Road-testing the 1976 Ford Falcon 500 GXL Fairmont | RetroFocus

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  • Опубліковано 16 лют 2019
  • In this episode of 'Torque' from November 1976, Peter Wherrett road-tests the luxurious Ford Falcon 500 GXL Fairmont.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 582

  • @LeopoldoNotarianni-rk9vv
    @LeopoldoNotarianni-rk9vv 8 місяців тому +15

    Grammar school educated, articulate and very well detailed descriptive method of presentation of the wonderful Fairmont GXL 5.8.
    Peter Wherrett was a trailblazer Motoring critic.
    He was ahead of his time.

  • @pauliejay4161
    @pauliejay4161 5 років тому +150

    1:09 - **COUGH** - "pardon me"
    Gotta love the one-take production ethic of old Australian TV.

    • @CallMeMrX
      @CallMeMrX 5 років тому +13

      Haha I thought the same thing
      "f**k it, leave it in."

    • @BenHelweg
      @BenHelweg 4 роки тому +13

      Film isn't cheap!

    • @26TptCoy
      @26TptCoy 4 роки тому +7

      ABC low budget, maybe can use the cough as a sound effect in Mr Squiggles or something.

    • @LeopoldoNotarianni-rk9vv
      @LeopoldoNotarianni-rk9vv 8 місяців тому

      Hey it was the seventies lol

    • @DavidCaldwell1
      @DavidCaldwell1 Місяць тому

      when the substance of the insight and commentary is this good, it doesn't matter

  • @SeanCleverly
    @SeanCleverly 5 років тому +50

    This was a wonderful show back in the day. Peter Wherrett was an excellent presenter, with a great knowledge of the automotive industry and especially the cars he drove, both Australian and foreign. Thank you so much for this, takes me back to a simpler world of child hood days and dreams of my own of the car i would one day own. R.I.P Peter Wherrett.

  • @turbofan67
    @turbofan67 3 роки тому +22

    "Torque", with the expertise and communication skills of Peter Wherrett was without a doubt, the best car show Australia has ever produced.
    All the other shows were just talking heads sucking up to whichever car manufacturer was paying for ad space.
    Wherrett knew what he was talking about, and told it like it was.

  • @timothylanders3189
    @timothylanders3189 10 місяців тому +7

    Was hooked on the 70's Ford cockpit & interior layouts. The padded soft vinyl. Brilliant! Always trumped Holden's rough as guts, hard plastic interiors imo

  • @heffyg101
    @heffyg101 5 років тому +19

    A true Aussie icon. I grabbed one of the last Falcons - the FGX XR6 with the 4.0L straight-6. Promised myself to keep it until I die to help showcase the brilliance of a full-sized Australian car.

    • @bmwoutlander
      @bmwoutlander 3 роки тому +4

      I have a BF V8 Fairlane, it's amazing on the highway.

    • @overlander123
      @overlander123 3 роки тому +2

      I did the same, FG-X XR6 ute.

    • @NickoOutBush
      @NickoOutBush Місяць тому

      I did the same with a specked up falcon turbo.
      The last one I owned at number 13.
      Lost to the Lismore flood of 2022.

  • @bluesteel7171
    @bluesteel7171 5 років тому +184

    These are great, keep them coming ABC. I wish we had car reviews of this standard today!

    • @Deevo037
      @Deevo037 5 років тому +1

      We do but they're few and far between. ua-cam.com/video/lAD5hqYgIqo/v-deo.html

    • @iatsd
      @iatsd 5 років тому +5

      @@davidhusband5022 do you work at your myopic idiocy or is it a natural skill for you?

    • @FreedomForAll2013
      @FreedomForAll2013 3 роки тому +4

      I wish we made cars still today

    • @bluecent
      @bluecent Рік тому +1

      @@filespec it’s the 1970’s

  • @leopoldonotarianni8663
    @leopoldonotarianni8663 2 роки тому +7

    Eloquence and excellence in communication and description.
    An articulate gentleman to the core.
    Fairmont GXL 5.8 Cleveland Four Barrel V8, rear discs, LSD and nine inch diff. A true gentleman's luxury sports sedan for its time.
    That dashlayout and instrumentation.... perfect

    • @gregrudd6983
      @gregrudd6983 Рік тому +2

      Pure Highway patrol car in civilian drag!

    • @Gokizzmass
      @Gokizzmass 5 місяців тому

      No bloody Voltmeter though. i miss that.

  • @kikurass322
    @kikurass322 5 років тому +28

    About bloody time these were released on UA-cam. Keep them coming, that will prevent people from having copyright strikes against them, we want this. If you are not going to upload the entire series, leave the rogue traders alone.....WE WANT THIS :)

  • @peterhoulis1184
    @peterhoulis1184 3 роки тому +5

    Whilst at high school a fellow student just bought a gxl 5.8 fmx 9inch second hand in 1979 , what a beast

  • @blackdiamondmarine
    @blackdiamondmarine 5 років тому +15

    this show is brilliant, a decade before i was born and his review techniques are as valid today as they were then

  • @NorseInOz
    @NorseInOz 5 років тому +25

    I had the 4.1 litre version; drove it for seven years. The handling and braking was surprisingly good for a car of that era and the mechanicals were bulletproof, but rust protection - oh dear. I always wished I'd had a 4.9 or 5.8 but when I later got to drive one, I discovered it had the lifeless power steering that Peter notes in this review. It's amazing how much that detail detracted from the enjoyment of driving it.

