Goodbye falcon/territory, thankYou Ford Australia...

cop 5.6L · 07-10-2016, 09:59 AM

A big thankYou to ford Australia for many years of enjoyment with falcon and territory models.
Thanks to all the workers for producing such amazing vehicles over the years.
Tony.

Hardtopxb · 07-10-2016, 10:18 AM

Yes. A sad day.

csv8 · 07-10-2016, 10:22 AM

Over the years, I have had an XC, XD, XF. Fairlane, AU series 3 , BF Mk2 all been great cars..
Thank you for building great cars that have taken my family and I across Australia many times. Fond memories...you will be missed....

roddy1960 · 07-10-2016, 10:55 AM

G'day...This is it....That day announced three years ago has arrived....Lots of Australians couldn't give a toss , some might even be celebrating BUT there are many many others of us who will look back at this company's manufacturing arm that has designed , engineered , built and sold numerous Ford marques with immense pride and satisfaction of a job well done indeed.

.. One of those marques Ford Falcon that was dropped in 1970 by the parent U.S. company we truly made Our Car in the truest sense of the words. It's carted , mums and dads , kids , grandparents , hay bales , tool trays , packages , caravans , boats you name it , it's carted it . It's raced rather successfully , it's broken speed limits with obvious ease , it's even broken down on rare occasions and it's cousin has become one of Australia's best SUV's..

Today we farewell Ford Australia MANUFACTURING , we farewell FORD FALCON and FORD TERRITORY.... Gone maybe but will never ever be forgotten..Rest assured of that..
Cheers Rod...

**pwr4ce** · 07-10-2016, 11:04 AM

Well I just took my FGX XR8 and AU S3 XR8 out for a drive this morning to remember this occasion. Must say I really enjoy driving these Australian built cars!!

**X-AHH** · 07-10-2016, 11:36 AM

Today feels a bit like a best friends funeral.

The Falcon legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all of us that have owned one.

the_scotsman · 07-10-2016, 11:41 AM

I've been in Australia 15 years. I've only ever owned Falcons. I have no idea what lies ahead for me.

EA S-Pac, EF Fairmont Ghia, EL XR6, BF II Fairmont Ghia, and now FGX G6ET.

RPO83 · 07-10-2016, 11:59 AM

The brand and the people who worked throughout Ford Australia to deliver products that were developed at a fraction of the industry standards gave me tremendous pride. For me, they were more than just a car manufacturer, they embodied the unique character and spirit of our nation for generations.

This will be a very tough day for past and present employees of Ford, the suppliers and of course those who simply love Ford Australia and the Falcon/Territory.

I know some will be disappointed that there was no hype over this forthcoming closure, no major celebration for the Falcon/Territory and the inline six but you must keep in mind that Ford Australia has always been the quiet achiever.

We must not forget that Ford Australia still has a very important role to play investing in R&D for future global and domestic products with 20 projects scheduled until the close of this decade alone.

I can’t reflect on a day like today without mentioning Geoff Polites and the raw passion he brought to all of us, we still miss you greatly.

Cheers,
Luke.

auxr · 07-10-2016, 12:03 PM

"This is the end, the end - my friend, the end, the end"
circa jim Morrisson & The Doors

Somehow this lyric seems fitting for this occasion.

However - Bathurst & a Tickford V8 is beckoning - memories of a company commencing assembly in Australia in the 1920's & all of it's history and memories will not be forgotten.

V8 Ghia Mike · 07-10-2016, 02:57 PM

I'd like to at least see a comment here from Ford Australia for the hard core fans....

auxr · 07-10-2016, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8 Ghia Mike

I'd like to at least see a comment here from Ford Australia for the hard core fans....

Hope is a never ending virtue:

Nope - may as well get straight to the point - I would be very doubtful of any comment from Ford Aus. being placed on this forum.

wulos · 07-10-2016, 03:07 PM

REAL mix of emotions on this.
THANK YOU from Australian Ford Forums to ALL those that have helped bring so much happiness, and joy into our lives.
Australian manufacturing may be at an end, but rest assured - The Legacy WILL live on!!!

LastFalcon by wulos., on Flickr

LastTerritory by wulos., on Flickr

DBourne · 07-10-2016, 03:11 PM

Look at those panel gaps!!! (obviously tongue in cheek).

Very sad day.

Trump · 07-10-2016, 03:16 PM

Wulos, how the hell did you get a chance to snap those pics???

MrEL · 07-10-2016, 03:18 PM

I think its hillarious that you can still jump on the Ford website and be able to spec up and get a quote on a new Falcon.

**PepeLePew** · 07-10-2016, 03:37 PM

And I reckon a extra special thanks to those employees who have joined us on here and shared our love of the beasts. The very best of luck to you guys in your new roles or ventures after FoA.

luibagtp · 07-10-2016, 04:39 PM

Thanks to all those people that have built the falcon and the territory.
A ad day for us all

GASWAGON · 07-10-2016, 06:55 PM

Thanks to Ford.Au for all the great products and to all the workers that assembled the cars.

You will be sadly missed!

