Ford Falcon EL - Excellent Last E Series
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- Опубліковано 7 кві 2024
- Here is my latest episode in the Falcon history series - the EL. The EL was the last model in the 5th generation of Falcon and was a big seller for Ford. Also launched during EL was the EL GT. Personally I prefer the EB GT. What do you think? Please be sure to hit that 👍Like👍 button. It doesn’t cost a thing and it helps the channel. Please also Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. There are more gistory series to come that cover Ford, Holden and Chrysler. Plus other interesting US and European cars too. Thanks for watching. 👍
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Here is my latest episode in the Falcon history series - the EL. This was the last model in the 5th generation of Falcon and one of the most popular Falcons. Also introduced was the EL GT. Personally, I prefer the EB GT. Which is your favourite? Please be sure to hit that Like 👍 button as it really helps the channel and only takes a second. Please also Subscribe for more old car videos. I will be doing Ford, Holden and Chrysler history series plus much more. Thanks for watching. 👍
A bit unrelated , but RIP Bev Brock.
But appropriate.
Yes. RIP Bev. 🙏
Yes indeed. Bev was a wonderful woman. Peter was very lucky to have had her support all those years. She was his rock.
I remember the 1998 built EL models had some new colours that were released with the AU.
They also had a runout deal where you could lease an EL on a four year lease, then have the option of exchanging it for an AU after 12 months, at the same monthly rate.
I also recall TV ads flogging 12 month old EL ex program vehicles with four new tyres for around $22,888.
Yes, I remember that deal to go into an AU. That was pretty clever ai thought? And as for the EL ex Program cars, I was at the agency J. Walter Thompson, when we were promoting those. They did very well as used cars, probably helped by the response to AU too? 🤔👍
@@markbehr88So Mark, did you work for JWT or GMH ?
@@paulsz6194 Both. And HSV and FPV. 😀👍
@@markbehr88 sounds like a rewarding career, working for both manufacturers , understanding their corporate philosophies , the people that worked there & what motivated them to do certain designs to their cars. I wonder what it would have been like working for Ford when Brocky split with GMH, for a brief fling with Ford.
@@paulsz6194 It was. I always tried to make a big difference when I was there. The latest Australian Muscle Car mag has a story on what I did with the VU SS ute for example. It was great to have such an influence on many Holdens, HSVs, FPVs and even the Fords (which I will cover off in later episodes). One thing is for sure. There are a lot of non car people in car companies and I used to get frustrated by that. 👍
In 2000 I went to my local Holden dealer to buy a 2 year old VS Commodore. They had a whole row of them. But at the end of the row of Commodores was an EL Futura sedan in Yellow Sand with a beige interior. I fell in love with it and bought it. I was not disappointed. It was a lovely car to replace my XE GL. Thanks for the episode and the Falcon series. Have enjoyed very much.
Thanks very much. I wonder what the dealer thought when you walked past all those VS Commodores? 😀👍
I really don't like these. Very generic looking. I'm sure they were great, just not looking...to me at least. Even the xrs don't even do it for me.
@@joellamoureux7914 Fair enough. Which models do you like? 🤔
@@joellamoureux7914 They looked More modern than the VR/VS Commodore's of the same era.
The EL GT was reminiscent of the VL walkinshaw body kit treatment..It's like they let loose a teenage boy to design the body kit.
Yes, I think that is a fair assessment. 👍
The EL falcon was a lovely car possibly the best Falcon ever. So much nicer than the VS Commos particularly in the interior design, so much more pleasant and cohesive.
Yes, they were great cars. Very smooth and great interiors as you say. 👍
100% agree, VS Commodore's still had parts of the interior which dated back to the VN Commodore of '88 . A newly shaped Dashboard is what the main difference was . At least the EF /EL Falcon's interiors looked ahead of their time back in the day
Girlfriends mum had an EL XR6 5 speed. I thrashed that car every opportunity.
You’re a bad man. 😀👍
I remember one day at the dealership a pair of rough looking bikers turned up to take an XR8 for a test drive. None of the salesmen wanted to go outside. Eventually one got forced to go and off they went for a test drive, 1 hr passed , 2 hrs passed, we started to get a bit worried now as mobile phones weren’t really common item . Eventually 3 hrs later they return, the XR8 has zero rear tread , the salesman is the same colour as the car, white and he looked visibly shaken. We thought the worst but apparently these bikers were giving this XR8 absolute thrashing . In the end, they bought the demo car on one proviso , new tyres, serviced and all done by 5pm and wanted another new XR8 by the next day. They got their wish.
What a story. I wonder what their source of income was? 🤔👍
@@markbehr88 sure as hell wasn’t garden vegetable and ice teas. That’s why any cash transaction over $10000 must be declared now.
I think the EB is the best looking E Falcon. Like, the EL doesn't look better than the EF and the EF doesn't look better than the EB.
You're obviously right about the GT thing.
It's the other way around with the Fairlanes in the 90s, the first ones are weird looking then the NL is like peak Fairlane. You're right, now is a good time to get one.
I do like the EB. The Fairlane series will be interesting to do too. 👍
Another awesome video. I was working Nightshift when the EL was out an I use to get same taxi driver home each night. He had an EL Falcon taxi wagon an it was REAL smooth comfortable an quiet nice .
Thanks very much. I can imagine that EL was a smooth ride. You probably nodded off with the sound of the engine? I would have 👍😀
Somewhere I still have the cassette tape that came in a new EL to explain the features. They had some interesting colours, like the “mushroom blue” as we called it - light blue, but the mica flip gave it a light beige (like a mushroom) shade in the right light. That was on a Futura I had as a work car for a while. The slim front on the EF really made the bulky rear on the wagon look unwieldy, but the more blunt nose of the EL reduced that effect. The wagon tail lights and smooth rear bar were huge improvements over EA-ED.
