1978 Ford Falcon 500 XC Ute – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 03.06.2019

One country owner Ute in highly original condition. Rust and damage free.

Ford’s XA-XC range of ‘coke bottle’ Falcons were hugely successful when new, with buyers attracted by the new body along with a vast model range, plenty of options and brash loud colours; Ford sold over 520,000 of them through the 70s.

So you’d think there’d be plenty on the market: but in actuality, the new curvaceous body was a nightmare to repair, and many of those that didn’t get left at the tip fell victim to rust over the decades.

The series’ last iteration, the XC, lost some of its coke-bottle curves with a more pronounced swage line running through the rear haunches. It also gained chunkier bumpers and a softer bonnet line to visually distinguish its updated modernity.

Under the bonnet, many feared the XC’s performance would be throttled back by new ADR emissions regulations, though it was the sixes that underwent the most modifications – and they actually yielded net performance gains which won over many buyers at the time.

This XC-update Falcon 500 Ute was built in October 1978, specified in Pine n’ Lime over Saddle trim, with a 302 2V 4BBL Cleveland V8 and a column-shift C4 Auto.

It presents today in great and largely unmolested condition, still featuring its original driveline and factory optioned with air conditioning, power steering, Clarion cassette player, dual mirrors and buddy seat.

The XC reportedly comes from single ownership, and presents in "perfect unmolested condition throughout"; with 227,885kms showing.

The car was last registered in 2007 and has been in storage ever since, it still sits on its original 14" wheels and is apparently rust free and very well looked after.

The sale would come with log books, service history, warranty cards and original plates.

It’s based in New South Wales and is listed for $35,000.

You can check out the full listing here!

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