    • @jamesfrench7299
      @jamesfrench7299 Рік тому +1

      I had a spin in a Rambler Matador. It literally felt like someone had disconnected the steering column from the front end.

    • @phillipevans9414
      @phillipevans9414 11 місяців тому +1

      @@jamesfrench7299 . Yep, the Matador was like that...however, it was a luxury car without sporting pretences, and luxury in the '70's was synominous with "effortless steering", so feel went out the window. I owned a '73 Matador with the 5.9L (360 c.i), auto, a/c, ps, elec windows and a white leather interior. At the time one of my mates called it "a real lazy man's car", 'cause it was so comfortable and effortless to drive. I loved it, and now regret ever selling it...I would love one again, except now, they are fetching 30x what I sold mine for back in the '90's. Cheers!

    • @Gokizzmass
      @Gokizzmass 5 місяців тому

      They all had the same power steering.

  • @trewqpoiutl9774
    @trewqpoiutl9774 5 років тому +42

    These XC's just floated on roads. Remember driving mine when I had just smoked a few cones, felt like I was driving the landspeeder.

  • @OrnumCR
    @OrnumCR 5 років тому +9

    When you look at that body shape today, you forget how big these Falcons were. Width...got in a mate’s XB hardtop recently and marvelled at how wide it was...it was really broad! My family ran these through the ‘70’s and 80’s and were always Ford people. My uncle even had the Ford Landau with the Cleveland 351 whilst my stepfather had the sister LTD sedan with the Windsor 351...The things those two cars did side by side at a certain location will always give me good memories....red and blue...side by side with engines bellowing at speed.

    • @leopoldonotarianni8663
      @leopoldonotarianni8663 Рік тому +2

      Unbelievably all three of the big three family sedans shared the same 2819 mm wheelbase.
      Even the width only varied an inch from narrowest to widest.

  • @leoesposito8762
    @leoesposito8762 5 років тому +6

    This guy was ahead of his time. .great stuff abc that is gold. ..

  • @captainkaos754
    @captainkaos754 5 років тому +20

    Peter was a great visionary when he mentioned door handles falling of. He could already see them falling of xd xe xf falcons.

    • @Nemesisrooster
      @Nemesisrooster 5 років тому +3

      I had an xd wagon. At one stage only the drivers door handle was still attached. Happy days

    • @samkaur4098
      @samkaur4098 3 роки тому +1

      I had XD,XE and XF.All the door handles came off every car and sometimes more then once..I remember my mum trying to open the door and she fell on her back with the door handle in her hand.She thought i did it deliberately.

    • @gjmob
      @gjmob 3 роки тому +2

      When we saw a Falcon pull up outside the workshop we would think, that's here for some door handles and they may even want a service done as well.

    • @geoffmower8729
      @geoffmower8729 3 роки тому +2

      I used to work in a crash repairs when people would bring there xe, xf in for new door handles. I used to fix the old ones up as it usually was just a rivet giving way off the metal leaver inside. I'd fix it with a self tapping screw and I had a great little side business replacing door handles.

    • @Gokizzmass
      @Gokizzmass 5 місяців тому

      XB & XC used to break all the time as well, behind the lever so it wasn't obvious.

  • @yusuf.alajnabi
    @yusuf.alajnabi 3 роки тому +41

    Back in the day when we actually made cars.

    • @signature1990
      @signature1990 3 роки тому +3

      yeah thanks to Unions for killing jobs...

    • @landcruiserfan4206
      @landcruiserfan4206 3 роки тому +1

      @@signature1990 I think you actually mean the Liberal Gov. The Liberals under Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey forced Holden and Ford to shut down Australian manufacturing in 2013. Unions wanted Holden and Ford to stay. The LNP have done everything they can to offshore production and manufacturing, while driving wages and living standards down.

    • @signature1990
      @signature1990 3 роки тому +2

      @@landcruiserfan4206 well your comments show just how clueless you are regards basic economics... The Government never forced anyone to shut down, Unions and their idiotic claims over the decades sent a death knell to manufacturing and making cars overseas was the only option. Of course unions wanted manufacturing to stay, they were rip[ping the workers off union dues whilst casually living off an industry that was doomed due the taxpayer cash being injected into it to prop it up. No assembler was worth 85K a year putting cars together.....

    • @oldbloke100
      @oldbloke100 Рік тому

      @@landcruiserfan4206 GM stopped all right hand drive manufacturing around the world, you are delusional if you think its the governments fault.