The EL seemed to be the most disjointed in both the styling and marketing effort, with lots of knee-jerk reactions rolled out in a hurry due to the strong selling VS, and the unstoppable VT sales surge. Ford threw everything at the EL to tide them over until the AU, but it wasn’t enough. They never really recovered from it.
It sticks in my memory as the last time you still got nice velour in a Ghia, although you could special order a “de-option” velour trim in some later models that had standard leather (like the BA Fairlane). Leather in the Australian climate is not a nice thing. And the borderline junk they use in mainstream cars is barely an improvement over 1970s vinyl.
Those EL amber tail lights really annoyed me. They simply didn’t need the povo-spec look on the level 1 models when the Fairmont & Ghia had the additional bits on the boot to stand out. I guess someone in styling didn’t want people to confuse the lower spec EL with the previous EF from the rear.
The EF/EL interior was definitely a high point. Even now someone only has to say “cappuccino trim” and I instantly think of an EL. I wasn’t impressed by the AU interior at all.
Another good history fix Mark. Just the right length and detail.
Thanks very much. I agree on the amber indicators. The Cappuccino interiors really looked good and I loved the metal chrome interior handles on the Ghia. Very nice. The interiors also had a nice two tone effect. 👍
The shark fins rim's just looked so good on the late e series
I agree. Great wheel. 👍
Another great video. Here in NZ we got the EL All Black edition I think it was a Futura with All Black stickers, Ford was a major sponsor for the rugby back then.
Yes, I do remember Ford and the All Blacks relationship when I worked in NZ for Holden in 1994 to 1997. 👍
I recently sold my first car, a mocha 97 ghia, 6 cyl auto lsd, was a fantastic car as a p plater, i lowered, fitted extractors and 2.5 of course, i just loved it, was super reliable too. Ive since bought a 5l df ltd
My first thoughts were - why did you sell it? But then you kind of answered my question with the DF LTD. Nice find. Look after it and try to keep it original and it will repay you by going up, up, up in value. 👍
@markbehr88 yeah fairmont had some rust starting come though and I was leaning towards a v8, the ltd is great though, 193kms, 2 owner country car, I'm stoked with it haha
@@Nigel_noongar78 Sounds great. 👍
The EL Fairmont was the first car I bought as a 23 year old in 2000. A huge step up from the XE Falcon S pack I had. My parents had got me the XE in 1995 when I got my P’s lol!
Good memories!
Cool car hey for a young bloke? 👍
I test drove one at Mosman Toyota about that period and it was very nice and went like stink off the line.
They wanted 14k but was tempted.
@@jamesfrench7299 That was probably a bit of money back then too? 🤔👍
@@markbehr88 I thought even then it was a bit steep for a Fairmont. The dealer was very professional and left me alone while I test drove it solo. Probably was open to a deal but I wasn't keen on the blue grey interior compared to the stunning brown one.
It was a nice looking metallic green (like it has a hint of blue mixed in) and immaculate inside and out.
@@jamesfrench7299 That dealership was owned by Suttons I believe? 👍
Another great video Mark thank-you again for your efforts. I used to drive an EL Falcon hearse of all things way back when I was a funeral director, it had a Hillier body conversion where they take a basic GLI wagon and add LTD front sheet metal /trim, add a different tailgate with LTD rear sheet metal incorporated and outfit the cargo area to accept coffins, that hearse looked pretty snazzy in the day with all the shiny LTD "bling" on it.
What a blast from the past those T.V ads at the end were especially the one where the old Chevy truck runs out of brakes and the Fairmont saves the day, although I did always wonder what the truck tapping the rear of the Fairmont had to do with dual front airbags airbags as it is more of a situation that depended on having sturdy headrests, guess we're not supposed to question that.
Looking forward to the next vid (AU).
Thanks very much. That hearse sounds very cool. I remember when I worked at Mitsubishi regional office in Ashfield, I used to walk past a funeral director who had black P76 mourning cars. Very cool. I also recall at Gordon a beautiful late 1960’s Mercedes hearse. They had Cadillac mourning cars. They also had a Galaxie hearse circa 1969. And lastly, I recall seeing a beautiful all black Chrysler by Chrysler mourning car over Epping way. Funny how you remember that stuff. 👍
I remember ending up with a 5 sp EL as company car. Would never had said it was a strong handler, but the manual made it more fun. Definitely good at eating up miles in western NSW.
Where Australian cars shine. Out in the country.
That would have been a good cruiser. I love my AU XR6 manual. 👍
Yes, for sure. 👍
Amazing that the change in the watts linkage by a small amount transformed the car. EFs had a reputation for ending up in the scenery.
I plan to keep my EF Fairmont V8 out of the scenery! 😀👍
Recently picked up a one owner August 1998 Futura in Dynamic White. Such a good drive.
Excellent. Great score. 👍
Hold onto it for as long as possible ! 👊
@@paulsz6194 Agree. 👍
@@paulsz6194 never letting go of it. Best $3800 I've ever spent, and try finding another.
Put about $1000 of new parts in her, all new cooling system and full transmission flush with new external cooler to avoid the dreaded BTR milkshake. Not to mention new brakes/pads all round and to top it off a leather steering wheel from a Ghia :)
@@markbehr88 I know a girl who had one before an elderly lady driver rammed the back of it and wrote it off. Now she drives an MG hatch.
What a tragedy.
Kool....EF EL best looking ever....beats me why they didnt base the GT on the XR 8 I think that styling had plenty of scope.....
Yes, that could have worked? 🤔👍
@rd4in37 come to think of it, they may have been better off doing a more subtle styled XR8 sprint…
@@mrdoiii Or do both! 👍
This means the AU is next 🎉
That’s right. I’d like to hit 4,000 subs first. 👍
@@markbehr88 subbed
@@davetate1155 Thanks so much. There is a lot of work that goes into the episodes so I really appreciate the Subscribe. 👍👍👍
Another entertaining and easy to watch video…love your work! I don’t remember seeing the last advertisement for dual airbags…thanks for including it! Hope you reach 4,000 subs soon as I wait eagerly for the AU instalment. Thanks!
