Project Capricorn

[Bossxr8]

I don't know if anyone is interested but I managed to find a photo of the Project Capricorn fibreglass prototype.

Project Capricorn was to be the replacement for the XF, started back around the time of the XD's release in 79. Ford were crapping themselves when the XD was released when Holden released the much smaller Commodore, as fuel economy had become a major issue. Capricorn was Fords answer to the smaller Commodore, and it was basically a stretched FWD Mazda 626. It was to be made in sedan and hatchback.

Work had progressed to the point of having the styling close to being locked in and full size fibreglass prototypes were made to test the styling.

Around this time the alloy head was introduced and Falcons economy was better than the smaller Commodore, and sales started to soar. They then realised they could get better economy than the VB/VC with a bigger car, and abandoned the Capricorn. This had ramifications in the future when XF had to keep soldiering on when it was past its replacement date, and EA was rushed into production before it was ready, and quality suffered because of it when they ran out of time to fix all the issues.

Its amazing to think that instead of the EA the Falcon was going to be a FWD sedan and hatch based on a 626. It would have been slaughtered in the market.

It ended up being quite long and skinny as it wasn't very wide. But you can see future Telstar design similarities in it, as the Telstar was a facelifted 626.

[OZQUAD44]

Thank god that abomination never wore a Falcon nameplate.

We wouldn't be celebrating 50 years now if it did.

[Brazen]

Great find Bossxr8!

Looks very Sierra-ish.

It is amazing to think how different the auto landscape would have been if this was brought in, who knows how different the Commodore and Falcon would be today...

[Mechan1k]

Was going to say the same thing Brazen ... bit Sierra .. a bit Telstar/626 as well.