This Just Got Real!

[DFB5.0]

Gave the Mustang it's weekly wash this morning, followed by fitting its new cover.

2023-2025 Ford Mustang Coupe GT + aerial 2 mirrors (no wing) Purfit In – purfitcovers.com

I've had this for a while but delayed using it as the S550 version also fits S650. I'm not using the S550 version of another car (Jaguar XE).

I've had a few of these CoverCraft/PureFit covers now. They all start out super form fitting but stretch a little with use and washing. I run these through the washing machine on a regular basis using the same detergent as my microfiber towels, P&S Rags-to-Riches.

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[bfets]

Gave the Mustang it's weekly wash this morning, followed by fitting its new cover.

2023-2025 Ford Mustang Coupe GT + aerial 2 mirrors (no wing) Purfit In – purfitcovers.com

I've had this for a while but delayed using it as the S550 version also fits S650. I'm not using the S550 version of another car (Jaguar XE).

I've had a few of these CoverCraft/PureFit covers now. They all start out super form fitting but stretch a little with use and washing. I run these through the washing machine on a regular basis using the same detergent as my microfiber towels, P&S Rags-to-Riches.

I've got one as well but haven't had it on the car yet. Driving it too frequently at this stage.
I'm sure I'll use it especially in winter when the rainy weather hits.

 

[DFB5.0]

Today, I followed through with a promise I made way back in September last year. My friend and favorite customer has had a ride in the XR8 back when I took delivery in 2014, as well as my previous Mustang in 2017, so it was a mere formality that he would get the same flame-thrower ride in the new Mustang as well.

I wouldn't say that he is a fully committed petrol head, although he once had an BMW E36 328i M-Sport back in the 90's, which he says was the best car he's owned. That 328i was his wife's car when I started working for them in the mid-2000's, I always loved the raspy exhaust note of that car. I think I was probably sadder when they traded it in on a diesel VW Passat wagon.

It's taken us this long to go for that ride in the new Mustang for a reason. When I was admitted to hospital in early November, a day later he had a fall and landed himself in the same hospital with a broken back. While my hospital recovery was somewhat speedy, he naturally needed quite a while to become fully mobile again, let alone drop himself down into a low-slung sports car. Throw in Christmas and the wedding of their daughter, well its taken until now to follow through with my promise.

As I've mentioned before, he is all but blind now and hasn't been able to drive for a number of years. For someone so limited in what he can do now, it was wonderful to share the Mustang experience with him. He may not be able to see it clearly, but he can still hear the sound of the engine and feel how the car responds. The most notable thing for him was how comfortable it rode compared to my old Mustang, and that it felt so planted on the road. And of course, the sound of the engine and how it rips through gears.

At the end of the ride, he told me how perfect the car was for me and fully understood why I bought it. He went on to compare choosing a car like this over going on an expensive overseas holiday. While the holiday can be a very enjoyable experience for some, it's all but a moment in time. However with the Mustang, well I can walk out and experience the car anytime I like. I don't feel the need to see the world, but I do feel the need to experience cars like the Mustang while I still can. We all have different priorities.

 

[DFB5.0]

I've been driving the XR6 as my "daily" over the last two weeks. She will be 17 years old this May and barely ran in with just over 32,000 km on the clock.

With the Blue Rocket washed and covered, its the Mustang's turn now............................................

 

[Cucurú]

I've been driving the XR6 as my "daily" over the last two weeks. She will be 17 years old this May and barely ran in with just over 32,000 km on the clock.

With the Blue Rocket washed and covered, its the Mustang's turn now............................................

That XR6, at least by today's standards, is a nice looking car. Going to look it up to see what makes it tick. I've as I've always been into older cars, but now the cost too much and Mustangs leave them in the dust.

 

[Cucurú]

Gave the Mustang it's weekly wash this morning, followed by fitting its new cover.

2023-2025 Ford Mustang Coupe GT + aerial 2 mirrors (no wing) Purfit In – purfitcovers.com

I've had this for a while but delayed using it as the S550 version also fits S650. I'm not using the S550 version of another car (Jaguar XE).

I've had a few of these CoverCraft/PureFit covers now. They all start out super form fitting but stretch a little with use and washing. I run these through the washing machine on a regular basis using the same detergent as my microfiber towels, P&S Rags-to-Riches.