    • @oldbloke100
      @oldbloke100 Рік тому +1

      @@signature1990 As Prime Minister Hawke said:
      > Tariffs have been one of the abiding features of the Australian economy since Federation. Tariffs protected Australian industry by making foreign goods more expensive here; and the supposed virtues of this protection became deeply embedded in the psyche of the nation. But what in fact was the result? Inefficient industries that could not compete overseas, that and Buttons motor vehicle policy were the beginning of the end for Australia's motor industry.

  • @jamesgovett3225
    @jamesgovett3225 4 роки тому +8

    I never thought l would make this statement, thanks ABC, thanks for releasing these motoring time capsules, a newfound respect.

  • @matthewgodwin3050
    @matthewgodwin3050 4 роки тому +26

    Peter Wherrett was an absolute legend. Don't think the car producers liked him very much though, he could be brutal on an industrial level sometimes.

  • @philipbyrnes7501
    @philipbyrnes7501 5 років тому +10

    What a great show and what a knowledgeable presenter Peter Wherrit was. Deeply missed but thank you for these brilliant memories from my teenage years, exceptional, thank you for putting these out there, 10 stars 👍🏻

  • @bigfella6629
    @bigfella6629 5 років тому +30

    I had one of these around late 80s, bloody comfy for touring around the countryside in.

    • @chisel83
      @chisel83 5 років тому +4

      Always had holdens with the odd euro thrown in but a mate always had Fords and we travelled alot in them. Falcons were by far better log distance cars . His old XF was a killer car for driving long hauls.

    • @chrisblue46
      @chrisblue46 5 років тому +4

      @@chisel83 Especially the XF Ghia, I used to often drive from Adelaide to Melbourne without stopping, and then get out and feel like I'd only driven a couple of hundred kms. I'd usually go there and back the same day, and that's towing a car trailer with a 6 or 8 cyl car on it both ways.

    • @petergoodwin2465
      @petergoodwin2465 5 років тому +3

      @@chrisblue46 I had a Vz commodore , had to stop twice at least .Drove the old 318 regal and didn't know I drove that far . Couldn't walk after driving the Vz but the old girl kills it by far. They build shit these days , those old V8 Fords were great cars.

    • @andrewneill9873
      @andrewneill9873 3 роки тому +1

      Slowly starting to rebuild my old one now.
      Belonged to my late Grandfather. Mine is only the 6 cylinder, but she's still going to be my pride and joy...

    • @MarkRaker
      @MarkRaker 2 роки тому +2

      Absolutely agree, I did 15,000km in 4 weeks cruising round Oz in my 78 XC wagon......slept in the back and all, man that was a comfy car to sit in for extended periods.....those were the days!

  • @thtupid
    @thtupid 5 років тому +9

    Steering wheels as they should be...vinyl, reasonably sized and a single bar across! Oh how times have changed...I love this show!

    • @unvaxxeddoomerlife6788
      @unvaxxeddoomerlife6788 10 місяців тому

      Now steering wheels look like crap, but the airbags have saved countless lives.

  • @jimmartin9704
    @jimmartin9704 3 роки тому +4

    I remember a quick trip back from the street machine national in 88. Mates 351 wagon (same colour ), my HQ panel van, Canberra to Goulburn flat biscuit , good days

  • @HandyAndyTechTips
    @HandyAndyTechTips 3 роки тому +10

    That is a damn cool looking car.

  • @stevenlippis5488
    @stevenlippis5488 5 років тому +22

    1976 they talk about the roof trim falling off. Right until the end of the Falcon, it was still a standard feature. At least Ford was consistent.

    • @AngryTurds
      @AngryTurds 5 років тому +1

      Factory leaks were standard back then and featured well into the late 90's too.

    • @thrillseekanz7874
      @thrillseekanz7874 4 роки тому +2

      Every vehicle in that heat had the same issue including GM and anything Euro. Hardly a Ford specific issue.

    • @imtheonetosayit3657
      @imtheonetosayit3657 3 роки тому

      Most cars had that problem. Magnas, camrys lots in holdens

    • @urabusliberty9258
      @urabusliberty9258 3 роки тому

      deleteMe UA-cam! Magnas don’t leak water in

    • @peterj5751
      @peterj5751 3 роки тому

      And let’s not forget breaking door handles and quickly wearing ball joints. But I remember wanting this car more than anything else and I’d still love one today.

  • @michaelcalder9089
    @michaelcalder9089 Рік тому +6

    Those were the days. Australia when is was true 🔵. Used to have one of those cars in 1981. They were 👍💯. Massive interior space. Wide track made for good handling and bulk performance. Only problem was the onset of rust.

  • @area51isreal71
    @area51isreal71 5 років тому +27

    That was great. I wanna see them all, Valiants, Kingswoods, Toranas, Falcons and whatever else he drove from what was the golden era of car manufacturing in this country......I am sure he even tested the Leyland P76? Keep 'em coming please ABC.....or just realease the lot on DVD. The queue starts behind me.

