Ford Australia Cortina

vs

Ford Australia Falcon EA-EL

Australia vs Australia — 1962 vs 1988

Ford Australia Cortina (1962)
Ford Australia Falcon EA-EL (1988)
Specifications
Cortina GT500Falcon EA-EL EB GT 5.0 V8
Horsepower175 hp220 hp
Torque240 lb-ft300 lb-ft
Engine Size4,089 cc4,942 cc
0-60 mph9.0 sec7.2 sec
Top Speed115 mph143 mph
¼ Mile16.5 sec15.3 sec
Weight2,425 lbs3,505 lbs
Wheelbase2,565 mm2,778 mm
Length4,340 mm4,896 mm
Value (Excellent)$45,000$40,000
Collectibility6/106/10
Rarity5/105/10
The Verdict

It's a closely fought contest. The 1962 Ford Australia Cortina GT500 brings lighter weight, better value to the table, and the 1988 Ford Australia Falcon EA-EL EB GT 5.0 V8 answers with more power, quicker acceleration, higher top speed. Both are excellent machines that reward their owners in different ways — there's no wrong answer here.

Overview

Ford Australia has long offered a diverse lineup, and comparing the 1962 Ford Australia Cortina GT500 with the 1988 Ford Australia Falcon EA-EL EB GT 5.0 V8 highlights the breadth of the marque's engineering philosophy. The 1988 Ford Australia Falcon EA-EL EB GT 5.0 V8 holds a clear advantage in raw power with 220 hp compared to 175 hp, a 45-horsepower difference that shapes the driving experience. Under the hood, the contrast is notable: the Ford Australia Cortina uses a Inline-6 OHV Crossflow displacing 4,089 cc, while the Ford Australia Falcon EA-EL relies on a V8 OHV with 4,942 cc. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1988 Ford Australia Falcon EA-EL EB GT 5.0 V8 edges ahead at 7.2 seconds versus 9.0 seconds. The Ford Australia Cortina carries a weight advantage, tipping the scales 1080 lbs lighter. Each of these machines offers a unique window into the era that produced it, making both worthy of consideration by collectors and drivers alike.