@@famousamoss Thanks. That was a NZ EF ad that I snuck in there. I had not seen it either. Appreciate the Subscription. 👍
Ive had my EL XR6 for 24 years and still love it.
Excellent! 👍
EL XR6 with those shark fin rims, still my fav car. my top4 ...Or the Fairmont Ghia with the Tickford body kit in burgundy.
Both very nice cars. 👍
Great vid Mark👍, i remember back in 98 when i was pushing trollies at Broadmeadows plaza for a job & the EF & EL cabs were everywhere. Also i remember seeing my First AU (brand new) parked on the nature strip a few doors down from my place it was a forte & it was green👍
Great memories hey? How times have changed! 👍
@@markbehr88 absolutely, much shitter these days
@@chrisF351 In terms of cars yes. 👍
I owned many falcons in the last forty so years, and I have to say my EL Futura was the best of the lot
Wow. That’s a big endorsement there 👍
Hi Mark, I got to say that the EB-GT is a nicer looking car, the front of the EL-GT looks menecing. But the rest of the EL range does look good, That would have made a good performance if Ford made a Falcon Cosworth. The Sapphire name was only used on UK cars the Sierra was 5 door hatcback and 5 door estates and the 4 door saloon used the Sapphire name , the Sapphire came out in 1987 for the long replacement for the Cortina between 1982-83 to 1987 Ford had no 4 door family car of this size so buyers were buying Austin Montego and Vauxhall Cavalier ,in Europe the Sapphire was not used, Sierra was used on all models. As always a great video Take care
Thanks Shaun. Great info on the Sapphires too I quite like them. 👍
The EL model was a great model.
Glad you liked it. 👍
It only took Ford 8 years to refine the E series Falcon.. Its probably one of their better designed Falcons. No wonder people deserted the AU in Droves!
@@paulsz6194 The AU was a design that improved with age, but unfortunately if cost Ford a huge amount in lost sales and goodwill. The ironic part is that the AU is one of the best, most durable cars Ford Australia ever made from a reliability perspective. I will certainly get into that in the AU episode - which will be a mega one. 👍
@@markbehr88 I think it was too much of a revolution ( Fords vision of what a Falcon should be leading up to the next century) as opposed to building on, and evolving on the successful EL series. It looked Ike. It was a distant cousin of the imported Ford Taurus , with all its bubbly curves. I think that front grill was enough to put off many of prospective customers., which gave GMH a free kick with an unbroken sales lead with the commodore.
@@paulsz6194 Yes, there were a lot of issues with “the brief”. I wish I had of been there at that point. I was around more for BA and FG. There were some basic fundamentals of what a Falcon is that were lost. I will cover it off in the AU mega episode. 👍
I agree with your comments Mark regarding the EL GT. The EB GT was a better looking GT. I remember when the EL GT was released it was really polarising, you either loved it or hated it. P.S. Great content Mark! Well done on the Falcon series!
Thanks very much. I am glad you are enjoying it. I would like to eclipse 4,000 subscribers if possible? Agree re the EL v EB. It was overdone and, as I said a caricature of what a GT was I felt it must have been designed by a non Australian. What I mean is by someone who “thought” they knew the Australian muscle car market or their outside view of it.👍
Hi Mark, what a great video. Personally I liked the EB GT over the EL GT. There was something about the styling of the EL GT that it did not suit the car. I thought the front grill looked strange. I do however, like the dark burgundy color of EL GT. One good thing about the 6 cylinder EL models was that you could advance the timing of the engine via the distributor; especially if your running 98 octane fuel.
Thanks very much and I appreciate the Subscribe. I too like the EB. Personally, if I was in Product Planning at that time, I would have put a Bentley style mesh grille on the car, to give it that “premium performance” look. The rest of the car looks good, so that minor change would have helped it a lot imo. Of course, there will be people out there who love the Darth Vader look and that’s fair enough. 👍
1998 EL Falcons received the Hybrid I6 with AU heads and crank. These were marketed with the same performance figures but were easily recognisable through the back of the pants when driving. I have heard the argument though that the return to distributor and rubber engine mounts (distributor less ignition and hydraulic mounts in EF) were cost cutting measures for development of the AU. Another funny point is try telling people Ford made panel vans until 1998, no one will believe you!
I think the return to distributors was the negative feedback from the Taxi operators? Re the panel van, I think that last XH image I included was from 1998? 👍
@@markbehr88 I guess Distributors we're a tried & true design which hadn't failed the falcons, so it was easier to return them than spend more money on researching & rectifying the issues with the Distributorless ignition ?
@@paulsz6194 Sounds like it. 👍
Awesome and thank you Mark 🇦🇺
Thanks very much 👍
EL takes the cake for me.
The most refined and well finished.
With regards to the GTs, the EB looks better but the EL GT interior is unbeatable.
Yes, maybe an EB with an EL interior! 😀👍
@@markbehr88 perfection 👌
Thanks for making this video I love the EL, I wish we still had falcon and commodore in Australia.
Thanks Costa. I know how you feel as I feel the same way. 👍
@@markbehr88 I remembered when the XR6 EL was weeks away from turning up and trying to convince my old man to buy one.Finally found him a best of both worlds sports car that is useful for a family but to my horror I find out he's buying a Nissan 200sx.This was in October 1996.I remembered coming home in my last week of school just before life in the big working world was to begin to see that mistake he made.Yes the kids are old enough to drive themselves or in my case at that time old enough to get a permit and learn but the strangest thing was each time we would see an XR6 or the equivalent Commodore S at the lights we would given the lighter weight of the car at 1265kg race away from them to the point both look like Toys.The one thing I really hated was it was a backache killer as well.
