AU Fairlanes in the UK at George Best's funeral

Danny · 03-12-2005, 06:35 PM

Did anyone see on 10 news what I just saw?

Was watching all about the George best funeral and they were focusing on the rear of a black hearse but all you could see was the rear door and the coffin inside, and I thought that the door handles and body crease along the window looked very familiar, but I figured it was a coincidence becasuse theres no such thing as an AU hearse in the UK is there?

Lo and behold, they then cut to a wide shot of the hearse going down the freeway and bugger me it WAS an AU Fairlane hearse complete with UK plates, followed by a Black Fairlane Limo! Couldn't beleive it. Whats the deal with that? Anyone else see it? Wonder why they'd have or want those over there?

-Dan

Falcon Freak · 03-12-2005, 06:36 PM

Some may say he went out in style.........

FF

paul7v7 · 03-12-2005, 06:38 PM

I seen one on a top gear episode, the one with the 2005 mustang.

MAGPIE · 03-12-2005, 06:39 PM

Yep I saw it & I've seen them before over there too, so can't say it surprised me.

LUXO_8 · 03-12-2005, 06:42 PM

yeah i just saw it on the news and noticed

would have to be very unique over there

Ghiadude · 03-12-2005, 06:50 PM

ive seen this phenomena before .. ithink because some of the coach builders in oz export...pretty cheaply

Bobman · 03-12-2005, 09:46 PM

Saw it too.

Don't forget there's a number of Falcons in the UK... ute's sedan's e.t.c, didn't they rebadge them as something else IIRC?

XR8putts · 03-12-2005, 10:40 PM

I saw that too! And reacted the same way!

I thought i was going blind/mental..

Danny · 04-12-2005, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wicked

Saw it too.

Don't forget there's a number of Falcons in the UK... ute's sedan's e.t.c, didn't they rebadge them as something else IIRC?

Really? how come there are falcons there? THey never exported them like holden!

Least they'd still be a ford and not rebadghed Vauxhall or something.

Keepleft · 04-12-2005, 12:30 PM

Some Aussie Fords are imported in small numbers and sold, XR utes etc, typically converted to LPG and a rear fog light is added.

**Polyal** · 04-12-2005, 12:41 PM

there is a company that modifies fairlanes and exports like someone said. And the ound culd buy alot of AU's...lol

Iphido · 04-12-2005, 01:23 PM

There was a group exporting AU falcons to the UK, they apparently went broke tho.

The limo market is a weird one. Many are converted yank tanks. Obviously with the Falcon/Fairlane being:
1) Big
2) Already having a extensive limo and Herse conversions avalible

its a no brainer. They do make nice herses and limos.

Big Mike · 04-12-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iphido

The limo market is a weird one. Many are converted yank tanks. Obviously with the Falcon/Fairlane being:
1) Big
2) Already having a extensive limo and Herse conversions avalible

3) Already right hand drive

RAREV8 · 04-12-2005, 07:45 PM

Various falcons have been available in the UK over the years- in the 70's, only GT variants (mainly coupes) and a`couple of Landaus were sold in a dealership in Glasgow. More modern ones are sold in England but I am not sure by whom.

Dilan · 04-12-2005, 08:00 PM

Taken from a Top Gear episode.

:

Redrum · 04-12-2005, 08:31 PM

What will they use when Ford scraps Fairlanes (long wheel base) after BF?

gmhdriver · 04-12-2005, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redrum

when Ford scraps Fairlanes (long wheel base) after BF?

That is the first I've heard of this. Has it been confirmed?

AU-MUSTD · 04-12-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmhdriver

That is the first I've heard of this. Has it been confirmed?

If they put the 260 in it then they would sell and not have to can it. The 220 is just ripping us off and sales prove it.

botch · 04-12-2005, 10:20 PM

no no no, give us egas fairlanes !!!

LUXO_8 · 04-12-2005, 10:25 PM

i fail to believe the fairlane will be canned untill i see some proof other than someone saying it on a forum.....

Redrum · 04-12-2005, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmhdriver

That is the first I've heard of this. Has it been confirmed?