I need one of those. The weather in Texas has been so bad I cancelled my flight. Can't wait to see my new Dark Horse Premium. Going to make calls to see if they're in stock.

 

[DFB5.0]

That XR6, at least by today's standards, is a nice looking car. Going to look it up to see what makes it tick. I've as I've always been into older cars, but now the cost too much and Mustangs leave them in the dust.

I'm going to have to split my response to your post, so part 1.........................................

This might be controversial, but I'm not a fan of most sedans on the market today. In an attempt to garner attention in a dying segment, the design of sedans has become so ugly and over styled, the result is a lack of cohesion and beauty, and they will age extremely quickly too. To me, the great looking sedans were vehicles like the E39 BMW 5-series, the Jaguar XF and XE, and it pains me to say as a Ford man, but the VE Commodore/Pontiac G8. All were classically proportioned, short front overhang, long hood, wheel at each corner look. There was also a simplicity to the lines, to the point where most would call them boring today.

The most obvious example of this would be the current generation Hyundai Elantra. OMG, someone just didn't know when to put the pencil down! Too many intersecting lines, its a mess.

And don't get me started on the rubbish coming out of BMW these days. Where once they had such a poised, restrained sportiness, they are hideously ugly now.

 

[DFB5.0]

That XR6, at least by today's standards, is a nice looking car. Going to look it up to see what makes it tick. I've as I've always been into older cars, but now the cost too much and Mustangs leave them in the dust.

Ok, part 2........................................

That XR6 was the last evolution of the Australian Falcon. It was launched in April 2008 and was seen as a half-assed attempt compared to the new Holden Commodore, which you eventually got as the Pontiac G8. Where GM-Holden spent $1.1 Billion on their new model, Ford only spent $700 million on the FG.

The FG Falcon was an evolution of the previous model platform, the BA - BF Falcon, which in turn was an evolution of the model before that too, the AU Falcon. The thing is, Ford had spent double the amount on the BA Falcon than Holden did on the equivalent Commodore, $500 million vs $250 million. That extra spend brought forward a new rear suspension and new engines and gearboxes as well as the styling upgrade.

What I'm saying here is, Holden spent up on an all-new platform for the VE Commodore because they had A LOT of ground to make up in terms of suspension, steering and powertrain design. Previous Commodore's (which you got as the Pontiac GTO) were extremely crude in the suspension and steering department. Falcon's has proper double-wishbone front ends, lovely steering and sophisticated multi-link IRS, not to mention 6-speed ZF automatics and better Tremec gearboxes. So, when FG arrived, its improvement over the previous model was not as significant as Holden's generational change.

The styling of the FG also garnered disappointment because it wasn't as overtly aggressive as the Holden, nor did it have that fantastic wheel-at-each-corner look of the VE Commodore. I'll give Holden that, they did knock it out of the park on the design. The FG was also very evolutionary, which some criticized. Considering the massive cockup that was the AU Falcon, how can you blame them. Fun fact, the AU and FG Falcon were designed by the same man, Steve Park.

But......................there was a subtly to the FG that was not initially appreciated. The line that runs from the front quarter panel, through the doors, into the rear quarter, then up and around into the trunk is expertly crafted....................it's a shame most of them wore a spoiler that disguised that detail. This image with the trunk raised shows what I mean...............................

While everyone went gaga for the VE Commodore's massively flaired wheel arches, the FG had them too......................just more subtle.

My particular car was one of the very first FG Falcon's made in May 2008, I effectively did what everyone tells you not to do, buying the first of a new model. Because of the specs I wanted, I had to factory order the car. Over the standard spec XR6 Sedan, I ordered the 6-speed ZF automatic (the 5-speed auto was standard), Premium Sound (which included the color screen and 6-stack CD player, remember those?), Side Curtain Airbags, the 'Streetwise Blue' cloth interior (I didn't want boring black leather) and the signature 18-inch Y-spoke wheels. Colour is Sensation Blue.

Back then, it was a three- or four-week turnaround on factory orders.........................just think about that for a moment, three weeks not three years like some here waited for their Mustangs! But tell that to a 21-year old, a month felt like an eternity. And at only 21-years old, being one of the first to have the latest Falcon was a bit of life moment for me.

Love the staggered look when the headlights are on....................................