@@franzchong5889 Yes, I know that feeling as a kid, when you try to convince your Dad to buy something and he won’t listen. 😀👍
Had mine for 14 years.... 81k on the clock and I live her to bits.... Never ever gonna sell her..... Long live the locally built in Campbellfield Aussie Falcon!
Very nice with that low mileage. 👍
@@markbehr88 Cheers Mark... When I picked her up she had 54k on the clock.. One owner, old guy who passed away....
@@muzza9338 Nice find 👍
The EF/EL's were smart classy looking cars...so much so..that when the AU was released. ...omfg...wtf were they thinking....it had to be a corporate pisstake....however. ..time has proven the AU to be....LEGENDARY ....🔥😛👍
Yes, it was a huge shift going to AU. I was working for Holden initially when it was released and then went to Ford’s ad agency to help sell them. Then, back to HSV to sell against them. 👍
@@markbehr88 you DO realise this next video in your Falcon series is possibly going to be THE most monumentally important video you've EVER made. ..no pressure. .....😛👍
@@lancecooper4646 Yes, I do. 😀👍
The irony is I reckon the AU looks better today than its ever done. But I'm with you, how could the Ford Australia design team get it so wrong. Kudos for the Territory and the BA transformation - the only thing carried over from the AU were the doors and mirrors.
@@nigelbritton964 The AU has definitely improved with age and now has quite a following. I have 4 AU models myself! 👍
Cheers mate, great video. I’m personally more of a fan of the ELGT especially from an interior point of view. I think basing it on the Fairmont was a good choice giving it more of a prestige feel (just my thoughts) also don’t forget about the FBT Fairlane by Tickford which was basically a long wheel base ELGT
I wish australia kept the tradition of having an Aussie built sedan/wagon as a family Hailee instead of the move to SUV and dual cab monster trucks.
I think the biggest thing that has always drawn me to the E-Series and 90’s cars in general is growing up with them. They were the ones picking us up from school and taking us on adventures! Long live the humble 90’s shitboxes 😄
Thanks very much. I am glad you are enjoying the videos. Fair enough re the EL. Yes, sad about no more Falcons and Commodores, Fairlanes, Statesman etc 😢
Thanks for another excellent and information full video Mark. And great to hear you talking about your background knowledge which you also put in the comments too. Cheers and thanks again
Thanks very much Jeffrey. I appreciate it. 👍
Love the factory picture of the White ute on the production line missing its black door bump strip! 😂
I think that is intentional for some form of signage? 👍
@markbehr88 sadly there were no 5 speed Fairmonts or Ghias in EF/EL.
EL was the last model to offer manual Futura and manual wagon.
Shame. I thought the odd special order 5 litre manual Ghia would have been terrific! 👍
The boss had an EF XR6 5sp which I got rarely. Definitely handled better and the lower ratio diff made it more lively
Yes, that would have been a nice driver. 👍
12:06 The 'Zoidberg' Futurama grille on the EL GT wasn't a highlight for me, but the Showa G52 intake and proper drive shaft on the BTR 4 stage was a boon for 146 mph German Autobahn touring by Peter Robinson was almost as good as the 186 mph the Falcon GTP did in 2016...each were great examples of doing more with less overall aerodynamic drag. It had taken years for the team to put US style Saleen style grunt into the 5 litre GT.
Wow. How cool is that! 👍
i loved my el xr6 manual
I can understand that. They are very cool cars. Check out the EF episode if you haven’t already and please subscribe. 👍
So do I, luckily I kept mine & it's still sitting in my shed
👍 Heritage Green with the Tickford bodykit.
@@petezappa8748 very cool 👍
Loving all the videos Mark. Keep up the great work.....looking fwd to the next videos. Especially the holden range too. I've learned so much. Biggest thing for me was telling the difference between the xw and xy. Also the xa b and c falcons.
Now I can pick them out.
So thanks again.
Dean
Thanks Dean. Glad you like them. 👍
Love your videos mate, liked & subscribed 👍I own a factory manual EL XR6 which I'm hoping to restore 1 day. Keep up the good work!
Thanks very much Pete. Look after that XR6 gem! 👍
My granddad had a EL futura wagon 1996 bought it as a demo sold it back in 2008 and apparently registered last in 2019
Cool. Is it still around? 🤔👍
@@markbehr88 my intuition says yes
@@Affectionandpringles2632 You should track it down and keep it. Aussie car and family history 🤔👍
Excellent videos mate, cant wait for the next one 👍.I cant believe these cars are nearly 30 years old, I remember I just got my license when these came out , My aunty bought a brand new El fairmont when they came out and I was impressed how luxurious it was and how well they drove. I always loved the falcons 💙.
Thanks very much David. Hard to imagine how much time has passed? Where did it go? 🤔👍
As always another great episode Mark 👍, on the EL GT , i would agree mate , it probably wasnt the prettiest looking model , the EB GT was nicer looking , but as a long time AU owner what do i know about looks :).
I know i`m a broken record , but i so miss our home grown cars , and companys that made them and put bread and butter on thousands upon thousands of Aussie plates for decades.
I better not get started because i dont want to turn it in to a rant post :).
Looking forward to the Au when you get around to it mate :).
Cheers .
Thanks very much. I know how you feel re the Aussie car industry. Very sad. 😢
Would love to have a 5ltr Fairmont.
Me too (I have an EF) so maybe a wagon? 👍😀
Oh wow! I always thought the EF came with the drivers airbag as standard. Miss my EL, had a few issues from sitting so long, but she was an awesome vehicle.
It did but the EL was the first to have standard driver’s airbag and the availability of passenger airbag at launch. EF had it at series 2 but not at launch. 👍
EL was great car n ute, i got drive EL GLi at DECA Shepparton, Victoria as part of learner training. It was so better then our old 202 HJ Kingswood LOL. As for ute range in XH there was Outback but favourite ute was Sandfire with massive 3 inch side exhaust system, I seen at Melbourne Motor show then Elmore field days were ì got see it start up n rev...NICE. Terra was before RTV n Pedator sedan n yes i got these posters n AU concepts.