    • @abcnewsaustralia
      @abcnewsaustralia 5 років тому +17

      Here's a few for starters, we're doing our best to free the archives! ua-cam.com/video/WKu9ID8231w/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/t6yAozhmp6E/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/UaI0BjaFoTI/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/X5tGnL5Rllo/v-deo.html

    • @teddyboo2962
      @teddyboo2962 3 роки тому

      Big time 😀

    • @brianholden2724
      @brianholden2724 3 роки тому +1

      He did test the Big Leyland and didn’t he use it to give the other manufacturers a spanking on innovative design 🙀

    • @bluecent
      @bluecent 3 роки тому

      @@abcnewsaustralia we want more !!

  • @melvyncox3361
    @melvyncox3361 5 років тому +6

    Proper review!Concise,and straight to the point👍

  • @05gtdriver
    @05gtdriver 5 років тому +3

    The fact that you could get a Ram Air hood(functional or not) on a sedan is what makes our Aussies brothers very cool car people :-)

  • @Hitman-ds1ei
    @Hitman-ds1ei 3 роки тому +4

    A very under appreciated car in its day, wasn't a Ford guy but worked on a lot of them, can remember the RTA spec XC,s were this and a bit more

  • @markbehr88
    @markbehr88 2 роки тому +2

    What a great car. I wish the ABC would release all of these episodes.

  • @acegikmoii
    @acegikmoii 5 років тому +28

    I love this guy! I don't think New Zealand television (at the time just one station) bought this series. What a pity! Peter Wherrett is ahead of his time in this great series. Serious, honest and consumer-minded, Peter must have been invaluable in helping people choose cars back then and at the same time perhaps an out-spoken thorn-in-the-side of makes that were not delivering quality and safety.

    • @leonotarianni2604
      @leonotarianni2604 5 років тому +6

      I totally agree Grant .
      He was very analytical intelligent and informative. His grammar school education is strongly noticeable in his excellent vocabulary

    • @iatsd
      @iatsd 5 років тому +1

      1976? Two stations by that point, and they both ran car shows from the UK.

    • @goldreverre
      @goldreverre 5 років тому +2

      He was very influential. This show was respected and watched by people in the industry. His criticisms were always fairly explained.

    • @eadonone
      @eadonone 4 роки тому

      Tvnz had a show called the motor show with Dougal Stevenson and Chris Amon doing the test drives

  • @adventuresofaidan3541
    @adventuresofaidan3541 3 роки тому +7

    It’s pretty Sad seeing these Beautiful old classics in the Junkyards and not looked after it’s sad seeing these older falcons off the road.

    • @redoz9768
      @redoz9768 3 роки тому

      Even one sitting in a junkyard would be worth a lot of money. XA-XC Falcons are pulling big money now, even a complete basket case.

    • @lewamalfitano5498
      @lewamalfitano5498 3 роки тому

      Shitbox.

    • @nathan2483
      @nathan2483 3 роки тому

      @@lewamalfitano5498 maybe, yet still a thousand times better than anything Holden offered at the time

  • @tonytone5856
    @tonytone5856 Рік тому +3

    I love this review of the falcon but its a bit bitter-sweet because my brother had a similar model to this one and the same colour but a 77 model unfortunately it was stolen and was found strpped .i remember it had black seats and i loved riding in it.really nice car.thanks for posting.

  • @kenezos
    @kenezos 5 років тому +8

    I loved the Xc Fairmont gxl. Wish I had one today

  • @michaelscott1060
    @michaelscott1060 5 років тому +16

    ABC love this awesome stuff, please don’t stop

  • @iansandersVortech500
    @iansandersVortech500 2 роки тому +1

    Met Pete at Birdwood Mill in the Adelaide Hills when i was a teenager , nice bloke

  • @antostomp
    @antostomp 5 років тому +2

    used to love watching the dash's on these old birds as a kid, such a crazy angle...lol from a small kids perspective...also loved the bench seats

  • @matthansberry5795
    @matthansberry5795 3 роки тому +2

    Got one of these sitting in my shed had it for 25 years been off road for 10 need lots of money to restore her future project

  • @scummy73dude64
    @scummy73dude64 5 років тому +4

    Gawd I had one of these
    I miss you baby 🥺

  • @flowergrowersmith449
    @flowergrowersmith449 5 років тому +1

    People are just ADORING these old Torques!

  • @leonotarianni2604
    @leonotarianni2604 5 років тому +22

    After watching Peter Wherrett canning the HJ Holden Premier to death and noticing his dislike of Australian made vehicles I was dreading watching this.
    As it turns out, heavy fuel consumption and over assisted power steering apart, this XC Fairmont GXL was appreciated by the tester very well.....
    In the engine choice it just didn't get better than this , a 4V 4BBL Cleveland 351 (5.8 litre) and Four Speed Gearbox with excellent set up including four wheel disc brakes and LSD.
    The colour scheme is nice too with the red exterior and black Ford cloth interior .

    • @montinaladine3264
      @montinaladine3264 5 років тому +1

      Yeah, correct. But chalk and cheese cars really.

