Reportedly completely original and unmodified, 5.0lt V8 and 5-speed manual
1996 brought with it the newly facelifted EL range of Falcons, built upon the preceding EF range whose XR-badged offerings were already claimed by Wheels Magazine as “Australia’s best value sports sedans“.
The update wasn’t major, save for a visual nip and tuck up front and some fiddling under the bonnet.
There were no major mechanical revisions, but instead a swathe of comparatively-minor tweaks that saw the new EL XR Falcons become an even more cohesive package.
Most notable changes befell the XR8, which gained a new and easier breathing exhaust system. It not only yielded a few more kilowatts of juice, but also a more vocal exhaust note.
Late 1997 saw the V8 uprated again, jumping from 170kW to 185kW, as well as a shorter diff ratio and a revised wheel and tyre package.
Just 784 XR8s were born of that second updated series.
One of which is this Oxford Green example, on sale here.
This 1998 Series II Ford Falcon EL XR8, bears the uprated 185kW 5.0lt V8, specified with the desirable five-speed manual.
The listing purports the car to be totally unmodified and original.
It has 312,000kms on the odo, and comes with Owner’s Manual, log book and warranty certificate.
It’s three owners from new, and was delivered to NSW originally.
It does have an aftermarket Alpine CF player, however comes with the factory optional Ford radio/cassette player (in box).
It looks like an honest – if a little used – example of an increasingly rare car.
Listed for $13,500, it could be a great ongoing project, something to drive and enjoy whilst slowly cleaning it up.
The car is based in Melbourne, and you can check out the full listing here!
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