Yes. I remember those too. 👍
Loving these episodes. Two minor things, you said EL was the first to have a drivers airbag standard but it was actually EF that it became standard. Also the last tv ad played at the end was a EF Fairmont not an EL
Thanks very much. I explained somewhere else, it was the first at launch (at launch) to offer the driver’s airbag AND the availability of passenger as an option. The EF 2 offered that but not at launch. Good pick up re the NZ TV ad. I had never seen it before so decided to slot it in after the Australian EL ad. It was a far fetched idea but pretty cool regardless. I should have marked it EF. 👍👍
Another excellent history video. The EL was the last Ford company car I had. I had left nestle and moved to a private company where I was given a EL Fairmont Ghia that was 12 months old. It was very well appointed. The leather seats and the sound system were stand outs. The thing that I didn’t like was the suspension. Mine was equipped with the sports suspension which was very hard and didn’t do the Ghia badge justice. I got promoted after 18 months to a more senior role and stepped into BMW 5 series from then on. I had a couple of 545’s. I have to say, for the cost of those vehicles, reliability was not very good and running costs really over the top. We had our sales force all in Ford Falcons and Fairmonts, and as the years rolled on they continued to improve.
Thanks very much. Good you called out the BMW’s shortcomings v the Falcons. Normally the “keeping up with the Johan’s” gets in the way of that - so refreshing to hear. 👍
@@markbehr88 Fords very reliable vs BMW’s and equipment wise not much difference. I now drive a 2012 G6E and it’s staying in my garage. Never gives any trouble, cheap to maintain, comfortable and well appointed.
@@phil4977 Thanks Phil. Great to hear! 👍
Loved my el falcon and also the orange tail lights looked so much better
Glad you loved it. I’ll agree to disagree on the amber indicators. 👍
@@markbehr88 but I thought you liked differentiation Mark which that was for.
@@jamesfrench7299 I do but not at the cost of aesthetics. On the VX I had differentiation but still only red and white lenses. 👍
Having owned both EF and EL i have to say the EL was a major improvement. The EF felt very close to a face lifted ED which wasn't bad but the EL was noticeably butter from a drivers standpoint. My hybrid 98 EL was probably one the best cars i have ever owned
Good to hear a perspective from an actual owner. 👍
Mark I may have not watched your videos close enough but I don't recall you mentioning the XG and XH Falcon Longreach Outback utes which came standard with raised heavy duty suspension, lots of underbody armour, truck like air cleaner, Hydratrak diff, bullbar, dual petrol tanks, and seating for three (though a bit cramped). Also the Falcon from EF to AU had the option of a factory fitted bullbar which I think is very Australian and worth mentioning. Great series of videos by the way.
Thanks. I do mention a variety of XH commercials but not the Outback specifically. If you check out the EF episode I talk about the bull bars there. It’s worth watching the full Falcon history playlist if you haven’t already. 👍
The problem with ford in line six's was the head gasket and the driveshaft mounts, and the diff seizes routinely, outside of that they were a great linear engine, interestingly ford falcon utes not only hold their value they are rapidly increasing in value
@@user-ds2ej3wn8p I think most of the Aussie cars will go up in value. 👍
Thanks for doing these, really interesting content.
Thanks very much. Please do subscribe if you haven’t already. 👍
EL Ford fairmont my parents have we had a EA S PACK big on In features and power the EL was ❤❤❤
Sounds like a great car. 👍
YES TOTALLY ENJOYED IT MARK, WOW, EVERY VIDEO ON THE FALCON I LOVE IT, GLAD TO MEET YOU & YOUR INCREDIBLE CHANNEL HERE AT UA-cam. PHENOMENAL JOJ.
Thanks very much. I appreciate it 👍.
EL Fairmont Ghia V8 was the way to go, even though the power increase was paltry(or perhaps the Concorde Ghia). It looked a WHOLE lot better than the GT which always looked like someone had visited the local go fast shop and stuck bits on it that weren’t made for it.
Yes. The front of the EL GT was NQR to me. 👍
Excellent video, well done
Thanks very much 👍👍
G’day Mark,
Always had a soft spot for the EL Falcon.
When I was offered a new company car in 1996 I went for the VS Series II over the Falcon but the next round of new company car I got a double black AU Futura.
Loved that AU.
That XR was a great look, never saw a Victorian Police Highway Interceptor Falcon EL XR, but plenty in NSW & they looked awesome in police livery.
Thoroughly enjoying your video’s
Cheers
Louis Kats 👍
Thanks Louis. Glad you liked the video. I had VS Commodores as company cars when I was at Holden (but generally went for Statesmans. I felt the larger VT was much better (more Falcon like). 👍
@@markbehr88 My boss got a new VT SS Series I with the Holden V8, could of gotten a VT but I liked the looks of the AU Futura especially in black & factory alloys wheels.
Better grill than the Falcon & nicer dash.
That was 25 years ago where have the years gone.
Cheers
Louis Kats 👍
@@louiskats5116 I know! Where have the years gone!
The EF/EL were the best Falcons IMHO. Beautiful looking cars. Nice vid mate 👍🙂🇦🇺
Thanks very much. 👍
Not a fan really of the EL GT either, Mark. One of the pool cars where I worked back then was a silver Sapphire wagon. Nice car, but not so much when we were finished with it lol. Another good show, Cheers mate.
Thanks. It will be interesting to see what people think of the EL GT in particular. 👍
Interior luxury would have been quite a treat. But the exterior styling would have got me in more via an extension of the XR6/8 platform. They do look better in the flesh to be fair.
@@coalfacechris1336 Yes, I think the grille was the real issue. As I said, a Bentley style open mesh grille would have been far better imo. 👍
I'll have to make sure i'm not eating when you release your next video on the AU!
