THE ULTIMATE RETRO CAR GALLERY
Australian Ford Falcon Utes and Vans
Ford Australia wasted little time introducing workhorse variants of their new 1960 XK Falcon range. Sedan delivery vans and utility trucks were introduced in 1961 and offered a locally built alternative to the GM Holden offerings. Ford Aus continued offering utes and sedan delivery vans (effectively a two-door wagon) until they were able to tool up for a proper high-roofed panel van, as a direct competitor to Holden’s commercial variants. The first Falcon panel van was offered in the 1968 XT range.
Although both Ford’s Falcon utes and panel vans were comfortably outsold by Holden though the 1970s, Holden dropped their locally built panel van and ute with the demise of the WB range in 1985 (Holden released a Commodore-based ute in 1990). This left Ford as the sole Aussie manufacturer of panel vans through the 1990s - something police forces across the country were grateful for.
For those who like their panel van in a smaller size, we’ve also included original print advertising images of the Ford Escort van. Fully imported from the UK - the Escort van is mostly remembered painted in high-vis yellow - as the primary response vehicle of the Royal Automobile Club (RAC)
For mine - the XB Falcon is the best-looking Aussie ute ever made. What’s your favourite - have a look through our gallery below if you’re having trouble deciding - compare with our Holden and Chrysler Australia galleries (links below)
