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General Comment: ED Falcon GLi
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INDEX)
Compared to the entry-models before it, the ED (and indeed the
EB II) were light years ahead in both ambience and standard equipment
levels. Subsequently, the GLi is not a car to be overlooked - especially
if you were considering an earlier model in the first place - as it is likely
to outrank even higher 'spec' early model vehicles without a single option box
being ticked.
| The
GLi maintained the Falcon's clear advantages of safety over the smaller
car classes - as well as over it's major rivals. Although never
officially recognized, anecdotally I have heard a number of stories
from emergency services of "lucky they were in a Falcon" or "they would
have survived if they were in a Falcon". Although mostly
here-say, the theme does tend to stick after a while...
Importantly
though, the ED Falcon GLi was manufactured to the same quality
standards as any other Falcon, whether it be XR or even Fairmont
Ghia! However there was one slight disadvantage to the new ED
Falcon - it was now heavier than either the EB and EA before it - 45kg
heavier in fact (53 extra kg for the wagon), sapping performance and
reducing economy. Despite a taller diff being added to gain some
of that fuel usage back, the heady days of EA economy and acceleration
would not be matched in a base model for some time to come - but with a
powerful 4.0L to provide motivation, most couldn't care less! |
Above: An ED
Falcon GLi wagon moves it's way down the Broadmeadows based production
line, nearly ready for delivery. |
Current Condition &
Buying Tips:
Unfortunately the ED Falcon GLi - like every entry-model before it - is doomed
to be relegated to the list of 'least desirable' simply due to it's relative
positioning within the ED range. Hence, it is also the most likely of
the ED Falcon range to have been physically abused by uncaring previous
owners. Avoid cars that look like they've been trashed and be prepared
to pay a little extra & spend a little extra time looking for owners who
have looked after their car like it should have been - which often means
looking for an elderly owner or similarly fastidious person. Their
passion for the car should show easily as they walk you round it - as well as
in the overall general condition. Pay particular attention to coolant
condition, presence and change routines - as well as gearbox condition as
these are both particular weak points for any pre-AU OHC Falcon 6 / 4 speed
auto.
Collectability:
While the ED Falcon GLi will likely never
become collectable so-to-speak - with time (maybe many decades) - it will
eventually become quite rare compared to much more lavishly equipped Futura,
Fairmont & XR models. However, do not expect this to
translate into increased resale values, with the greatest interest being in
it's curiosity value alone especially for those models optioned up from
the factory! If you want a ED GLi that will be talked about in future,
look for one with a factory fitted 5.0L V8, sunroof, manual gearbox, body kit,
sports suspension or 16" wheels - with the rarest containing all of the
above items! While relatively few made it out of the factory in this
guise, factory-exec & ex-employee cars were the most likely to have
received the treatment adding even more to the curiosity factor...let's hope
enough of them get preserved to let future generations see just how great this
car once was!
Above: While the ED GLi was still a
pretty thing in standard form, the addition of a few factory options could
transform it into something completely different altogether - and a whole lot
more desirable! The question is - could a factory kitted GLi Falcon end up
being rarer than either a EB or EL GT?
ED GLi manual sedan price when new
- $25,255 ($25,833 auto, $28,481 auto V8
sedan)
ED GLi manual wagon price when new - $26,896 ($27,474 auto, $30,122 auto V8 wagon)
The TBF challenge:
While these were the 'official' specifications listed by Ford for it's ED Falcon
GLi range, the occasional 'escape' did get out with things that were not
supposed to be available - fitted from new. If you think you have such a
car, we want to hear about it - and encourage you to post details HERE...
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INDEX)
FUEL ECONOMY:
- Fuel tank capacity - 68L (sedan -
plastic tank) or 72L (wagon - pressed steel tank)...
* The following table represents
figures submitted by Ford in it's ED GLi brochure printed August 1993
| Engine
/ Transmission / Body Style |
City
Cycle (L/100km) |
Highway
Cycle (L/100km) |
4.0L
manual GLi sedan
4.0L automatic GLi sedan
4.0L manual GLi wagon
4.0L automatic GLi wagon
5.0L automatic GLi sedan |
12.0
12.5
12.0
12.5
14.5 |
7.6
7.6
7.6
8.0
9.0 |
* FORUM: What fuel
economy do you get? Did Ford's figures represent real world data?
Discuss it here!