    • @petergoodwin2465
      @petergoodwin2465 5 років тому +3

      That old Xc is built better than the cars of today . The Cleveland was a fantastic engine, I'm a Mopar guy but those old Fords were great cars , worked on everything you can imagine but Ford built good cars back then. Much better than imported shit even today those old V8s will shit on most modern cars .

    • @leonotarianni2604
      @leonotarianni2604 5 років тому +1

      @@montinaladine3264 I beg to differ .the premier he test drive was a 253 and we'll optioned.
      I know it can't compete with the 351 but both are luxury versions of the family cars.

    • @TheVeljam
      @TheVeljam 5 років тому +3

      @@petergoodwin2465 Mate, it's great you can love that old V8, but just how will it "shit" on most modern cars: fuel economy - nuh; output, either overall or kw per litre - nope; handling, NVH - no way, not even close; space efficiency, technology - no; reliability - I know which cars start everytime, and it ain't the old bangers. And the main point - passive and active safety.. what's a crumple zone?? Passenger safety cell?? Airbags?? ABS?? Traction control?? Stability Control?? Mate, seriously, people would read your nostalgic bullshit and think there might be some truth to it. Can't let it happen.

    • @gogogeedus
      @gogogeedus 5 років тому +1

      Holden did sort out the HJ, and the HZ,HX Were better, nothing is better than a hz 5 litre prem.

  • @gorillafunk725
    @gorillafunk725 25 днів тому

    WOW! Takes me back to my childhood. Grew up looking forward to torque every week. To a time when people actually gave honest opinions on TV. Pity we have to travel back nearly half a century to find any.

  • @bigears4426
    @bigears4426 5 років тому +23

    If manufacturers would of took his ideas on earlier , thousands of people would not of died in accidents , clever bloke when you watch some of his films

    • @sg0238
      @sg0238 5 років тому

      I know I shouldn't laugh, but that is hilarious.

    • @bigears4426
      @bigears4426 5 років тому +1

      Yuck Foutube everyone has their bad points , no ones perfect, are you?

    • @scottkirkham1230
      @scottkirkham1230 4 роки тому +2

      Agreement from me Big Ears.
      I read one of his books, something like 25 years ago. In it he had written about being a junior journalist somewhere out around Bathurst/Orange I think.
      His assignments usually involved reports on car "accidents". He started to critically analyse them, and realized that you could always find a cause. Speed, fatigue, alcohol, bad road design, Bravado.
      He never after referred to them as accidents, but crashes. I still see them the same way, and try to modify my driving to be more aware of every situation I'm in.
      Every "crash" I've been involved in, was totally preventable.
      Just a thought....

  • @waynewright2886
    @waynewright2886 5 років тому +4

    Ford Phased Out the Falcon here in the U.S. on New Years Day 1970, the Fairmont Replaced the U.S. Ford Maverick (1969-1977), in which Replaced the Falcon, the Maverick was a 2 Door Only for the 69 & 70 Model Year, for the 71 Model Year, a 4 Door Maverick was Introduced, & it's Sister Car, the Mercury Brand Comet, came back after an Absence, & was also Built on the Same Platform with the Maverick from the 71 Model Year to the 77 Model Year, & Ford Replaced the Maverick with the Fairmont, & Mercury Replaced the Comet with the Zepher for the 78 Model Year, in 2 & 4 Doors & A Station Wagons & both were Plain Ass Cars, Underpowered Engines, you Could get Features like Power Windows, & A/C, Power Door Locks, AM/FM Stereo, With or Without 8-Track, or Cassette Players in Both Cars, they Stayed in Production Until the 83 Model Year, & Replaced by a New Model.

  • @chisel83
    @chisel83 5 років тому +99

    351. Top loader, 9 inch diff with four wheel discs. Marty get in the de lorean

    • @jimmybe64
      @jimmybe64 5 років тому +9

      Not Top Loader in XB & XC, Borg Warner. Very weak shifter design.

    • @leonotarianni2604
      @leonotarianni2604 5 років тому +6

      Single rail.
      Not as strong but an easier gearchange than the Toploader used up to 1974 XBs

    • @kruleworld
      @kruleworld 5 років тому +2

      I was just thinking... that's basically a brand new XC Falcon.... where's my delorean time machine...

    • @jimmybe64
      @jimmybe64 5 років тому +7

      @@leonotarianni2604 my dad broke 3 Borg Warner TF4 single rail gearbox's in his XB 351 Falcon Sedan in 12 months under new car warranty. When he blew it again out of warranty he replaced it with a Ford 4 speed (Top Loader) out of 1972 Cortina with a 250 6 cylinder which was fitted as standard. Never broke that gear box and he had reworked 351 to 400hp.

    • @montinaladine3264
      @montinaladine3264 5 років тому +4

      Not a Top Loader mate, Borg Warner single rail. Unsuitable for this car's torque..

  • @anthonycrompton1980
    @anthonycrompton1980 5 років тому +20

    my first car was a 4 door xc falcon with 302 cleavland

    • @steventhr
      @steventhr 5 років тому +1

      How long did it take to write it off?