C’mon. They’re not that bad. 😀👍
im restoring one now not that there was much wrong but it was parked for 10 years so im going through changing fluids the odd rust spots ,its a rare cinnamon metalic color ,it drives like new im very impressed and wouldn't part with it...
Great to hear you are resurrecting it. 👍
I worked at the Proving Ground when the EL Falcons were undergoing durability testing. A tough car, although one of the sedans had a big kangaroo make a mess of its roof...
I have driven around You Yangs Proving Ground plenty of times. Best time was with BA GT and John Bowe. 👍
EL XR8 with the GT body kit trimmings would look amazing I think.
Yes,maybe they should have done that? 👍
I agree with your comment about the interiors on the luxury models.I sat in a EL Fairmont Ghia in a showroom on Sydney Rd in Melbourne and the showroom is long gone.It had cream leather in it and it was sumptuous.I have an Fgx G6ET and the leather is nowhere near as good.
Yes, it was definitely a high point for those cars. 👍
Really good summary Mark,
Few extras,
The GT suspension was designed around the Yokohama A510 tyres . Personally I thought the A509 was a better tyre.
The Fairmont Ghia could be optioned with Tickford suspension, rims and body kit. I briefly owned a EL XR6 and a customer cancelled his order for a navy Ghia with all the Tickford options. I bought the Ghia and wished I never let that car go during a divorce settlements. (She got to keep it)😭
The Ghia 6 was also the first falcon to be speced with synthetic power steering oil 75w80 . You can actually use this in all falcon power steering from AU onwards to stop the shudder.
The GT also had a unique upright spindle to accept the twin piston calipers
Thanks. Great additional info and glad you enjoyed the episode. I feel your pain re losing that Navy Ghia. That would have been a tremendous car. 🫣. Maybe keep an eye out for it? 👍
@@markbehr88 the colour suited it to the T. Leather seats, steering wheel , gear stick, Hand brake lever it oozed luxury but it went hard and cornered like a Tickford does, very well. The brakes let it down and I ended up using slotted rotors with doped black flash pads on it. I ditched the stock exhaust , put on extractors and a 3” system. Never had any issue with this car , not a single problem from new till I had to give it up in 2008. 10 totally trouble free years.
@@tba3900 I feel your pain 😢
I agree about the amber rear indicators. Not sure why Ford did that, but perhaps it was to further differentiate the lower end Falcons with the Fairmont/Fairmont Ghia. And those standard 15", 6 spoke wheels for the XR6 look ugly. It needed the upgraded 16" wheels to look right!
As for choosing between the EL and EB GT? That's an impossible task for me. I didn't like the front grill of the EL GT, granted, but I absolutely adore the rest of the car. I also agree that the EB is more cohesive overall, but that three quarter rear view of the EL GT that you showed at 10:54 and the side-on view at 11:01 looks superb. I think overall I prefer the EL because of the nicer interior.
Fair enough re the EL GT. I am interested to see what people think. It is a shame they didn’t use a Bentley style mesh or something else for the grille as the rest of the car looked good as you say. 👍
The Fairmonts and Ghia still retained the clears indicators
@@tba3900 That’s right. I covered that “high series”. 👍
I concur with you Mark in I too didn't like the EL GT for the EB GT had a cohesive look whereas to my eyes the EL GT was a "bitza" GT looking like it had bits from here and bits from there stuck on it. It's almost as if it was an afterthought. I always preferred the EL Fairmont Ghia to the EF Fairmont Ghia, as the EF Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia seemed to have a Botox grill with the rather fat surrounds whereas the EL Fairmont Ghia with the chrome just gave it that extra lift and a touch of class. I almost bought a EL Fairmont Ghia once but I just couldn't afford it at the time and of all the cars I've had I've really regretted never having owned an EL Fairmont Ghia.
I'm thoroughly enjoying every episode of this Falcon series Mark for I always hoped that someone with the authority because they'd been there at Ford would do a series on the Falcon and hopefully other cars that Ford made but also Holden as well. It will mean that you're going to be busy for some years to come if you include Chrysler and Leyland.
Thanks very much. I agree with your styling summary there. I do have plenty of material to offer and feel, given I worked for both Ford and GM, I can offer a bit of an insider’s perspective. I am glad you are enjoying the episodes. Please tell your mates as I would like more subscribers! 😀👍
I wondered what EL would stand for.
Good choice.
I was reviewing old camcorder tapes and found I took a still pic of my dad's EL taxi in Premier livery around 2000.
The GT looks all over the place and the front just looks awful to me.
The EB beats it for days and is very cohesive looking over that.
Sorry any owners, I'm sure It's lovely from inside.
Thanks for the EL endorsement of the title. Yes, I am an EB GT fan too. 👍
@@markbehr88 I was trying to think up one myself but no success.
This is an EL drift car I watched ages ago. Turbo SOHC putting out 500hp.
ua-cam.com/video/ukPkldB5cVc/v-deo.htmlsi=Y62Zs9i-IPkGUtth
@@markbehr88 I just remembered there was this funky iridescent silver colour used only on the EL Falcon which would turn different colours like green and purple depending on the angle you viewed it and lighting.
Does that ring a bell?
I saw quite a few of them.
@@jamesfrench7299 Yes, it does. I can’t recall the name of it though. I am not a fan of colours that change. When Ford released such a colour for the BF I declined it for the FPV GT. I may have made it available for the F6 though? 👍
@@markbehr88 it wasn't my cup of tea either, but what was so interesting was I noticed it on regular base model GLis only, not any special edition from memory.
I had an EL Fairmont. The car magazines called it the Spanish Falcon.
My first car was an el fairmont.
I remember Motor Magazine saying “me gusta el Falcon!”
Ha. I get it. 👍
Now I got a xh xr6 which is based on the ef but has el xr front bar.
@@PaulT-ep7lk Cool. As I said in the video. I would love the Longreach S V8. 👍
I had an EL gli - S. was a great car. had the giant cd player under the passenger seat haha.
