Retro Rides Presents Ford Falcon EA-ED: Why it Makes for a Great First-Time Classic Purchase

    Glenn Torrens18 February, 2025

    Ford Falcon EA

    While there are a few things too look out for, the EA-ED Falcon can make a great purchase for first-time classic buyers

    Even if you’re not a typical blue-blood Ford fan, early 1990s Falcon make for a great first-time classic, provided you watch out for a few common pitfalls.    

    The anger and anguish of many EA Ford Falcon owners who bought a car new in 1988 is now, thankfully,  a distant memory. History will show that despite all the fresh technology the new model introduced – or perhaps, because of it – the first EAs suffered quality problems as diverse as imperfect door stampings, loose steering columns, popped head gaskets and prematurely worn tyres. 

    These early-build EA Falcons were a nightmare for some owners and Ford Australia’s marketing and sales people had a big job to convince Aussies that the next series Falcon, the EB of 1991, was a vastly better car. 

    Thankfully it wasn’t just marketing hype.

    Three decades on, it’s not only mechanical maladies that concern hopeful Falcon buyers and collectors… it’s the dreaded rust. 

    Ford Falcon EB S-XR8

    Although ageing electronics and worn suspension components is perhaps to be expected with cars from this era, sourcing replacement parts isn't too much of a problem

    Unlike many 1950s to 1980s Falcons, the doors of the EA-ED Falcon are usually okay when it comes to rust, but don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security.

    Falcons from this era can still develop cancer in the lower A-pillars, inner and outer sills, and the rear wheel arches. 

    Unless the car is particularly special – or you have the trade-like skills to avoid paying for repairs – rust in these areas should probably be a deal-breaker. 

    Another common rust area in EA-ED series Falcons is the lower edge of the boot lid, but this is a much easier repair, so not such a concern.  

    Another issue to be wary with the ED XR6 and XR8 Falcons, is the distinctive quad-headlight nose cones are difficult to find and replace if damaged.

    The oily bits of Falcons from this period – including the  gearboxes, diffs and the six- and eight-cylinder engines – are quite tough, and not so hi-tech as to present a  problem to an experienced mechanic. 

    The six-cylinders are susceptible to head gasket issues but most have either been junked or had more reliable gaskets fitted by now. 

    As with most cars, coolant quality is important; rusty radiator fluid is a bad sign. The four-speed auto should drop into D or R almost imperceptibly and the T5 manual, although not as buttery smooth as many others, shouldn’t require force to engage gears. 

    Also like many cars of this era, ageing electronics often let the car down. A dead distributor module or crappy fuel pump (or its earth wiring) will stop the car, and the centre-fire throttle body fuel injection of the EA-to-EB1 can be troublesome. Sourcing replacement modules and components is not too much of a problem and there are companies that will recondition the black boxes on an exchange basis.

    Worn rubber suspension bushes and engine mounts can make old Falcons feel loose and noisy, but replacement items are easy to source and will reinvigorate the feel of the car, while also quietening things inside the cabin. 

    Ford Falcon S XR8 EB

    Although EA-ED Series Falcons don't have quite the same cult following as Holden Commodores of the time, they can still make for a fun, low-fuss weekend cruiser

    Speaking of which, Falcon interior plastics and trim materials are quite durable, but 30-plus years of wear and tear, and exposure to the Aussie sun, will naturally cause some deterioration. 

    The digital dash displays in upmarket Ghia variants are prone to failure, as are the sport-type front seats (also shared with XRs) which  can suffer side-bolster wear and collapse. If that happens, trim sections can be sourced from wreckers and spliced-in by an experienced motor trimmer. 

    Being Aussie designed, the ventilation and air-con works well but keep in mind these cars are now 30-years-old and although major components remain available, an air-con rebuild/update (to ozone-safe gas) can cost half the car’s value.  

    All in all, the EA-ED Series Falcons don’t have quite the same cult following as similar era Holden Commodores. But don’t let that put you off. Even if you’re not a typical blue-blood Ford fan, a tidy EA-ED Falcon can be a terrific, low-fuss, and fun weekend-cruiser.

    Valuation Timeline: Ford EBII-EL XR6 Falcon Sedan 

    🛠️ Timeline

    2005
    $12,500
    2010
    $6,000
    -52.00%
    2015
    $6,200
    +3.33%
    2019
    $9,500
    +53.23%
    2024
    $18,500
    +94.74%

    Market Review: Ford EBII-EL XR6 Falcon Sedan 

    Falcon’s return to the realms of six-cylinder performance relied on availability of a decent engine and it didn’t arrive until 1992, accompanying the EBII Series Falcons. 

    In XR6 form, the 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder motor made 161kW and with five speed manual transmission it covered the  0-100km/h dash  in a crisp 7.6 seconds. 