  • @jcee6886
    @jcee6886 5 років тому +8

    A brand new xc Fairmont gxl 351 manual 😍

  • @edstar01
    @edstar01 5 років тому +79

    Australia, you where once great!

    • @memzruz6340
      @memzruz6340 5 років тому +2

      once great? still are lmao

    • @petergoodwin2465
      @petergoodwin2465 5 років тому +12

      @@memzruz6340 sorry mate ,China owns Australia, didn't even have a war over it . We were sold out by leftist traitors.

    • @jeeves6490
      @jeeves6490 5 років тому

      @@petergoodwin2465 Yeah, yeah, and in the 80's and 90's the Japanese were going to own it all.
      In the meantime your babbling yank political bullshit and whinging that Australia's being sold out.
      Stop aping the septics.

    • @petergoodwin2465
      @petergoodwin2465 5 років тому +6

      @@jeeves6490 Its because of leftist wankers like you we have no industry left . Nothing to do with America, our government sold us out . Nothing can compete with slave labour.

    • @jeeves6490
      @jeeves6490 5 років тому +3

      @@petergoodwin2465 Yeah that would be it, leftist wankers like me.
      Your tinfoil hat is too tight mate.
      The Chinese imports are too thin, you need the domestic version, the tinfoil is thicker.

  • @KGBSpyGeorgeCostanza
    @KGBSpyGeorgeCostanza 5 років тому +101

    Australia had great cars

    • @gosportjamie
      @gosportjamie 5 років тому +8

      Yes, yes they did. But a lot of them weren't so great straight out of the factory...

    • @gosportjamie
      @gosportjamie 5 років тому +6

      @David Miatke Yes, and they were a lot better when someone who knew what they were doing had been through them. But that's not just a comment appropriate to Australian cars, just about everything built then had flaws and issues, but the relative simplicity of the vehicles made them pretty simple to sort, unlike today where those flaws and issues tend to be electronic so you're stuck with them until they kill the vehicle...

    • @DodgyBrothersEngineering
      @DodgyBrothersEngineering 5 років тому +5

      You spelled Austria wrong, because you certainly can't have meant Australia. Have you even watched any of Peter's reviews, he is constantly saying how bad they were, and they were bad compared to other manufacturers around the world. We simply got used to them being crap, that's all.

    • @johnsergei
      @johnsergei 5 років тому

      @@gosportjamie Indeed. A cheap Falcon of the time, didn't brake like this, had cheap tires & a 3.3 engine that gave neither good economy or performance.
      Really only justifiable if you need 5/6 seats or bought the wagon, for load capacity.
      Otherwise get a Golf or Honda Accord.
      If you need space & a smaller wagon is enough, A VW Passat, maybe?

    • @trevordonohoe3712
      @trevordonohoe3712 5 років тому

      unions destroyed australian cars

  • @ronanrogers4127
    @ronanrogers4127 5 років тому +4

    Peter was always very articulate and well prepared. This is a really thoughtful and helpful review, unlike so much of the “lifestyle” kind of motoring journalism today. 10mpg...how times have changed. My 2.2 Tdi hets 42 mpg and probably has similar torque to this V8.

    • @aussiebloke609
      @aussiebloke609 5 років тому

      Likely. Shows how far we've come since then - mid-70s tyre, brake and suspension "technology" (and I use that word in its loosest possible way) had serious trouble dealing with what we now thing of as normal power and torque levels.

    • @bretthallett8655
      @bretthallett8655 Рік тому +1

      Yes, but you have a 2.2 tdi.

    • @leopoldonotarianni8663
      @leopoldonotarianni8663 Рік тому

      Very much so indeed.
      Grammar school education worthwhile and evident in his eloquence and articulated vocabulary.

  • @DIYChannelSteve
    @DIYChannelSteve 5 років тому +2

    ....and straight through the stop sign. Love it

  • @geneticallysuperior6738
    @geneticallysuperior6738 5 років тому +4

    Great classic reviews! Keep them coming!

  • @pauldunlea6745
    @pauldunlea6745 3 роки тому +3

    Last of the '' Real Fords '' Heavy and Solid and Reliable

  • @ned900
    @ned900 3 роки тому +2

    Peter Wherrett an impressive human

  • @samartz
    @samartz 5 років тому +2

    Loving these old car reviews!!

  • @glenrichards7175
    @glenrichards7175 3 роки тому +2

    he was good,very good, young ones ,watch as this is the way it used to be done

  • @johnkauppi7078
    @johnkauppi7078 Рік тому +1

    These are a great car.I have one like this,Fire Glow Red paint,351 engine,FMX auto,power steer ,air con,factory ally wheels.It's a Fairmont but lacks the bonnet scoops and is not a GXL. A one owner car from Parkes, NSW.

  • @chuckselvage3157
    @chuckselvage3157 3 роки тому +2

    They were great cars for their day.

  • @jeffmantle2468
    @jeffmantle2468 5 років тому +2

    I just sold my GXL 351 manual with 96kms on the clock.Great car

  • @jasoncarpp7742
    @jasoncarpp7742 2 роки тому +1

    I love the hat that Peter Wherrett is wearing in this video. I have a similar hat that I like to wear.