Cool. I like how they brought back the S. 👍
Great video mate! Lots of info in there!
Thanks 👍
I’m loving your work mate cheers
Thank you very much. 👍
that NZ commercial at the end was wild, not sure how that situation was helped by dual airbags!
Maybe if they put them between the rear bumper it may have avoided paint damage 😀👍
Great vid Mark. I hate to be that guy but I think EF was first Falcon to have drivers airbag standard across the range. VR Commodore was the first to have the option of a driver's airbag.
Thanks very much. I think I was trying to say it was the only Australian built car to have airbags standard across the board WITH the passenger airbag available at extra cost AT LAUNCH, so not the first compared to EF but the EF did it at Series 2, whereas the EL had it from launch. I hope that makes sense? I put the elements in Caps as to key difference. 👍
@@markbehr88 Yes that is correct. VR had driver's airbag only, and that was an option (Acclaim had it standard but Executive had it as an option). VS was the first Commodore to have a passenger airbag, but it didn't cover the centre seat like the Falcon's did.
EB GT much better looking
Yes. I should do a poll but this is close enough. 👍
Love your videos
Thanks very much 🙏
I love the EB AND EL GT.
Pretty sure the EL was the last GT to actually have a Ford badge on the front. All the following models were FPV GT's.
The BA and BF GTs had the Ford badge (I was Product Planning and Brand Marketing Manager for FPV). I think you mean the EL was the last to be called the Falcon GT as the FPV ones were FPV GT. 👍
Ah, Roger that!
The 1994 EF Falcon was the first to have a drivers side airbag as a standard feature across the entire range.
Yes but the EL was first to have driver’s airbag and available passenger airbag across the range at launch. The EF was series 2. 👍
@@markbehr88 Yes it was a $510 option on GLi, Futura, XR6, XR8 & Fairmont. Standard on Fairmont Ghia & GT
@@nevininni2709 I knew a few people back in the day who bought base model GLis but specced them with the optional passenger airbag - and no other option except aircon and auto.
@@mihali9655 Well there isn't many other options to choose from on a GLi. There's ABS (Antilock Brakes) at $990, Cruise Control at $414 or a Limited Slip Diff at $486
@@nevininni2709 a 5spd GLi with LSD, air, ABS and cruise would have been a fine ride back in the day. Especially if it was dealer optioned with the 16 inch FTR alloys.
I like both EB GT an EL GT fronts
Fair enough 👍
I had an EL Tickford and then went to a VX1 HSV.
The EL was a much better car from ergonomics, comfort, reliability.
The VT/X was inspired by the EF/L in a lot of ways however in my experience didn’t quite hit the mark(and didn’t need to given the sales race).
If you watch my EF episode you will see what influence the EF had on the VX Commodore. Coincidently, I was National Sales and Marketing Manager for HSV when you bought your VX. 👍
@@markbehr88 The EF video popped up the other day and I promptly subscribed.
It was ironic as I’d just finished reading about your input on the VU SS and thoroughly enjoyed that article.
I love my HSV, it’s a build #0001 XU6 and a factory modified pilot vehicle for what would’ve been the VY model.
@@HockeyLive_BNE Very cool. And thanks so much for the Subscription. I am glad you enjoyed the VU SS story. I will do a video on that too eventually. Your X-U6 would be quite a rare car now. I remember when I was at HSV Brad Dunstan (RIP) worked on a revised pulley for the supercharger that gave it quite a bit more power. I recall driving that prototype and it went well, even though I was driving a ClubSport R8 at the time. 👍
@@markbehr88 I appreciate that input and would love to pick your brain sometime if you can offer any further insight on the car.
I discovered the pilot status by chance and had since put all the pieces together with the help of Andrew Purcell, previous owners including the first owner, the daughter of a HSV executive who had the choice between the XU6 and a Monaro.
I can confirm the car is still 99% Standard and still has the smaller pulley and early design yella terra snout that came from HSV.
I have most of the magazines that it’s featured and referenced in.
One rumour I could never verify was that it was Crenno’s car for a period, do you have any recollection of that?
Thanks again for the content.
@@HockeyLive_BNE Thanks. I can’t really offer any more context than what I mentioned re Brad Dunstan. John Crennan may have driven it but I doubt it was his assigned car. I normally drove an R8, Chris Payne would have had a Senator or R8 and JC would have a Senator Signature or maybe a Grange but I more recall we all drove the short wheelbase cars mainly. Of course we often took different cars home, including Grange, Coupes etc. I once took home a prototype with some ridiculous 6.2 bored out Gen 111 during VX days. It was extremely powerful and I won’t say how fast I drove it one night except to say it was too much engine for the chassis in terms of dynamics. It was really fast. 👍
Great content and coverage on the EL falcon. Please do one on the Mighty AU series 1 2 and 3
That will be next. I’d like to crack 4,000 subs first 👍
@@markbehr88 just subscribed my self 🙂👍👍👍
@@yusuf.alajnabi Thank you. 👍
I like the el gt but if I get one I have a Fairmont grill to fit to it and I will put the mask in the boot 👍👍
Well that’s an idea! 👍
This was about the time Ford took over Jag and the 6 got a micro finished crank and a few other things that Ford got from Jag in relation to nvh
Yes, I think you are right there. 🤔👍
I wouldn't mind the GT, get used to it over time although not keen on the boot spoiler. Something smaller would do.
Good work, thanks for your time and effort, Cheers.
Thanks very much 👍
This generation does look like the Amercian Ford Taurus and Contour/Mondeo in the front. You said that. Why were they so long in getting airbags in Australian cars? We had them long before this as standard. Safety becomes key. This one looks like a winner on the interio and on the exterior. I think I am starting to get the naming strategy. They are associated by years with the code names. What was the length this generation? I thought I was the only one that that the GT grille was awkward loooking. It looks forced. When you had the image of the Falcon UTE on the screen all those UTEs behind it looked like Oldsmobile Intrigue in the front. Thank you again.