    Early cars were designated S-XR6 and for most of their lifetimes haven’t offered much inducement to collectors. Later ED-EL versions share their four-headlamp nose with the 5.0-litre XR8 and traditionally have been worth slightly more than the EBII. 

    These models are regaining ground, though, and all six-cylinder versions in excellent condition can now reach $20,000. ED-EL XR6 wagons do exist, but surviving cars are very scarce.

    Ford Falcon XR8 Sprint ED

    The ED Falcon's most memorable change was the new quad-lamp fascia for XR6 and XR8 models

    Valuation Timeline: Ford EBII-EL XR8 Falcon Sedan

    🛠️ Timeline

    2005
    $14,250
    2010
    $8,000
    -43.86%
    2015
    $8,500
    +6.25%
    2019
    $14,500
    +70.59%
    2024
    $23,500
    +62.07%

    Market Review: Ford EBII-EL XR8 Falcon Sedan 

    After killing its local V8 in a public execution almost 10 years earlier, Ford swallowed its pride and, for 1992, brought back the V8 engine it had said Australians wouldn’t miss. 

    All versions of the 5.0-litre Falcon V8 produced 165kW, meaning the ‘performance’ XR8 wasn’t any faster than a stock V8. However, they were likely to come with five-speed manual transmission which helped.

    The limited production ED Sprint did boost power to 192kW, but this engine option didn’t continue into the EF and EL ranges which reverted to 165kW. In common with the XR6, all versions of the XR8 saw values remain low and steady from 2005 until 2016 when local production of Falcon ceased. 

    At that point, enthusiast buyers realised that Falcon was indeed gone forever and began spending increasingly larger sums on quality examples of the 1990s XR8.

    Glenn Torrens

    Writer

    A life-long car nut, Glenn Torrens (who usually answers to ‘GT’) has been writing about cars and the lifestyle around them since a photo shoot with his 1956 VW Beetle - restored and modified at home while training as a high school teacher - led to a role as a motoring writer. Six years at Street Machine fuelled his passion for performance cars - especially Aussie ones – and inspired him to conceive and develop Australian Muscle Car magazine. Glenn has contributed to many old-school Australian motoring titles such as WHEELS, Unique Cars and 4x4 Australia and is thrilled to be involved as writer and presenter for Australia’s new premium on-line Retro Rides. 

    Glenn remains a hands-on classic car enthusiast with project cars as diverse as a 1990 Mazda MX-5, 1989 Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD, a pair of VW Beetle motorsport cars, a Ford Falcon and several Holden Commodores… and the happy little blue ’56 VW Bug where things all began.

    More inRetro Rides Originals

    All VW Bus generations from 1950 to today

    Celebrating 75 years of the Volkswagen Bus 

    The iconic Volkswagen Bus has been moving people and goods worldwide since 1950. The success of the VW Bus is unique in automotive history, standing as a symbol of the ‘economic miracle’ that was post-WWII Germany, of the hippie movement, and to this day of reliability, freedom and adventure.

    Modern Classic Cars Foundation

    How the Modern Classic Cars Foundation is addressing the classic car skills shortage

    As the automotive industry looks to include more technology and computer-controlled systems in cars than ever before, the nature of mechanics’ jobs is changing. As a result, the skills required to work on old cars are at risk of dying out, although one Sydney-based charity is looking to change that.

    Datsun 1600 Sedan

    Top Tips for Buying a Used Datsun 1600 (1968-72)

    When it arrived in the late ’60s, the Datsun 1600 boasted strong levels of standard equipment, a grunty four-pot engine, front disc brakes and independent rear suspension, positioning it closer to a BMW on paper than any of its Japanese contemporaries.

    More inAussie

    John French and Dick Johnson with the 1981 Bathurst 1000 trophy

    Australian motorsport world mourns the loss of Bathurst winner John French

    The world of Australian motorsport is mourning the loss of 1981 Bathurst 1000 winner John French, who died on 11 March 2025 aged 94.

    2025 All Aussie Auto Show

    2025 All Aussie Auto Show set to highlight Australian classics and unknowns

    When you think of what a car show for Australian vehicles might look like, a sea of Holdens and Fords will likely come to mind, with maybe the odd Mitsubishi or Chrysler. However, the 2025 All Aussie Auto Show is set to challenge that presumption by creating an event which opens attendees’ eyes to the depth and breadth of the Aussie automotive industry.

    Mitsubishi Magna AWD

    Classic TV: Mitsubishi Magna AWD

    In 2002, Mitsubishi made history by releasing the first all-wheel drive series production car built in Australia, the Magna AWD. Soon after, it also changed history with the same car's advertising campaign.

    Get The Latest

    Sign up for the latest in retro rides, from stories of restoration to community happenings.

    By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.