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INDEX)
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|
BODY:
- Colours Available: Magenta,
Polynesian Green, Reef Green, Quartz, Sandstone, Biscayne Blue,
Cardinal Red, Platinum, Dynamic White, Le Mans Red.
- Colours NOT available from the factory:
Stark White, Black Pearl, Cobalt Blue.
- Remote boot lid release.
- Remote fuel filler door release
- Improved side impact protection - 30%
ahead of ADR 29 and partly responsible for the ED's overall weight
increase.
- Improved roof crush protection (carry
over from EBII) via epoxy resin reinforcement of both A & B
pilliars and thicker front and side glass - now able to withstand a 32
kN (over 3 tonnes) load.
- Kerb weight (kg) - 1490 sedan & 1560
wagon (4.0L GLi / 5 speed manual) - up 45 & 53kg respectively
- Body VIN codes permanently marked on
major body components.
- Optional body styling kit including side
skirts, front and rear bibs attached to the lower extremities of the
bumper bars as well as a raised deck lid spoiler - available on sedan
only.
- Optional low-line boot lid
spoiler. Independent of body kit.
- Optional clear plastic bonnet leading
edge protector to guard against stone chips.
*
FORUM: What
detail observations (other than the obvious styling related ones) have you
made on the differences between the ED & EA, EB? Ever bought
something off of one of these models thinking 'it should be the same' but
isn't? Add your experience HERE!
Above:
ED Falcon GLi was also
available in station wagon formats.
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INDEX)
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EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS:
| Exterior
(mm)
Overall
length
Overall height
Overall width
Wheelbase
Front track
Rear track
Front overhang
Rear overhang |
Sedan
4811
1399
1857
2794
1554
1533
878
1139 |
Wagon
5003
1483
1857
2923
1554
1533
878
1202 |
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INDEX)
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IDENTIFICATION / APPEARANCE:
- Gloss Black exterior door handles (body
coloured on all other ED Falcon models)
- 'Thunder Grey' sleeve in grill / centre
bar, body coloured surround.
- Body coloured front and rear bumpers
with grey uppers and grey strip inserts.
- Dark grey number plate / reversing light
enclosure (vs. black for the EB)
- Smooth vent-less C-pilliar cover in body
colour (EA had slotted vent here)
- Reversing lamps next to the rear number
plate (incorporated in the tail lamps in the EA)
- 'Falcon GLi' badges on tail light appliqué
with red background on sedans - placed directly on painted panel with
black background to badge on station wagons.
- Body styling kit optional when new.
|
Above: Badge with red
background as mounted on the tail light appliqué panel on ED Falcon
GLi sedans. |
* FORUM:
Did we miss
anything? Add it HERE!
(back to
INDEX)
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VISION / WINDOWS:
- Fold-away (to avoid damage) electric
remote operated exterior rear view mirrors on each side - gloss black
'as cast' shell.
- Prismatic day/night interior rear view
mirror.
- Twin dual jet windscreen washers.
- Two speed front windscreen wipers with intermittent
setting (fixed delay period) and demand wipe feature giving one-touch
control for single sweep wiping..
- Rear intermittent wiper with demand
wash/wipe and auto wiper, activated when in reverse gear with front
wipers operating - wagon only.
- Rear window demist with timed automatic
off feature.
- Rear window (sedan) 'ceramic' sunshade -
painted bands at the top standard.
- Vinyl covered sunvisors.
- Tinted windscreen with dark tinted band
at top.
- Factory tinted side and rear glass.
- A "German manufactured"
sunroof was available as an extra cost
option when new featuring tilt vent operation as well as full
retraction slide away - also included was an automatic pop-up wind
deflector. Sunroof N/A on Falcon wagon.
- Optional "Aero Profile" rear
sunshade constructed of dark grey translucent acrylic.
- Aerodynamic front windscreen sunshade
optional.
- Exterior fitted rear windscreen louver
optional.
- Optional front side weather shields in
clear acrylic.
* FORUM:
What tint
level do you have, which company did you use & how satisfied have you
been with it? Add your experiences here!
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INDEX)
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LIGHTS:
- Glass fronted twin-element headlights -
EA/ED headlights were always noted for their exceptional performance
vs. both previous & later models - a very real strong point of
these models.
- High mounted auxiliary stop light on
both sedan and wagon.