Good call re the Intrigues. I can see that. Not really sure about the slowness of airbags as we were one of the first countries to enforce mandatory wearing of seat belts. Yes, the US Ford influence was apparent in the EL. 👍
@@markbehr88 The American influence on Australian Ford continues. This car could have sold in the United States. It would have completed against Taurus. That is the issue most likekly why it was not. It may have hurt Crown Victoria too. I thought I would share these two videos with you: ua-cam.com/video/EuD8nAhtT6g/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/JvMMB4iZwpo/v-deo.html
Enjoyable, thanks. Are we going to see a series on the equivalent Fairlaine/LTDs?
Yes, for sure. A series on all of them plus Holdens and Chryslers - so please subscribe. 👍👍
Where I lived in Brisbane back in 1997 I recall a company across the road having 4 EL rep cars and, presumably the boss,having the GT. I agree that the GT was not attractive especially that grille.
Good sales penetration for Ford. Yes, the grille was unfortunate. 👍
The workshop manual for EF was maroon in colour with 2 volumes and the EL was pale blue /white with 3 volumes. The 3rd volume was a dedicated wiring diagrams because the thickness of these book just got out of hand. The EA workshop came out then it was rereleased with EB and final edition EA-EB-ED combined. Ford didn’t go electronic with workshop manuals until 2001 with AUII. This is when falcon became ODB2 compliant
You reminded me. I need an EB and EL manual. Do I have AU? 🤔
@@markbehr88 AU2 and AU3 all the way up to FGX . These are PDF files.Anyone can get factory ford manuals online from ford. It’s costs about $25 for 3 days and you just download all the workshop manuals you want. Motorcraft service. Pay for a 3 day subscription . Just navigate PTS , enter either the vin or the year then model and hit the workshop tab and download to your hearts content. Falcons are all pdf files. You can actually use the same PTS to do programming if you have a VCM interface. But you can’t do PATS programming. PS when you register an account , don’t tick Australia, choose US. Australian accounts they can’t do anything due to the licensing agreement with Ford Australia . US is open source as it’s right to repair act.
My comment was deleted Mark. Geez they are on my case. I do have AU
@@tba3900 I wonder why they would delete comments?
@@markbehr88 no idea? . You can download the workshop manuals for all Fords post 1994 in the US and 1996 for Australian delivered cars, Falcon was 1999 onwards. You buy buying a subscription for 3 days and download the manuals. But if you want a usb copy let me know.
In Nz we had some Pegasus , Hercules & another model Olympus or something
Really? I hadn’t heard of those. Greek mythology in model nomenclature! 👍
In 1996 a kid I knew in Nz was allowed to drive his Dads Pegasus on his Learners licence. It was wild. The car was brand new at the time - V8 . I can't find anything on google about them though@markbehr88
Thanks Mark, you said the EL was the first falcon to have a standard drivers airbag, im sure the EF was the first.
First with standard airbag and the option of passenger airbag. 👍
@@markbehr88 my bad, sorry iam just a girl. The passenger airbag wasn't available on series one.
@@Dylan_Mulvaney_OFFICIAL All good 👍
The base model EL Falcon made for a great taxi cab, not that anyone cares now.
Had an oval exhaust pipe which expelled gases faster apparently.
Looking at the GT was as much fun as watching your grandmother vomit all over your birthday cake, it was just awfull to look at, and still is
Ha hah. That is one way to describe it. I chose the medieval Helmet approach. 😀👍
Hi Mark, to my knowledge (been working at Ford dealerships since 1996), there was no manual Fairmont Ghia's in the EL. (Also not listed on Redbook). A manual Ghia was available up until the EB for sure. Weirdly though, a good friend of mine owned an '88 EA Ghia 5sp wagon in the mid 90's. These are also not listed on Redbook, manual only being available in sedans - so this may have been converted. I remember having a blue '97 EL GLi 5sp. wagon as a demo for a while and it was awesome, that T5 with the 4.0ltr was a great combo!
Thanks for the info. While likely never to be a big seller, the concept of a manual Ghia is cool. I had a VN Calais 5 litre manual when I worked at Holden. Great car. 👍
@@markbehr88 Yes a manual Ghia, in the EL with the Tickford 4.0ltr HP would have been a great combo, even better with the 5.0ltr. Interesting, a VN 5.0 Calais with 3 pedals, surely not from the factory in that combo?? 🤔
@@aus80srockradio94 Yes. 100% factory. It was brand new and I was working for Holden. Factory code 8VL19325
@@markbehr88 Indeed there is! Well I never knew & have never seen one! From the Redbook I see there was available both V6 & V8 VN Calais' with stick shift. (Same for Berlina). The beauty of when cars were built in Aus, the attitude would have been, "sure you want this spec with that interior in a V8 manual, we can do that no problem". Not so easy nowadays. 😟
@@aus80srockradio94 Yes. Those were the days. 👍
The EB GT is better balanced. Trying to do the same with the EL's newer design, was obviously more harder. Though it will appeal NOW as time goes on, simply because it's different and " weird " and how design tastes change when many years pass after a model - you see it in a different light. 😂
Yes, very true. I would have put a Bentley style mesh grille on it, like we did on the HSV Grange. 👍
Always thought the EL ruined the good looks of the EF in some ways. The updated headlight shape, adding the fake grills rather than the clean nose and the orange rear indicators.
I must admit. I prefer the styling of the EF. 👍
100% agree.
Given Ford seemed competent at the end of the 90s, so the Series 1 AU Forte always seemed inexplicable to me. Yep, I also wondered why anyone would want a big V8 with a mere 5% power improvement over the I6. EB v EL? EL but I think the EF was the best looking externally. Cheers.
While the power differential between the six and eight was, at times marginal, the V8 provided its own unique driving experience. I personally love the V8s. Re the AU. Well, that will be the next instalment. 👍