I was told by good friend who works at Ford. He said they (employees) were told this by managment. Apparently sales are crap and not even government buying them so too expensive....

b2tf · 04-12-2005, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redrum

I was told by good friend who works at Ford. He said they (employees) were told this by managment. Apparently sales are crap and not even government buying them so too expensive....

Ah very good. The "friend at Ford" line is more than enough legitimate backup for me. Im off to stockpile LWB BA models so I can sell them off cheap once they're NLA.

:

But Holy Crud The Windscreen on that AU/whatever they call it is HUGE.

XplosiveR6 · 04-12-2005, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redrum

I was told by good friend who works at Ford. He said they (employees) were told this by managment. Apparently sales are crap and not even government buying them so too expensive....

i highly doubt ford will dump a whole model just because sales are down, that makes no sense, just means they have to work harder, the fairlanes before the Au where very sucessful. im thinking more along the lines of holden dumping the statesmen, as they are having trouble money wise, with even the short wheelbase VE

botch · 04-12-2005, 11:48 PM

Does that mean that my NA parts will be rarer then phase 3 parts ??? SWEEEET !!

Redrum · 04-12-2005, 11:59 PM

I am sorry I cannot provide any real evidence and only heresay of my comment. I was told this by an employee who works in the tool room, Geelong and another who works in powertrain Geelong. They tell me at least once a year or so Ford has these info meetings and let the employees know what is happening. I remember these when I worked at Ford. We were told BA engine power figures in 2000 when I worked in powertrain. I knew of the Raptor (Territory) in 1997 when I worked at Broadmeadows. Info does get around. As for proof, I cannot imagine FoMoCo confirming this, so will remain a rumour until FoMoCo makes announcement.

outback_ute · 05-12-2005, 01:07 AM

Here is the website of Coleman Milne, the company that does the hearse and limousine conversions in the UK:

http://www.woodall-nicholson.co.uk/c...uneralVehicles

jmc-007 · 05-12-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF_Dave

i highly doubt ford will dump a whole model just because sales are down, that makes no sense, just means they have to work harder, the fairlanes before the Au where very sucessful. im thinking more along the lines of holden dumping the statesmen, as they are having trouble money wise, with even the short wheelbase VE

Exactly it would be better too see why sales are down and fix it.

Although Being transported from bne airport to the goldcoast and back for work. I much prefer the Statesman/Caprice for fit and finnish.

the BA Fairlanes have fit and finnish of a daewoo

I would be looking at quality because i cant see much in a 60,000 dollar car.

but the Fairlane wagon looks cool eheheh

http://www.woodall-nicholson.co.uk/c...ne/do_detail_8

banarcus · 05-12-2005, 10:39 AM

Someone should create a rumours sticky...

Iphido · 05-12-2005, 11:54 AM

It is a unconfirmed rumor. But I would not be in the least suprised if it was true.

No mass produced manufacturer can continue a model like the LWB Fairlane and LTD that has predicted sales in the 500 p.a region and shrinking and 90% of that is massive fleet discounted sales. Territory is the new baby, killing the LWB falcon may open the door to more profitable Territory varients (diesel, etc).

Orion is all new. By by LWB. Funds will go back into falcon R&D and the new falcon is ment to be roomier inside than the current BF anyway. LTD may continue as a SWB varient with lots of trimmings and jaguar bits (voice command, auto dimming on all mirrors,f&R parking sensors, Xenons for example) and diffrent trim. LTD Territory is also a possibility.

When the wagon dies, so does Fairlane. Wagon sold heaps more than fairlane and they used many simular parts. It makes no sense to continue Fairlane once the volume wagon is gone.

Ford will give the LWB to Holden, who can do more with it anyway.

Bobman · 05-12-2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF_Dave

i highly doubt ford will dump a whole model just because sales are down, that makes no sense, just means they have to work harder, the fairlanes before the Au where very sucessful. im thinking more along the lines of holden dumping the statesmen, as they are having trouble money wise, with even the short wheelbase VE

Ford dumped the Fairmont wagon.. & were going to dump the wagon project all-together so I don't expect the Fairlane to be any different, if not that the LTD will go. It's un-economical from FoMoCo's point of view of having two LWB sedan's if there are no sales. I hope they don't though.

Statesman is selling well and is popular with fleets, the VE isn't out yet either.