- Reversing lamps next to the rear number
plate (incorporated in the tail lamps in the EA)
- NOTE Special 'towing' turn-signal
flasher fitted to vehicles fitted with tow-bar.
* FORUM:
How do you
rate the ED Falcon's headlights, and what have you done to upgrade them?
(back to
INDEX)
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INTERIOR HEATING & COOLING:
- 4-speed fan boosted ventilation with
front footwell ducts and rear seat ducts (incorporated into the back
of the centre consol).
- 2 air outlets each side of the dash.
- 2 air outlets located centrally within
the dash.
- 2 air outlets located within the rear of
the center consol in bucket-seat equipped models.
- Ergonomically located easy-to-reach fan
& climate adjust controls right next to steering wheel (LHS).
- Standard tint in windows (albeit
minimal).
- Air Conditioning Optional (CFC free -
change vs. EB) including increased performance vs. previous model
Right:
The Falcon's conveniently mounted climate control centre included
the important words "CFC free" for the first time in
Falcon history!
* FORUM: What have you had
fail on your ED Falcon's heating / cooling system, what did you do to fix
it & how much did it cost? |
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(back to
INDEX)
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DOOR TRIMS, PARCEL SHELF & FLOOR
COVERINGS:
- Doors trimmed in vinyl with matching
cloth covered armrest insert.
- Vinyl trim optional on ED Falcon sedan
(N/A on ED Falcon wagon)
- Vinyl covered sunvisors.
- Moulded cloth covered headlining.
- Carpeted passenger & luggage
compartment floor.
* FORUM: What pieces of
your interior have you had wear first?
(back to
INDEX)
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SEATING:
- Vinyl trim optional on ED Falcon sedan
(N/A on ED Falcon wagon)
- Seats trimmed in 'Tivoli' cloth with 'Saville'
cloth insert.
- Seat backs & skirts in practical
matching vinyl trim.
- Driver and front passenger fore and aft
seat adjustment & infinitely adjustable recline.
- Driver's seat features manual lumbar support and
seat base height adjustments.
- Map pockets behind seat front seat
uprights.
- 60/40 split fold rear seat upright in
both sedan and wagon.
- Removable, adjustable front head rests.
- Integrated entry-assist overhead grab
handles.
- Center-fold bench seat optional but only
available on GLi with column-shifted 4 speed auto. The bench
seat option had no facility for lumbar support adjustment or seat
cushion height adjustment.
|
 |
Above
Right: The centre fold bench seat was available in GLi only - and then
only when selected along with a column shifted four speed auto and fixed
steering column. Despite these drawbacks, the Falcon's bench seat
was surprisingly comfortable and allowed the Falcon to seat 6 or up to 8
if a wagon was chosen with the 3rd row rear seat option included.
Above: The ED GLi interior was
suprisingly comfy for what it was - note attractive base model steering
wheel (used for non-cruise control models - including XG Falcon Ute &
Van).
* FORUM: How do you rate
the comfort & longevity factor of the standard Falcon's seats - front and rear?
Have you had to make any repairs, and if so, what and how much did it
cost?
(back to
INDEX)
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TOWING:
Towing Options available when new:
- 1200kg rated tow pack.
- 2300kg rated tow pack.
Each
'Tow Pack' consisted of the following:
- Tow bar.
- Hitch and / or ball mount.
- Wiring harness with 'flat' 7-pin
electrical connector.
- Special 'towing' turn-signal flasher.
- Supplementary transmission cooler
(automatic transmissions only)
- Heavy duty brake pads (where not fitted
as standard).
- Hayman Reese towbar & load
distributing hitch for 2300kg kits.
Other
Towing related considerations:
- Despite opinions to the contrary, Ford's own advertising brochures
showed pictures of an automatic gearbox auxiliary oil cooler with these words
printed directly underneath: "Transmission oil cooler.
Helps avoid overheating and possible transmission damage.
Essential for towing with auto transmissions." You've
been warned!
|
Above: Hayman Reece towbar
& load spreader as optional on ED Falcon's 2300kg tow kit.
Above: Standard 1200kg tow
pack 'tongue'.
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* FORUM: What towing
experiences have you had - good & bad?
* FORUM: How do you rate the Falcon's towing ability
to other cars you've owned?
* FORUM: What sorts of things have you done to
improve your Falcon's already impressive towing ability?
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INDEX)
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