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Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
If you want a rare but still relatively affordable classic V8 Ford Falcon, start looking for a well-documented XD ESP - European Sports Package. A lot were modified over the years, however good original examples are still available & they have stood the test of time, making them a very cool weekend cruiser.
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
1980 Ford XD ESP
Specifications
Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
If you want a rare but still relatively affordable classic V8 Ford Falcon, start looking for a well-documented XD ESP - European Sports Package. A lot were modified over the years, however good original examples are still available & they have stood the test of time, making them a very cool weekend cruiser.
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
1980 Ford XD ESP
Specifications
Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
If you want a rare but still relatively affordable classic V8 Ford Falcon, start looking for a well-documented XD ESP - European Sports Package. A lot were modified over the years, however good original examples are still available & they have stood the test of time, making them a very cool weekend cruiser.
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
If you want a rare but still relatively affordable classic V8 Ford Falcon, start looking for a well-documented XD ESP - European Sports Package. A lot were modified over the years, however good original examples are still available & they have stood the test of time, making them a very cool weekend cruiser.
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
If you want a rare but still relatively affordable classic V8 Ford Falcon, start looking for a well-documented XD ESP - European Sports Package. A lot were modified over the years, however good original examples are still available & they have stood the test of time, making them a very cool weekend cruiser.
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
If you want a rare but still relatively affordable classic V8 Ford Falcon, start looking for a well-documented XD ESP - European Sports Package. A lot were modified over the years, however good original examples are still available & they have stood the test of time, making them a very cool weekend cruiser.
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
If you want a rare but still relatively affordable classic V8 Ford Falcon, start looking for a well-documented XD ESP - European Sports Package. A lot were modified over the years, however good original examples are still available & they have stood the test of time, making them a very cool weekend cruiser.
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
1980 Ford XD ESP
Specifications
Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
If you want a rare but still relatively affordable classic V8 Ford Falcon, start looking for a well-documented XD ESP - European Sports Package. A lot were modified over the years, however good original examples are still available & they have stood the test of time, making them a very cool weekend cruiser.
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
If you want a rare but still relatively affordable classic V8 Ford Falcon, start looking for a well-documented XD ESP - European Sports Package. A lot were modified over the years, however good original examples are still available & they have stood the test of time, making them a very cool weekend cruiser.
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
1980 Ford XD ESP
Specifications
Even at age 40, the ESP it's still a very affordable V8 classic cruiser
1980 Ford XD ESP
If you want a rare but still relatively affordable classic V8 Ford Falcon, start looking for a well-documented XD ESP - European Sports Package. A lot were modified over the years, however good original examples are still available & they have stood the test of time, making them a very cool weekend cruiser.
When the XD launched, things got off to a rocky start. However the series was a sales success and there was little question that it had some practical features that won it friends out there in the market. In practice it turned out to be a strong distance car, with good clearances on rough roads and a particularly capable towing platform – given the right power-plant.
The XD ESP came with the new rear end, on this model you scored Bilstein dampers – just like some of the fancy Euro makes – plus disc brakes all round. Drum rears were still very much in the market for ‘lesser’ models. The suspension meanwhile was finished off with a slightly lower stance, along with beefed-up coils and anti-roll bars.
When it came to engines, there was news on a couple of fronts. First, Ford was making a fuss of the recently-developed alloy head on the old 4.1lt long six. This remained a torquey plugger rather than a revver, and the ongoing development had refined its manners. The big news however was that Ford in Australia inexplicably was walking away from V8s, so this generation was your last chance to get one in a locally-built car – for a while at least the 302 and 351 remained your choices.
While the six was only offered with a three-speed auto, 302ci ESPs had a choice between autos and a four-speed manual. In theory the 351 was only offered with three pedals, but owner groups swear a couple of special orders made it through with automatics.
Inside the ESP, Ford went to town. A full six-pack instrument cluster was on offer, upgraded stereo, unique trim and the big highlight – Scheel front seats. Those pews are now worth thousands on their own and helped to make a real visual break from lesser models. In addition to the badging, the final visual cue was the gold ‘snowflake’ 15-inch rims.
The ESPs may not be the quickest car on the planet, but they’re pretty hard to beat as a luxury family cruiser from an era when we were spoiled for choice when it came to locally-made cars. Production numbers for the XD-XE ESP series as a whole is very low. We’re talking a little over 1000. However when you drill down into these, the Fairmont Ghia ESPs, the figures are tiny and it pays to know what you’re shopping for. Silver or red with the two-tone paint scheme were the most popular colours, while there were a handful of white cars, plus the graphite on graphite scheme. How they drive will depend very much on what you’re expecting of them. They were never intended to be an all-out performance car, but rather a quick cruiser with (depending on the spec) excellent towing ability.
With the prices of early Falcon Muscle cars going through the roof, the XD ESP is a great option for those looking to flex their muscle in an Aussie classic.
Images & article from www.tradeuniquecars.com.au
1980 Ford XD ESP
Specifications
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