood. Bolting in one of these powerplants is a straightforward operation. An unmodified 351 from this era delivered 260hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque, potentially giving this Wagon muscle credentials.
Ford focused on versatility with its Falcon range, producing everything from “stripper” models for fleet and taxi purposes to high-performance variants like the GT. Buyers could specify front bucket seats and a console, giving their new toy a more luxurious feel. The original owner ordered this Falcon with a front bench, and under most circumstances, the interior configuration would have provided comfortable seating for six. However, they ticked an extra box on the Order Form, making this one of a handful of Wagons produced with the optional third-row seating. That makes this Ford a genuine 8-seater, and you will struggle to find another on Australian roads today. This interior is complete, although it needs some love. The dash features an aftermarket radio/cassette player with speakers mounted in the kick panels. They appear to be the only modifications or additions. The dash and pad have weathered the years well, as have many upholstered surfaces and the headliner. The front seatcover has a seam separation, and there is evidence of mold in the seat foam. However, replacements for both are readily available, as are high-quality carpet sets. With a deep clean and those items installed, this Falcon’s interior would be ready to accommodate the whole tribe for some weekend adventures.
It was the end of a colorful era in Australian vehicle manufacturing when Ford closed its factory in 2016. The plant has been stripped of its equipment, and parts of the complex have been sold. That means there is little chance that the world will ever see another Australian-built Ford like this 1976 XB Falcon 8-Seat Wagon. It falls to classics like this to provide an insight into a time when Ford and Holden dominated the market, and foreign manufacturers were effectively bit-players in the sales race. This Wagon needs love, but its rarity makes that exercise worthwhile. Could you be the person who will return it to its rightful place on our roads? You will have my admiration if you do.
- Location: Frankston, Victoria, Australia
- Mileage: 270,000 kilometers Shown, TMU
- Engine: 6-Cylinder
- Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic
- VIN: JG31RT30280C
- Title Status: Clean
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Comments
We have enough junk cars in the US without importing another one.
$10k price + transport costs for a worn out Falcon wagon with a six means it’s probably staying in Oz.
Anyways, you’re only supposed to make good times happy thoughts comments here…or someone will inevitably whine about it. Like…
I suspect that $10k price is in Australian Dollars, if so the cost drops to about $6,500, Still too much to justify exporting the car to the US or Europe.
The only XB Falcons that are worth restoring are the Mustang-derived XB fastbacks. This wagon is a fairly rare car in Australia, but is more a parts car than a vehicle to restore at this point.
For anyone thinking about bringing this car to the US; The typical 2023 cost for a 20′ sea container from Australia to LA is just under $11,000 USD, and a bit over $12,000 USD to the east coast. The ‘good news’ for shipping is it’s located in a local Melbourne suburb, not in the middle of the outback!
I’ve imported dozens of RHD cars into the USA since the mid 1980s, and except for older Rolls-Royces, Bentleys and other rare luxury or sports makes, the more ‘ordinary’ RHD cars in America are a VERY HARD SELL, and when they do sell, it’s typically about half the price [or less] of a LHD version.
Anyone who is interested in this car to restore should source the Australian only trim & body parts before shipping the car. As this car must be shipped in a container, it costs nothing extra to fill the car with the parts you will need, and you save the very expensive shipping costs for parts like the front fenders, hood, grill assembly, etc.
If you like the idea of owning a rare Ford wagon from the 1970s, and are keen on restoring one to keep for a while, then this might be the car for you. I’m pretty darn sure that where ever you go in North America, you will not see another one!
I agree…we have enough junk cars that are shipped in from Japan and Korea. But this Ford wagon is so rare, I’d love to see it at a show restored, or at least in running condition.
I agree. I’m not a fan of today’s Toyotas, Nissans, Mazdas and Lexus and Infiniti cars. They may be okay cars to drive, and possibly own, I find them hideous to look at. I’d prefer Toyota, Datsun, early Mitsubishi, early Infiniti and Lexus. I’d also be interested in Aussie designed, built and tested cars like Holden, Aussie Ford and Chrysler Valiant, etc.
Really nice styled wagon – wish there were some of them over here – would love to have one
So who would want to drive a car like this in the US with the steering wheel on the wrong side?
Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) fanboys, that’s who! Granted, Aussie iron isn’t exactly JDM material, but I think I could make that stretch a bit. Also, fans of the original “Mad Max” franchise that gave Mel Gibson his first big break!
A rural letter carrier would love this. Take the seats out except for the front seat. Plenty of storage a 6 popper for good gas mileage and right hand drive.
I would. As long as everything works like they should and it runs and drives safely.
Henry Ford, the master of car assembly, when he first began cars were left middle &right hand drive ,,however he took it upon himself to make all cars left hand drive ,even though there were right hand drive care already on the road , he was probably a
Lefty him self ,meaning he was probably majority left handed ,
Very easy to get used to for the average person. I drove a mail delivery Jeep. Right hand side steering wheel. Very easy to get used to.
The ‘wrong side’ isn’t a biggie. I manage fine with my LHD Buick in RHD Australia. No reason the reverse isn’t OK.
My father purchased a brand new XB GS coupe 302 in 1974. Was yellow with a black stripe. Was let down by brown interior that most of them had.
This wagon will come back to life probably here in Australia, it’s hard enough sourcing the parts here. Rarely see an XB anymore, most are in sheds locked away, sadly.
This a great 8 PASSENGER wagon for someone in Australia to refurbish.
Junk exterior, interior and engine for 10 grand!, that’s a joke!
$6441 us
The price looks much better in US$, since the Australian dollar, like the Canadian dollar, is worth much less than the American dollar at the moment. The exchange rate as of 29 August 2023 is $1.00 AU=$0.6445 US.
It’s $6440 too much.
I’ve heard of the Ford XB Falcon, but since I’m not from Australia or New Zealand, I’ve never seen one in person. If I lived Down Under and I had a choice, I’d buy an XB Fairmont wagon, with all the accessories one could order for the car, and use it as a taxi cab.
Strip it, dip it, restore it and turn it into a bone stock-looking XB-GT Wagon. 351 CJ and a Top-Loader 4-speed. 9″ 3.25 Traction-Lok axle, some Magnum 500’s…paint it Calypso Coral or Grabber Blue. Man, she would be a bada** mofo.
I knew it would only be a matter of time until someone suggested putting a V8 in it.
Where are all the Mad Max/Road Warrior comments? His coupe was a XB Falcon if I’m not mistaken.
Absolutely but a big V8 with a blower in it, paint it black, and win every car show!
Very, very cool. Good price for what it is if you compare it to an Olds Vista Cruiser or similar over here. Importing seems a bit crazy, but some Aussie should give it some love.
For that money, I’d much prefer to buy something nicer than this. I’d keep the engine stock. If it came with a V8 engine, I’d be fine with that, as long as it runs and drives like it should. If the stock engine is a six cylinder engine, same thing.
I used to own one back in the early 90s. I bought it for au$500. These were cheap cars Rust was a problem road handling was another. Worst car I ever owned.
Interesting grill. It looks like it got crossed with a 71-71′ Dodge Dart grill. Looks kind of moldy but if rate someone will save it.
I have an Aussie XP coupe here in the States.
It does confuse people.
Center section is like the 63-65 hardtop Falcons.
Next year I will list it on BF for sale.
The ‘wrong side’ isn’t a biggie. I manage fine with my LHD Buick in RHD Australia. No reason the reverse isn’t OK.
I suspect a lot more tin worm than meets the eye. The 8 seater is rare, that alone doesn’t make it valuable.
It’s just another rusty, base model, low option Falcon wagon.
Probably a B-W 35 auto too.
It’s crap, I don’t know what they call it down under…rubbish maybe. I don’t care what side the turny doo-dad is on, even a standard. Both my hands work the same. I love Falcons, if it had been under a roof all these years it could be something special. A unfortunate victim of time.
I don’t think it’s “crap”. Just like any car that’s over 40 yrs. old, it’s bound to need some resto work to get it running and driving. Assuming the body and chassis is solid, it runs and drives safely and everything on the car works like they should, I’d pay $5 grand for the car, and give it a good re-paint, give it new disc brakes and rear drums, and new upholstery for the interior.
If your Gunna talk about Aussie cars, use Aussie words.
It’s a guard not a fender.
It’s a bonnet not a hood.
And no Aussie car was ever called a fastback.
Coupe or TuDoorp or hardtop.