  • @jasontroy4723
    @jasontroy4723 5 років тому +1

    In 1994 I had an XC Fairmont GXL sedan 5.8 / fmx trans / 9 inch disc to disc rear / Twin system extractor & collectors . The car was in fine condition no rust great paint work , Missing was the GXL Rims replaced by a set of dragways . I paid 1500 hundred no rwc / reg . Sold it a few years later still in great condition except the fmx trans . The trans did not slip in operation but would not move the car until about 8 / 10 minutes of warm up . Funny hey . Had a service still same issue . I got 3000 grand for it . Cheers this episode was a ripper .

  • @club1fan552
    @club1fan552 5 років тому +2

    Keep showing these. I watch every one. 10 mpg? Hilarious. Love it! Soon after this we were queueing for petrol in Australia.

    • @abcnewsaustralia
      @abcnewsaustralia 5 років тому +1

      Hey there, thanks Club 1 Fan! We have a couple more of these reviews scheduled, one where Peter looks at the role of motorsport during the fuel crisis. Interesting stuff!

    • @club1fan552
      @club1fan552 5 років тому

      Thank you. The car reviews are my favourite...particularly Japanese cars but haven't seen any reviews so far.

  • @snoochpounder
    @snoochpounder 5 років тому +1

    This show needs to come back

  • @MrAustruck
    @MrAustruck 4 роки тому +2

    0:39 the old 3 wheeled street sweepers , i remember as a kid seeing them come down our street ..they where huge to me

  • @snowball05
    @snowball05 5 років тому +4

    My mate had one of these exactly right down to the paint colour. Great grand tourer if you didn’t mind 18mpg.

  • @greensocks4507
    @greensocks4507 5 років тому +1

    I love this old stuff too.

  • @darbz1017
    @darbz1017 3 роки тому +1

    Watching this thinking im glad I still got mine. Wasn't the 351 4 speed it's the 302 auto but i pulled the 302 and dropped a 351 in it also put a 9 inch aswell. Keeping the original motor in the shed.

  • @rozzyretreat3300
    @rozzyretreat3300 3 роки тому +2

    Loved old FAIRMONTS REAL CARS 351 GOOD DAYS

  • @srh76able
    @srh76able 5 років тому

    I'm dead set loving these shows.

  • @stevejohnson1321
    @stevejohnson1321 4 роки тому +1

    In a lot of instances, "falcon" in the U.S. was a lower-line model with straight-six. Though they had a fair following, one iteration was known for frequent breakage of rear springs. One of my neighbors kept extra springs and mounts on-hand.

    • @williamegler8771
      @williamegler8771 6 місяців тому

      They were also available with optional V8 engines that were frequently ordered.

  • @dpd6401
    @dpd6401 5 років тому +3

    Always loved the XC

  • @mvnorsel6354
    @mvnorsel6354 2 роки тому +1

    There is such a market for a similar car show today.

  • @747fa
    @747fa 5 років тому +5

    Australian Ford Falcon/Fairmont.."Trim, Taught and Terrific!"

  • @shreckm6470
    @shreckm6470 5 років тому +4

    Had two of these the last one was the best one 1978 update version with the Blue Oval badges .The best thing you could do was dich that thermoquad carby and go for a a 600 vacuum secondary holley for economy, not for go. Still even today one of the most comfortable cars I ever owned

    • @ericbennik2071
      @ericbennik2071 5 років тому

      The thermoquad on my dad's clapped out by 50kkm.
      Loved the cloth trim.

  • @charliepearce8767
    @charliepearce8767 2 роки тому +1

    I remember getting in one of these when they we new.
    So smooth on the road and reasonable handling.
    I was a Holden man back then and was surprised by the difference.
    That was back in the 70s and I'm still driving HQ, HJ Holden
    I just haven't updated from all those years ago.
    As there's been no need to
    Now I'm back in fashion.

  • @jasoncarpp7742
    @jasoncarpp7742 3 роки тому +10

    Between the XA through XC Falcon, I find the XB the best looking.

    • @davidwolff8903
      @davidwolff8903 3 роки тому +1

      Definitely agree. Much nicer dash and layout of instruments

    • @mvnorsel6354
      @mvnorsel6354 2 роки тому +1

      I rate the facelift from XA to XB Australia's best.

    • @jasoncarpp7742
      @jasoncarpp7742 2 роки тому +3

      @@mvnorsel6354 I agree.

    • @holdenfan8532
      @holdenfan8532 2 роки тому +1

      Definitely the toughest and best sedan, but i reckon XA hardtops look just that little bit better

    • @jamesfrench7299
      @jamesfrench7299 Рік тому

      My ranking 1.XC 2.XA 3.XB. Never liked the look of the XB, coupe excepted.

  • @fordlandau
    @fordlandau 4 роки тому +3

    The XC GXL was a very nice car indeed.