My only screwup back then was not stretching the budget to get the Turbo engine, if I had my car would be worth considerably more today. But............................at 21-years old, I was already stretching the budget as it was, a Turbo was just a little too far to stretch, let alone paying insurance on a such a vehicle for a 21-year-old male driver. Still, I truly love the naturally aspirated Barra 4.0 inline 6, it has a raspier tone to it compared to the turbo. When run on 98-ron premium, it takes the power from 195 kw (262hp) to 210 kw (282 hp), and torque 391 Nm (288 ft-lb) to 420 Nm (309 ft-lb). Throw in the 6-speed gearbox, it's pretty toey off the line, doing 0-100 (0-62) in about 6.5 seconds.

Not BMW inline 6 smooth, but she has a lovely raspy growl to her.........................





Now, the above probably sounds like a love letter, and it probably is. However, I do know that these cars had their limitations, they were essentially a tarted-up taxi. The seating position is a acquired taste, the standard brakes were woeful, and in driving like above, pretty thirsty. But then there is also a charm to how simple the car is, mine doesn't even have Bluetooth. You just get in, twist the key, release the mechanical handbrake, put it in gear and drive. No endless warning bongs, no driver aids other than DSC, no stupid stop-start, no distracting touch screen, physical buttons for the audio and climate control.

In 2014, I added the final evolution of the FG model, this time I had the clout to buy the flagship XR8 with the factory supercharged Miami V8 (which started life as a 5.0 Coyote). I intend to keep these two for as long as possible, they represent so much to me.

500hp of tire frying grunt!

They might be just a taxi with a big engine, but with Falcon, there would never have been a Mustang. And without Falcon, I probably wouldn't have gone on to buy Mustang's.

 

[bfets]

I see the guys from MightyCarMods are busy playing with an XR8.



I suspect you'll cringe a bit at their detailing skills.

 

[Cucurú]

Ok, part 2........................................

That XR6 was the last evolution of the Australian Falcon. It was launched in April 2008 and was seen as a half-assed attempt compared to the new Holden Commodore, which you eventually got as the Pontiac G8. Where GM-Holden spent $1.1 Billion on their new model, Ford only spent $700 million on the FG.

The FG Falcon was an evolution of the previous model platform, the BA - BF Falcon, which in turn was an evolution of the model before that too, the AU Falcon. The thing is, Ford had spent double the amount on the BA Falcon than Holden did on the equivalent Commodore, $500 million vs $250 million. That extra spend brought forward a new rear suspension and new engines and gearboxes as well as the styling upgrade.

What I'm saying here is, Holden spent up on an all-new platform for the VE Commodore because they had A LOT of ground to make up in terms of suspension, steering and powertrain design. Previous Commodore's (which you got as the Pontiac GTO) were extremely crude in the suspension and steering department. Falcon's has proper double-wishbone front ends, lovely steering and sophisticated multi-link IRS, not to mention 6-speed ZF automatics and better Tremec gearboxes. So, when FG arrived, its improvement over the previous model was not as significant as Holden's generational change.

The styling of the FG also garnered disappointment because it wasn't as overtly aggressive as the Holden, nor did it have that fantastic wheel-at-each-corner look of the VE Commodore. I'll give Holden that, they did knock it out of the park on the design. The FG was also very evolutionary, which some criticized. Considering the massive cockup that was the AU Falcon, how can you blame them. Fun fact, the AU and FG Falcon were designed by the same man, Steve Park.

But......................there was a subtly to the FG that was not initially appreciated. The line that runs from the front quarter panel, through the doors, into the rear quarter, then up and around into the trunk is expertly crafted....................it's a shame most of them wore a spoiler that disguised that detail. This image with the trunk raised shows what I mean...............................

While everyone went gaga for the VE Commodore's massively flaired wheel arches, the FG had them too......................just more subtle.

My particular car was one of the very first FG Falcon's made in May 2008, I effectively did what everyone tells you not to do, buying the first of a new model. Because of the specs I wanted, I had to factory order the car. Over the standard spec XR6 Sedan, I ordered the 6-speed ZF automatic (the 5-speed auto was standard), Premium Sound (which included the color screen and 6-stack CD player, remember those?), Side Curtain Airbags, the 'Streetwise Blue' cloth interior (I didn't want boring black leather) and the signature 18-inch Y-spoke wheels. Colour is Sensation Blue.

