bloody falcons!

[zook]

I find it insulting enough that 80s Ford Falcons are immitation 116s!, but today i saw one that EVEN HAD FAKE PENTAs!

Sadly i didnt get a picture, but if anyone is around Bairnsdale, Victoria, keep your eyes peeled for a red wagon shaped abomination!

[oversize]

Apparently Ford copied the W116 tail lights for the XE and were threatened with a law suit.  Myth or fact??  They weren't Globe wheels were they?

Glad to here there's another Vic owner here; welcome Zook!!!

[TJ 450]

Indeed, although the tail lights weren't even functional copies, as they missed the point entirely.

Tim

[Big_Richard]

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[TJ 450]

I reckon the WB looks excellent. Actually the C Pillar area is not unlike the 700 series Volvo, and the Falcon bears some resemblance as well. The driving experience would not be what we're used to however, as it is quite an archaic piece of machinery beneath that facade.

But yes, the rear end styling of the Falcon is a take on the 116/Mercedes, likewise later Commodores in the '80s. Car manufacturers have used Mercedes styling cues for ever, and they still do it today.

Tim

[mrkozzy]

Biggest copier of Mercedes design is Lexus. Have a look at the LS 400 of the 80's and 90's.
They weren't known as the "poor mans merc' for nothing. And by the way where are they now?
The Lexus seems to be a 10 year car at best, then pooof.............gone to that graveyard in the sky.

[John Hubertz]

I'm pretty sure the winner of the fake Mercedes competition is Ford USA and their Granada - check this unbelievable ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdw0L0SrFmA

Unashamed copying.  Oh the humanity!

[pompy]

I don't think that Falcon looks anything like a 116. Yes, the tail light arrangement is similar, in fact, it looks more like that of the period Mitsibushi Colt Gallant - however,quite a few cars of that era had that arrangement. The local Granada of the '80's had rear lights also similar to that of that 116 AND they were even ribbed! Local Granadas had alloys 90% similar to Bundt as well!

[adamb]

I'm pretty sure the winner of the fake Mercedes competition is Ford USA and their Granada - check this unbelievable ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdw0L0SrFmA

Unashamed copying.  Oh the humanity!

It's interesting what old ads can reveal over time. Check out the fragment at around 17 secs when the Granada stops and wallows as if it has no front end damping whatsoever. You'll never get that with the W116 with its comparatively advanced front suspension even with worn shocks. Also even in the 70s the W116 was not reknowned for finesse in the interior. It was functional and non-ostentatious. A 70s Jaguar on the other hand has a much plusher interior trimming.

[Big_Richard]

.

[Tony66_au]

Ford Australia did copy the anti fouling arrangement and used it on the XE Falcon with permission, it DID work especially on country cars preventing mud and dust from completely obscuring the rear lights.

[Big_Richard]

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[Tony66_au]

Ford Australia did copy the anti fouling arrangement and used it on the XE Falcon with permission, it DID work especially on country cars preventing mud and dust from completely obscuring the rear lights.

what happened to this good idea, now no cars seem to have this feature and in some cases its apparently "cool" to put window tint on your tail lights now as well.

definite auto erotic asphyxiation enthusiasts..

It died out due to the changing aerodynamic shapes basically, Low slung plastic bumpers with huge skirts negated this need in most markets as well as emerging wind trails from the rear of cars creating a fairly strong vortex effect which kept spray and crud off the backs of cars.

The XE was replaced by the XF Falcon as you know and this was pretty much the start of the low slung front bumper and the EA had front and rear treatment and although you and I both know these models still got filthy at the rear on dirt (I still have an EB S II) it wasn't as bad as their predecessors.

My Memory is a bit hazy but I believe that Mercedes has a long history of licensing design ideas to other manufacturers and I have even seen their procedures used outside the Auto industry which says a lot about them as an innovator.

[zook]

this may be a holden, but it is still appalling, 'penta's and all

[entresz]

I always thought the Mazda 929s from the 1980s looked slightly like W116's..........


I actually really like these..... although I reckon they would be awful to drive. Th only had small 4 cylinder engines that produces around 60kw or so.