Brian Rossi was the guy who apparently sketched the XA Coupe on a restaurant bill or napkin while discussing ideas during a meal in South Yarra, and the design never really changed that much afterwards
This may be true...but it was not from an entirely original idea,as the XA Coupe uses so many design characteristic's and features of the 1970 and 1971 Torino Coupe that one person cannot take full credit.
This may be true...but it was not from an entirely original idea,as the XA Coupe uses so many design characteristic's and features of the 1970 and 1971 Torino Coupe that one person cannot take full credit.
I agree, the inspiration is plain to see.
__________________
On the plains of hesitation bleached the bones of countless millions.......
Jack Telnack, Brian Rossi & Allan Jackson are probably the names you're looking for.
Interesting side note on Jack Telnack, he was "promoted" to Dearborn where he actually helped save Ford US in the early 1980's. Ford was in the tank and needed some fresh leadership that could get them out of their 1970's slump. He helped bring the "Fox" platform to market and is often considered the father of the fox-body Mustangs built from 1979-1993. The platform was later modified in 1994 and called Fox-4, it lasted from 1994-2004. The Fox platform at one time was used on Mustangs, US Capris, US Fairmonts, T-bird, Cougar, and several other Mercurys and Lincolns. He also helped bring in the Escort to replace the POS Pinto and guided the early development of the Taurus which dominated US car sales from 1986-1996.
Ford was never like GM and it is hard to say just one person was the designer on a car. Ford cars back then were designed by teams and often you would have several designs competing for the final pick. The guys that influenced all Fords from that time period were Bunkie Knudson and Larry Shinoda. That is where the concave back glass, big hips, and "flat-back" fastback styling originated. Bunkie was president of GM USA and Larry Shinoda was his lead designer. Ford stole Bunkie away in 1968 and he took Larry with him. Larry is considered the Father of the "Boss" Mustangs as he was told to liven up the car line. Ford had brought the Shelby Mustang production in-house in 1968 and they wanted a home-grown car to compete against the Z-28. So to make this short, Bunkie wanted Fords that could sell to the average young car guy. GM was doing a better job of that than Ford so Bunkie used his favorite styling cues on all the new Fords that were on the drawing boards in 1968-1969. Thus, we got the 1970-71 Torino which later helped you guys get the XA. BTW, the 1972 Torino looks even more GM as it was in the earliest design stages in 1968-69 and thus had the most input from Shinoda and Knudson.
BTW, if all this is boring anyone, just trying to help.
Not to mention Bunkie Knudson was the topic of one of the best pieces of graffiti ever, after he left someone wrote on a wall at Ford somewhere "Bunkie is history" - which for the uninitiated is a play on Henry Ford's famous quote "history is bunk" (which is not quite what he actually said).
Interesting topic. I suppose auto design moves in "phases," and a lot of the manufacturers tend to incorporate the same popular trends/cues in their model designs, for a given time period. The Aussie Falcon Coupes in particular successfully blend a lot of separate design cues--and not just from other Fords--that come together in what I like to call a "perfect storm," of auto design. It just looks SO right.
But back to my point about shared design cues; I'd like to think that if Chrysler (US) had ever decided to produce a fastback ver. of the 'Cuda, then it may very well have looked a LOT like the Falcon Coupes...
note the similar beltlines/side window profiles; if 'Cuda rear deck and rear qtr windows were stretched. the profiles of the doors are very similar, almost look interchangable. Hehe, I parked my XB next to a 'Cuda once, and the Mopar guys screwed their faces up all funny, like they didn't want it next to theirs. (ed: w'site edited my bloody original cuda pic...)
funny thing is: people always guess "GTO" when they'd ask what is is...
And to think: we nearly could have gotten the XA here in the States (and maybe, the XB-XC subsequently?). How cool would that have been?
Can't remember exactly which site I found it on, but 1st attached pic is supposed to be an early clay concept model at Dearborn, for the then upcoming US Maverick. It's a little grainy; but note the photo date is Nov '68.
The 2nd pic is of the then new in '73 XA Sedan, as introduced down under. Look familiar?
I've always thought of the Maverick as a "short wheelbase version" of the Aussie Falcon, if you squint a little, play around (imagine) with raising the angle of the beltline from the B to C pillars. Kinda like if you squint a little, you can likewise imagine the '70 - '77 Chev Vega as a "SWB" Holden LH - LX Torana...
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
