Ford Falcon (Argentina)

Infobox Automobile


name = Ford Falcon
manufacturer = Ford Motor Company of Argentina
class = Full-size
production = 1963-1991
assembly = General Pacheco
body_style = 4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
2-door ute The Argentinian Ford Falcon is a full size car that was built by Ford Motor Company from 1962 to 1991. Mechanically, it was based on the 1960 North American Falcon. The Falcon retained the same body style throughout its production, with a substantial face lift taking place in 1982 (utilizing many Cortina/Taunus parts), to bring it into line with other Fords. However, by then, it was apparent that it was a 1960s design wearing a 1980s grille.

Ford Falcons became the favorite vehicles of the military junta of the 1970s and are associated with them to this day. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4838538.stm BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Argentina: Coming to terms with the past ] ]

Ford Falcon in Argentina

The story of Falcon in Argentina begins in the year 1961 when Ford Motor Argentina imported two Falcon Standard to test.

In 1962, local production began with complete knock down kits imported from the US assembled at the Ford factory in La Boca. Only a sedan was offered, with 'Standard' and 'Deluxe' trim levels, and a 170 cubic inch Ford Straight-6 engine. [ [http://todofalcon.com.ar/falcon62.htm Falcon 1962 ] ] The official introduction of the Falcon to the country took place in the theater "Grand Rex" in February 1962.Fact|date=April 2008

The first restyle of the Falcon came in 1963 and was produced until 1965. The Falcon now had a horizontal aluminum grill. New models included the 'Taxi' model in 1964, and the 'Futura' in 1965, with a vinyl roof and bucket seats. A larger and more powerful 187 c.i. engine was available. More parts were manufactured locally. [ [http://todofalcon.com.ar/falcon63.htm Falcon 1963 ] ]

The second restyling of 1966 brought further cosmetic changes, with a more ornate grill and hood and side panel ornamentation. Most parts were now locally produced. In 1968, the new 'Falcon Rural' station wagon model began production, with its own 'Futura' and 'Deluxe' variants. High compression engines producing more power were available from 1968, and in 1969 Ford introduced larger, more powerful engines displacing 188 and 221 c.i. [ [http://todofalcon.com.ar/falcon66.htm Falcon 1966 ] ]

The third restyling of 1970 brought further cosmetic changes, with vertical nudge bars on the bumpers and dual headlights on 'Deluxe' and 'Futura' models. The 188 and 221 c.i. engines were now standard, and the 'Futura Rural' sporting version of the station wagon was discontinued. [ [http://todofalcon.com.ar/falcon70.htm Falcon 1970 ] ]

The fourth restyling of 1973 brought further cosmetic changes, with a new grill with several thick horizontal bars. Lights became squarer in design. A high performance version of the 221 c.i. engine was added. The 'Falcon Sprint' was introduced, with painted stripes and a higher performance engine. The 'Deluxe' trim of the 'Rural' station wagon was dropped. A pickup, the 'Ranchero', was introduced with 'Standard' and 'Deluxe' external trims and a heavy-duty brake option. [ [http://todofalcon.com.ar/falcon73.htm Falcon 1973 ] ]

The fifth restyling of 1978 brought further cosmetic changes, with another new grill and plastic lenses on lights. [ [http://todofalcon.com.ar/falcon78.htm Falcon 1978 ] ]

The sixth restyling of 1982 brought further cosmetic changes. The 'Taxi' and 'Sprint' versions were dropped, and the 'Futura' become the 'Ghia'. A 2.3L four cylinder petrol engine was now available, and from 1988 a 2.4L diesel. In 1989, the new Max Econo version of the 188 c.i./3.0L engine became available, with better fuel economy at the cost of performance. Chrome was removed in 1990, and the Falcon was finally discontinued after 1991. [ [http://todofalcon.com.ar/falcon82.htm Falcon 1982 ] ]

ales of Falcon and Ranchero by year

Fact|date=April 2008

References

External links

* [http://galerias.netfirms.com/galmodel.htm Argentine Ford Falcon gallery] (in Spanish)
* [http://www.todofalcon.com.ar/ Argentine Ford Falcon website] (in Spanish)