I hope you all find other jobs and can move on positivley within your lives.

amiers · 07-10-2016, 07:15 PM

Thank you to the workers of Ford Australia. Over the last 40 years of my life you have brought me so much joy and pride. It has been a privilege to drive the cars you have built.

THANK YOU.

Danny · 07-10-2016, 08:19 PM

And so the end is here.

So here's the list of Aussie Falcons that have been in my life be it owned by Mum and Dad or myself.

XF Fairmont Ghia
ZL Fairlane Ghia
ZL LTD
EB Fairmont Ghia
EF Futura
NL Fairlane Ghia
AUIII XR6 VCT Ute
BA XR6
BF XR8 Ute
FG FPV F6 Ute
FG XR6 Turbo Ute

Gone with less fanfare than the Magna. Sad.

XR6WGN · 07-10-2016, 08:54 PM

That last XR6 should be a supercharged 8 and fitted with a line locker.

Just as you drive it off the production line - engage line-locker and smoke it up until the tyre smoke sets off every smoke detector in the building.

That's a photo of the last Falcon that I'd love to see!!!

Thanks Ford Australia - Good luck to all of the people out of work.

**DFB FGXR6** · 07-10-2016, 09:33 PM

First car I ever drove - a Ford Falcon (EB II GLi Wagon)

Car I learnt to drive in - a Ford Falcon (BA Futura sedan)

Car I got my licence in - a Ford Falcon (AU III Fairmont sedan)

My first car - a Ford Falcon (AU III Fairmont sedan)

My first ever brand new car - a Ford Falcon (FG XR6 sedan)

Combine that with owning two V8's (T3 TS50 and a FGX XR8) as well as driving countless other Falcons in a wide variety of combinations, Falcon has been a big part of my life.

Before all of the above I was a budding Ford fan but it was a ride in a brand new AU II XR6 VCT that sealed my fate as a Falcon tragic. As an impressionable teenager, experiencing the then new BA GT and XR6 Turbo and idolising and aspiring to own them is something that has gone on to define a huge part of me.

I think its these types of personal, from the heart sentiments that Ford as company fails to understand. Likewise people who say or see the Falcon as "just a car....." But I can honestly say there would be very few people that haven't been touched by a Ford Falcon in some way. Being brought home as baby on the back seat, a taxi ride home after a night out, family holidays, a day on tools in a ute right up to owning, driving and repairing your very own one.

I think its inappropriate to say R.I.P to the Ford Falcon. They may not be making them anymore but they will still be roaming the streets, work sites, highways and race tracks for decades to come. No need for our Falcons to rest, they will continue to be a significant part of lives and memories.

To all those that have worked for Ford over the years helping to design, engineer and manufacture these wonderful cars and allowing us to buy them and create our own unique memories, THANKYOU. The legacy of your work will live on and mean a great deal for ever.

(Sorry for the sop story but as most on here can appreciate, today was an emotional day)

Sprintey · 07-10-2016, 10:50 PM

Thank you so much. To be able to individually factory order a car and have you spec it up to exactly what we wanted, and build it here in Australia, was wonderful. It's still going strong.

Trek · 07-10-2016, 11:04 PM

Echoing the sentiments above, it very much feels like a best friend's funeral. Nothing but sadness has marred this day.

axe · 08-10-2016, 11:14 AM

Probably been posted elsewhere but this video really brings it home. Makes me wonder why they never put as much effort into advertising the Falcon over the last 15 years.

https://www.facebook.com/FordAustral...5445957008747/

roddy1960 · 08-10-2016, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axe

Probably been posted elsewhere but this video really brings it home. Makes me wonder why they never put as much effort into advertising the Falcon over the last 15 years.

https://www.facebook.com/FordAustral...5445957008747/

G'day. Dearborn Michigan is why...I've been educated on this forum about that over time...grand plan to head away from local manufacturing . Yesterday as Ford Australia being one of the last outposts of local manufacturing , do you reckon Ford Motor Company Headquarters executives would have said.."Thank God that's over " or am I being too cynical ?... Cheers Rod..

.:4:. · 08-10-2016, 12:29 PM

Interestingly yesterday arvo I took my wifes g6 up the servo to check the tyre pressures, fluids and get some juice for her trip up the coast today, and after paying, a bloke rolls in in a mint 71 us Ltd, air bagged with a grumpy big block up front. I said "nice car mate" he responded "it's a sad day today". He was more interested in the 2l falcon that is the wifes get around then the cruise liner that he had spent a mint on that I thought was impressive. Its funny how a comment can turn into a 20 minute conversation.

roddy1960 · 08-10-2016, 12:49 PM

G'day all.... Something i forgot to add...Our Forum is amazing. Holden have nothing that comes remotely close in comparison .I had a squizz at a Holden HSV one this morning out of curiosity though and to their eternal credit it was nice to see a thread entitled R.I.P. Ford....The comments and sentiments were genuine and respectful , unlike comments you usually find on You Tube..
Good on them ...Sadly in less than 12 months they'll be going through a genuine feeling of loss us that bleed blue are now...Equally sad...
Cheers Rod..