  • @johnmackay1961
    @johnmackay1961 5 років тому +2

    I used to PD XC's during my mechanics apprenticeship at John W Andrews Ford in Auckland NZ.

  • @RtB68
    @RtB68 5 років тому +3

    You have to love how at 6.48 he simply crashes that stop sign.

    • @PaulPriz
      @PaulPriz 4 роки тому +1

      Peter you missed the...........stop sign!

  • @richardabbot4695
    @richardabbot4695 Рік тому

    We need shows like this again. But that would be regarded as entertaining and we can't have can we.

  • @keithammleter3824
    @keithammleter3824 9 днів тому

    Wherrett is hilarious. In this episode he complained about too much power steering boost, saying Ford should check out the Jaguar XJS as it got power steering right. But in another episode he reviewed the jag and complained that the power steering had too much boost.
    He praised the dash, but the previous model had a better dash.

  • @claudeadams21
    @claudeadams21 5 років тому +2

    I remember seeing this actual episode. 'Torque' was a great show and Peter Wherrett enjoyed a bit of manufacturer 'bashing' when they deserved it.
    Bit of trivia....I only heard recently that he was a crossdresser and even wrote a book on the subject.

  • @blackhat2385
    @blackhat2385 5 років тому +3

    I had an xc fairmont 351 gxl just like this whwn I was an apprentice, used to go around everything but the servo, I think it use to do 30lts per 100km with some mods.

  • @mebeasensei
    @mebeasensei 4 роки тому +2

    So Falcon were ahead on Holden around 1976. Holden had the HJs and HXs at the time. I don't know about Valiant. 10mpg! Way to go Ford! That is imperial gallons too. Can you imagine though, how much this car would be worth now. An original 4 on the floor, 351 four door Falcon Fairmont. That is a top class collectable in Oz and NZ.

  • @joedaman8436
    @joedaman8436 5 років тому +1

    This is brilliant! Love it! This is what you call a car critic 👍😂

  • @gcsmowfo
    @gcsmowfo 5 років тому +7

    6:49 He didn't stop at the stop sign.

  • @PeterAndersons
    @PeterAndersons 5 років тому +21

    Ahh yes, some inspiration!

    • @MrButtonpresser
      @MrButtonpresser 5 років тому

      Haha, thought you might be along for a look!

    • @PeterAndersons
      @PeterAndersons 5 років тому

      Yes mate, heard about this and had to take a peek! @@MrButtonpresser

    • @gosportjamie
      @gosportjamie 5 років тому

      You must be rapt, Peter Wherrett actually liked your car. Actually, I'm pretty surprised he liked ANY car, he was usually pretty scathing...

    • @panelvanman7671
      @panelvanman7671 5 років тому

      fancy meeting you here Peter lol

    • @madvk308
      @madvk308 5 років тому

      haha soon as i seen this i thought of your rig :)

  • @jamiebeverley9705
    @jamiebeverley9705 7 місяців тому +1

    I wonder if that car has survived, I hope so 351 4 speed GXL, love it 👍

  • @myeviltwinbrother
    @myeviltwinbrother 5 років тому +2

    Way to go... NOT stopping at the stop sign (@6:50)...

  • @TweedSuit
    @TweedSuit Рік тому

    The intro sequence was shot on colour film but TV was black and white until 1975.

  • @dalecollison791
    @dalecollison791 5 років тому +3

    Great old car and review. But did anybody see him drive straight through the stop sign at 6:48?

  • @RE1974
    @RE1974 5 років тому

    Nice work ABC, I hope you post more soon. Do you have any of these covering the Mazda RX2,3,4,5? Polarising vehicles at the time, some people loved them others hated them (full disclosure, I still have my RX2)

  • @petergrundy8081
    @petergrundy8081 10 місяців тому

    Great show

  • @Gokizzmass
    @Gokizzmass 5 місяців тому +1

    All GXL's had 4 wheel discs. Mine was a 6 and came with them.

  • @davidbarnsley8486
    @davidbarnsley8486 5 років тому +2

    When the abc use to make unbiased great shows
    What a car to have today and my favourite colour of red
    May Aunty has a 4.1 version same colour what a car it was
    He was so good Peter Werrit loved watching his shows

  • @comfortablynumb9861
    @comfortablynumb9861 3 місяці тому

    That throat clearing during the intro 😂

  • @martinfiay8908
    @martinfiay8908 2 роки тому +1

    damn I was 6 years old in 1976 , dad had a green Cortina Station wagon and mum had a little red corolla , and my uncles had the Ford Falcons and Ford Fairlanes. Id always say to dad get one of them and he'd say they chew up to much petrol son, that's why I guess we had a Cortina instead ... such memories

  • @SwaggingWithBen
    @SwaggingWithBen Рік тому +2

    6:48 Straight through the stop sign lol!

    • @janeblogs324
      @janeblogs324 Рік тому +2

      But at least he looked left after blowing through it

  • @StormCentre88
    @StormCentre88 5 років тому +1

    I had one of these years ago; 351 Cleveland in dark brown. Peter was right, they love a drink. Not bad cars for their day.