Back then, it was a three- or four-week turnaround on factory orders.........................just think about that for a moment, three weeks not three years like some here waited for their Mustangs! But tell that to a 21-year old, a month felt like an eternity. And at only 21-years old, being one of the first to have the latest Falcon was a bit of life moment for me.

Love the staggered look when the headlights are on....................................

My only screwup back then was not stretching the budget to get the Turbo engine, if I had my car would be worth considerably more today. But............................at 21-years old, I was already stretching the budget as it was, a Turbo was just a little too far to stretch, let alone paying insurance on a such a vehicle for a 21-year-old male driver. Still, I truly love the naturally aspirated Barra 4.0 inline 6, it has a raspier tone to it compared to the turbo. When run on 98-ron premium, it takes the power from 195 kw (262hp) to 210 kw (282 hp), and torque 391 Nm (288 ft-lb) to 420 Nm (309 ft-lb). Throw in the 6-speed gearbox, it's pretty toey off the line, doing 0-100 (0-62) in about 6.5 seconds.

Not BMW inline 6 smooth, but she has a lovely raspy growl to her.........................





Now, the above probably sounds like a love letter, and it probably is. However, I do know that these cars had their limitations, they were essentially a tarted-up taxi. The seating position is a acquired taste, the standard brakes were woeful, and in driving like above, pretty thirsty. But then there is also a charm to how simple the car is, mine doesn't even have Bluetooth. You just get in, twist the key, release the mechanical handbrake, put it in gear and drive. No endless warning bongs, no driver aids other than DSC, no stupid stop-start, no distracting touch screen, physical buttons for the audio and climate control.

In 2014, I added the final evolution of the FG model, this time I had the clout to buy the flagship XR8 with the factory supercharged Miami V8 (which started life as a 5.0 Coyote). I intend to keep these two for as long as possible, they represent so much to me.

500hp of tire frying grunt!

They might be just a taxi with a big engine, but with Falcon, there would never have been a Mustang. And without Falcon, I probably wouldn't have gone on to buy Mustang's.

We had Falcons. I forgot all about them two 63 or 64. One was a fully loaded Future. My dad made me change the solenoid when I was half drunk at 16. Killed my buxx, but was it easy as pie. First car I ever worked on. They had no power, and were just reliable.

 

[Deano1978]

I'm going to have to split my response to your post, so part 1.........................................

This might be controversial, but I'm not a fan of most sedans on the market today. In an attempt to garner attention in a dying segment, the design of sedans has become so ugly and over styled, the result is a lack of cohesion and beauty, and they will age extremely quickly too. To me, the great looking sedans were vehicles like the E39 BMW 5-series, the Jaguar XF and XE, and it pains me to say as a Ford man, but the VE Commodore/Pontiac G8. All were classically proportioned, short front overhang, long hood, wheel at each corner look. There was also a simplicity to the lines, to the point where most would call them boring today.

The most obvious example of this would be the current generation Hyundai Elantra. OMG, someone just didn't know when to put the pencil down! Too many intersecting lines, its a mess.

And don't get me started on the rubbish coming out of BMW these days. Where once they had such a poised, restrained sportiness, they are hideously ugly now.

I'd include the latest Audi's and Mercs in here too. Something's gone wrong over the last 10-15 years.

However, for me the Alfa Giulia bucks the trend - it's a good looking car esp in Quadrafoglio format. I nearly pulled the trigger on getting a 2018 version with a stage 1 tune instead of the Stang cause the wait was killing me. Glad I didn't but if money was no object I'd now have both

 

[DFB5.0]

I'd include the latest Audi's and Mercs in here too. Something's gone wrong over the last 10-15 years.

However, for me the Alfa Giulia bucks the trend - it's a good looking car esp in Quadrafoglio format. I nearly pulled the trigger on getting a 2018 version with a stage 1 tune instead of the Stang cause the wait was killing me. Glad I didn't but if money was no object I'd now have both

The sad thing is, the still beautiful cars don't sell very well. That would include the Guilia, vastly more interesting than the 3-Series or C-Class. And this mentality applied to the Jaguar XE, which is now sadly out of production. The XE was what the 3-Series used to be, as in a compact sedan with exceptional dynamics. The 3-Series is just too big for that now and has been for a long time now. But................................people were nervous of buying a Jaguar, most likely the same as the Alfa Romeo as well.

