Another Car & Driver Article.

[Haggis]

It's not what you think.....

Ford goes Down Under. (http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11036/features-review-fords-that-could-save-ford-now.html)

[mcb26]

That would be nice, but makes too much since for Ford. They would need to rename from Falcon to Fairlane or Cyclone. Of course they would forget to advertise.

[Larry Staunton]

For years, at least 25, Ford of Australia has produced the best looking Fords in the world. Their LTD should become the next Lincoln Town Car. It has the 3 valve version of the 5.4 liter, instead of the woefully underpowerd 4.6 liter that our Town Car is saddled with. If this Car & Driver article is correct maybe Ford has gotten rid of enough of it's marketing morons.

[duhtroll]

I wonder -

So what is to stop me from ordering an LTD and shipping it to the US?

I'm sure there are reasons, but anyone know for sure?

If it's the same engine then parts should be accessible, and then I could be driving a 5.4L... Plus a blower would be pretty speedy.

How badly will I get screwed in the shipping and clearance of environmental regs/customs? That must be it, but anyone ever do this?

[Sully008]

Well, we can only wait and see if Ford messes this one up. I'm old enough remember two failed Ford imports from other countries. The first was my beloved Merkur XR4Ti and it's big brother the Scorpio. Built in Europe, these cars failed not because they were bad, but of poor marketing/dealer ignorance.

The second instance was that early '90s Mercury Capri convertible which ironically was imported from Australia.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=91 39&stc=1&d=1147962895

[STLR FN]

One thing I've learned in the last 9.5 years at Ford is that they never/won't/don't do things that make sense. So I doubt they will do something like what C&D proposes.

[STLR FN]

...these cars failed not because they were bad, but of poor marketing/dealer ignorance. You mean something like what happened to our beloved Marauders? :shake:

[Sully008]

I wonder -

So what is to stop me from ordering an LTD and shipping it to the US?

I'm sure there are reasons, but anyone know for sure?

If it's the same engine then parts should be accessible, and then I could be driving a 5.4L... Plus a blower would be pretty speedy.

How badly will I get screwed in the shipping and clearance of environmental regs/customs? That must be it, but anyone ever do this?


I may be wrong, but doesn't any new car imported to the US require a crash test? That would mean importing at least two cars, one for the gov't to crush and pass. Not to mention EPA emissions testing, etc...

[Sully008]

You mean something like what happened to our beloved Marauders? :shake:

Exactly. Ford never really learned from their past mistakes, so they're doomed to repeat them. It was like deja vu when I was learning about the Marauder on this site. All the same stories I heard when I bought my XR 16 years ago...

[dwasson]

I wonder -

So what is to stop me from ordering an LTD and shipping it to the US?

I'm sure there are reasons, but anyone know for sure?

If it's the same engine then parts should be accessible, and then I could be driving a 5.4L... Plus a blower would be pretty speedy.

How badly will I get screwed in the shipping and clearance of environmental regs/customs? That must be it, but anyone ever do this?

You would have to buy three, two to crash test and one to drive later. Plus 100K mile emissions tests, changing the headlights to DOT spec, maybe a new exhaust system, if it is too loud, and any number of other US regs. You'd be sitting on the wrong side of the car too.

[STLR FN]

Exactly. Ford never really learned from their past mistakes, so they're doomed to repeat them. It was like deja vu when I was learning about the Marauder on this site. All the same stories I heard when I bought my XR 16 years ago... I actually like the XR4Ti. Not too bad of a looking car. Unfortunately I was only 17 and working at BK when they came out and they are few and far between to find now.

[dwasson]

The first car my wife bought before we were married was a 3 year old, 1972 Capri. She still talks about how much she liked that car. She put 90K miles on that thing in 5 years and it never seemed to miss a beat.

[duhtroll]

My dad had one of these when I was a Soph-Senior in HS. He got a red one with automatic, loaded with all the goodies plus moonroof. Took it to prom and had it airborne more than once. Of course I was young and stupid, as everyone is at some point in their life.

The, uh, backseat was too small. :whistle:


I actually like the XR4Ti. Not too bad of a looking car. Unfortunately I was only 17 and working at BK when they came out and they are few and far between to find now.

[Breadfan]

I think it's a good idea, and anyway, I thought the GTO was a good idea. Maybe not the best looking GTO or too reminiscent of olden days in todays retro world, but the GTO is a very nicely equipped, high hp high torque, 6spd transmission available, good handling car. If the looks were redone as it was outdated styling (a 1997 vintage) and it had more retro GTO lines it would've sold a lot better.

Ford can and should do the same.

The idea here is that the Australian cars are more along the lines of what Americans want. The euro cars don't always cut it, or the ones they bring over just don't make it. Then again in Europe they think 1.8 liter engines "big blocks" dont they?

I found thie quote hilarious: "Somehow, Australia has become the place to find the quintessential American muscle sedan."

Regardless of the article though, US automaker need to start tapping into their worldwide resources not just for cars but for parts-bins as well.

Thusfar it's working great for Chrysler who's 300C, Magnum, and Charger are all the rage and come complete with Mercedes e-class based chassis powered by some big American Iron.

[GreekGod]

Elena would stamp her foot and tell you all no, no, no, no! Bill would be hugging a tree and singing to himself. He wouldn't hear a thing you said. I suspect they will be doing their Yoga in the roof garden.

[Bigdogjim]

That would be nice, but makes too much since for Ford. They would need to rename from Falcon to Fairlane or Cyclone. Of course they would forget to advertise.

Only if they were MERCURY brand:shake:

[gpfarrell]

Regardless of the article though, US automaker need to start tapping into their worldwide resources not just for cars but for parts-bins as well.

Thusfar it's working great for Chrysler who's 300C, Magnum, and Charger are all the rage and come complete with Mercedes e-class based chassis powered by some big American Iron.

Amen. 67890

[ctrlraven]

If they do it and I have the money for one, I would get one. I've been following the FPV's for awhile (XR8 Falcon in SCCA style racing)and of course with their low production numbers comes a better quaility built vehicle.

[magindat]

I wonder -

So what is to stop me from ordering an LTD and shipping it to the US?

I'm sure there are reasons, but anyone know for sure?

If it's the same engine then parts should be accessible, and then I could be driving a 5.4L... Plus a blower would be pretty speedy.

How badly will I get screwed in the shipping and clearance of environmental regs/customs? That must be it, but anyone ever do this?

Your first problem would be seals. Aussie seals do not have to take freezing temps and are not made to do so. This means all seals, from doors, to grommets to motor.

[magindat]

I think they should bring over the falcon and sell it as a cyclone. Just like in the late 60's when they stopped making the Marauder option ond replaced it with the lighter-bodied Cyclone.

[Sully008]

If they do it and I have the money for one, I would get one. I've been following the FPV's for awhile (XR8 Falcon in SCCA style racing)and of course with their low production numbers comes a better quaility built vehicle.


I'd get one as long as Ford doesn't screw it up by detuning the motor, change the suspension to make it softer and remove the bodywork to "appeal to the masses". I've been following the Australian V8 Supercars Series for several years as well. I even went as far as getting a Craig Lowndes Gibson Motorsports jacket from Australia when he used to drive the "00" car.