Graham Wadsworth - Ford Australia Designer | SHANNONS DESIGN TO DRIVEWAY | Ep 6

Let’s meet the AU Falcon’s biggest fan!

For over twenty years, everyone has had an opinion on the AU Ford Falcon - including the lead designer, Graham Wadsworth himself!

In this episode, we recount how on the day Ford Australia released their all new AU Falcon, Holden returned fire with a concept coupe that wowed the public. That car was the Monaro. Graham who now designs supercars for McLaren in the UK, was keen to talk about the AU Falcon - a car he remains a passionate defender of.

Ford knew the AU Falcon was in trouble even before it launched. Research had told them that car buyers wanted a new, more rounded shape that also appealed to women, but by the time the car launched, tastes had dramatically changed and the AU was in trouble.

Graham shares his first ever private sketches for the AU Ford Falcon – including a rugged off-road AU Falcon sports wagon and we get to see how management, including a very passionate Ford boss in Jac Nasser, helped shape the AU Ford Falcon as we know it.

At the time of the AU Falcon launch, Wadsworth and his team were already working on the next generation Falcon, the BA and subsequent BF. It was these two next generation Falcons which would take on a more contemporary and European shape, centred on the influence of the Audi A6.

The BA and BF Falcon designs answered the critics and Ford were back in the large car game and this platform was also what started the Ford Territory SUV. Wadsworth explains how the BMW X5 was the target vehicle, capturing a new family market that had shifted from the station wagon.

Falcon’s rich racing heritage and Australia’s love of the V8 Falcon remained close to Graham. In this Episode, he opens his private archives which comprise many never released or seen before sketches, concepts and photos from the Ford design studios including the incredible first-ever concept sketches of an all-Australian designed Ford Mustang. Wow we didn’t know that!

No matter where Graham Wadsworth is, he is a true global car designer, with the Ford Falcon firmly in his heart.

“Shannons are proud to commission this landmark series to celebrate the rich design heritage of the cars we all know and love. While Shannons plays a key role as Australia’s leading insurer for motoring enthusiasts, we also believe it is very important to preserve our automotive history for future generations” said Mark Behr, Executive Manager, Marketing for Shannons.

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