What drew me to the XE was the spot-on proportions, the loooong domed hood, the wheel at each corner stance. It doesn't SHOUT at you, but its so perfectly executed that it could be seen as bland. We have had one since 2016, it's such a joy to drive something so light and agile! The best way to describe how the car feels is BALANCE, no part of the car overpowers the other. It's got the best steering I have ever experienced, its light but contributes to the agile feel. The brakes are fantastic, it's got more grip than it needs, and body control is supreme. And that's the bog stock suspension tune as well, no adaptive dampers were optioned on this example.

I wish ours had the more powerful engine, but a 200hp EcoBoost has never felt this powerful, again the lightness of the aluminum body. It even has a lovely exhaust growl, and it does that deeply addictive exhaust crack on full throttle upshift. And the ZF 8-speed is the best automatic ever made, vastly better than the Ford's 10-speed.

Not my car, but shows its not the average humdrum sedan. Imagine if Ford put that effort into the Mustang EcoBoost's sound..................................



The JLR supercharged V6 was a strange one, it's actually a 90-degree V8 with the two rear cylinders blocked off.







Again, the interior was seen as a bit basic, but I like the simplicity of it, restrained, classy. And with the Light Oyster interior, which was a MANDATORY inclusion as far as I was concerned, its so nice to be in this car. Oh, and REAL gauges!

Despite this vehicle being second slowest in my fleet, its the one that would drive rings around every other, Mustang included. And this car cost $30K less than what I paid for the Mustang.

 

[DFB5.0]

We had Falcons. I forgot all about them two 63 or 64. One was a fully loaded Future. My dad made me change the solenoid when I was half drunk at 16. Killed my buxx, but was it easy as pie. First car I ever worked on. They had no power, and were just reliable.

History less again, sorry.........................

We got Falcon in 1960, which was virtually identical to the US version, although we also got a Ute, Panel Van and Wagon. The Hardtop Coupe didn't arrive until 1965 with the XP model, which was also when the Australian and American Falcon started to move apart. From then on, the Falcon became more and more tailored to Australian roads, many of which were still unpaved.

This car was number one off the line, which is still owned by Ford Australia.

The earliest Falcon's between 1960 and 1963 used the same US-spec suspension, which would flog out ball joints within a few thousand miles here. The lack of durability nearly killed Falcon here, it was so bad Henry Ford made the trip to Australia to demand why they hadn't discovered the problems earlier, to which he was told that the local team didn't have a proving ground. Right then and there he approved a proving ground be constructed....................which still exists today and is used to develop the Ford Ranger. As the years went on, the Falcon became known for its rugged under underpinnings.









The second-generation Falcon (XR through XY) was also based on the US-market Falcon, which specific changes here and there. This is where the muscle car theme arrived, the Falcon GT was THE car to have back then. Ford Australia leaned heavily on the Mustang connection too.

I've always loved this ad, MORE MORE MUSTANG in the new FALCON! You WONT need any spurs!

The performance delivered by the GTHO Phase III wasn't bettered until the 90's. It was once called the fasted four-door in the world.







When the Falcon was discontinued in the US, Ford Australia decided to continue with the Falcon name and platform. This is where the Falcon became "Australian". The third generation Falcon was based on the previous model, but with a new body over carry-over mechanicals. It then continued to evolve until it was killed in 2016.

1973 - 1978 XA, XB and XC Falcon (3rd Gen)...............................





1978 - 1988 XD, XE and XF Falcon (4th Gen)..................................





1988 - 1998 EA, EB, EF and EL Falcon (5th Gen)............................





1998 - 2002 AU Falcon (6th Gen)....................................





2002 - 2008 BA and BF Falcon (6.5 Gen)...................................

2008 - 2016 FG and FGX Falcon (7th Gen)...............................

That's a very abbreviated Falcon history, a model on sale for 56 years and was one of Ford's longest running nameplates.

This shot was taken a few months after they closed the Australian factories at Avalon Airport, not far from the Geelong factories and proving ground. 56 years of progress...........................

 

[VB50GT]

I love the look of that XC Cobra...

 

[5.0ALM]

And who could forget the 1, 2 finish at the 1977 Bathurst.



Love that iconic vision from the chopper.

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